Newbie

[2_chickens]

HI all,
currently i'm running a 20yr old hilux pickup and a 14yr old audi a6 tdi, combined mileage of 360000

Anyway, the audi is developing a few rattles and getting pricey on parts (£75 for a rubber pipe yesterday ) so i'm gonna get shot of it.

I'm thinking about a mercedes diesel estate, and prob an older one, H/J/K reg. Reason for that is that I believe they were bullet proof till about K reg then things changed substantially.

So my questions to the masses are:

1) how bullet proof and how easy to get parts (I do all my own mechanics and am confident I can deal with most problems)

2) what is the fuel economy like, both for the manual and the diesel.

3) Anyone be flogging one in a month or 2

cheers for reading

Tim

 

[2_chickens]

Anybody???

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

The 124 series estates are the ones you will be looking at and they are very well thought of. Not exactly fast and many run them on SVO.

 

[simon_wall69]

You get high 30's mpg, the difference between the 250 and 300 diesels is minimal. But the manuals offer better mpg (but are rubbish.)

The multivalve engines offer much better performance, my multivalve automatic 300 does about 35 mpg and runs fine on 100% veg oil. The multivalve autos are better as these pull away in first rather then the older autos pulling away in second.

The facelift models (body coloured bumpers, different grills) look much better if this is relevant to your choice.

Parts are easy to get hold off. I use German, French and Swedish and they are pretty cheap and deliver and you can buy over interweb.

I have owned all the different diesels in various guises so if you have any ownership questions please ask.

They are reasonably bullet proof, only had issues with perishable items and, of course, rust.

 

[2_chickens]

Thankyou, nice to get a response to these questions. I haven't done enough research yet to distinguist between a 124 series and anything else, i'm familiar enough with the mercedes model number as my dad used to and still does run a couple - 560sel (f reg) which I find to be a beautifully built and stylish car, and a 600sec (k reg) which in my mind is less attractive and seems to have had a string of bizarre faults from start to finish.

I guess the 300 would be a better option then as less load on the engine per cc if that makes sense. Would prefer a manual though - what makes you say they are rubbish??

Can you run them on SVO without modification as you can my hilux, if so then I feel a small plant coming on

cheers for your replys.
2C

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Havw a look at Bolide's W124 Website. Very informative!
Teddy

 

[simon_wall69]

No mods at all, I just pour the SVO in. Only had an issue with an o-ring perishing on the fuel line, which I suppose could have happened anyway. Using the Tesco vouchers from the News of the World to buy the 15 litre drums for about £10 at the mo so a good saving.

The manuals are a bit vague and a bit clunky and generally not that pleasant to use whereas the autos are really smooth and responsive which suits the diesels as they are quite a relaxed car overall. Also, the autos seem to be very reliable and will be easier to sell on.

The multivalve diesels have vents in the front driver's side wing, which distinguishes as them from the outside.

The 300s are probably better as there is not much difference in mpg, there is generally a relatively high price differential between the 12 valve and 24 valve engined cars as indeed there is between saloon and estates.

 

[2_chickens]

thanks simon, is it just the older diesels that I can run on svo or could I run something like this on svo - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=150278692713&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005
not that I'm looking to buy just yet so I won't be bidding.

Teddy, do you have a link to that website please mate, having no luck with google.

cheers
2C

 

[stumpy]

www.124.co.uk

The best 124 diesels cost serious bucks though.

 

[simon_wall69]

Will run fine on svo. It's a pre-facelift so lower powered SOHC engine about 110bhp, I think.

Front wings are bolt on and surprisingly cheap so rust around front wheel arch not a major issue.

 

[simon_wall69]

It's www.w124.co.uk, you've forgotten the extra 'w'

 

[stumpy]

my mistake, thanks for correcting. not enough w's

 

[2_chickens]

good news, I like the older ones more ie:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=270262634622&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

but like the idea of a turbo and a slightly younger car for less maintenance issues.

Kinda found that site from your post stumpy, will have a butchers laters.

cheers
2C

 

[2_chickens]

Hmmmm, td doesn't stand for turbo diesel does it???? T is for estate isn't it, is there a turbo on these cars? cheers, 2C

 

[stumpy]

No, the 124 series cars are non turbo, bit I believe you could get turbo versions on the continent. I'm sure Nick will confirm or deny soon. The 210 series cars (4 round headlights) 300 dt are turbo'd.

 

[Blobcat]

No, the 124 series cars are non turbo, bit I believe you could get turbo versions on the continent. I'm sure Nick will confirm or deny soon. The 210 series cars (4 round headlights) 300 dt are turbo'd.

No turbo on RHD cars as the steering column was in the way of the turbo.

 

[2_chickens]

that'll potentially save a few speeding tickets then