My W124 - 20 years old tomorrow!

[Peter C1974]

Hi,

I recently bought an early W124 Merc 230E. On the 20th of March the car will celebrate it's 20th birthday. I bought it (via a dealer) from it's first (lady) owner. Yep, she had the car from new.

99% complete Mercedes service history, various new parts (including a brand new Bosch alternator), it is lovely. Great spec too; black leather, full electric pack, automatic gearbox, ABS amongst other (expensive) options.

I've checked it over with a fine toothed comb; no rust, no dents, no scratches and no evidence of any bodywork repairs. The paint looks original and the panels are straight. The interior is immaculate; clean ashtrays, unused cigarette lighter.

Here's some pics. It was getting dark when I took the photos and they look a little dull and dark.

Early W124s are proper classics and this one must be one of the best around.

 

[roadhog]

Lovely car and in this year's colour too. Here's to the next 20 years.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Looks very nice. well done.

 

[television]

What a nice example, congrats to you

 

[popuptoaster]

Proper time warp that is.

 

[Peter C1974]

I have no intentions of selling this amazing car, but would any of you have an idea of what its worth? It's all MoT'd and taxed and runs like a dream.

I forgot to mention, the mileage is 115k, so there's about 385k miles left in it before it will need repair.

 

[Peter C1974]

Sorry, I should have explained myself better. What I am trying to ascertain is whether the majority would view this Mercedes as a 20 year old banger or would it be fair to say that this car is a potential classic car that may be worth a few quid.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Dont think its old enough to be a classic yet, give it a few years and it will be!!

 

[Mercedes 190E]

It most definitely IS a classic. How many that good do you see nowadays and it was from the golden era of Mercedes cars. Cherish it!

 

[popuptoaster]

theres a 190 forum somewhere i think and an owners club, have a hunt round and they'll probably have more info, worth getting it vauled for agreed value insurance or if anything hapopens to it you'll be getting 300 quid for it.

 

[discoking]

theres a 190 forum somewhere i think and an owners club, have a hunt round and they'll probably have more info, worth getting it vauled for agreed value insurance or if anything hapopens to it you'll be getting 300 quid for it.

I'm not a MB specialist but if that car was on my pitch then I think I would put £1699 on it(if it's as good as you say).

90% of customers would look and think it's overpriced but for a man who appreciates this type of car then £1699 is not out the way.

 

[SilverSaloon]

theres a 190 forum somewhere i think and an owners club, have a hunt round and they'll probably have more info, worth getting it vauled for agreed value insurance or if anything hapopens to it you'll be getting 300 quid for it.

its a 124 not a 201.

i would say, yes it is a future classic. keep it nice and it will not loose value. need a few more years yet though before its really rare.

i still get people who turn their nose up at my W124 etstate. even though it cost me and probably still worth over what their current euro-boxes are worth. some people will just see it as an old banger..... as said above though, some will see it for what it really is though. agreed value insurance is ideal but some poeople just take the risk (like me).... i may look into an agreed policy next renewal though, but i prefer to keep the costs down.

 

[Peter C1974]

I like to think that it is a classic. Early, pre-facelift W124s have that old fashioned look about them that makes them stand out from modern cars. I've only been driving this car for a couple of days but I have noticed how much attention it gets from other road users.

I like to think that it is worth circa £1.5k. I agree that most people would see it as an old overpriced Merc, not that it matters as the car is not for sale.

Cheers guys.

 

[kth286]

to celebrate the arrival of the new E Class, the German magazine (translated into English) Mercedes Benz Classic magazine for January featured both the 123 and 124 on the front cover and then a full length article inside.

They classed those two cars as classics and obviously both looked immaculate.

The 124 was a 2.8 litre 24 valve pre facelift saloon, privately owned and in daily use and with 252,427 kilometers on the clock (yes indeed).

The magazine is issued free to members of the bona fide Mercedes car club members.

It was stated that a new Mercedes Benz officially recognised club for the 124 series is just being stated in Germany and the launch date is March 09 Retro Classics fair.

So the 124's are definately classics and when 30 years old will be Vintage status.

In Germany you are allowed to drive into emissions contolled town centres even without a catylist equipped car if it is on Vintage registration plates, whereas quit modern cars are now banned.

 

[roadhog]

... 252,427 kilometers on the clock (yes indeed).

That's not much.

 

[Bolide]

I'd insure it on a classic policy and get an agreed value of £2750. You may need a valuation from a car club official or other expert to justify the value

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[brianbrian]

Hi you should have bought one years ago,my 124 is a 1990- 250d now done 228000 still doe's 45mpg at 70mph,I bought it in 1993. Last year I treated her to new radiator, water pump, top & bottom hoses, had the injectors serviced,new bearing in the poly-v-belt & newbelt, front & rear calipers,brake pads,disc,brake flexi hoses,rear shock obsorbers,propshaft bearings replaced and doughnut,new drivers seat,glow plugs,no rust, have always, brushed grease on fuel & brake pipes yearly,oh yes new brake master cylinder.Might sound a lot but has been the cheapest car for me, still drives like the day I bought her now I have the new seat and looking foreward to another 228000mls. Enjoy your 124 Like I have, service it on time, you don't have to be lucky for it to keep going.For rust check where the front of the rear sub-frame bolts onto the chassis .

 

[teddycatkin]

Just goes to show they can still be found -what are the miles?

 

[popuptoaster]

deffo need agreed value on it, they tried giving my book price (300) on my cortina when it got burnt out, got over 3000 in the end but only cos i had a load of bills for work and an owners club valuation, it was supposed to be on agreed value but there had been a cock up with the policy, luckily i still had the photos and valuation they'd asked for originally.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi you should have bought one years ago,my 124 is a 1990- 250d now done 228000 still doe's 45mpg at 70mph,I bought it in 1993. Last year I treated her to new radiator, water pump, top & bottom hoses, had the injectors serviced,new bearing in the poly-v-belt & newbelt, front & rear calipers,brake pads,disc,brake flexi hoses,rear shock obsorbers,propshaft bearings replaced and doughnut,new drivers seat,glow plugs,no rust, have always, brushed grease on fuel & brake pipes yearly,oh yes new brake master cylinder.Might sound a lot but has been the cheapest car for me, still drives like the day I bought her now I have the new seat and looking foreward to another 228000mls. Enjoy your 124 Like I have, service it on time, you don't have to be lucky for it to keep going.For rust check where the front of the rear sub-frame bolts onto the chassis .

I've met your wife Brian and she looks very much the better for the extensive work you describe!