Reliability question

[Zanimat]

I've owned a 1988 W124 300D for a couple of years & am very impressed with it - it feels as if it will go on for ever! Recently I've been offered a 1995 E300D (is that a 210?) with full MB service history and average mileage and I'm tempted - but I have heard bad reports about the quality & reliability of the later 90's models.
I'd welcome your opinions!

 

[hawk20]

Have a look at the thread shopping for a replacement for my 280TE. There is quite a good case for keeping yours till funds permit a switch to a 2003 model -fully galvanised.

 

[RGubbioli]

General consensus has it that the W124 is the best built Mercedes that you can buy for a cheap price. Having a 200TE myself the only thing I want for is a 6 cylinder engine, however, I find the later (W210) cars hold no appeal plus they're said to be of inferior build quality as from around 97-98 Daimler merged with Chrysler leading to many changes in the way their cars were built.

 

[Hibbo]

I've owned a 1988 W124 300D for a couple of years & am very impressed with it - it feels as if it will go on for ever! Recently I've been offered a 1995 E300D (is that a 210?) with full MB service history and average mileage and I'm tempted - but I have heard bad reports about the quality & reliability of the later 90's models.
I'd welcome your opinions!

A '95 E300D should be the last of the w124s and as such will be equally bulletproof. Get it!

 

[television]

I would go for that 1995 E300D the last of the run is always the best one from the reliability angle

 

[Zanimat]

Thanks for the comments; much appreciated. I'm not sure about it being a W124 - it's certainly a very different shape from mine! It was first registered in November '95 and it has the lowered bonnet line & teardrop headlamps. So, is it the first of the new models or the last of the old ones? I did look up some data & it seems to weigh about the same as my current car. Can someone confirm, please??

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks for the comments; much appreciated. I'm not sure about it being a W124 - it's certainly a very different shape from mine! It was first registered in November '95 and it has the lowered bonnet line & teardrop headlamps. So, is it the first of the new models or the last of the old ones? I did look up some data & it seems to weigh about the same as my current car. Can someone confirm, please??

From your description it is a W210 and one of the first.

 

[Zanimat]

Thanks, Blobcat; were they still being built properly then - or would it be best to stick with my old faithful?

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks, Blobcat; were they still being built properly then - or would it be best to stick with my old faithful?

I would go eyes open and judge each car on it's own merits. The post 2000 facelift W210s are IMO nicer due to the updated interior. The later CDI engines are better on fuel economy and power, they are also quieter.

 

[television]

I would go eyes open and judge each car on it's own merits. The post 2000 facelift W210s are IMO nicer due to the updated interior. The later CDI engines are better on fuel economy and power, they are also quieter.

As Blobcat really, on its own merits, since this was an early if not almost the first of the 210 it could be very well made. but as above the condition says it all

 

[Zanimat]

Thanks, both......I'll obviously be able to establish which model it actually is when I get up close.....and I'll keep my eyes wide open! I have asked about an AA inspection which has been agreed - but apparently the car won't start at present; the inhibitor system is suspected of misbehaving, which is slightly worrying!

 

[Marco Polo]

I had a W124 estate, a 1991 300TE-24, which I bought with 132K on the clock in 1998 and sold with 172K in 2004. It was superb but was starting to give one or two niggles and becoming a little less than reliable. I was living in Hong Kong and not on hand to help my wife if anything went wrong - my family was still here in UK.

Rather than spend a bit of money putting it right, I traded it in for an W210 E240 estate. I regret it now. The quality difference between the two cars is very noticeable to me, not helped by the big power difference. I have rust starting to come through on the rear offside wing around the petrol filler cap, and by the tailgate release

I am waiting for the W211 to come down to a price that I can afford so that I can enjoy the galvanised body and not have to worry about rot. I also like the interior lay-out of the W211.

I agree with the others - if it's a W124, go for it but if not wait for a post-2003 model.

 

[Zanimat]

Thanks, c2cae.....the car has been booked in for a "full diagnostic check" next week so I'll have to wait & see - but I have confirmed that it is a W210.
Maybe I'll lose interest in the meantime! My W124 is very good, but I have noticed more noise from the suspension recently; I suppose new bushes would be a lot cheaper than a swap!

 

[RGubbioli]

I had a W124 estate, a 1991 300TE-24, which I bought with 132K on the clock in 1998 and sold with 172K in 2004. It was superb but was starting to give one or two niggles and becoming a little less than reliable.

I am surprised, what niggles were you getting?

 

[Marco Polo]

Just separate, non-related incidents really - some were electrical, I remember. The electric windows suddenly became temperamental and there was a mis-firing problem - I should have spent a little bit putting probably minor things right but I came back to UK on 2 weeks vacation and opted for what I thought was the 'safe' option of trading it in for a newer, lower mileage model, for the benefit of my wife. With the benefit of hindsight I made a mistake. The 300 24-valve engine was a real beauty.

 

[Zanimat]

Thanks to all who responded; I had a look at some W210's & was pretty disappointed with what I saw - decided to give them a miss! But the "itch" was still there - so now I find myself the owner of a beautiful '93 230CE! Bit of a change from the oil-burner, but at least the quality is still there. I'll let you know how I get on.......

 

[Zanimat]

Oooops!! Sorry - that should be '92 230CE!! :Oops: