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So you know how men get attached to their cars?

No?

I have been driving my dad's 1982 Mercedes Benz W126 280 SE for over 5 years now and I never was quite the lover until I pumped it with RM 141 worth of RON95 at Mobil recently when I commute daily in this car. That moment changed my life.

I drove the car back home and broke out the lubes, leather polish, tyre polish etc. Started out from the inside and worked my way outside. It was a nice Sunday afternoon outside and I had nothing to do after practice for Christmas so I went off and spent an hour or so to grease up the pitchy-squeaky hinges, wax the leather seats and interiors, and polish the tires.

Took out all the unnecessary items from the glovebox and boot and I put in an air-freshener to make my journeys more pleasant.

I enjoyed it. Thoroughly. This car is becoming like an old friend that never complained. But it hasn't got much time and mileage left.

Now the car has only a few problems.

1. Steering, when handsfree, tends to lean to the left

2. Wiper switch for interval is not working

3. Carpet is stained and rubber mat has to be replaced

4. Alarm remote control is old and spoiled

5. Engine drops to 250 RPM (default is 800) on cold starts; barely moving and if you're not careful, the engine will just choke and turn off

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A promo video for the W126 from the 80's.

Although this car is an old one, it's still silky smooth and quiet on the roads and effortlessly accelerate 160 km/h with 2.8 litres of energy to dispose. The straight 6 delivers. Also I think the old mercs look better and more "Deutsch" with the solid lines and curves that are not all that aerodynamic but the presence is so prominent.

"Engineered Like No Other" was their tagline.

This car, when it becomes a conker, I am going to be very, very cross.