Hello and some advice required

[Seeker_UK]

Hello there. This is my first posting to the forum. I'm thinking of buying a Mercedes to replace my (expensive to run) '94 B** 740i because having driven my Dad's 2.0 190E I think I like the combination of small car with big car feel. However, the 4 door e-class is a little too 'ordinary' for me so I have decided to start looking for a coupe with a budget of about £5K.

Much as I'd like a SEC, I think that I'd be getting into a car with as many potentially expensive problems as my 740i :???: so unless someone can prove to me that a 420 SEC or 500 SEC isn't going to cost me £1500+ on maintenance / servicing per year, I think I'll be going for a W124(? - the model from 89 to 94) CE.

Now that's where I'd like your advice. I've been trying to find more info on the 'net about these cars but it seems to be a bit poor.

Firstly, budget. Will 5K get me a good CE or would I be better off buying a cheaper 320E? If it is enough for a CE, would that budget also get me a sportline one?

Performance. I'm used to quick(ish) cars and my dad's 2.0 is a bit of a slug so I guess I'm looking at a 300 or 320 model over the 220 / 230. First question, what's the stats on these?

Fuel. My current car drinks for England and gives me about 18 mpg around town and 28 mpg on a run. What can I expect from a CE?

Service intervals. I assume the 230 / 300 has a 6 month / 6000 mile interval. Was this longer for the 220/320?

How likely am I to find a model with crusie control?

Anything to watch for in these models when buying?

I've been told to watch the head gasket on the 6 cylinder for cars > 100K and by a local specialist that the 24V was worse than the 12 for this. Again, what's your thoughts.

I'm also sure I read somewhere that aircon could be a problem? Is this true?

So many questions, I'm sorry but I don't want to buy another duffer because my budget is too low to get a good one.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pascal]

Although the V-eight SECs are beautiful machines, a real good one will cost you more tha £5k, and has the potential to use up a lot more money thereafter.

Regarding the inline six CEs. The choice is 300CE, 300CE-24 and E320 coupe.

They are all great engines, and the Head gasket on the 24v was resolved with a replacement (much improved) one. I presume that most if not all 24s still on the road have had this replacement done.

There are also some issues with biodegradable wiring harnesses on the post 93 facelift model (320).

The later CEs have a slightly different bonnet and grill, with the MB star moved from the grill to the bonnet itself, and they have fully painted bumpers (I think), electric drivers mirror, twin airbags etc.

Having owned a 300ce, I still have a love for the CE..........Good Luck.

Pascal

 

[squealinneil]

Hello Seeker,

I recognised your name from the e32register/7seriesregister. What the hell is going on over there? I had sold my 7 by the time it changed from the E32register, which I thought was wonderful, to the new format so didn't join the new BB. I had a look a few weeks ago and it was a disaster.

I bailed out of BMW 7 series due to their thirst (735iL, 17 mpg) and the hugely complicated nature of the beast. I'd had a 190E 2.5-16 a few years ago and had loved it so decided to go back to the 190s. I've got two of them at the mo, another Cosworth for special days and a 2.6 Sportline. For me it's a great car, big enough but not too big (the 735iL was too big for anything but a motorway), bulletproof, highly resistant to rust, comfortable, fast, reasonably economical at about 25 mpg for both and very durable. Both my cars have a lot fewer frivolous options than the BMW. I can live without electric rear seats, electric rear window blinds and all that silliness.

Don't know much about W124 Coupes but I know many consider the 124 to be the last proper Merc.

I hope someone here or on one of the other MB BBs can fill you in.

 

[type49]

What you want is a 280 or 320. Try to get a 5speed auto. Try to look underneath at cat converter (heat sheilds break + loose baffles). All 6 pots are likely to have an oil leak from front of head/uppertiming gear cover. If it's bad, it may also be leaking from rear of head under exhaust manifold. Headgasket failure, ie white smoke and overheating is VERY rare. Engine is bullitt-proof and head will only ever come off for an oil leak. Check seat belt presenters work and front seat backrests lock with doors shut and engine running (put windows down makes this easier) Most are now at least 10 years old and suffer from wind noise at speed (being pillarless), is it excessive? will it annoy you? - can be expensive to cure. Also front antirollbar bushes knock over bumps, cheap and can be replaced at home if you don't mind getting dirty. Keep your eyes open, get a good one and you'll love it!

 

[Seeker_UK]

Thanks for the advice so far.

Looking on Autotrader, I was surprised to see how cheap C230Ks come in at. I'm trying to avoid the "One of those! No! One of those! How about...........?" syndrome but I'm intrigued - 90K miles, FMBSH and £3.5K with sport suspension.

Granted it was a manual (are MB manuals as bad as popular knowledge reckons?) but seemed a bit of a bargain. Are Kompressor models worth having over the bigger capacity non - Kompressors (a 230K seems to have a similar performance to a 280K)?

More questions I know but all input gratefully received.