RE: Mercedes W124 Cabriolet: Guilty Pleasures
Discussion
It is horses for courses on the scuttle shake. It hadn't occurred to me in the three years I have had mine.
I wasn't looking for one but it came up locally, 188k miles 320 one owner and I paid 5k. It has been faultless and flies through its MOT.
I keep thinking I will sell it as I barely use it but can't do it.
A seminal car to add to the fleet!
I wasn't looking for one but it came up locally, 188k miles 320 one owner and I paid 5k. It has been faultless and flies through its MOT.
I keep thinking I will sell it as I barely use it but can't do it.
A seminal car to add to the fleet!
CharlesdeGaulle said:
TonyF55 said:
Yours is lovely, Is your car one of the early CE Convertibles before they got renamed E220/E320 ?
Thank you!Mine is a 320CE, and one of the 'in-between' cars, so it had the old model designation you refer to, the star on the radiator grille, and the ambers of the older cars, but also the chrome inserts on the door handles and along the top of the sacco panels of the facelift.
There were a number of other changes but they are the most obvious at first glance.
The best English site I have used for all my 124 cars (saloon, estates and a cabriolet over the years) is this one. 2 minutes to sign up and full of really useful and informative info. on these lovely cars.
http://www.w124uk.com/forum
The best site for S124 cabriolets is not in English but its brilliant. Posted below for info.:
http://www.w124.org/?page_id=28
http://www.w124uk.com/forum
The best site for S124 cabriolets is not in English but its brilliant. Posted below for info.:
http://www.w124.org/?page_id=28
Small Car said:
You know what you are talking about. So mine is a 94 320ce but I notice some earlier face lifted - were there three variants? What was the timing of these? I wondered if mine was old stock?
A couple of photos with differences of face-lifts. It's in French but hopefully you can muddle through it?1990 - 1993
1994 - 1995
Small Car said:
So mine is a 94 320ce but I notice some earlier face lifted - were there three variants? What was the timing of these? I wondered if mine was old stock?
Wile7's photos show the differences pretty well. There was one facelift, with the obvious cosmetics being the easy way to tell them apart. However, there were some cars that fell in between, and mine appears to be one of them. They retain the star on the grille (and the 4 speed gearbox), but feature some of the later enhancements. To be honest, it's best not to worry about pre- or post-facelifts and to buy on condition regardless of age or mileage.
There was an article in the last edition of a recent magazine by David Sutherland (www.classicmercedesmagazine.com) that talks about these cars.
Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Saturday 8th August 10:44
Whilst these cars are built to last - they are not without their weaknesses.
Some of the common issues are :
- engine wiring loom on later cars 1993 onwards was biodegradeable i.e. the insulation would break down and crack. Replacement loom from Mercedes is expensive (£750+) and around 4 hours to fit. Common symptoms of wiring loom problem are uneven running, starting issues. A car with a bad wiring loom needs to be sorted as if the degradation is severe then the ECU can be permanently damaged. ECUs are difficult to source from MB and very expensive (over £1000).
- cylinder head and cooling issues on the large six cylinder models. Revised head gasket available from MB. Replacing head gasket expensive job.
- corrosion on front wings and jacking points.
- roof operating issues. The roof mechanism on the W124 is very complex and powered by hydraulic pump and pistons. Eventually the seals go and replacements are no longer available from MB.
- roof covering leaking/degrading. New roof coverings very expensive from MB and a specialist job to fit. Roof covering needs regular proofing to ensure waterproof.
- water pumps - known weakness which does not help cylinder head cooling issues mentioned previously.
Some of the common issues are :
- engine wiring loom on later cars 1993 onwards was biodegradeable i.e. the insulation would break down and crack. Replacement loom from Mercedes is expensive (£750+) and around 4 hours to fit. Common symptoms of wiring loom problem are uneven running, starting issues. A car with a bad wiring loom needs to be sorted as if the degradation is severe then the ECU can be permanently damaged. ECUs are difficult to source from MB and very expensive (over £1000).
- cylinder head and cooling issues on the large six cylinder models. Revised head gasket available from MB. Replacing head gasket expensive job.
- corrosion on front wings and jacking points.
- roof operating issues. The roof mechanism on the W124 is very complex and powered by hydraulic pump and pistons. Eventually the seals go and replacements are no longer available from MB.
- roof covering leaking/degrading. New roof coverings very expensive from MB and a specialist job to fit. Roof covering needs regular proofing to ensure waterproof.
- water pumps - known weakness which does not help cylinder head cooling issues mentioned previously.
Slightly tangential to this but - I think the W124 thing might be getting out-of-hand...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C554792
That's a low-miles/historied 94 E200 (yes, 2.0) Wagon - they want almost TEN GRAND for it - TEN GRAND - TEN of your GRANDS - for a 21-year-old 2.0 Estate Car
That's like at least one too many 0s
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C554792
That's a low-miles/historied 94 E200 (yes, 2.0) Wagon - they want almost TEN GRAND for it - TEN GRAND - TEN of your GRANDS - for a 21-year-old 2.0 Estate Car
That's like at least one too many 0s
405dogvan said:
Slightly tangential to this but - I think the W124 thing might be getting out-of-hand...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C554792
That's a low-miles/historied 94 E200 (yes, 2.0) Wagon - they want almost TEN GRAND for it - TEN GRAND - TEN of your GRANDS - for a 21-year-old 2.0 Estate Car
That's like at least one too many 0s
Pricey but that's the way low mileage estates are going for nowadays and the 2.0 16v although underpowered is the most reliable and frugal of the lot. A genuine sportline S124 320 with low mileage and history will push £15k in 'cherished trade' nowadays. Privately they can be had for £5-£8k and are on the up like the cabriolets. Best value at the moment seem to be coupes then saloons. A well sorted E280 saloon can make a decent roomy and spritely classic car.http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C554792
That's a low-miles/historied 94 E200 (yes, 2.0) Wagon - they want almost TEN GRAND for it - TEN GRAND - TEN of your GRANDS - for a 21-year-old 2.0 Estate Car
That's like at least one too many 0s
Someone has highlighted the main issues on all estate models (front wings rusting, viscous couplings and head gaskets on E200/E220, rear suspension spheres collapsing, loom issue on the E320 due to the heat frying the 'organic' content of the loom around the bulkhead; a straightforward splice and replace with a loom section from Ebay or specialist) BUT a well sorted estate is still the vehicle of choice for many. Add in the 7 seat option fitted to many and its a much classier (IMO) car to a modern day SUV.
Antique dealers value them (and old 960 Volvo estates) for their immense but flat and wide load space plus they have a classic charm and elegance that modern cars simply don't have.
I love old estates as much or more than anyone, but I think that's a BIT of a crazy price - W124s are known as a tough-old-workhorses, there's an irony in having a low mileage workhorse and the whole thing about the W124 is that miles don't really matter??
Until last year, tatty 7-seat estates were almost under £1000 - nice ones were under £2k - but things have gone a bit bonkers.
Until last year, tatty 7-seat estates were almost under £1000 - nice ones were under £2k - but things have gone a bit bonkers.
I agree that prices are going a bit mad but that is the market at the moment. Humble Ford escorts for £25k (AVO RS2000) or £60k for an early Twin Cam.....£6k for an early 1.6 Gti 205. There are odd balls though (Scimitar GTE's seem to be great value still for example...).
That said, the last two 124 estates (I've had four over the years) I have bought went on for good money privately. A E200 purchased in 2007 for £500 (with 1 owner, FMSH with 154k on the clock) I sold for £2k last year and it had 211k miles under its trusty belt.. A trader offered £150......
My awesome S124 E280 manual (rare) was purchased for £500 in 2013 and I sold it three months later for someone who enquired at a petrol station forecourt and offered me £3k cash. It was a good mileage (110k miles with FSH) so we settled at £5k or thereabouts. I was not looking to shift it on but in this day and age no one can argue that it was not a good return on my original investment. My rare A124 sport line cab with that 5sp manual Getrag was worth £25k and one I've seen in the states for sale supports a possible higher price....but to the uninitiated an Audi A4 cabriolet in many buyers eyes is a better option.
I love those escorts but prices are crazy in the UK. A FSH scimitar for £2k in the UK though is still a veritable bargain I feel....hmmmm
That said, the last two 124 estates (I've had four over the years) I have bought went on for good money privately. A E200 purchased in 2007 for £500 (with 1 owner, FMSH with 154k on the clock) I sold for £2k last year and it had 211k miles under its trusty belt.. A trader offered £150......
My awesome S124 E280 manual (rare) was purchased for £500 in 2013 and I sold it three months later for someone who enquired at a petrol station forecourt and offered me £3k cash. It was a good mileage (110k miles with FSH) so we settled at £5k or thereabouts. I was not looking to shift it on but in this day and age no one can argue that it was not a good return on my original investment. My rare A124 sport line cab with that 5sp manual Getrag was worth £25k and one I've seen in the states for sale supports a possible higher price....but to the uninitiated an Audi A4 cabriolet in many buyers eyes is a better option.
