last of the reliable Mercedes
Discussion
Am after a shopping car, to do the train station run. school run, and generally pile the boring miles on. Want comfort, reliability, capability t odd stellar mileage, for reasonable servicing and insurance costs. For not much money - shed++ money, really.
Am thinking the last of the reliable Mercedes (amongst a million other opting) - which do people think were the last of the reliable, bulletproof, stellar mileage capable ones?
Am thinking the last of the reliable Mercedes (amongst a million other opting) - which do people think were the last of the reliable, bulletproof, stellar mileage capable ones?
Only have limited experience of MB, but I would say a 190 or W123.
I had a 1989 190e that I replaced with a W202 C280 Sport which was the most disappointing car I have ever owned - build quality was appalling!
And I see so many W202s with crusty wheelarches - why not get a BMW? I'm on BM number 5 and they are so much better!
I had a 1989 190e that I replaced with a W202 C280 Sport which was the most disappointing car I have ever owned - build quality was appalling!
And I see so many W202s with crusty wheelarches - why not get a BMW? I'm on BM number 5 and they are so much better!
The W124 is capable of racking up the miles, but this reputation has led to many owners neglecting maintenance of any kind Those that have been looked after fetch good money - particularly estates and coupés. Most 'sheds' have either been broken for parts, scrapped - or shipped abroad.
Rusty wings, jacking points, wiring looms (on later models) and head gasket leaks are fairly common. The interiors can often seem a bit spartan, although they are durable.
Rusty wings, jacking points, wiring looms (on later models) and head gasket leaks are fairly common. The interiors can often seem a bit spartan, although they are durable.
i reckon you can get a shed of a w124 for well under a grand, but if your prepared to spend double or just under that you can end up with a very usable example which won't cost you anything in repairs and when it comes to selling you will get every last penny back and maybe even a profit ! i picked up a lovely 300e sportline not that long ago priced at £1800 originally which was still a good price but managed to get it alot cheaper
check the usual places, classic cars, ebay, retrorides usually has the odd merc up for sale and most have been looked after by enthusiast's
imo the W124 is the best merc still today it doesn't look out of place, its a decent size and if you get a estate its got bags of room, i prefer the saloon but any decent example will not disappoint
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/cat/3/31/w124/
plently about, as i said, buy cheap and u will spend money fixing best to get a decent example with a good history
check the usual places, classic cars, ebay, retrorides usually has the odd merc up for sale and most have been looked after by enthusiast's
imo the W124 is the best merc still today it doesn't look out of place, its a decent size and if you get a estate its got bags of room, i prefer the saloon but any decent example will not disappoint
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/cat/3/31/w124/
plently about, as i said, buy cheap and u will spend money fixing best to get a decent example with a good history
Edited by layercake on Tuesday 24th May 09:07
W123s, W124s etc. are all too old now to use as dailys
If it's reliability and cheap running costs you're after I would forget about Merc. Some of the models are plain bad design wise and others while reliable up to a point will cost a lot when they do go wrong.
My good friend runs a small independent garage and has done so for 30 odd years. When I ask him about the luxury brans he smiles wistfully. As he would say if you want a reliable luxury car get a Lexus, if you want a reliable luxury car with prestige get a Jaguar and if you want luxury, prestige and a badge get a BMW, but whatever you do don't get a Merc!
I have a Merc in the garage btw so this is said with no bias! In fact when I bought it he told me it would cost me a fortune..... it's cost me a fortune LOL!
If it's reliability and cheap running costs you're after I would forget about Merc. Some of the models are plain bad design wise and others while reliable up to a point will cost a lot when they do go wrong.
My good friend runs a small independent garage and has done so for 30 odd years. When I ask him about the luxury brans he smiles wistfully. As he would say if you want a reliable luxury car get a Lexus, if you want a reliable luxury car with prestige get a Jaguar and if you want luxury, prestige and a badge get a BMW, but whatever you do don't get a Merc!
I have a Merc in the garage btw so this is said with no bias! In fact when I bought it he told me it would cost me a fortune..... it's cost me a fortune LOL!
xcentric said:
Am after a shopping car, to do the train station run. school run, and generally pile the boring miles on. Want comfort, reliability, capability t odd stellar mileage, for reasonable servicing and insurance costs. For not much money - shed++ money, really.
Am thinking the last of the reliable Mercedes (amongst a million other opting) - which do people think were the last of the reliable, bulletproof, stellar mileage capable ones?
I'll be a bit contradictory here.Am thinking the last of the reliable Mercedes (amongst a million other opting) - which do people think were the last of the reliable, bulletproof, stellar mileage capable ones?
Mercedes are at least as reliable now as they've ever been!
Look on Autotrader and see the number of E Class Mercs with 200,000 miles plus. They are 2010 onwards and used as cabs for a reason.
I know I may well be shot down for this but that's my take, the downside is that when something goes wrong it's often a main dealer visit and that will be expensive.
Thankyou4calling said:
I'll be a bit contradictory here.
Mercedes are at least as reliable now as they've ever been!
Look on Autotrader and see the number of E Class Mercs with 200,000 miles plus. They are 2010 onwards and used as cabs for a reason.
