Going from a W124 to...

[dbanbery]

After having our W124 in the family for 10 yearsI think I’m having to admit that we need to upgrade to something modern-ish that is suitable for an expanding family. As the criteria is for something practical with a 7 seat option that limits me to fish-tank style vans, or estates with fold out seats, just like the W124. The fold out seats in volvos seem a bit of a joke in their V70s, and I don’t want a 4x4 either, so that limits us to....

A W211, W210, or Volvo.

As previously mentioned I can’t get motivated to want to buy a Volvo, when I can spend a similar amount of money on a W210 or w211. In typical “me” fashion I am drawn to the sub £4K W211s with their contemporary looks, massive spec and space - despite being smaller in the back than a W210.

I have read however, that they are plagued with mechanical/electronic issues, personal favourites of mine seem to be the leaking radiator that destroys the gearbox, the diesels that self destruct using flying metal shards, or carbon build up jamming injectors, and brake control units that seem to count the amount of times you press the brake pedal before the on board computer says “spend £1500 at Mercedes”

So my plan of action is to spend £3k on a petrol w211 and save up for the inevitable suspension strut replacement, while avoiding the Valeo radiator’d cars, and cars with the 7g-tronic gearbox.

Considering this approach, is there a better option? Is mileage pertinent?

The w210s are getting old, and I don’t fancy them at all - never have.

Or am I just being a moron and should just buy a Volvo? They feel like a step down after a w124 and all the other Mercs.

The plan is that I’ll be talking with money once the w123 is sold, so I can then sell the w124 once I get something else


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[robparker]

Don't be too put off by forum problems...
I have the "worst" w211.. it has the later V6 diesel with 7g box, but still isn't facelift so has SBC.. 265k miles and no problems so far in my ownership...

 

[LostKiwi]

Don't be put off the Volvo too much either. Most comfortable seats going and the T5 is just awesome.... (Just avoid the autoboxes).

 

[dbanbery]

The fold out seats in the volvos look like cardboard cutouts covered in velour, I’m not enamoured with FWD and the switches look cheap compared to the mercs and BMWs I’ve been accustomed to. The volvos are reliable and capable of the big miles. I just can’t get excited about them. And I won’t bother with any auto box that isn’t in a Merc. Unless it’s a Merc box in another car.

To be fair it was the honest John comments that propelled me to start a thread about it.

Since I’ve been looking at the w211s I’ve been liking them a lot.


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[John Laidlaw]

Don't be put off the Volvo too much either. Most comfortable seats going and the T5 is just awesome.... (Just avoid the autoboxes).

Agreed, V70R was quite a machine and the switchgear in the 2009 I had was excellent. I hear what the OP says on FWD mind....loads of scrabble
My XC90 interior is now the match of any brand in my opinion and better than many

 

[dbanbery]

Agreed, V70R was quite a machine and the switchgear in the 2009 I had was excellent. I hear what the OP says on FWD mind....loads of scrabble
My XC90 interior is now the match of any brand in my opinion and better than many

The only FWD I’ve had that handled properly round bends (and I’ve not had many) was my Mk4 XR3i... after I upgraded the suspension, brakes and gearbox (LSD box out of an RS Turbo) I’ve had a fast one too - ‘85 saab 900 turbo-16S

I just prefer RWD, and BMW don’t do a 7 seater that’s in my price bracket that isn’t an X5.

I’ll check out the later ones - strangely enough my dad had a V50 estate with the sport pack that was like it was on rails. I don’t know how much that had to do with the 18inch wheels and brand new car syndrome though (back in 2005)


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[LostKiwi]

There are some good handling FWD cars out there. Integra Type R, Elan, Fiat Coupé, Barchetta for example.
For what it was my old T5 was quite good till you pushed it that bit too far...
You usually just need a different technique...

 

[dbanbery]

There are some good handling FWD cars out there. Integra Type R, Elan, Fiat Coupé, Barchetta for example.
For what it was my old T5 was quite good till you pushed it that bit too far...
You usually just need a different technique...

I think my days of driving that sort of machine are over for the foreseeable future - the “toy” is my 129, and I don’t think handling wise anything compares to a Honda S2000. Possibly the best handling sports car I’ve ever driven.

I can’t really explain the Volvo thing, they just don’t appeal. I’ll go and see one and drive it though.


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[dbanbery]

So the V6 diesels are the ones to avoid? How so? If I was pushed and the miles weren’t too massive and backed up with a good service record then I might be convinced. Just not enamoured with messing with injectors and black sludge. My dad has had four of the CDI cars (c220, c270 x 2 and an S320) and has just moved over to a BMW.


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[John Laidlaw]

Didn’t think there was anything wrong with the V6 to be honest, the 4 pots I would avoid if at all possible

 

[dbanbery]

Didn’t think there was anything wrong with the V6 to be honest, the 4 pots I would avoid if at all possible

Underpowered?


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[John Laidlaw]

Underpowered?


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And noisy!

 

[dbanbery]

And noisy!

Hmm.

If they are mechanically sound and economical though...

My current daily is an E300 diesel. Without a turbo so in terms of performance I’m not horrendously fussed.


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[John Laidlaw]

Lol given that then not a great issue! The OM646 engine in the W211 E220 4 pot isn’t generally bad and certainly more reliable than the replacement in the W212 which followed (OM651) which suffered premature injection failure issues in early days and a stupid timing chain....

 

[dbanbery]

Lol given that then not a great issue! The OM646 engine in the W211 E220 4 pot isn’t generally bad and certainly more reliable than the replacement in the W212 which followed (OM651) which suffered premature injection failure issues in early days and a stupid timing chain....

The 220, 270, 320 from 2002, 2003 etc have all needed injectors but then again my dad has done big miles in them. And he uses the accelerator pedal like a switch. To be honest I’d be happy with a fully loaded v6 Petrol as I’m not commuting and it doesn’t have injector issues. Modern era cars seem to have a lot of spring failures anyway. I know a bit about the airmatic having messed with my dads w220, so process of elimination anyway


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[JBell]

Have you thought about an R Class, 6 or 7 seaters, 4wd and a V6 CDi in the front

 

[John Laidlaw]

Have you thought about an R Class, 6 or 7 seaters, 4wd and a V6 CDi in the front

This is a good call, clean forgot these!

 

[dbanbery]

Hmm. My dad mentioned these. Scared of the maintenance behind a 4WD, what are they like compared to the w211?


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[JBell]

This is a good call, clean forgot these!

I was looking at one of the last ones last week, really nice motors, may be an option if I can face changing the C this year

 

[JBell]

Hmm. My dad mentioned these. Scared of the maintenance behind a 4WD, what are they like compared to the w211?

Basically an ML underneath, the early ones come in long and short wheel base, short has 5 seats and long has 6 or 7 depending on configuration

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...rtising-location=at_cars&model=R CLASS&page=1