124 wagon as everyday car?

[malcolm E53 AMG]

It's worth keeping an eye open for a 210 pre-facelift 2.3 petrol or 300TD, they are not dissimilar to the 124 in complexity and probably more plentiful, chose carefully and you wouldn't be disappointed. There are still some good ones around and much cheaper on fuel.

 

[ShivaYash]

It's worth keeping an eye open for a 210 pre-facelift 2.3 petrol or 300TD, they are not dissimilar to the 124 in complexity and probably more plentiful, chose carefully and you wouldn't be disappointed. There are still some good ones around and much cheaper on fuel.

Hello. What's special about the pre-facelift models? Not as rusty as the post? When did the facelift happen?

 

[robparker]

first facelift of body style and interior in 1988, then of engines and more body style and interior in 93

Oh sorry, for the 210... 96-99 then facelift 99-02 which had new engines and more complex electronics

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hello. What's special about the pre-facelift models? Not as rusty as the post? When did the facelift happen?

The pre-facelift cars were less complex than the later CDi engines and in 2.3 petrol and 300TD diesel were very good on fuel economy.

As regards rust, not much to choose between the pre and facelift as long as you know where to look you are OK

 

[lanciaman]

Thanks for the suggestion but I was under the impression the 210 is nowhere well put together as the 124 and they have big corrosion issues......otherwise I would look at them.

 

[teddycatkin]

Thanks for the suggestion but I was under the impression the 210 is nowhere well put together as the 124 and they have big corrosion issues......otherwise I would look at them.

Good morning Lanciaman
Forget w210's-Sneak a look on Ebay at the two Japanese imports for sale---both look absolute bargins that will last a long time yet ?---(thats what I would be going for)

 

[lanciaman]

Hi teddyc. Yep, have been following those. They are both stunning!!

 

[teddycatkin]

Hi teddyc. Yep, have been following those. They are both stunning!!

£30k+ 20 years ago x inflation = £60k+ car for 10% of the price -no brainer ?

 

[ShivaYash]

If spending that much, do take a look at Nick Froome's cars. I think they go for similar money but you have the bonus of a 12 month warranty.

Best wishes,

 

[st4]

A W210 rusts more cosmetically but bar spring perches they don't rust structurally.

They'll be more modern to drive, more spacious and safer in a crash and in 300DT guise fast and frugal. With a 124 you can get fast models or slow frugal ones. The 210 offers both in the 300DT whilst being mechanically still simple.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

A W210 rusts more cosmetically but bar spring perches they don't rust structurally.

They'll be more modern to drive, more spacious and safer in a crash and in 300DT guise fast and frugal. With a 124 you can get fast models or slow frugal ones. The 210 offers both in the 300DT whilst being mechanically still simple.

Wise words Steve!

I spent 13 years with a 124 300TE and have currently driven my 210 E320CDi for 8 years and couldn't put it any better than the above.

 

[syncropaddy]

There are two beautiful W124 4 cyl saloons and a few 4 cyl estates on the internet for good money. All are low milers and all well looking at. Comparing a W124 with a W210 as a 'classic' car to drive as a daily is plain silly. A good W124 will last for years ......

Examples

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251188516582?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200868640348?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

 

[st4]

There are two beautiful W124 4 cyl saloons and a few 4 cyl estates on the internet for good money. All are low milers and all well looking at. Comparing a W124 with a W210 as a 'classic' car to drive as a daily is plain silly. A good W124 will last for years ......

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251188516582?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

How. The OP wants an estate car for day to day use not a classic car. The 210 followed from where the 124 left off. Both can be had cheaply. 124's will fall into the realms of classic cars like the 123 did. The 210 probably won't but for a daily smoker a 210 would be my choice. For weekends and holidays the more charasmatic 124 would be my choice.

 

[television]

How. The OP wants an estate car for day to day use not a classic car. The 210 followed from where the 124 left off. Both can be had cheaply. 124's will fall into the realms of classic cars like the 123 did. The 210 probably won't but for a daily smoker a 210 would be my choice. For weekends and holidays the more charasmatic 124 would be my choice.

