Older models for a low budget ?

[declang]

Hi folks,
I came here to get advice on newer (04/05) C-class cars, as I'm thinking of changing the main car. Thats still up in the air.

As a second car, I've been doing a lot of changing in the past 18 months ...a 97 honda crv, a 92 golf gti, an 85 Porsche 924, and now an 83 Golf Gti.

I always buy these cars with the intention of keeping them, but eventually I get fed up and want to change, so I guess I'll be due to change the gti in 6 months !

With that in mind, I'd like to do a bit of research into what mercedes models would be a good buy and what models/variants would be lemons.
My budget has varied, but I'd say I'd probably have about 3K or so to play with when I sell the current car.

In 6 months time, what model(s) should I be looking at for the best "smiles per mile" in a budget of 3K, give or take, without any horrendous maintenance costs. I'd intend doing all, or most of, my own maintenance, as I;m not shy of a spanner, or an "adjuster"

I don't need an estate, but have nothing against them either.

I do like a bit of zip, but would sacrifice zip for low maintenance and reliability, as it is a second car, and will have to do about 150 miles a week to work & back.

Comments on a postcard please .....

 

[Hibbo]

w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124 w124

Or maybe an early E-class?

 

[declang]

lol hibbo, did you by any chance mean a w124 ?

 

[Hibbo]

Yes!

I'm a diesel man so I can't really talk about the petrol engines, but from what I've heard the larger petrol engines won't disappoint, especially the HFM engines (220 280 (I think) and 320) used in from the facelift ('93) onwards.

The best of the bunch I reckon would be an E320 coupe, but don't know what they go for.

There are plenty of people on here who can advise more than me.


PS. You may also like to look at the model that preceded the w210.

 

[Stircrazy]

Probably the diesel ones are your best option but mine is petrol and I can live with it unless it needs changed.

Yes I would say W124 if you want an old Merc.

The Multivalve ones are like hens teeth but you never know.

They are great to drive.

Like taking a big dog for a walk!

 

[declang]

OK, where do I go looking for info on W124's then ?

I found w124.org, but I can't read french. (Well, not enough to understand it)

Pointers please ?

 

[Stircrazy]

Well maybe this guy.

http://www.w124.co.uk/

Unless you want a private sale or auction.

And what geographical location?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Personally looking at your previous cars i would say a 190E 2.3 OR 2.5 Cosworth.
Or a w202 C Class 230 Kompressor well made with plenty of poke, quite economical too.

 

[declang]

And what geographical location?

Well, I'm in Ireland, so the location in UK is pretty irrelevant really.

I'm not really looking for a performance car, so I'd rule out the cosworth on that ground.

I think I'm looking for something very reliable, easy (& cheap?) to fix & maintain, comfortable, and pleasure to drive every day.

Low purchase price goes without saying !

Any further pointers ?

 

[frank133]

190e 2ltr or 2.3 best merc made, engine is bullet proof,steering brakes body i all good,comfort mpg and motorway work is sound,parts are cheap and a easy car to work on.a little cramped in the back and drivers seat gets worn as you get in and out.I am a bit bias I have had this one for nine years done every repair myself quite a straightforward car to work on.you should get a realy good one for $1500,look on ebay I.put a few add ons alloys, bodykit,new grill,boot spoiler.it is still fun to drive and look pretty good

 

[declang]

thanks for the pointers so far folks.

I'm being tempted by a w124, so far.
What are the common problems with w124s, or where should I go looking for more info on them.

Thanks.

 

[declang]

w124

Sorry for replying to my own post, I can't find the edit button.
I Did look, honest

I've been searching for info on all the w124 models, finding quite a bit, and found a very good guide to the models on wikipedia. I;m assuming the info there is correct ? w124 Link

Looks like I've narrowed my search down to the diesels, but I can;t find much info on what models are/were common, and what model(s) were rare.
Is there a particular diesel I should look for, or a particular model to avoid ?

i.e OM601, OM602, OM603, OM606

Am i likely to find much of a selection of saloons, or are the estates more common ?

