 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / October 2008Is a W124 300E a good first Mercedes?
I'm coming on from ownership of mainly Saabs, a Toyota and one slightly old Lexus LS400. I would consider a 300d but in the UK we didn't get the turbo d option. I tend to do about 13-15k miles a yeah, mainly motorway but at peak congested times. That is what I liked about the Lexus, it was an auto, but all my other cars have been manuals. What I didn't like was the soggy ride and the thirst of the 4.0 V8 when not doing 50-70. The W124 looks to be a solid reliable workhorse. I want comfort and reliability, but also a bit of performance if I put my foot down. I'm not a hooning boy racer, I'm 40 this year and I left driving like a fool a long time ago.  SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 > I'm coming on from ownership of mainly Saabs, a Toyota and one slightly > old Lexus LS400. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Topcashbackhttp://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm > Greasypalmhttp://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 is your best choice!!! i think the w124 is the best MB ever made fast, cheap ,comfortable,elegant and safe if you can find a w124 300 24valv o better a 500 v8 ( no ones wants to sell them) >> I'm coming on from ownership of mainly Saabs, a Toyota and one slightly >> old Lexus LS400. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > if you can find a w124 300 24valv o better a 500 v8 ( no ones wants > to sell them) have a 500sec here no one wants to buy that > >> I'm coming on from ownership of mainly Saabs, a Toyota and one slightly > >> old Lexus LS400. [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > have a 500sec here no one wants to buy that Thanks to Rob and the good Dr A 500 would be loverly, but even with fuel prices taking a temporary dip, too rich for my blood. Don't the 500 V8 models use slightly more complicated rear suspension too. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 Solid, well regarded model. In USA, had a 3.0L 12 valve straight six, later on a 3.2L 24 valve straight six. There's also a USA 260E straight six model with less equipment, at the time probably marketed to hit a certain price point in the model line up. I owned a'97 E320, very nice engine. 26 - 27 mpg (US) at speed (65 mph) on longer trips, probably 17 - 18 mpg (US) in local driving. Signature© 2008 T.G.Lambach. Publication in any form requires prior written permission. > I owned a'97 E320, very nice engine. 26 - 27 mpg (US) at speed (65 mph) > on longer trips, probably 17 - 18 mpg (US) in local driving. Those sound good thanks, just what I wanted to know. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 Considering the age of the car... your budget and what type of fuel economy you are looking for. I think you are looking for diesel rather than gas engine. I don't know what cars UK has but you may want to consider the newer W210 cars.. unless it is too big for you... W124 is a very nice car... heck I drives one... I would look hard... newer to older... sizewise... then engine choice with fuel economy to think of and then finding the right car. Good luck! > I don't know what cars UK has but you may want to consider the newer W210 > cars.. unless it is too big for you... W124 is a very nice car... heck I > drives one... We got the W210 but they were notorious for rot in the UK. A W124 is just slightly smaller than my current Saab 9000, and a lot smaller than my old Lexus LS. From talking to current W124 owners on various forums I'm a member of, they have said they get similar economy to my Aero. Sadly the Aero has had a transmission change in the past. As a cost cutting measure, the gearbox from a 2.0 injection model was fitted instead of the correct Aero box (they tend to be less worn too) but that has lead a lower final drive, higher revving all the time, and so a drop in economy. I'm getting an average of 26mpg but the Aero needs 98RON Super unleaded. I'm guessing a 300 Eclass could run on normal 95Ron which is quite a bit cheaper too. My old Lexus which wasn't in a good state of tune, being a JDM model it was missing service history, and I have to admit, having paid £600 with a years MOT on it, I didn't keep up the maintenance. It didn't need anything, but I'm usually meticulous about things like plugs/oil etc. It did leak a bit of oil and coolant, so it got a rolling change ;), but I should have given it a full change at least once and I ashamed to say I left it nearly 12000miles on the same oil and it didn't miss a beat. I've already paid to get the servicing done on the saab twice since I've had it but the headgasket went within a couple of weeks of me buying. I don't mind simplicity and I don't mind cars getting older. My oldest car was a Saab 900 T16S which was a 1984. It was one of the scruffiest, but most solid, reliable fun cars I've ever owned. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 Hi Carl. Rust shoudl not be an issue if it was prepped with rust inhibitor. We had a 1988 Mazda RX7 which we bought new and had Waxoyl put on at the dealer. The car never had rust even now as we sold the car. Simply amazing. By now, most Mazda would have been a rust bucket... but not this car. I can't see why it can't be done for UK vehicles either especially you know that it s problem in UK. As for the MB, we have our fair share of rust too... On W126, they are notorious for front fender by the wheel wells and the back wheel well area where water get splashed into the crevice. Rust spot on rear window by the edge is also an issue... same goes for W124. Late model E320 also requires premium fuel... so it is no help to you either. Diesel will get you 40% more fuel mileage than gas engine... so it should be considered. Having another W210 would make it easy for you to take care of... you know what to do when problem arises. However, you are probably looking for a variety to drive... not a twin. The biggest problem with buying older MB is the wear and tear items... shocks, tires, brake, steering, maybe rusted/broken springs...air conditioner... etc. Unless you are super handy on fixing car, these item will cost you dearly that you probably wished for newer car instead. Take your time to weigh all options... and yes, MB would be my choice of vehicle... Some notes: W124s run fine on 95 octane (Europe, c. 91 US). The word "premium" in Europe implies 97/98 octane and, AFAIK, no normal Merc ever needed or needs it. As regards the rot in the UK, it's to do with our weather, so some cars may show more rust than in regions, especially if not prep'd or looked after properly. I had a W124 for over 6 years (and 120K miles) and had no significant rust probs that I can recall. The next owners kept it for quite a while, though I don't know if it is still running. DAS To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling" --- > Hi Carl. > Rust shoudl not be an issue if it was prepped with rust inhibitor. We [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > your time to weigh all options... and yes, MB would be my choice of > vehicle... > W124s run fine on 95 octane (Europe, c. 91 US). The word "premium" in > Europe implies > 97/98 octane and, AFAIK, no normal Merc ever needed or needs it. In the UK, Premium is 95, Super is 97/98/99 RON. I'm glad they can run on 95. What is the tank capacity then on a 124? SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 I seem to recall a tank capacity of approx 60 l. An existing owner might provide a more accurate number. On which forecourt have you seen 99 Octane? DAS To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling" --- [...] > In the UK, Premium is 95, Super is 97/98/99 RON. > > I'm glad they can run on 95. What is the tank capacity then on a 124? > On which forecourt have you seen 99 Octane? Tesco. Their Superunleaded is all 99RON. Even the older stations which state minimum 97RON on the pumps all carry 99RON. http://www.greenergy.com/tesco_99_octane/index.html I use it in the Saab because it is the same price or cheaper than Shell V power, and V power and Ultimate are both 98 RON in the UK. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 I wonder where they get that from because neither BP nor Shell (my usual 'suppliers') had it when I last looked a while ago, admittedly. DAS To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling" --- >> On which forecourt have you seen 99 Octane? >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I use it in the Saab because it is the same price or cheaper than Shell > V power, and V power and Ultimate are both 98 RON in the UK. > I wonder where they get that from because neither BP nor Shell (my usual > 'suppliers') had it when I last looked a while ago, admittedly. > > DAS Greenenergy make it just for Tesco supermarkets to be sold on Tesco petrol stations. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 > As for the MB, we have our fair share of rust too... On W126, they are > notorious for front fender by the wheel wells and the back wheel well area > where water get splashed into the crevice. Rust spot on rear window by the > edge is also an issue... same goes for W124. On the W210 in the UK there have been cases of whole crossmembers rotting out on fairly new cars, undersides of the hood breaking through. They totally murdered the reputation with that one model. The W211 helped bring it back, but not by much. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 Wow... that is really severe. In this case, I would recommends Waxoyl or other similar protection... even when the car is new to fight off the salt and weather conditions that promotes rust. > Wow... that is really severe. In this case, I would recommends Waxoyl or > other similar protection... even when the car is new to fight off the salt > and weather conditions that promotes rust. Some examples. http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/archive/index.php/t-6604.html http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=12738 http://mbca.cartama.net/archive/index.php/t-3470.html http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=243 Apparently he is details of the crossmember problem. http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=1007323&postcount=4 From what I've heard from people who have had issues or avoided 210s because of it, the crossmember is hidden, so even though we in the UK have one of the strictest annual inspections (MOT) , it isn't visible so it isn't tested (They aren't allowed to dismantle it is a visible test only) but if it wasn't hidden they would fail it as it will be within 30cm of a brake or suspension component. