Another one for the W124 gang !

[Phil D]

Hi - after two years of my w203 (220cdi) and several months of hanging round this forum, I'm becoming more & more attracted to the idea of changing the car for one from the "golden era" and received wisdom here seems to suggest that the famous w124 is the car to go for.
being realistic even the newest ones will be more than 10 years old and there will of course be issues to look out for - but what does anyone think ? Am I mad or does this one have legs? I'm thinking late as possible for things like airbags etc, and high spec to include leather, air con, auto being a must etc - but what would be the ideal target car? When I bought the w203 I was looking for a diesel as my annual mileage at the time was around 15,000 - much less now - probably no more than 8,000

 

[ceverritt]

w124 heaven

hi if it helps I have 220cdi w203 and have just bought an e220 w124 with 56,000 and the w203 just doesnt touch it the w124 simply is a car of unbeatable quality:-D !

 

[television]

hi if it helps I have 220cdi w203 and have just bought an e220 w124 with 56,000 and the w203 just doesnt touch it the w124 simply is a car of unbeatable quality:-D !

What more can one say

 

[Phil D]

it does help although it's going to be a bit of a battle with her indoors!
my first merc was a w202 in 1998, in the good old company car days - it seemed bullet proof and reeked of quality (even though it's not a model that gets too many rave reviews on the forum) I did 70,000 miles in 18 months & when I handed it back it was driving better than the day I picked it up new. The current one still puts a bit of a smile on the face, but I suppose I've never quite forgiven it for having the engine mangement warning light come on four days after buying it from a main dealer, and than taking around five trips back to finally get it sorted - bad & wrong as my daughter would say!

 

[Phil D]

hello Malcolm - just seen your post - so what model should I go for?

 

[mattsurf]

2 months ago I sold my 124 - a 1996 e280 estate 100k miles really good condition. I regret that decision every day!

I bought a W210 E320 CDI - brilliant engine... everything else was better on the 124. No car I have ever driven gives the same sense of occasion as a good 124. Also find a good one and they are cheap to run, the total cost of mine, including depreciation was 32p per mile over 40k miles - this is less than Blobcat's E320 CDI and less than What car quote for a new ford fiesta!!

My advice - on 8k miles you will not save that much on a diesel (about 5 - 6 mpg), so probably no more than £200 - £300 per year. By a 6 cylinder petrol, I had both the E320 and E280, I would recommend the E280 as it is a bit smoother and a bit more economical. I have driven diesel 124s even the mutivalve is not quick, and certainly not smooth. The stright 6 cylinder engines are so nice (in my opinion better than the later V6), smooth, powerful and relatively simple.

The car I sold had driver and passenger airbags, air-con, leather, and 7 seats which was all I really needed. The only option on the W210 which I like is the cruise control, which is brilliant, however, you can get it on a W124.

Amyway My advice 100% go for it - take your time, don't think about price, get the best



spend £4k and buy the best you can find, it will be sold by an enthusiast or a specialist

 

[Phil D]

cheers Matt - this is beginning to grow legs!
Although I've had diesels for quite a few years now they've never seemed like "proper cars" - (apart form a c320cdi the dealers lent me once - that car is awesome) - but a straight six petrol - now you're talking - estates don't do it for me (personal choice) - what would / should you pay for a top notch late model saloon with the right spec? - sorry - got so carried away with your enthusiasm I missed the refrence to 4k - is this the right sort of money?
Phil

 

[television]

hello Malcolm - just seen your post - so what model should I go for?

As Mattsurf the 280-320, lovely engines and power to weight ratio

 

[Phil D]

thanks Malcolm

 

[shirubaby]

i had the chance to get into and drive a w202 and compare it to my own w124 and i can say that the finishings are much better on the w124 (even when comparing g reg to a newer s reg.). Interior quality is excellent and it helps to know that when you consider families.

 

[lakeside]

2 months ago I sold my 124 - a 1996 e280 estate 100k miles really good condition. I regret that decision every day!

