Looking to realise a dream - W124 Coupe

[Dinnie]

Hi

Ever since I was a young teenager, I've always wanted a W124 coupe.

Looking at this website, I see there are a number of problems associated with these cars such as ECU/wiring, electronics (seat belt feeders) and suspension (including bushes etc).

If I was to go for a low spec 230CE, would the problems I'm likely to face be fewer than a fully loaded 300CE with heated leather seats, electric sunroof, air con etc?

Secondly, are the newer multivalve engines (220 and 320) more reliable and cheaper to fix than the older versions (230 and 300)? I understand that the newer versions are faster and more economical.

Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[jibcl500]

How longs a bit of string, some cars are more problematic than others, the best advice really is to buy the best CE you can afford. Theres plenty of advice on here on how to repair mercedes and parts can be bought from many breakers, ebay and even MB directly arent as expensive as you would expect, sometimes.

The best thing for you to do is start looking at the cars to get an idea of how they drive and the condition of the car for the money, a 230ce will be harder to sell on later due the engine size and spec, a 95 320CE in the right colour combo will hold its money if its looked after and will soon be a future classic if not already,
Time to buy is now !!!!
Things to look at
Paint, there might be some rust, front wings !!! look for respray work, bad colour matching etc. Choose a CE in the right colour, blues good, red bad.
Interior needs to be as good as it gets, worn steering wheel and drivers seat shows its a high miler so make sure the history shows the mileage.
Check all switches in the car work and after that if it drives nice with no knocks and bangs, check gear change is smooth and the engine doesnt rattle on cold start.
When looking put you hand on the bonnet to see if its hot, seller has something to hide if its been running before you get there.

jib

 

[Apial]

The wiring loom issue does not affect the 300CE or 300CE-24. The most expensive fault to watch for is a leaking cylinder head gasket. Oil leaks out down the exhaust manifold side but rarely mixes with the water initially. Fixing it can cost £1000 or so. This fix is better than the original as the gasket has been modified by MB.

Everything to do with corrosion needs checking. The cars are pretty good, but at 15 years old you can get all manner of corroded pipes and panels. Well kept cars do exist, but so do tatty examples.You do need to inspect carefully to avoid a money pit.

If the seat belt extenders do not work properly then you might wonder what else has been left off the maintenance list. Check carefully. The parking brake can be weak due to lack of use, but it is not a fortune to overhaul.

Most of the other things are just regular service items, so a quick inspection of the servicing records will assist you in guessing what needs doing next.

As far as colour is concerned, buy what you like. You will have to live with it. Most people are more concerned with the condition.

 

[Ade W124]

I'd agree with the above and add that I'd go for as high as spec in the best condition with the best history you can find for your money on the basis that if it is a well maintained car, everything will work. The 4 cylinder cars are not massively more economical than the 6 pots so I'd go for either the 300, 300-24 or 320. The character of the 300-24 and 320 is very different.

I'd also recommend an independant inspection for piece of mind before you buy as it will flag up any imminent maintenance requirements.

There are loads of threads on these on here and the other forum. They are great cars, try to test drive a few in different price ranges so you can get a feel for the differences between a good one and a not so good one..

Best of luck.


Ade

 

[Dinnie]

Thanks for your replies.

I've spotted a few good ones (I think!)

Although this one is located near Essex (dodgy area?), its got FMBSH and looks tidy with some helpful info about the car e.g. garaged, receipts etc.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/313237.htm

Again, another nice one (but low spec)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/380573.htm

There's a 300CE on autotrader for £2,995 in the dark blue which I quite fancy. Again, very detailed advert - signs of a careful owner.

Has anyone seen any better ones than these or to start having initial looks at the three above?

