124 Advice please

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Pigpen

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Morning all.

I own a 280e and I'm told the reverse clutches are worn out, it slows to a halt or stops suddenly when in reverse. I've been quoted 500-600 quid to put this right.

Now, the car cost me 700 quid in January this year, I had to spend 900 quid on the wiring loom in February (which made me very cross) and I've done 15,000 miles in it so far. It's a bit tatty with the dings and scratches that come from living in central London but I have to admit I'm quite fond of it.

So my dilemma is this: Do I throw money at a fairly tatty car or do I cut my losses and look for a better nick 124 with the possibility that I'll just have to go through it again?

Note I haven't added an option to get a car that isn't a 124. I'm hooked :)
 

The Crooner

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Have you considered a replacement box from a reputable breaker?>

Might be cheaper, I dont know.

Whatever - I would get it done, you have depreciation free motoring and a super car as well.

You cant run a 124 without some bills, but you've got the big known problem sorted by doing the loom.

How many miles has it done?

Good luck

Tony
 
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Pigpen

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119k on it so not much at all

I asked the place about refurbing the gearnox but that would run me a grand.

Not sure about a complete gearbox from a breaker as you can't be sure it's okay and I'd still have to pay someone to fit the thing.

Have you considered a replacement box from a reputable breaker?>

Might be cheaper, I dont know.

Whatever - I would get it done, you have depreciation free motoring and a super car as well.

You cant run a 124 without some bills, but you've got the big known problem sorted by doing the loom.

How many miles has it done?

Good luck

Tony
 

kth286

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I am all for keeping the devil you know, and gradually getting the car back to original standard.

If you keep it for the long haul you will not lose money on it, as these cars will always be in demand and the good ones remaining are diminishing all the time.

Just look to see what has happened to good original condition 123 cars - many are being sold for 10k now and are hunted down by the arty/creative types that want a car that is from a prestigeous manufacturer but is different.

Typically I am thinking of the architect that turns up for client meetings in his/her 123 estate - priceless - we 124 owners can learn a lot from the 123 phenomenon.
 

television

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I have to agree with David on the above post,,just look at how many have been so disillusioned with the new cars and gone back to a 124 in recent months. Rob Parker a member here has secondhand boxes.
 
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Pigpen

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I agree with keeping a w124 of some kind, as I said, I have become very fond of mine.

What I would be looking at to get the old girl up to scratch would be a new/refurb gearbox and a full respray which together would cost > £2000 I imagine. Whereas there are quite a few 124s in very good nick for that price.

I guess I have to make up my own mind really. Cheers for confirming the 124 is the right way to go tho :)
 

The Crooner

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Whereas there are quite a few 124s in very good nick for that price.

I would want to be very sure of that before I parted with £2k.

My view, you buy the best you can as cheap as you can, fix it up, then run and maintain it, or go to a proper 124 specialist and buy with a warranty from someone with a reputation to lose.

That's more than £2000 though.

Fix your box and get it resprayed as you can afford it.

You will know what has been done.

You wont be relying on what might have.

Tony
 
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Pigpen

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So the next thing then....

Where to get a full respray? Any recommendations in London?
 

Pontoneer

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Who charged you £900 for the wiring loom ? !!!!!! The engine wiring loom , not the whole car's loom ??

The part only costs about £400 and fitting no more than a couple of hours absolute maximum ; I could do it inside an hour .
 
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Pigpen

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Yes, I got stitched up good n proper.

3 coils & most of the engine loom (I assume they didn't use an MB part), there was also an MAF thrown in for good measure. They initially quoted me £400, this went up to £900 and the garage refused to let the car go. I had no option but to pay and report them to the trading standards people.

This was back when I wasn't sure if I'd be keeping the car long so I was furious but as it's covered 14k since then with no real issues I can't complain too much I guess.


Who charged you £900 for the wiring loom ? !!!!!! The engine wiring loom , not the whole car's loom ??

The part only costs about £400 and fitting no more than a couple of hours absolute maximum ; I could do it inside an hour .
 

roadhog

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I'd vote for keeping the car going as well but personally I would (and do on mine) ignore the cosmetic issues. To make myself feel better I view my battle scarred exterior as a security measure (the same goes for the car), shiny ones get nicked first (I hope).
Send a PM to robparker as suggested, he offered me a gearbox for a very reasonable price not so long ago. Even with having to pay someone to fit it, you'll still come out cheaper. Worth doing IMHO as you've done a lot of work already.
 

television

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Who charged you £900 for the wiring loom ? !!!!!! The engine wiring loom , not the whole car's loom ??

The part only costs about £400 and fitting no more than a couple of hours absolute maximum ; I could do it inside an hour .

It must have been MB Mayfair :D:D
 

47p2

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............shiny ones get nicked first (I hope).

:shock:I hope not, this is my 1999 V-Class with 190k on the clock

P1000830.jpg
 

47p2

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The S-Class isn't the subject of this photo, the subject is indeed the V-Class side door which is showing a reflection of the S-Class
 

roadhog

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Yes, now I've put my glasses on I can see that. I did think the S looked a bit 'misshapen' but didn't want to upset you. :)
 

Pontoneer

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I'd agree that a secondhand gearbox would be the way to go .

Keep an eye on eBay and you might pick up a car that is rusty / accident damaged or MOT either due to expire or failed but , most importantly , still driving so that you can be sure the box is OK .

Typically , cars at this end of the market can be had for next to nothing : I know of someone who bought a W124 300TE for something like £6.50 on eBay , then found a couple of pounds change under the seats when cleaning it out , besides it having half a tank of petrol in it and a couple of weeks MOT/Tax left to run ! Quite a bargain ! It passed another MOT without any trouble and he just lived with the bashed in rear wing .
 
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Pigpen

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Problem there is that I live in central london with no parking to speak of but cheers for the idea.

On the bright side Triangle Sprays quoted a mere £5333.70 for a respray!
 

simon_wall69

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Buy a second hand cheap w124 with working g/box but MOT fail or whatever from an auction. Swap the gearboxes sell on wreck. You shouldn't lose much.
 

kth286

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Who charged you £900 for the wiring loom ? !!!!!! The engine wiring loom , not the whole car's loom ??

The part only costs about £400 and fitting no more than a couple of hours absolute maximum ; I could do it inside an hour .

You are out of touch - new loom is listed at £700 ish now - before any discount.
 

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