W124 Estate-Too Fussy?

[W12421]

Following recent advice received on the forum,I have had a look at a couple of cars which were described as in excellent condition, and while one had full service history, at 160K, the bodywork did not live up to its desription. This was a 96 N reg car and had some blistering around both rear window quarter lights, with some further light blistering around the tailgate- hardly meets the bodywork description of fantastic condition.

While mechanically the car seemed sound the interiror was tired rather than immaculate as described, with a tear near to the two holes in the dash where the mobile phone holder had been removed, with the map holders behind the rear seats stretched and lacking any elatication.

One of the rear light clusters was misted and a front headlamp had a bullet hole which had allowed water through. I imagine the latter is an expensive fix requiring a new light assembly.

Am I expecting too much and being too fussy to expect to finda car without rust spots and therefore should budget for repairs and adjust the price accordingly, or is it a matter of keep looking as there are good cars out there.

:???: :???: :???: Kind Regards

Marin Reilly

 

[Bolide]

Fussy over W124s

I'd keep looking. It's possible to find cars that I would class as very good. For that they have an excellent interior - it's uneconomic to make a shabby interior new again and it's a good indicator of a lack of care - and a good / fixable exterior

History & provenance are what I look for. Everything is fixable, at a price, but starting with a good car is essential

The paint bubbling on the rear window trims is where the aluminium underneath begins to react. Not worth worrying about

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[television]

As bolide say, they are around with a perfect interior, that's the hardest part to put right. if the back end has no rust, and the front wings have a few rust bubbles, that's easy to put right. Hang on and keep looking, they are around.


Malcolm

 

[cubicincubi]

you will find a better one - keep looking, though none will be immaculate. they are 10+ years old now.

mines a cosmetic dog in every way but i dont care - onoy gets washed every couple of months if that and vac'd out twice a year with a shampoo on the interior annualy. it has scrapes and scratches, spots of rust here and there.

I keep my other vehicles pristine, the E200 is just a general hack.

However my E280 was mint in every way and was washed and waxed weekly.

You will defo find a better one - imho look for under 120K miles as it will be tight and spot on with plenty of puff left in her. if you buy at + 150K miles you want a service history showing new parts as the next 50K will see stuff like brake discs and fuel pumps etc going imho.

 

[television]

.

mines a cosmetic dog in every way but i dont care - onoy gets washed every couple of months if that and vac'd out twice a year with a shampoo on the interior annualy. it has scrapes and scratches, spots of rust here and there.

I keep my other vehicles pristine, the E200 is just a general hack.

However my E280 was mint in every way and was washed and waxed weekly.
.

I feel the same, the time taken to keep two cars mint is hard to find.
I would love a car where I could return the compliments received in Tesco's car park, or one where I could keep going through a speed restriction point.

Malcolm

 

[cubicincubi]

just register the vehicle at a Po Box instead of u'r home address and get away with murder

 

[Blobcat]

I feel the same, the time taken to keep two cars mint is hard to find.
I would love a car where I could return the compliments received in Tesco's car park, or one where I could keep going through a speed restriction point.

Malcolm

I always try and take the Land Rover to Tesco's you get so much more respect.