I know I may well be shot down for this but that's my take, the downside is that when something goes wrong it's often a main dealer visit and that will be expensive.
Not contradictory, they have been the vehicle of choice for taxi/chauffeur work for many years and will do mega miles reliably if looked after properly.Mercedes are at least as reliable now as they've ever been!
Look on Autotrader and see the number of E Class Mercs with 200,000 miles plus. They are 2010 onwards and used as cabs for a reason.
I know I may well be shot down for this but that's my take, the downside is that when something goes wrong it's often a main dealer visit and that will be expensive.
My previous two E classes both did well over 300k miles, again with very few issues, and there are many around with 500k miles plus.
I am not sure how well the new cars will fare, they have so much more technology built into them. I personally would not buy any of Mercedes latest offerings, to flashy for me.
W124, W123, 190 and even early W202 are all reliable. Pretty much anything before 1998 should be good. They're all a bit long in the tooth now so rust will be a bigger issue than mechanical reliability.
As has been mentioned they tend to be a bit spartan (and W202 seats are made from hardened granite) but will generally pile on the miles very happily.
I personally have an R129 500SL and its done 130k miles. No rust, no major faults at all. Fires up every time its asked to and is still quiet, comfortable, refined and quick and is our preferred vehicle for any trips away.
As has been mentioned they tend to be a bit spartan (and W202 seats are made from hardened granite) but will generally pile on the miles very happily.
I personally have an R129 500SL and its done 130k miles. No rust, no major faults at all. Fires up every time its asked to and is still quiet, comfortable, refined and quick and is our preferred vehicle for any trips away.
Monkeylegend said:
Not contradictory, they have been the vehicle of choice for taxi/chauffeur work for many years and will do mega miles reliably if looked after properly.
My previous two E classes both did well over 300k miles, again with very few issues, and there are many around with 500k miles plus.
I am not sure how well the new cars will fare, they have so much more technology built into them. I personally would not buy any of Mercedes latest offerings, to flashy for me.
I have a new E Class. I'm sure it will do mega miles however (I posted on here about six months back) I needed a new headlight and the unit was over £1500 to supply and fit. My previous two E classes both did well over 300k miles, again with very few issues, and there are many around with 500k miles plus.
I am not sure how well the new cars will fare, they have so much more technology built into them. I personally would not buy any of Mercedes latest offerings, to flashy for me.
Issues like that will make them worth very little in 10 years time.
Thankyou4calling said:
Monkeylegend said:
Not contradictory, they have been the vehicle of choice for taxi/chauffeur work for many years and will do mega miles reliably if looked after properly.
My previous two E classes both did well over 300k miles, again with very few issues, and there are many around with 500k miles plus.
I am not sure how well the new cars will fare, they have so much more technology built into them. I personally would not buy any of Mercedes latest offerings, to flashy for me.
I have a new E Class. I'm sure it will do mega miles however (I posted on here about six months back) I needed a new headlight and the unit was over £1500 to supply and fit. My previous two E classes both did well over 300k miles, again with very few issues, and there are many around with 500k miles plus.
I am not sure how well the new cars will fare, they have so much more technology built into them. I personally would not buy any of Mercedes latest offerings, to flashy for me.
Issues like that will make them worth very little in 10 years time.
I will continue to run mine until I am faced with one of those financially unviable repairs. In the meantime I hope to get many more miles on the clock.
cb1965 said:
W123s, W124s etc. are all too old now to use as dailys
If it's reliability and cheap running costs you're after I would forget about Merc. Some of the models are plain bad design wise and others while reliable up to a point will cost a lot when they do go wrong.
My good friend runs a small independent garage and has done so for 30 odd years. When I ask him about the luxury brans he smiles wistfully. As he would say if you want a reliable luxury car get a Lexus, if you want a reliable luxury car with prestige get a Jaguar and if you want luxury, prestige and a badge get a BMW, but whatever you do don't get a Merc!
I have a Merc in the garage btw so this is said with no bias! In fact when I bought it he told me it would cost me a fortune..... it's cost me a fortune LOL!
My long term lovely mechanics tell much the same thing.If it's reliability and cheap running costs you're after I would forget about Merc. Some of the models are plain bad design wise and others while reliable up to a point will cost a lot when they do go wrong.
My good friend runs a small independent garage and has done so for 30 odd years. When I ask him about the luxury brans he smiles wistfully. As he would say if you want a reliable luxury car get a Lexus, if you want a reliable luxury car with prestige get a Jaguar and if you want luxury, prestige and a badge get a BMW, but whatever you do don't get a Merc!
I have a Merc in the garage btw so this is said with no bias! In fact when I bought it he told me it would cost me a fortune..... it's cost me a fortune LOL!
Monkeylegend said:
Not contradictory, they have been the vehicle of choice for taxi/chauffeur work for many years and will do mega miles reliably if looked after properly.
My previous two E classes both did well over 300k miles, again with very few issues, and there are many around with 500k miles plus.
You can add the W204s to the list. Probably one of Mercs most-tested and reliable model series ever.My previous two E classes both did well over 300k miles, again with very few issues, and there are many around with 500k miles plus.
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