mercedes e250w124

[JOHN Q]

hi 2nd attempt at email.Looking at buying a 1993 merc e250 W124 auto 2 pull my eldis caravan.See one advertised on the net.Its a 5 cylinder model.Question is'Was there any major probs with this model and what should i b looking out for.Its a fair distance away as i live in scotland its in england.Regards JOHN Q

 

[Bolide]

How much will the caravan weigh when fully loaded?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[simon_wall69]

As Nick is hinting at: the main problem may well be a lack of power to tow the caravan. Despite being diesel, these cars aren't very torquey. Also, if you're buying a car that has already done towing, I would check the gearbox and its oil.

 

[stuartmac]

Hi John,

'Was there any major probs with this model

Not with the model as such but, ime, if you try to use this as a tow car, get used to travelling ve-e-er-ry slowly.

I had an '88 manual - great cruising and motorway car - would easily hold an indicated 100 for miles, but 0-30 was glacial - in an auto. .... zzzz.

The guy I bought mine from alleged he'd taken family and caravan to the south of France. All I know is, I used it to tow just a box trailer with a 500lb motorcycle in it and it was ve-e-er-ry slow.

I now have W210 E320CDI and, apart from it doesn't have a tow hitch, this would be a much better tow car.

Hth.

Regards,

 

[JOHN Q]

How much will the caravan weigh when fully loaded?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

dont know nick i suppose around 1 n half ton that about rite? The other thing i was told was that some of the older mercs around 1993 could b chipd.Is this rubbish or not

 

[teddycatkin]

In answer to your original question John -I would NOT recommend this model to tow a caravan--small trailer maybe but nothing else!
Regards Teddy.

 

[television]

The turbo models were "fliers" I drove a 123 300TDT and nothing wrong with that, sadly they never came in RHD as it was not possible to fit a turbo. The first turbo version that we got came in 1996 in the 210 range

 

[JOHN Q]

thanks lads for ur help now trying 2 find out if this 1993 E250w124 auto diesel could b chipd fr more power or does it not have the technology 2 do this regards JOHNQ

 

[roadhog]

In my youth the W123 300D and later the W124 300D were the tool of choice for the local farmers to take their livestock to the markets but as Malcolm has pointed out they were turbos. A 250D will tow your caravan but your holiday may well be over by the time you get there.

As for chipping them, I do it on a regular basis. Pouring chip fat in the tank that is.

 

[JOHN Q]

Ta for that as u can see im not ur usual long in th tooth bags of experiance guy.Any help is a godsend so o o i take it cant b upgraded.Regards JQ

 

[SilverSaloon]

Very little to mod performance wise on that model AFAIK.

Good news it will run on veg oil. I run a E300D estate - has the 3 litre multivalve engine.... no turbo.

I tow a twin axle caravan with it. Due to the heavy kerbweight of the W124 diesel it does make a good towcar as you can tow quite heavy loads with it but it will be SLOW.

the 250 engine will be worse than mine.

I drove from scotland to cornwall last year (and doing the same again this summer) with the outfit and it performed well on all but the really bad inclines.

You have to remember that the car is slow before you tow anything with it... once you remember that and consider how it tows, it isnt that bad really and gets along fine.

you do really need to know the exact wieght of your caravan though - you dont seem very sure on this fact so i would say take a look at the plate on the van (usually around by the door) and see the MIRO and max weights.

 

[Seeker_UK]

The older diesels can't be chipped.

In my opinion, forget the 250D - it was nice if you were a taxi driver but that's about it. For pulling power, a late, multi-valve 124 300 would be a better bet but getting a good one will cost good money.

TBH, start hunting for an early 210 300D or Turbo diesel - in saloon form they should be pretty cheap now, esp the non-turbo ones. Yes, I know they aren't the "hewn-from-granite-bombproof" W124 but a well looked after W210 will still be good for another 10 years at least.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I tow a twin axle caravan with it. Due to the heavy kerbweight of the W124 diesel it does make a good towcar as you can tow quite heavy loads with it but it will be SLOW.

You have to remember that the car is slow before you tow anything with it... once you remember that and consider how it tows, it isnt that bad really and gets along fine.

Sounds like an endorsement and seems that towing will be OK.

May we ask if you would post a note of the times when you are likely to be towing, and on which roads?

 

[SilverSaloon]

May we ask if you would post a note of the times when you are likely to be towing, and on which roads?

only once you let me know when and where you are likely to be, then i'll make sure i'm there 1 minute before

 

[Bolide]

I'm sure it'll tow 1500 Kg but you won't have any fun doing it and I don't think I'd recommend it

I tow a big Brenderup trailer + BMW 2002 with my E300 Diesel and that combination must be 1500 Kg. The biggest problem is the gearing - in top the engine is as flat as a pancake till 3200 rpm which is 70 mph-odd. You're OK in third but the revs are quite high and as soon as you change up you lose almost all ability to accelerate. Climbing hills is a real trial

An E280 or E320 would be a much better bet as they both have a lot more torque. I doubt they'd be much less economical - I get 25-27 mpg out of mine when towing

You can't chip an E250 or E300 Diesel - there's no turbo and no electronics

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[simon_wall69]

If you do want a w124, there are some left-hooker turbodiesels around but might be difficult to find and, being imports, are more expensive to insure.

I would follow Nick's advice and get a petrol one, the loss of economy will be made up for with the cheaper initial layout and the fact that you will be able to enjoy the car more when you don't have the 'van on the back.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

If you do want a w124, there are some left-hooker turbodiesels around but might be difficult to find and, being imports, are more expensive to insure. ........be able to enjoy the car more when you don't have the 'van on the back.

LHD would also be tricky for the decisive overtaking moves you are likely to make when towing!

More seriously though, I doubt if the fuel economy will be greatly different with a petrol 124. I had a 280TE estate for 2 years, during which it averaged 27mpg overall - just 0.2 mpg better than the 190 petrol saloon it replaced!

 

[SilverSaloon]

yep i agree with Nick about the gearing. Mine seems OK once i hit about 60mph. Under that if i let it drop to late 50's it is constantly changing up/down a gear. At 60mph on a decent motorway you can cruise along happoly in 4th (top gear) in my E300D auto. Problem is if you need to slow down for trucks etc etc then you have to drop a gear. i wouldnt rule out a E300D as they are so strong, but i would definatly look into a petrol W124 aswell if you intend to do a lot of towing with it.