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 Wow... I should take a closer look at my folk's W210. I don't recall seeing any rust on that car at all. Tiger schrieb: > Wow... I should take a closer look at my folk's W210. I don't recall seeing > any rust on that car at all. The German wikipedia has an article about all W210 and W211 issues and problems. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/W210 The W211 seems to be more reliable. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/W211 On the other hand as I see with a 1998 W202 the corrosion problems of the 1998/99 series become visible only after 10 years very suddenly. SignatureRoland Franzius A useful nugget of information is the fact that production costs of the W210 were 30% below that of the predecessor! Maybe Tiger saw no rust because he lives in a drier climate than Germany and Britain...?... DAS To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling" --- > Tiger schrieb: >> Wow... I should take a closer look at my folk's W210. I don't recall [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > On the other hand as I see with a 1998 W202 the corrosion problems of the > 1998/99 series become visible only after 10 years very suddenly. > A useful nugget of information is the fact that production costs of the W210 > were 30% below that of the predecessor! <snip> That's because Daimler bought Chrysler with the express intent to learn how to build cheap (as in shoddily constructed) cars. I'll keep my '92, thank you > > A useful nugget of information is the fact that production costs of the W210 > > were 30% below that of the predecessor! [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > shoddily constructed) cars. I'll keep my '92, > thank you This is my whole reason for wanting a 124. The 124 is a classic shape. It looks right and very easy to live with. A 210 is a very sexy shape. It looks so much more "modern". But when you look at a 124 and see prices of £600-1800gbp, and look at a 210 and see £1500-£4000 for an older working example of each, and for twice the money the 210 could be turned into a money pit and uneconomical to repair come MOT time, it is a bit off putting. I can live with solid purposeful and "impressive" over "sexy" anytime. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 >>> A useful nugget of information is the fact that production costs of the W210 >>> were 30% below that of the predecessor! [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > I can live with solid purposeful and "impressive" over "sexy" anytime. I use my '92 300D in my real estate practice. More than one client has commented favorably on the choice of an older, well cared for model. They say it gives the impression of solidity and responsibility rather than a frivolous obsession with ostentatious displays. Frankly, with the addition of 17" AMG wheels, I think my ol' tank looks kinda sexy anyway. JD > I use my '92 300D in my real estate practice. More than one client has > commented favorably on the choice of an older, well cared for model. > They say it gives the impression of solidity and responsibility rather > than a frivolous obsession with ostentatious displays. Frankly, with the > addition of 17" AMG wheels, I think my ol' tank looks kinda sexy anyway. My thoughts exactly. The W124 is like the Saab 900 family (the proper ones). Looks like it is carved in one solid piece and is "respectable" rather than flashy, even when you do them up to look flashy. SignatureCarl Robson Get cashback on your purchases Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 I thought it was so that the company gets listed on the NYSE, allowing the top German managers to claim that it was an American company so that they can pay themselves vastly inflated US salaries... DAS To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling" --- [...] > That's because Daimler bought Chrysler with the express intent to learn > how to build cheap (as in shoddily constructed) cars. I'll keep my '92, > thank you > I'm coming on from ownership of mainly Saabs, a Toyota and one slightly > old Lexus LS400. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Topcashbackhttp://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm > Greasypalmhttp://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553 I know that the consensus opinion that the w124 is The Greatest, but I hate the seats. My 87 is a really bad ride. Now, if you can get a 94/95 with the same seats as the W210 then you will have some comfort. We've had a W123, W124 (x3) and a W210 (97). Personally, I think both the W123 and W210 both have a better ride. And the features of the W210 are exceptional. If you get a 94/95 W124 you'll also appreciate the better radio with the WB. I found it handy when driving in sever weather in Madison a few years ago. More specifically to your question, a W124 is a great car, and better if you get a later one. > > I'm coming on from ownership of mainly Saabs, a Toyota and one slightly > > old Lexus LS400. [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > More specifically to your question, a W124 is a great car, and better > if you get a later one. i agree never buy a W140, looks same shape, but its really expensive |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.