£3-£4000 to spend - w124?
Discussion
A trifling amount for the petrol heads here, I know, but I'm after a second car that I can fit the family in (2x2) in comfort, and want to buy something distinctive and a pleasure to drive. I'm thinking about one of the old w124's as they were built to last, but is getting something like that rather than a second hand MPV a false economy? I'm told the 95-95 E class Mercs should last forever if well serviced, but will the cost of those services plus higher fuel consumption not make a difference to my pocket?
Also, the ones I am looking at are around 150k mileage (not bad for the age!) - I only need it for around 10k miles per year, so still a good idea? Pros and cons much appreciated, thank you.
Also, the ones I am looking at are around 150k mileage (not bad for the age!) - I only need it for around 10k miles per year, so still a good idea? Pros and cons much appreciated, thank you.
There`s no need to spend this much money on a good W124 yet !
Mine E280 is on page 9 of the E class classifieds at the moment and it`s in fantastic condition with 90K miles ; I think I may have sold it , but no money`s exchanged hands yet . If you`re serious , email me with contact details etc .
Mickyveloce
Mine E280 is on page 9 of the E class classifieds at the moment and it`s in fantastic condition with 90K miles ; I think I may have sold it , but no money`s exchanged hands yet . If you`re serious , email me with contact details etc .
Mickyveloce
They're not at all expensive to run but, at this age, they can need some fettling if you buy incautiously
A good W124 (particularly an estate) is a wonderful thing
Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
A good W124 (particularly an estate) is a wonderful thing
Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
Servicing costs are not bad if you go to an Indie. Keep on top of the maintenance and you cant go far wrong. I have had 124's in my place with 300K on the clock and still produce the goods when neededI just bought a 1994 320 coupe (124) for £1400, I was looking at spending around 3 grand but spotted this bargain and the deal was done!
As posted in the past by others these cars have such a "feel good factor", the build and engineering is superb. I wouldn't worry about mileage, ase these cars were built to cover huge milages BUT they do need regular maintenance and servicing to do that...
All the obvious pitfalls and guides are available on-line, good luck
As posted in the past by others these cars have such a "feel good factor", the build and engineering is superb. I wouldn't worry about mileage, ase these cars were built to cover huge milages BUT they do need regular maintenance and servicing to do that...
All the obvious pitfalls and guides are available on-line, good luck
haha god luck, its a propper man car!! All my mates love my coupe and want one themselves now, the size, confort and power and novelty features are inspiring!!
But women are a different species!! My good lady couldn't see the appeal of mine at first, but let me get on with it as its my car. Then after a few long journeys she announces "actually this car is really really nice, I can see why you got it, its the only car I have ever fallen asleep it!"
But women are a different species!! My good lady couldn't see the appeal of mine at first, but let me get on with it as its my car. Then after a few long journeys she announces "actually this car is really really nice, I can see why you got it, its the only car I have ever fallen asleep it!"
I have a 1992 CE230 K reg which I bought back in 2006 with 53,000 miles, one previous owner, completely genuine and original with FSH. I paid about £4,500 and bought it from Jonathan Aucott at Avantgarde Cars near Birmingham.
No link to me but they do seem to have some nice cars and were good to deal with
http://avantgardecars.co.uk/main.asp?type=Merc&...
There seem to be a few on here which are sub £5k with sensible mileage and look nice. Mine has now done 97,000 and has been great so far but is 18 years old so you do get the odd niggle - windows sticking, fanbelt slipping, fuses rusting, remote locking a bit fickle, running a bit lumpy now so may need new oxygen sensor etc etc.
They are generally very well built but you need to have your eyes open and be realistic, they are all around 15-20 years old now and many have been bodged and b
dised and abused. Certainly most of the ones I enquired about were not as good as they looked in the advert!
You also really need a good specialist garage you can trust, unless you can do the work yourself. The bits are still widely available and usually works out cheaper to replace than to try and patch up and make do.
As an aside, mine might be for sale in a month or so if you want to buy a really nice genuine one.........!
No link to me but they do seem to have some nice cars and were good to deal with
http://avantgardecars.co.uk/main.asp?type=Merc&...
There seem to be a few on here which are sub £5k with sensible mileage and look nice. Mine has now done 97,000 and has been great so far but is 18 years old so you do get the odd niggle - windows sticking, fanbelt slipping, fuses rusting, remote locking a bit fickle, running a bit lumpy now so may need new oxygen sensor etc etc.
They are generally very well built but you need to have your eyes open and be realistic, they are all around 15-20 years old now and many have been bodged and b
dised and abused. Certainly most of the ones I enquired about were not as good as they looked in the advert!You also really need a good specialist garage you can trust, unless you can do the work yourself. The bits are still widely available and usually works out cheaper to replace than to try and patch up and make do.
As an aside, mine might be for sale in a month or so if you want to buy a really nice genuine one.........!
http://www.mathewsons.co.uk/shop/product.php?xProd...
This is still around I think. Been in a while but not marketed well - in my opinion. He has been using it himself for the last few weeks so miles will be a bit higher, but equally any issues from standing should not exist.
I know it the wrong end of the country - and its only a 250D - but it looked good when I had a look around. £2,750 should secure it. Space and one too many cars already prevents me from acting.
Included in the stable is an E220 (S124) - bought unseen. Silly boy. It was cheap and at least I know what has been spent on it. Will be doing about 3,000 miles in two weeks just after easter on a whisky tour of scotland.
This is still around I think. Been in a while but not marketed well - in my opinion. He has been using it himself for the last few weeks so miles will be a bit higher, but equally any issues from standing should not exist.
I know it the wrong end of the country - and its only a 250D - but it looked good when I had a look around. £2,750 should secure it. Space and one too many cars already prevents me from acting.
Included in the stable is an E220 (S124) - bought unseen. Silly boy. It was cheap and at least I know what has been spent on it. Will be doing about 3,000 miles in two weeks just after easter on a whisky tour of scotland.
There are plenty of W124-literate Mercedes specialists in East Sussex so don't worry about servicing. Parts costs are low, even from MB dealers, and the cars are not demanding on parts. They can cost money if maintenance has been neglected but it's mainly one-off replacements that won't reoccur for another 10-15 years
Mileage is not a problem if they've been maintained. 150k is a walk in the park for a W124. Most cars feel quite tight till about 110,000 miles. They free up a bit then and feel most perky at about 125k. All is good to about 190k when estates will need new front balljoints (two @ £13 each), possibly new suspension spheres (two @ £90 each), a front prop doughnut (up to £110 for an E300 Diesel) and rear subframe leading bushes (kit @ £80)
On a cost / mile basis they smoke newer cars - and they ride much better!
Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
Mileage is not a problem if they've been maintained. 150k is a walk in the park for a W124. Most cars feel quite tight till about 110,000 miles. They free up a bit then and feel most perky at about 125k. All is good to about 190k when estates will need new front balljoints (two @ £13 each), possibly new suspension spheres (two @ £90 each), a front prop doughnut (up to £110 for an E300 Diesel) and rear subframe leading bushes (kit @ £80)
On a cost / mile basis they smoke newer cars - and they ride much better!
Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
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