Guest Post: Gruzevskis Mercedes Fleet Update July 2025
It’s that time of year that we have our neighbourly Christmas in July dinner, at the Pig and Whistle Tavern in Olinda. One may think this is a perfect opportunity to provide a Mercedes fleet update.
1998 Mercedes E430 Elegance
My latest acquisition, purchased in late July 2024. Used as my daily driver. Has been reliable, comfortable and that small block M113 4.3 V8 is such a delight.
- KM driven (12 months): 6,281
- KM on odometer: 215,265
- Fuel Consumption: Best 10.9l/100km, Average 13.6l/100km.
- Availability: Excellent.
- Spend: Oil change and filter, replaced all speakers and climate control sensor motor.
- Usage: Office commute Melbourne CBD 2-3 days per week. Suburban/Urban commute.
- Highlights: A fabulous 27-year-old Mercedes-Benz, that can still be used as a daily drive without spending large sums of money.
1998 Mercedes SLK230
Haven’t used car that much in last 12 months even though it’s been reliable and hasn’t cost me much to maintain. Sometimes you just need to be in the mood and the weather needs to be right, to drop the roof down. Need to use it for a longer trip in next 12 months, to determine what it’s like travelling large distances on our average roads.
- KM driven (12 months): 1,186
- KM on odometer: 189,257
- Fuel Consumption: Best 8.7l/100km, Average 9.9l/100km.
- Availability: Excellent
- Spend: Oil change and filter.
- Usage: Club Events, Concours, Motors & Masterpieces, have drive to work (Melbourne CBD) on the odd occasion.
- Highlights: As been a fantastic club vehicle.
1979 Mercedes 450SE
After 6 years of ownership, I’m still attempting to get this car right. In the last 12 months I finally got around to fixing the engine ticking noise, as two of my rocker arms were badly worn. The sum of money spent on this work wasn’t insignificant. Parts are not cheap, but at least they are still available.
Within the next 12 months I plan to rebuild front end, replace all shock absorbers and retention springs.
- KM driven (12 months): 988
- KM on odometer: 260,499
- Fuel Consumption: 14l/100km, Average 15.2l/100km.
- Availability: Poor to Fair
- Spend: Engine work: Replaced all rocker arms, reground camshafts and hardened. Replaced both chain sprockets. Oil change and filter.
- Usage: Club events, Mailing Road, MB Brighton Display.
- Highlights: Being Invited to display at Mercedes-Benz Brighton.
Author: Nick Gruzevskis is a contributor to classicjalopy.com, and the custodian of a great collection of classic and modern cars. Links to some his other articles can be found here