Aw, sorry Matt, I did notice that rather wistful look when I drove it away.....:Oops:

Phil D, Matt's ex is my third, and best, 124. These are the best cars I've ever had, in 36 years of owning cars. I've previously owned both a 200 16v, and a 24v diesel. The 4-pots are very good, cheap to run, cheap to buy, but rather slow and unrefined. For the full 124 experience though, go for a 6-pot. I agree with Matt, the 24v diesel is very nice, and probably the best long-term bet if you do high mileages, but it doesn't compare to the 280 for smoothness, refinement and overtaking welly. The 280 is a wonderful engine, and capable of 30mpg if driven carefully (!) There are plenty around, and saloons are not as expensive as estates. Best buy, in my opinion: E280, (pre august 1995 - the paint's better) in a dark metallic, mushroom leather, aircon, cruise, heated electric seats, sunroof, 4-speed auto. Nothing else feels like a 124 on the road, it's a unique driving experience. These cars are a bargain at almost any price. Go for full history with invoices if possible. I reckon £4k will get you a minter, although you could pay a lot less if you're lucky, or a lot more if you're impatient! Look at lots. Buy carefully. You won't regret it.

 

[Phil D]

it gets better! but where to find one with confidence? - our man at 124.co.uk has an awesome reputation, but only deals in estates unfortunately

 

[lakeside]

The latest issue of Mercedes Enthusiast has a few low-mileage E280s advertised, mainly at specialist dealers. Otherwise, it's Autotrader, Pistonheads, or the 'Bay. You need to look at a few to get the feel of it.
An estate is in some ways even better than a saloon. It's properly designed for the purpose, not just a saloon with a shed on the back , and rides even better.
If your looking at dealers, make sure they are specialists, and know what they're selling. General dealers don't understand them.

 

[AlisonH]

Phil, I can't improve on what the experts here say, but I got my old W124 six months ago, and after it had been standing around a farmyard for four years and doing nothing but shunt caravans around. Had a few teething troubles, but those only to be expected in the circumstances. Had no real service history but signs of bodgers having been at work on it, including swapping the auto gearbox for a manual. However, it is proving itself a real workhorse and despite the rough tracks I often have to negotiate - and it's a lovely, comfortable drive with a decent road under its wheels. No regrets.

 

[Ade W124]

Hi Phil

I'd check out as many as you have time for, there is a big difference between a sorted car and one needing attention.

I looked at quite a few advertised as mint but with electrical faults, leaks, slipping gearboxes, rust, bits missing etc.. before settling on mine (suffering none of the above except a leak which was caused by a blocked drain). I also spent a whole £45 getting the car checked out by an MB indy which flagged up a few minor problems which the vendor put right. Money well spent IMHO.

The saloons seem the cheapest, you might want to look for a 5 speed box and sports/ sportline suspension (not as rare as vendors would like you to think). I'd also suggest that you buy based on condition and history rather than age and mileage. The 24V 300s go well but have quite a different character than the later 320s.
There is loads of info on here and other sites. Do thread searches to suss out the common problems if you haven't already. There are dozens of W124s around SE London where we live, most have dodgy wheels and lowered suspension though.. but it shows how they keep on going despite their owners :wink:

A snap of mine - I still can't believe it is 16 years old!:

Best of luck.

Ade

 

[television]

That car looks good Ade, very nice and timeless

 

[Ade W124]

Ta very much...

Am currently debating what to do to it next (wheel refurb to remove curbing, paintwork to remove a few scuffs and dings or a new ipod compatible stereo...) unfortunately, we are in the process of refurbishing our flat which means the car keeps getting pushed down the list - its taken me a month to change the thermostat .

I much prefer cars as the maker intended, I even like the orange lenses on the older shape and I must be one of the few on here to actually like the 15 hole alloys.

Ade. :-D

 

[Bolide]

I must be one of the few on here to actually like the 15 hole alloys.

We're a select few!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[television]

We're a select few!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

The amount of cars that get ruined through silly wheels, its as bad as the wrong windows in a house. when you think of the money thats spent on these things by MB in the design stage.

 

[RGubbioli]

I much prefer cars as the maker intended, I even like the orange lenses on the older shape and I must be one of the few on here to actually like the 15 hole alloys.

Ade. :-D

I'm with you on that one! (plus 15 in = better ride) Nothing spoils a W124 more than dodgy wheels. Oh wait, actually... probably those horrendous chrome effect wheel arches do!