And, last question (for now ), is there much difference between a 1993 300D and a 1994 E300 Diesel ?

If this isn't the right place to ask, I'd be grateful for a nudge in the right direction :

Cheers.

 

[Hibbo]

Sorry for replying to my own post, I can't find the edit button.
I Did look, honest

I've been searching for info on all the w124 models, finding quite a bit, and found a very good guide to the models on wikipedia. I;m assuming the info there is correct ? w124 Link

Looks like I've narrowed my search down to the diesels, but I can;t find much info on what models are/were common, and what model(s) were rare.
Is there a particular diesel I should look for, or a particular model to avoid ?

i.e OM601, OM602, OM603, OM606

Am i likely to find much of a selection of saloons, or are the estates more common ?

And, last question (for now ), is there much difference between a 1993 300D and a 1994 E300 Diesel ?

If this isn't the right place to ask, I'd be grateful for a nudge in the right direction :

Cheers.

Right then marra, now you're talking my language!

The om602 (2.5L 5cyl) was used in the 250D and the 603 (6cyl 3L) in the 300D. I had the 602 in my 190, it is a good engine but would probably be too sluggish in a w124. The 250D is not very common either.

The E300 diesel uses the om606 multivalve engine, this is more refined and powerful than the 603, and is the one to go for. (This engine lived on in turbocharged guise till 1999 in the w210 till the CDI engines were introduced) Turbodiesels were not available in RHD.

The om603 is a bit easier to work on than the 606, but servicing is easy and well within the means of even the most basic DIYer.

Both generations of engines are capable of (and renowned for) huge mileages, and they take very well to veg oil if that's your thing.


If you want a bit of poke and don't do many miles so MPG isn't an issue, then I'm sure some of the petrolheads can advise you. Diesel models do cost more than petrols - they are that respected!

Hope this is of some help.

 

[MarcusBenz]

I live in Ireland at the moment and recently bought a W124 coupe. The car is solid as a rock, except for the anti roll bar bushes and front wheel bearings. However, I found a place up the road from me that seems to sell nothing but old mercs and they have a good workshop too so got that sorted out very easily.

 

[declang]

Excellent info Hibbo.
So basically the 606 is what I'm looking for.

Most of the w124's I see for sale are estates. Is this right, or will I find a good saloon if I keep looking ?

@MarcusBenz : whereabouts was that place that "sells nothing but old mercs" ? Might be worth a look !


Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

 

[television]

I live in Ireland at the moment and recently bought a W124 coupe. The car is solid as a rock, except for the anti roll bar bushes and front wheel bearings. However, I found a place up the road from me that seems to sell nothing but old mercs and they have a good workshop too so got that sorted out very easily.

Missed you hiding in the middle of the thread, welcome to the forum. there are more people buying 124 coupes than ever,nice cars. Anti roll links are only £6 each.

Malcolm

 

[MarcusBenz]

@MarcusBenz : whereabouts was that place that "sells nothing but old mercs" ? Might be worth a look !

They're on the Dundrum Road in South Dublin. They've always got a good selection.

 

[eyelight]

That place on Dundrum Road

The dealer mentioned here is on the Dundrum Road in Windy Arbour, near the corner of Bird Avenue. It's been there for several years. Never had any dealings with them but it looks like they import most of their cars from the UK.

 

[eyelight]

Most of the w124's I see for sale are estates. Is this right, or will I find a good saloon if I keep looking ?

As someone who's been looking for a good W124 estate for a while, I can say that, at least in England, the saloon can be got for a good bit less cash than the estates. Estates are in demand, and seem to be worth more than the coupes too.

Looking through the Autotrader, there are quite a few 1994 - 95 saloons at really good prices, and if you wanted to import one to Ireland, the VRT is something like €1400. The VRT on a similar year coupe is over €3000 !

 

[shj]

If you want a bit of class and performance to match have a look at some W124 E320 Coupes,You may need a bit more than 3k though for a good one,they are a classic of the future