buying, what to look out for?

[Mr Chippy]

Hi, I'm new to this site.
I found it on a google search looking for info on Mercedes.

I have seen some E300 Diesels, and I was wondering if there is anything to be looking out for when buying one? or are they pretty solid?

Thanks

 

[jberks]

Which model - W124 (Square headlights) or W210 (round headlights)? They are very different animals.

 

[Mr Chippy]

Hello jberks, thanks for the reply.
I'm looking the older type W124 E-class 300 diesel.

There don't appear to be that many arround right now, but they look like good solid cars.

 

[jberks]

They're certainly not very common the the UK. I don't remember seeing many diesel mercs round here until around 97/98 when the 300 turbo and CDIs started. I'm not much of an expert on the 124, there are plenty of folk on here who are including one or two who specialise in selling them. I'll leave the advice to the them. I do know you'd be hard pressed to find a longer lasting motor than a diesel 124 though (started to go downhill with the W210), it was the last of the truly bullet proof mercs.

 

[Mr Chippy]

Thanks for your help and honesty jberk, I appreciate it.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

You will find the w124much more reliable than the W210. If you buy a W210 keep a spare car, you will need it. The worst of Ford jokes...fix or repair dailiy, or Fiat ....fix it again time...is nothing compared to a w210.

They just pulbished car sales data for January over here....
Lexus....up
Porsche...up
BMW.....way up....
Mercedes....DOWN....I wonder why!!!!!

The W214 300D is a good motor, try Mercedes Enthusiast, there are a few good ones in it this month.

 

[Mr Chippy]

Thank you olafmaxwell,
I will order a copy now.

 

[pascal]

They just pulbished car sales data for January over here....
Lexus....up
Porsche...up
BMW.....way up....
Mercedes....DOWN....I wonder why!!!!!

Regards MB sales being down in here last year

• 1990.......780
• 1991.......804
• 1992.......702
• 1993.......606
• 1994......1125
• 1995......1059
• 1996......1452
• 1997......1869
• 1998......3081
• 1999......3588 ............% total car sales
• 2000......4218..............1.83%
• 2001......4586..............2.78%
• 2002......3882..............2.49%
• 2003......4921..............3.39%
• 2004......4707..............3.05%
• Jan/Feb '05.....2,101.......3.32%

......does not look like a downward trend to me
These are new registrations only, and do not include imported used cars.
Dont think the 506 lexus's (04) & 496 lexus's (03) is significant
OK they sold 10 more in 04. Prob bought them for Toyota execs
Lexus Jan/Feb 04: 205 units ....
Lexus Jan/Feb 05: 178 units....EM! (that more than cancels out the 10)
Anyway Olaf, If you bought a Lexus (god forbid) you wouldn't have us nice Guys to chat with.

Regards Pascal

 

[OlafMaxwell]

We must have got different statistics here in Cork....and we do have a lousy Mercedes service centre down here. But the statistics did show a reduction in the numbers. I should have kept it. But your own statistics show a fall in percentage of total sales from 3.39% to 3.05%....thats 10% fall in market share.....and takes an 11% increase to get it back. That's big!!

Have to say hello next time I am in Dublin...if I ever get my car back...anyone seen a OO D reg W210 Travertine Beige unbadged CDI estate wandering around the south east????? Was collected from Cork 14 Feb....not seen since.....