I love those escorts but prices are crazy in the UK. A FSH scimitar for £2k in the UK though is still a veritable bargain I feel....hmmmm
Edited by wile7 on Monday 10th August 10:33
A bit of thread resurrection, but I just treated myself to one of these. 1994 E320 Sportline, fitted with a factory optioned AMG body kit (like the blue E36 in this thread). Wheels are 19s but it came with the original 17s. It is also wearing an E500 grille, but I also have the original.
109k miles, weak bits (loom, head gasket, roof mechanism) done, and a bare metal respray with all rust sorted (there were a few bits from the photos but nothing too serious).
Patchy history and 109k miles mean that this will never be worth any money, but it is a lovely old thing, and I adore it already.
And guilty pleasures? Those 19 inch wheels. I know I should put the original 17s on, but...
This car makes me want to put on a Global Hypercolour T-shirt, put The Happy Mondays on the hifi and drive to a rave in a field.
Where it would either get stolen, or the cops would turn up and nick me because the car makes me look like I'm dealing ecstasy.
I love it. More than my Aston, if I'm being honest.
Have a picture or two:
109k miles, weak bits (loom, head gasket, roof mechanism) done, and a bare metal respray with all rust sorted (there were a few bits from the photos but nothing too serious).
Patchy history and 109k miles mean that this will never be worth any money, but it is a lovely old thing, and I adore it already.
And guilty pleasures? Those 19 inch wheels. I know I should put the original 17s on, but...
This car makes me want to put on a Global Hypercolour T-shirt, put The Happy Mondays on the hifi and drive to a rave in a field.
Where it would either get stolen, or the cops would turn up and nick me because the car makes me look like I'm dealing ecstasy.
I love it. More than my Aston, if I'm being honest.
Have a picture or two:
Edited by Harry Flashman on Saturday 8th July 08:16
wile7 said:
A very nice RHD E36 cabriolet with good photos here...It looks like the old JustinBanks garage in the UK?
http://nast-sonderfahrzeuge.de/MB-Exotenforum/boar...
I nearly bought one before I bought that sportline E320. It was about £2k more but with hindsight it might not have lasted too long either :roll eyes:
http://nast-sonderfahrzeuge.de/MB-Exotenforum/boar...
I nearly bought one before I bought that sportline E320. It was about £2k more but with hindsight it might not have lasted too long either :roll eyes:
Edited by wile7 on Thursday 6th August 10:58
£17,995 for a genuine E36 cabriolet?! Those have more than doubled in value in two years!! There is one for sale at the moment for £50k.
Someone made a very good purchase. Let's hope the humble E320 follows it up...
Harry Flashman said:
A bit of thread resurrection, but I just treated myself to one of these. 1994 E320 Sportline, fitted with a factory optioned AMG body kit (like the blue E36 in this thread). Wheels are 19s but it came with the original 17s. It is also wearing an E500 grille, but I also have the original.
109k miles, weak bits (loom, head gasket, roof mechanism) done, and a bare metal respray with all rust sorted (there were a few bits from the photos but nothing too serious).
Patchy history and 109k miles mean that this will never be worth any money, but it is a lovely old thing, and I adore it already.
And guilty pleasures? Those 19 inch wheels. I know I should put the original 17s on, but...
This car makes me want to put on a Global Hypercolour T-shirt, put The Happy Mondays on the hifi and drive to a rave in a field.
Where it would either get stolen, or the cops would turn up and nick me because the car makes me look like I'm dealing ecstasy.
I love it. More than my Aston, if I'm being honest.
Have a picture or two:
Ooof that is a thing of beauty 109k miles, weak bits (loom, head gasket, roof mechanism) done, and a bare metal respray with all rust sorted (there were a few bits from the photos but nothing too serious).
Patchy history and 109k miles mean that this will never be worth any money, but it is a lovely old thing, and I adore it already.
And guilty pleasures? Those 19 inch wheels. I know I should put the original 17s on, but...
This car makes me want to put on a Global Hypercolour T-shirt, put The Happy Mondays on the hifi and drive to a rave in a field.
Where it would either get stolen, or the cops would turn up and nick me because the car makes me look like I'm dealing ecstasy.
I love it. More than my Aston, if I'm being honest.
Have a picture or two:
Edited by Harry Flashman on Saturday 8th July 08:16
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff