What Merc Should I buy?

[emerty]

Hi,

I would be really grateful for any assistance you can give me...

I would love to buy an MB, I really like the early eighties models like the 230? is the 280 a better car?

Could anyone advise as to which is the best model to get from that era? what would have the best spec, i would love to have leather if poss.

I'm going to be doing a 30 mile commute each morning, so fuel consumption is a small issue, did they make a great diesel back then?

thanks

emerty

 

[guydewdney]

theres quite a few from that era.

the 'best' was the 126 series from 84 onwards - this was the S class. they made everything from a 300D to a 560 (5.6 V8 :? ) coupe version (which is becoming a cult / collectors item). Lots of 'toys' / craeture comforts, and probably the best built merc -ever.

the numbering system is confusing.... 230 / 280 can be anything!

personally I'd buy a coupe - early eighties cars are becoming 'old hat' but also not old enough to be collectable.

roadsters are another possibility - the SL or R107 series - from 76? to ?late eighties, engines from 2.8 straight 6 to 5 litre V8 - 3.5 V8 a good choice from a collectable point of view imho.

merc diesels go on for ever and a day.


300 or 350D (if they did them in the UK - i only have the US EPC)W126 for fuel 'economy' - but you are lugging a 2 tonne car about

R107 for cool factor, soft top, speed etc and collectabilty - engine choice up to you as they are all petrol

C126 for cult / toys / build quality and very likelty to be collectable in a few years

(C = coupe, R = roadster W = Wagon = car / saloon T = esTate : :? )

have i lost you yet?

whats your budget?

 

[emerty]

Thanks

yep lost me about half way down. but thanks for the info.

i really like the w123 saloon shape, anything later than that loses it's appeal to me.

don't want to get anything too old or rare, my friend has a 300sel that he has spent a fortune on. although it is a beauty.

trying to find out what the spec difference is between e and se, i presume it's interior etc.

thanks again for your reply

 

[TonyCoolDaddy]

For 4K you can get a 2000cc to 3000cc E class Coupe (CE) its a 2 door "pillarless" e class, so all parts are as e class. real beauties everywhere, definatly a future classic and joy to own in the meantime

 

[emerty]

yep

thanks, looking at an 84 230 CE Auto in blue.

it's got 160k on the clock and only part history so am a bit wary. they've got some receipts going back to 2001, but still, don't want to land myself with a dog. :roll:

 

[emerty]

GOT ONE!!

got a 1980 230CE in silver with 200k on the clock.

1 owner from new!!!!! with all the bills and full merc history. even got the original receipt from the garage for it £10k new!!!

lovely car, took it for a test drive, quieter than my brand new horrible mondeo company car.

can't wait to pick it up this weekend and cruise in style home. (with the windows down to show off the pillerless design)

thanks for the advice!!!!!!!!!