Poll: What do you consider "low" mileage?

[Maui]

I am curious what other members consider to be "low" mile 1992-1994 E500E. There is a difference between "ultra" low miles and "low" miles. To me anything less than 30k miles is "ultra" low miles. I've only seen a handful of cars for sale with less than 40k and those did not necessarily equate to a "collector" car. Based on what I have seen for sale, I consider a car with less than 80k miles to be "low" miles. This number will obviously change as time goes on. These cars are such a pleasure to drive that they seem to rack up the miles.

Please post your comments and reasoning.

Gerry please feel free to edit this poll.

 

[gerryvz]

I generally agree -- anything below around 30K is "ultra low" and anything below around 75K is "low miles". 100-200K is "normal/average" mileage, and anything above 200K I'd consider high mileage. 300K and above I'd consider very high mileage and Glen's Dr.P car I'd consider "ultra high mileage."

Honestly though, I'd MUCH rather have a car that has average/normal mileage (my car just turned 126K; I got it with 67K almost 11 years ago) and has been strictly maintained along the way, than a 35K mile car that has not been used much and is in need of a lot of things.

I've always appreciated "time warp" cars for what they are. To me they are the equivalent of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model -- great to look at. But I really do like to drive my cars. Why own something if you can't use it as intended? Pretty shiny objects are great, and I'm glad there are folks out there who love 'em ... they're just not for me.

I've driven an open-checkbook, dealer-maintained 250K mile car that drove actually a bit nicer than my car did at 90K. Go figure.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Maui]

I consider my 125k mile car to be high mileage. Although the car is very sound mechanically and the interior is in as good condition as the 37k mile car I drove. The exterior is nice and cleans up very well, but to the discerning eye could use a little work. I should preface that because I set pretty high standards. Everyone that has been around the car or taken a cruise in the car is shocked when I tell them how many miles it has. The engine pulls very hard and accelerates extremely well. Everything functions as it should. I love the 199 color because it takes on so many different shades depending on the lighting conditions.

I do plan to add a sub 80k mile 500E to my collection very soon. However, that means the SL has to go to make room. I absolutely love the 2003 SL500 and will miss it but it will continue to depreciate. With 38k miles and impeccable condition I think now is the time to sell it. As little as I drive it I think a 500E with low miles would be the better choice.

 

[unrulyjess]

I have two Mercedes Benz 500E's and two 124 Cabriolets.

My 1993 Mercedes Benz 500E has 75,000+ on it and My 1992 500E has less than 43,000 miles on it. However,
the cars, matching exterior, (pearl black) one black and the other gray interior, are in slightly different condition. IE. My 1993 500E
is the nicer of the two, even though it has more than 30K more miles on its clock. The 1992 500E is a nice car, however the 1993 500E
is a pristine car. Regarding my two 124 Cabriolets, the 1993 CE has over 95,000 miles on its odometer and is in excellent condition the
1994 E320 has a little over 10,000 miles on it's clock and is in like new condition. All of my cars are exercised regularly and until
I joined this site, I always thought that they were in better condition than they probably really are!

I would define low mileage as anything under 75,000 miles and ultra low mileage would be anything under 45,000 miles.

Regards,

Jess Paul
(unrulyjess)

Regards,

Jess Paul
(unrulyjess)

 

[gsxr]

I consider my 125k mile car to be high mileage.

ROTFLMAO!! Three of my 036's are between 163kmi and 192kmi. If you look at the overall market and the typical 10kmi per year average, 150-200kmi for these cars is probably typical. And you'll find a lot for sale in that general range. My idea of "high mileage" is over 200-250kmi. There was a red one for sale recently with ~335kmi, and Stevester's car has ~250kmi, not to mention Glen's 500K+ car. My 87 300D has 325kmi, btw. Of course all my cars are in various stages of mechanical restoration, some with all new/recent suspension rubber, and therefore drive better than the usual 100-150kmi car with original rubber. IMO, anyway.

 

[Maui]

Prior to my 500E i had never owned a car with 100k miles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gerryvz]

Whereas 100K miles may be a general milestone with most cars as to what's a "tired" vs. newish car, 100K means nothing when it comes to Benzes through the mid 1990s. My 560SEC (which is my daily driver) has 216K on it and it doesn't have a single squeak or rattle. Nor does my wife's E320 wagon with nearly 203K on the odometer.

Try THAT with a 1980s/1990s GM or Ford, LOL !

 

[Maui]

Very true. My '93 has zero rattles. Very solid car. I love the sound if the door closing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gerryvz]

I love the sound if the door closing.

Heh. If you love the sound of a W124 door closing, you MUST hear and experience the sound of a W126 sedan door closing.

The coupes are 100% more solid than the W124s, but the 126 sedans are the automotive equivalent of a bank vault door closing.

It's a very unique, mechanical sound that is just oh, so pleasing to experience.

I need to post up a video of the three car doors closing.......

 

[gsxr]

Bah, humbug! W140 with closing assist FTW!

 

[Roma_500E]

For the 22 years old cars everything under 100K is low mileage. E500E is not a Ferrari F50/F40/Enzo to be with the low miles. Most of the states are designed to be driven on the highways so every day basic trip is pretty long. So based on that I would say 22 years old luxury/regular Mercedes with the under 100K is definitely low mileage. I would say that 170K and up is regular mileage for 22 years old car. I know 170K is high mileage itself but do not forget about time that goes very fast.

 

[albdentist]

+1 Roma I agree....well stated...

 

[texas993]

Heh. If you love the sound of a W124 door closing, you MUST hear and experience the sound of a W126 sedan door closing.

The coupes are 100% more solid than the W124s, but the 126 sedans are the automotive equivalent of a bank vault door closing.

It's a very unique, mechanical sound that is just oh, so pleasing to experience.

I need to post up a video of the three car doors closing.......

And you should hear the G Wagen door! That thing is a vault too.

 

[gerryvz]

Here are some quick iPhone videos I took tonight of the doors closing.

1994 E500 (front and rear doors, taken from outside the vehicle):
[youtube]l-8n4dpKG9w[/youtube]


1994 E500 (rear door, taken from inside the vehicle):
[youtube]pUtPakYWN4A[/youtube]


1989 560SEC (taken from outside the vehicle):
[youtube]VIWXIXP5J7A[/youtube]


1990 560SEL (front and rear doors, taken from outside the vehicle):
[youtube]jDG5NaTR1YY[/youtube]


1990 560SEL (front door, taken from inside the vehicle):
[youtube]w4zGK2ke3f0[/youtube]


1990 560SEL (rear door, taken from inside the vehicle):
[youtube]zehoBizRKXU[/youtube]


Cheers,
Gerry

 

[garnachavino]

My old s320 was ordered somehow with the closing assist deleted. Closing is about close to the same effort as any w124, maybe 10-15% more effort at most. Its a solid door without doubt.

I recall having ridden a few w140s long ago with the closing assist malfunctioning.. That takes much more effort to slam closed.

Bah, humbug! W140 with closing assist FTW!

 

[Maui]

Love the door closing videos. There is no doubt they are all special cars.

 

[garnachavino]

My personal interpretation:

9k down - collector car
10-20k - average collector car
21-35k - low miles car
36k up - drivers car


I also believe it really depends on the care of the individual owner and diligence of maintenance. Regardless of the mileage.

But all throughout this spectrum, anything above 10k meticulous mechanical maintenance should be requirement. Am assuming the sub 5k garage queens get light servicing, and faults are also addressed as they show.