Like your family, a Merc f**** you up.

[jonnyb1]

Hi,I only buy older cars,and so far i have had renaults(not too bad),fords(ugh),peugeots(in two minds),rover(JEEEEZ),and then a e class 1994 merc estate.
Now then,the merc is a little bit expensive on the juice,expensive on spares,but.................what a car.Its a 94.It lacks cruise and computer diagnosis,no aircon,and the ****** post alarm has packed up............... but it is beautiful,it drives like a dream,so.....what do i do?

Do i keep it?........... i want all the new toys....but its beautiful....what do you think? cheers colin

 

[jberks]

all down to budget.The toys are great, but once you get used to them you don't really use them much. I was really excited about my electric memory seats. Switches look great on the door, but I hardly ever touch them. Cruise, speedtronic, computer - got most of them, but rarely use them. Toys are not a great reason to change and the 124 is still the best MB around.

 

[Blobcat]

all down to budget.The toys are great, but once you get used to them you don't really use them much. I was really excited about my electric memory seats. Switches look great on the door, but I hardly ever touch them. Cruise, speedtronic, computer - got most of them, but rarely use them. Toys are not a great reason to change and the 124 is still the best MB around.

The whole point of the electric memory seats is that you don't touch them Most of the toys are there to make driving easier and require little if no user i/p. Auto Wipers, Auto Dimming Mirrors, Auto Lights, Auto Transmission, Cruise Control, etc., etc.

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

you've kinda answered your own question Colin, you obviously like it so keep it until it packs up/you get bored of it. Trouble is, once you own an old Merc you won't want to go back to a lesser make...

 

[mike65]

The fact its not packed to the gills with gizmos of dubious value is a reason to hold on to the w124.

Mike.

 

[davidsl500]

Electric memory seats are great if you have more than one person driving the car on a regular basis. Not that anyone is allowed to drive the SL of course ! - but still useful when you hoover out the car etc., Its more than just seats of course - the memory adjusts the whole driving position - seats, interior and external mirrors plus steering height/rake.

Heated seats a must in the cold weather if you have leather. I use my cruise control all the time - in speed camera areas and on the motorway to stop the speed creeping up.

Aircon/climate control is wonderful - ultra fast demisting, heating warms up in a few hundred yards, residual heater a boon when waiting in the car park with the engine off.

Of course more toys mean more things to go wrong - potentially expensive to repair and can affect resale prices dramatically if they dont work.

 

[jberks]

OK - I was just making the point that most things have a greater appeal than real value. I do use them really! (when the wife drives it or I put the seat back when I'm waiting somewhere). I also love the auto wipers, lights, mirrors, parking sensors etc.
The point is I managed perfectly well without them and they are only 10% of the driving pleasure of owning a Merc.

 

[television]

The point that everyone is making over the memory seats is so true, I wanted them on my SL,but like DavidsSL no one else ever drives the car.
they do have a good use though. On a long run I can use any of the three settings to give me a change in sitting possition. OK you could use the knobs-levers but a SL is trycky to get the seat right back.

Malcolm

 

[jonnyb1]

ok.........i,ll keep it.....well............untill the mot examiner says otherwise.cheers( i do like cruise control though).colin

 

[television]

ok.........i,ll keep it.....well............untill the mot examiner says otherwise.cheers( i do like cruise control though).colin

Are there really that many times in the UK where you can use cruise control.

Malcolm

 

[johnmc]

I enjoy most of my modern gadgets. Cruise control is top of my list, use it daily on the commute and it's an absolute boon for my long haul runs to Italy.
Climate control deals with the temperature, if the wife would stop turning it up, Sat Nav, while not perfect, has saved me many hours over the years on my travel to Europe. My favourites:
- Cruise
- Trip computer
- Climate control
- Sat Nav

Others, like heated seats, got them but don't get the use.

John

 

[Stulc]

The toys are great, but once you get used to them you don't really use them much. I was really excited about my electric memory seats. Switches look great on the door, but I hardly ever touch them. Cruise, speedtronic, computer - got most of them, but rarely use them. Toys are not a great reason to change

I couldn't aggree more......

 

[cubicincubi]

keep it.

when it's time to part find a 96 w124 with gadgets

cheers

 

[johnnycapone]

I have a w124 without many gadgets at all but i am still loving it.
regards John

 

[cubicincubi]

I have a w124 without many gadgets at all but i am still loving it.
regards John

My E200 has nigh on zilch gadgetry, just elec front windows, mirrors & sunroof. no air con, no rear elec windows, no de-humidifier, no heated seats... next to nothing. It's a perfect hack just lpg and go. £10 a week to run and hasnt used a squilimeter of oil in 3K.

 

[jonnyb1]

Hi ,thanks for the advice.i do like it buti was thinking of something newer....cubi says try a 96 but..........after reading this forum for months i have become a bit concerned with paint problems,particularly as mine has very little paint damge for a 94.cheers colin

 

[cubicincubi]

I just meant a registered 96 W124, not the round head lamp model...

I have seen W124's registered on P plates and even R plates...

Mines on a N.. I think they stopped manufacture in late 95...

I suspect our E200 will be around for at least a couple of years, If I replace it I will go for another W124 - a late registered E220 estate perhaps.

You cant beat the W124 as a general hack - great cars.

 

[peteanspach]

Are there really that many times in the UK where you can use cruise control.

Malcolm

No, but I do miss it, not got it on my "A" class. Good for late night M-way driving to keep the Gatsos happy.

Peter