Buying advice - repair or ditch it?

[lyndonri]

My W210 is in the wars at the moment. I've just spent £1800 on an engine overhaul and it looks like I may need a new injector pump and my gearbox has an issue with the valve block (input/output sensors causing it to go into emergency mode).

It's getting to the stage where I don't know what to do for the best. By the time I've finished repairing, I could easily have bought a replacement car - possibly better than this one! However, the faults were not all apparent from the outset, otherwise I may not have had the engine done.

The other thing that bugs me is the need to have four wheel arches sorted out plus other bits of rust here and there.

I'm wondering whether to save my money and look for a decent W124 or a C class - diesels preferably. I just want a good quality car that's roomy - preferably an estate. I'm not worried about the age but I've only got a few grand to spend.

What would all you guys do in this situation?

 

[television]

Hopefully some answers will come up in the morning

 

[MotardMan]

W210? Is the rust not covered under the body warranty?

 

[MIW615]

I don't know what your car is worth but it may well be worth considering advertising it, in say Auto-Trader and see how much you can sell for - even with the known faults and hopefully recover as much money as you can to put towards your next car

 

[lyndonri]

I have already enquired about the rust and was told it wasn't covered. Anyway. I've had a go at it with Kurust and smooth Hammerite to mask it a bit, so I guess the warranty would be void.

As far as reliablity, comfort and space is concerned, what model does everyone recomend within a 4K-ish budget? Preferably estate and diesel.

Any for sale?

Thanks

 

[MotardMan]

As far as reliablity, comfort and space is concerned, what model does everyone recomend within a 4K-ish budget? Preferably estate and diesel.

Any for sale?

Thanks

You should be able to source a nice W124 300TD for that money. Get one in dark blue metallic with mushrom leather and I'll be very jealous.

Best of luck, I hope it works out for you.

 

[hawk20]

It's getting to the stage where I don't know what to do for the best. By the time I've finished repairing, I could easily have bought a replacement car - possibly better than this one!
I'm wondering whether to save my money and look for a decent W124 or a C class - diesels preferably. I just want a good quality car that's roomy - preferably an estate. I'm not worried about the age but I've only got a few grand to spend.

What would all you guys do in this situation?

IMO nobody can advise you. It is all a matter of chance. I remember well the agonies of it all; after the third repair you give up; sell it to a friend; and then a couple of years later they tell you they have done another 30k miles in your old car, with no trouble.

OR you keep it. Do the extra repairs and -sod's law- more repairs keep coming. You just cannot predict.

Using my head, I think the answer is a much newer smaller, cheaper car, to suit your budget. In my youth I had a Riley 1.5, which cost plenty in repairs. Then an Armstrong Siddeley Saphire, which cost a packet to fix and was impossible to keep on the road when it was wet. In the end I gave up 'interesting' cars and put all I could into HP payments and bought a new small car. At last 50,000 miles with no bills other than routine maintenance.

But who ever let their head decide which car to buy?

If you do buy another interesting car, try to find FullMBSH. At least you then know the mileage is genuine and that it has been looked after.

 

[RGubbioli]

As far as reliablity, comfort and space is concerned, what model does everyone recomend within a 4K-ish budget? Preferably estate and diesel.

Audi A6, thats what I may be getting if I defect from the Mercedes camp (although an SL would come soon afterwards).

 

[Marco Polo]

I'd get rid and move on but don't keep thinking 'what if' - you'll just torture yourself. Buying cars is a lottery and you never know if you're onto a winner or not.

I think a W124 is a good choice and there's still plenty about.

 

[MotardMan]

Late W124 Estate, though if you go for the E320/E280 wagon, check the wiring loom has been replaced. Also check the box if it has the 5 speed, they are know to lose reverse and 5th.....

Other than that, dependable, luxurious, very few rust issues. Oh, and fast.

 

[lyndonri]

If I were to go down the W124 route, I would need to spend time looking for the 'right one'. Ebay concerns me a bit - may get a car at a good price but seems to have an element of risk, especially if the car is too far to visit.

Are there any 'preferred' sources for these cars? I've had a look at www.W124.co.uk and the prices are a little steep - nice cars though! I've also looked at Autotrader.

Failing that perhaps a forum member?

 

[MotardMan]

Sadly there is no shortcut, and no guarantee. Go to a dealer as I did, and you'll still get a chance of making a mistake, as I did.

However, see lots of cars, get a feel for the one you want, and then hunt it down like a Teminator and you will be rewarded. It takes time, determination and a sixth sense. Ebay can be OK if you can view prior to bidding, autotrader is the same thing without the auction nonsense but with the same level of risk.

What you should do is give TV the cash, and forget you need a car for 6 months. Then in 6 months time TV will roll up on yor drive with the perfect car for you.

;o)

 

[hawk20]

Try this site. Just might have something.
http://www.used-mercedescars.co.uk

 

[lyndonri]

My car is now back on the road! New injector pump, new control plate on the valve block, new aux belt tensioner and pulley, new alternator clutch and a few other bits and bobs. Car runs lovely now, and has started without fault. One small issue though... the engine sounds a bit noisy - I believe it's the lifters tapping away. A bit annoying as after all the cash I've spent on the car recently, I would like to have a 'quiet' running engine.

Is there any benefit to replacing the lifters other than noise reduction?

 

[lyndonri]

After several months of use, and a migration to a mix of diesel / veg oil, I can say that my car has been running well for the most part.

However, I still have a very rattly / noisy engine when it's cold and when driving at 1000-2500 rpm, until it warms up fully. Once it is warm, it sounds pretty good and idles reasonably quietly.

Am I right in thinking it's an injector issue? I thought it may have been a tappet issue before but surely it wouldn't get quieter when it's fully warm?