But finding a good 210 is not easy, by that I mean 1 that is not rusty in the known area's, subframes, doors, wings front and rear, plus suspension all good. Yes there are some, but its finding one. The 300td is a good one engine wise and probably around 1997/8 the good years.

 

[d215yq]

and safer in a crash a

Wrong, the pre facelift 210 is worse than a W124 in a crash, and the W124 was the only car crash tested and as rigid from a rear crash as a front one.

http://www.automobilesdeluxe.tv/mercedes-e-class-generational-safety-comparison/

The post facelift was made to equal the W124. I'd concede the 211s/212s are almost certainly a lot safer though.

In many ways, as the W124 was the last proper Mercedes and the W210 was the first built to a budget, with a w210 (pre facelift atleast) you seem to get all the drawbacks of a newer car (cheaper made, more complex, worse materials) without any of the positives (better safety, better economy/performance, etc).

I;d say get a W124 or a W211 and avoid the W210 at all costs. IMO the W124 and the W211 are both better looking inisde and out too

 

[teddycatkin]

Wrong, the pre facelift 210 is worse than a W124 in a crash, and the W124 was the only car crash tested and as rigid from a rear crash as a front one.

http://www.automobilesdeluxe.tv/mercedes-e-class-generational-safety-comparison/

The post facelift was made to equal the W124. I'd concede the 211s/212s are almost certainly a lot safer though.

In many ways, as the W124 was the last proper Mercedes and the W210 was the first built to a budget, with a w210 (pre facelift atleast) you seem to get all the drawbacks of a newer car (cheaper made, more complex, worse materials) without any of the positives (better safety, better economy/performance, etc).

I;d say get a W124 or a W211 and avoid the W210 at all costs. IMO the W124 and the W211 are both better looking inisde and out too

Exactly---! You have the same W124 220te as me and speak from experience 160k and still going strong ---(almost 80k on mine now)

 

[st4]

Look closely at the 124 video, no airbags and there is speculation about the 124 being crashed at 35mph not 40mph.

However, I take the point about the facelifted 210 looking a lot better. I'd, actually having seen this, track down a facelifted car and get the 320cdi one.

124s are great, but they are really quite an old car and facelifted 210 will be 6 to 7 years younger and hopefully less hassle to look after. A 124 really is now a modern classic. I know they have a loyal following but 210's mainly rust cosmetically and a few scappy wings are cheap to sort and no big deal but rusting jacking points in sills is a more serious issue.

 

[lanciaman]

True a facelifted 210 is a few years younger, but it is still old enough to be a shed load of trouble - and I do believe the 124 was a much better engineered car.

Kind of ended up with a price of £1750 for this 1990 300te 24. 110k miles, a few options but rust free. Needs a couple of small trim details done. No apparent rust. Even air con works. As I said, 1 owner from new. I think it is a fair price, albeit they do go for less , and who wants a 3.0 anyway... but I drive quite sensibly so I would envisage 26 to 28mpg. A 230 would perhaps be better by what, 3 to 4 mpg? 220 much the same. So, not a huge consideration.

Wasn't actively seeking the 24v, just it happens to be the one that has come up which isn't way in the deep south (most places are from me).

Or, got a friend who would sell me his 1993 Lancia Thema wagon, which I know is all sorted..... but that is a different ballgame.

 

[syncropaddy]

A 1990 300-24 TE would be a good choice with only 110,000 on the clock - nice and silky smooth. You might hit 28/29 mpg with the six cyl, a 230 4 cyl not much more but a 220 4 cyl would easily hit 38/39 mpg.
I reckon the 220 4 cyl engine is every bit as good as a 3 litre diesel ..... almost as economical, more powerful and cheaper to maintain!

 

[syncropaddy]

Look closely at the 124 video, no airbags and there is speculation about the 124 being crashed at 35mph not 40mph.

The W210 deformed a lot more around the 'A' post than the W124 and whilst the W210 might have come with airbags as standard, any W124 I've ever owned had them fitted ....