 

[stumpy]

Of the two PH cars the Essex one has a years MOT which means you (hopefully) won't have non routine expenses for a year. And it has full MBSH which if genuine is unusual. Could be a fastidious owner willing to pay top whack for servicing or it could be forged, so ring some of the garages. The irony is that cars of this age are better looked after by indies as a lot of the mechanics weren't even born when these came out. The second car does seem like he is trying a bit too hard to say it is vgc, then also it has damage consistent with its age. It's hard buying cars - just use your gut instinct and go out there and have a look. Beware of travelling too far. Cars are very rarely as descibed over the phone or web. I drove to Liverpool from London to see a 'mint' car. The only thing 'mint' about it were the polos under the seat

 

[Ade W124]

Look here, forum member has what looks like a nice car for sale, not sure what he wants for it though..


Ade

 

[Ade W124]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/322406.htm

This one is cheap and well specced. The rusty wheel arches are common, PAS could need attention. New discs and pads and 12 month MOT are a plus.

Might be worth a look.

What's your budget.

Ade

 

[c955]

Only echoing the great advice already given.

Try not to worry about the age or mileage...condition is what really counts now

 

[Dinnie]

I'm not too keen on the bornite colour on the CE. (maybe on the 190E).

I've got about £3k to spend.

How do I insert a link on this post without all the garbage (especially with the autotrader pages)?

 

[MotardMan]

I'm not too keen on the bornite colour on the CE. (maybe on the 190E).

I've got about £3k to spend.

How do I insert a link on this post without all the garbage (especially with the autotrader pages)?

Use www.tinyurl.com to shrink down the autotrader links.

What is wrong with Bornite then? Would you rather have patchy SH, short MOT and bits not working or worn out? I looked long and hard for a CE that had all the things I wanted, it had to be dark in colour, with a tan/mushroom interior, Sportline spec suspension, MBSH, under average miles, no rust in the arches, and few owners. There are cars out there, but the prices vary wildly, and in the case of Coupes, you get what you pay for. A wise man called Ade once said:

"Something to bear in mind, if you want a mint fully sorted W124 you could look at the costs for the following on top of the purchase price as they are all things that have come up on this forum (and some have been required for my CE):

cylinder head gasket
loom replacement for later ones
A/C condensor
window seals
paint touch up (new front wings..)
serpentine belt and tensioner/damper
discs and pads all round
wheel refurb
tyres
springs/ spheres
dampers
misc suspension bushes
water pump
brake pipes
radiator
plugs, leads, dizzy cap (on earlier cars)
fluids inc. ATF + filters
OVP relay
electric window regulators
overmats
re-upholster centre armrest in cars with leather

If you outsource that lot suddenly Charles Ironside type prices don't look outrageous. Then there is other stuff like gearbox refurbs, cam chains etc."

So, you are left with a choice, buy cheap, and slowly spend to restore to good condition, or buy a good one and relax in the knowledge someone else has felt the pain for you. I got lucky with my E320C, it had almost everything I wanted, came with a warranty, and I used the stuff that was broken or in need of repair, to drive a bargain. A year down the line I have been repaid with a reliable, rapid, comfortable and stylish W124 that I love. Sadly, it has to go, as the CSA are drilling me a new hole in my backside. The only asset I have, my E320C, is going to be sold. It is on eBay and Pistonheads if you change your mind about the colour issue. ;o)

 

[MotardMan]

I should add that in recent times the car has had 4 new discs, windscreen, pads all round, new water pump, DuoValve, full service incl ATF change.

 

[Dinnie]

Thanks for all your replies.

I have spotted the following E220 92K for £3950:

www.cambridgeautos.com

I think i prefer the orange indicator lenses on the pre-facelifted cars so I'd get that changed. Other than that, it's low spec but somehow, that doesn't seem to bother me.

I really love this nautic(?) blue one:
http://tiny.cc/E220

 

[Ade W124]

The Cambridge Autos car is near me, looks very clean and appears to have the sportline pack including the cloth which makes it quite unusual, especially on a 220 without AC..

The autotrader ad is so brief, I found it a bit off putting.

How do you intend to use the car?


Ade

 

[crammy69]

I would suggest that whatever car you get, you would do well to pay to get an expert to look over the engine. I have only very recently bought mine, and whilst its pretty straight and far from a nightmare, Ive had it in a workshop a week and its surprised me how expensive some MB parts can be!. Mine is having the belt tensioner done (£250ish incl labour) and also new dizzy cap,ht leads and rotor arm - all genuine mercedes parts, independent mechanic - £575 and then theres an oil gauge sender unit, about £110 incl fitting. So there you go, a car with a 'full' service history (but a little patchy on detailed inspection post purchase) and needing some fairly routine things done (it has got 124,000 miles on it after all!) and thats the best part of a grand.

I paid £2000 for the car itself, which I didnt feel was too bad, had it not been from a trader, I may well have got it cheaper, and I feel the car is worth it to me, but it did come as a little shock that even routine stuff can be quite so costly.

Ive no wish to put you off in any way, I love the CE even though ive barely driven it yet!

Cheers and good luck!

 

[Ade W124]

Mine is having the belt tensioner done (£250ish incl labour) and also new dizzy cap,ht leads and rotor arm - all genuine mercedes parts, independent mechanic - £575 and then theres an oil gauge sender unit, about £110 incl fitting. So there you go, a car with a 'full' service history (but a little patchy on detailed inspection post purchase) and needing some fairly routine things done (it has got 124,000 miles on it after all!) and thats the best part of a grand.

Welcome to my world

Actually, I've not yet replaced the dizzy cap or HT leads.

Following an inspection I got before I bought it, I got the vendor to:

Replace the OVP relay
Renew the front Anti roll bar bushes.

In my first year of ownership and 9k miles I've had:

New belt and tensioner and shock
Cylinder head gasket
72k service
Brake discs and pads
New wiper blade
New rear springs
New front springs (in a bag in the hall...)
ATF and filters
New thermostat
New rear tyres
New engine mounts (which with hindsight probably didn't need doing)..
repair to front puncture.
New front screen due to stone chip and subsequent cracking


I've also with help from the forum:

Fixed an intermittent short to the rear number plate lights caused by the wiring in the boot breaking at the connection to the boot lid (common prob)
Stripped and put back the driver's window motor (problem still remaining but now intermittent).
Flushed the coolant system
Tracked down a battery draining boot light..
Fitted a new driver's seat belt presenter rubber

Projected 'maintenance' this year on mine is:

Fit front springs
Remove/ refurb 18 years of small scuffs, chips and dings to bodywork and wheels.
New front over mats.
New ipod compatible stereo (although I'm loathe to replace the original Blaupunkt and I've been saying this for a year).
Driver's bolster refurb (might try this myself with a kit).
New plugs.
New viscous fan (the existing one seems fine in normal use but the temp climbs higher than I'd like in traffic).
AC recharge - AC works but is not particularly cold... fingers crossed thats all it needs...
Sort out baffling intermittent drivers window motor problem..

There'll be the routine fluid change at some point as well..

And at some point I'll remove the last remaining mudflap as all the others were removed for me by curbs and speed bumps in about the first 2 months of ownership...

Hopefully thats it, compared with last year, it should cost a lot less.. I've a sneaky suspicion that I'll need to get the AC compressor overhauled simply due to its age but we'll see.

The only actual repairs have been the electrical bits and the inevitable cylinder head gasket. The rest are all consumables/service items. I might look up this thread in 12 months for a chuckle...



Ade

 

[crammy69]

Welcome to my world

Actually, I've not yet replaced the dizzy cap or HT leads.

Following an inspection I got before I bought it, I got the vendor to:

Replace the OVP relay
Renew the front Anti roll bar bushes.

In my first year of ownership and 9k miles I've had:

New belt and tensioner and shock
Cylinder head gasket
72k service
Brake discs and pads
New wiper blade
New rear springs
New front springs (in a bag in the hall...)
ATF and filters
New thermostat
New rear tyres
New engine mounts (which with hindsight probably didn't need doing)..
repair to front puncture.
New front screen due to stone chip and subsequent cracking


I've also with help from the forum:

Fixed an intermittent short to the rear number plate lights caused by the wiring in the boot breaking at the connection to the boot lid (common prob)
Stripped and put back the driver's window motor (problem still remaining but now intermittent).
Flushed the coolant system
Tracked down a battery draining boot light..
Fitted a new driver's seat belt presenter rubber

Projected 'maintenance' this year on mine is:

Fit front springs
Remove/ refurb 18 years of small scuffs, chips and dings to bodywork and wheels.
New front over mats.
New ipod compatible stereo (although I'm loathe to replace the original Blaupunkt and I've been saying this for a year).
Driver's bolster refurb (might try this myself with a kit).
New plugs.
New viscous fan (the existing one seems fine in normal use but the temp climbs higher than I'd like in traffic).
AC recharge - AC works but is not particularly cold... fingers crossed thats all it needs...
Sort out baffling intermittent drivers window motor problem..

There'll be the routine fluid change at some point as well..

And at some point I'll remove the last remaining mudflap as all the others were removed for me by curbs and speed bumps in about the first 2 months of ownership...

Hopefully thats it, compared with last year, it should cost a lot less.. I've a sneaky suspicion that I'll need to get the AC compressor overhauled simply due to its age but we'll see.

The only actual repairs have been the electrical bits and the inevitable cylinder head gasket. The rest are all consumables/service items. I might look up this thread in 12 months for a chuckle...



Ade

Oh dear.

I'm seriously hoping that either:

A) your car has been twice round the clock
or/and
B) you are some sort of perfectionist and half of that spend was totally unneccessary!

I'm guessing I have all that to come!

Still they are fabulous cars, and deserve a bit of love..

Cheers

 

[Ade W124]

A - nope, currently just past 60k, 51k when bought...
B - probably

I've moaned plenty on this and other forums when bits need doing but its a lovely car and I want to keep it that way. Provided petrol stays under £2 per litre, we have a long future together.

Ade

 

[crammy69]

A - nope, currently just past 60k, 51k when bought...
B - probably

I've moaned plenty on this and other forums when bits need doing but its a lovely car and I want to keep it that way. Provided petrol stays under £2 per litre, we have a long future together.

Ade

Thats the spririt! its only money, better to spend it on something you enjoy. If petrol goes above £2 Id consider an LPG conversion, the trunk is plenty big enough!

 

[Dinnie]

Wow, thanks for the responses!

I intend to use the car purely on a leisure basis as I walk to work (aren't I lucky?). TBH, I don't need a car as I use my wife's when need to and we usually travel together anyway - It's to realise a dream, much to her annoyance!

OMG - I think I'm being put of by the expense already! Ade, perhaps you faced all those repairs because your car is such low mileage. I.e. it didn't need replacing by the previous owner but the car is entering the stage where those bits do need attention, unfortunately, in your possession. I'm hoping that by buying a higher mileage car, those usual items that need repairing on a W124 have already been carried out.

I actually went to visit the cambridge autos one on Sat with my Dad. The guy won't budge on the price. It has done 125k. I agree the sports check interior is different and I quite like it but nothing can beat mushroom leather. I quite like the number plate (looks like KING). It's a 3 owner vehicle but there is a folder full of old invoices which is great but I couldn't see any of the big expense work so perhaps that would be something that the new owner will need to do. There was some rust that has been not professionally done (IMO) above the rear bumper on the side panel. I think the power steering reservoir and the black circle thingy to the steering (whatever that is) has been recently replaced. There were alot of stone chips especially on the panel below the headlights which could mean a hard life as the driver sat on the bumper of cars in front on the motorway (windscreen was replaced is also a tell tale?).

Will a 300CE-24 have any more problems than a standard 300CE? I'm quite attracted to it for the power and that extra bit of exclusitivity.