Thirty-five years ago, George and Luzstella Koschel of Orange Country, Calif., purchased a new 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE sedan as a European Delivery vehicle. The Koschels drove it for more than 1 million miles — 1,019,000 miles to be exact. Mercedes-Benz, who takes pride in its renowned vehicle quality and durability, invited the couple, along with the car, to join them at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. “We believe the Koschels and their car personify customer satisfaction and vehicle quality, which are fundamental values and high priority goals for Mercedes-Benz,” said Paul Halata, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.
The Koschels are part of an elite group of Mercedes-Benz owners whose cars have reached the million-mile mark. Currently, the high-mile champ is Gregorios Sachinidis, a Greek taxi driver, whose 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D holds the record for 2,852,000 miles. A 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D in Greece belonging to Gregorios Sachinidis had reached 2,858,307 miles (4,599,999 km) before retiring to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Germany.
Mercedes has acquired the Koschel’s car for the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. Meanwhile, the Koschels are “considering” a 2005 CLK320 Cabriolet in exchange for putting their beloved car in the museum.
