1996 w124 e220 coupe reliability.

[macker64]

Evening folks,
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

A good friend has requested I go and look at a very clean 1996 W124 e220 coupe over the holidays and I would like to hear from past and present owners if there is anything in particular I need to look at apart from the obvious.

All comments greatly appreciated.

Regards,

 

[syncropaddy]

The first thing to do is check from the log book that its an Irish car or an import from the UK. If its an Irish car then there wont be too much rust but if its an import then check around the rear subframe mounts, rear arches, jacking points, around the front suspension mounts, front inner wings, the rear subframe and the front arms. The engine should be good for 200k as should the gearbox ..... the rest is cosmetic!

Is it THIS one?

 

[macker64]

Thanks a million! No thats not the one. Its not advertised apparently!

Regards,

 

[d215yq]

Suspension items and cooling issues were the only things I needed to spend money on on mine. The rest of the cars have IME been bullet proof and incredibly solid with turn key reliability.

They're lovely cars.

 

[grober]

Check the auto transmission engages drive or reverse reasonably quickly. All gear changes up and down should be clean with no flaring or jerking. Check the fluid should be translucent red or yellow. Any clouding/particulates/ dark opacity/ burning smell the box is probably toast.

 

[macker64]

Thanks guys, much appreciated!!

 

[teddycatkin]

Thanks guys, much appreciated!!

Right --first thing is the price ---unless you have just aqired a large cash sum and money is no object ??
The w124 with the 220 (m111-slk engine) was not in production long and is a remarkable beast---you need test drive it and take it to its limits to find out just how good it really is ---at the right price it will more than exceed you're expectations ?

 

[macker64]

Ever since I got my w124 300ce 24v coupe my buddy has had his heart set on one of these timeless cars.

He regularly drives mine and has been well and truly bitten by the bug. I drove the 2.2 version and very nearly bought one.

In the end I went for the 300ce and I am very glad I did. Its in a different league performance wise.

The only concern I have is the engine wiring as I believe its of the biodegradable
vintage!!

Regards,

 

[robparker]

You wont have a problem with engine wiring on the 300-24 model as it has the old injection/ignition system

 

[macker64]

Thanks Rob, I know my 300ce 24v is ok as regards the engine loom, the one I am referring to in the previous post is a 1996 220 coupe which I understand is impacted.

I will check it out when I take it for a test drive.

Regards,

 

[robparker]

220 loomes are good aswell.. it is occasionally heard of but nowhere near as much as 280/320's, again, aslong as all is running good now I wouldnt worry, the 220 is probbaly the most reliable of the 124 engines overall.

 

[macker64]

Thanks Rob, that's good to know!

Regards,