How ruinous are W124's
Discussion
Hi,
Can't make mind up on what estate car to buy!!
Keep going back to the W124's and thinking they would be a nicer keeper. At the age that they are at just how much money are they going to need to keep them nice?
Is one like this http://www.w124.co.uk/carsforsale.php?page=detail&... going to be trouble to upkeep?
Thanks for any advice! I'm happy enough doing DIY where possible.
Can't make mind up on what estate car to buy!!
Keep going back to the W124's and thinking they would be a nicer keeper. At the age that they are at just how much money are they going to need to keep them nice?
Is one like this http://www.w124.co.uk/carsforsale.php?page=detail&... going to be trouble to upkeep?
Thanks for any advice! I'm happy enough doing DIY where possible.
I had a W124 200TE auto for about 5 months. There was some rust on the wings (common problem) but the underside was spotless. The only problem I ever had was a misfire that was cured by some WD40 and a wire brush around the dizzy cap and rotor arm. Had 227k on the clock but was still going strong and everything worked, although the 2 litre is rather underpowered. Comfy, rides well, massive boot and despite the size of it it's very easy to park thanks to great visibility. The auto box suits it well and I had no problem with the foot operated parking brake, although I know some don't like them. It's a cliche, but in terms of quality it feels a world away from a Mondeo or most things of similar age
Values do seem to be weird - I had mine for sale for nearly 3 months and only got £330 for it in the end
Values do seem to be weird - I had mine for sale for nearly 3 months and only got £330 for it in the end
They are reliable and generally cheap to keep running. I did the discs and pads on my w124 and my old a8 at the same time with the same mechanic and the w124 cost we'll under half that of the a8. Other parts are available and reasonably priced.
The thing to watch out for is rust - the arches will have either been replaced or will need doing. They all go!
That said you may get obcessed and set about trying to make it a new car (no names mentioned here) in which case you can chose how much you spend .
I love my w124 even though it's only a rusty old 4 door. They seem to be universally liked in terms of "image" as well.
Regarding price the market is splitting into "nice" ones that command a premium, and cars that don't. A w124 can be run for years with no money spent on it - they hide abuse well so beware!
The one above looks lovely.
The thing to watch out for is rust - the arches will have either been replaced or will need doing. They all go!
That said you may get obcessed and set about trying to make it a new car (no names mentioned here) in which case you can chose how much you spend .
I love my w124 even though it's only a rusty old 4 door. They seem to be universally liked in terms of "image" as well.
Regarding price the market is splitting into "nice" ones that command a premium, and cars that don't. A w124 can be run for years with no money spent on it - they hide abuse well so beware!
The one above looks lovely.
Nick (car featured) has some of the best examples out there but you pay for it. That particular car has no AC which is a deal breaker for me.
The big costs on the 6 cylinder cars are engine looms, ECU, rusty wings and cills, water getting in the boot, brake and suspension lines.
Buy one which has had all that done and you're fine. Easy to spend up to 10 grand in repairs if you are unlucky though.
The big costs on the 6 cylinder cars are engine looms, ECU, rusty wings and cills, water getting in the boot, brake and suspension lines.
Buy one which has had all that done and you're fine. Easy to spend up to 10 grand in repairs if you are unlucky though.
I think it's very difficult to spend £10k! If you chose to replace every component, have a fully respray, engage professionals to remove and replace the interior yes, £10k is doable.
The items that you may need to do on even the worst W124:
Rust & wings - £1,200
Wiring loom
That's it. A basic suspension refresh is £500 if you don't go mad.
Another thing to add is that my mechanic rates the car as the most enjoyable (aside from when I had him to the ball joints!) to work on of all the cars he looks after. Bits unbolt and bolt back on. They were designed to be maintained rather than designed to be thrown away. This makes the car a good DIY car if you are into that kind of thing.
The items that you may need to do on even the worst W124:
Rust & wings - £1,200
Wiring loom
That's it. A basic suspension refresh is £500 if you don't go mad.
Another thing to add is that my mechanic rates the car as the most enjoyable (aside from when I had him to the ball joints!) to work on of all the cars he looks after. Bits unbolt and bolt back on. They were designed to be maintained rather than designed to be thrown away. This makes the car a good DIY car if you are into that kind of thing.
stain said:
10k is if everything needs doing.
I've had 2 280s and my second one needed a loom, ecu, gearbox and t/c, spheres and I replaced the rusty front wings. I didn't get round to doing the back windows to cure the mould. Despite all of that I'd have another in a heartbeat.
Buy an early one and there's no degradable loom to worry about I've had 2 280s and my second one needed a loom, ecu, gearbox and t/c, spheres and I replaced the rusty front wings. I didn't get round to doing the back windows to cure the mould. Despite all of that I'd have another in a heartbeat.
or T/CThe later cars do seem to be significantly lower quality.
stain said:
Both of mine were 96s
Mine's a 91. I really regret not phoning about a 60k mile 300 estate on an F plate with every option (including black leather orthopedic seats) which was up for £1k - rusty wings, but that's a standard fix. The bloke had just sold it when I called. I'd go early with W124s given the option.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff