MX5 swap for merc w123 or w124 - good idea?
Discussion
OP, what sort of budget do you have?
A similar dilemma often crops up in my head as I have a 987 Boxster as a fun car, but is obviously useless for taking out more than one passenger.
I've bitten the W124 bug by having an E280 estate which I know isn't a coupe, but am tempted by a coupe or a cabrio if funds allow.
My preference would be for a proper convertible rather than a coupe, so my considerations are:
Saab 900
BMW e30
Audi 80
A similar dilemma often crops up in my head as I have a 987 Boxster as a fun car, but is obviously useless for taking out more than one passenger.
I've bitten the W124 bug by having an E280 estate which I know isn't a coupe, but am tempted by a coupe or a cabrio if funds allow.
My preference would be for a proper convertible rather than a coupe, so my considerations are:
Saab 900
BMW e30
Audi 80
craighayling said:
The Eunos is probably worth about £4-5k and I don’t mind adding the same again for the right car....I think 5-10 for a decent coupe is a decent budget????
I think you would get a very good coupe for that budget. My concern would be getting that money back come sale time.Yep I get that but assuming we get along it will be a long term purchase and I would give the right w124 or 123 a very good home....my man maths dictates that instead of part exing my Bmw I will keep it for longer and this save in depreciation if I have a fun car I can use daily! Yes I know I’m deluded but I’m sticking with this line of thought....
If I had your £10k I'd be looking at something like this - 6cyl, lots of extras and pre-facelift ginger indicators....
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1170790
However, I'd be tempted with an C126, and a little more would get you something like this.....
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1087450
But then I'd be thinking that it's a shame spending all that money and not going the full Monte 560 like this....
https://www.graemehunt.com/inventory/517/1988-merc...
Now were're 4 times over budget you need to crack open your man maths spreadsheet for the wife....
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1170790
However, I'd be tempted with an C126, and a little more would get you something like this.....
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1087450
But then I'd be thinking that it's a shame spending all that money and not going the full Monte 560 like this....
https://www.graemehunt.com/inventory/517/1988-merc...
Now were're 4 times over budget you need to crack open your man maths spreadsheet for the wife....
I had a 1980 W123 280e Saloon many years ago and really liked it.
Very smooth, refined and wafty but it could get moving pretty well if you used kickdown, and it sounded good.
Sadly I had to sell it when I got given a company car.
A W123 is certainly more of a classic than a W124, but I've often wondered what a W124 320CE would be like as I prefer the looks and they still date from the era when Mercedes were built to a quality rather than a cost!
Very smooth, refined and wafty but it could get moving pretty well if you used kickdown, and it sounded good.
Sadly I had to sell it when I got given a company car.
A W123 is certainly more of a classic than a W124, but I've often wondered what a W124 320CE would be like as I prefer the looks and they still date from the era when Mercedes were built to a quality rather than a cost!
I've had a W123 230CE for a few years now and I just love it. In many ways it's quite modern for a 60's/70's design. Central locking, fuel injection, power steering, sunroof. Mine's an auto barge, but can be still made to go quite well and once you get used to the steering box steering can be quite fun on the back roads.
Most of the reviews I read before buying seemed to say the 230 was the best of both worlds, adequate power, a bit lighter and liveable fuel economy. I seem to get about 30mpg on a run (at 70), and a bit less, say mid 20's on the back roads. Rust is a killer on these cars, but with the budget you are looking at you should be able to get a very nice one.
Most of the reviews I read before buying seemed to say the 230 was the best of both worlds, adequate power, a bit lighter and liveable fuel economy. I seem to get about 30mpg on a run (at 70), and a bit less, say mid 20's on the back roads. Rust is a killer on these cars, but with the budget you are looking at you should be able to get a very nice one.
I owned bot as work cars in the day. Overall I would go for the 123 as being more stylish, but watch out for rust. I came across this site. I have spent much time drooling!
https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
lowdrag said:
I owned bot as work cars in the day. Overall I would go for the 123 as being more stylish, but watch out for rust. I came across this site. I have spent much time drooling!
https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
Similar droolage available here:https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
http://ruylclassics.nl/mercedes/?taal=EN
Dapster said:
lowdrag said:
I owned bot as work cars in the day. Overall I would go for the 123 as being more stylish, but watch out for rust. I came across this site. I have spent much time drooling!
https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
Similar droolage available here:https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
http://ruylclassics.nl/mercedes/?taal=EN
Rollin said:
Dapster said:
lowdrag said:
I owned bot as work cars in the day. Overall I would go for the 123 as being more stylish, but watch out for rust. I came across this site. I have spent much time drooling!
https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
Similar droolage available here:https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
http://ruylclassics.nl/mercedes/?taal=EN
craighayling said:
Rollin said:
Dapster said:
lowdrag said:
I owned bot as work cars in the day. Overall I would go for the 123 as being more stylish, but watch out for rust. I came across this site. I have spent much time drooling!
https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
Similar droolage available here:https://www.classic-center-hannover.de/
http://ruylclassics.nl/mercedes/?taal=EN
Once I got my head around the fact it was pretty much the same footprint as my modern Peugeot 308 estate I found life a lot easier
I was planning on selling SWMBO to an eastern potentate when I saw this:-
https://www.theslshop.com/showroom/mercedes-benz-3...
Without a doubt, as I'm getting older, the XKSS will get sold in the next few years (easy to get into and sodding hard to get out) and this is the one Mercedes I would buy; either this a 380 or a 500. But they are thin on the ground these days.
https://www.theslshop.com/showroom/mercedes-benz-3...
Without a doubt, as I'm getting older, the XKSS will get sold in the next few years (easy to get into and sodding hard to get out) and this is the one Mercedes I would buy; either this a 380 or a 500. But they are thin on the ground these days.
lowdrag said:
I was planning on selling SWMBO to an eastern potentate when I saw this:-
https://www.theslshop.com/showroom/mercedes-benz-3...
Without a doubt, as I'm getting older, the XKSS will get sold in the next few years (easy to get into and sodding hard to get out) and this is the one Mercedes I would buy; either this a 380 or a 500. But they are thin on the ground these days.
I just arrived back from France where I bought a fab mag called Autoretro that featured my all time dream car. I'm sure you know which one!https://www.theslshop.com/showroom/mercedes-benz-3...
Without a doubt, as I'm getting older, the XKSS will get sold in the next few years (easy to get into and sodding hard to get out) and this is the one Mercedes I would buy; either this a 380 or a 500. But they are thin on the ground these days.
Probably the only car that would replace my wonderful MX-5 BBR.
threespires said:
I just arrived back from France where I bought a fab mag called Autoretro that featured my all time dream car. I'm sure you know which one!
Probably the only car that would replace my wonderful MX-5 BBR.
Don't put too much faith in the article though. I'm not sure what the journalist was on when he wrote it, but 140 mph we did not see! About 60 mph would be more like it! Nice photography though.Probably the only car that would replace my wonderful MX-5 BBR.
Slight thread bump, so you may have already made a move.
I had a MK1 TT roadster that was heavily modified and then when the news of tiny feet on the way arrived, that had to go.
I got a 1981 Mercedes W126 500 SEL and 5.5yrs later I still have it. I can take both the children to school in it, we all go out as a family and can fit the dog in too. It gets so much positive attention and I have done a few proms and weddings for friends too.
Great fun and I have done quite a lot to it in my ownership, both maintenance and modification.
I had a MK1 TT roadster that was heavily modified and then when the news of tiny feet on the way arrived, that had to go.
I got a 1981 Mercedes W126 500 SEL and 5.5yrs later I still have it. I can take both the children to school in it, we all go out as a family and can fit the dog in too. It gets so much positive attention and I have done a few proms and weddings for friends too.
Great fun and I have done quite a lot to it in my ownership, both maintenance and modification.
yep they are such a nice car but a tad big for my second fun car!
My plan is to keep my BMW5GT (i bought it new 5 years ago) until i eventually replace it with something electric BUT i want an "proper" car as my fun toy that i can use all year around. I want a car trhat puts a smile on my face when i get in it but also seats more than two people. A W123 280/124 320 coupe fits that bill nicely but then again so do dozens of other options as i am a complete car tart and cant make my mind up. One minute its a Mercedes, next its Porsche and then something daft like an old SAAB 900.
Then my sensible head tells me to keep the MX5 as its only going up in value and is supercharged and a really nice sports car (now it goes as well as it handles)! Then i have another word with myself and decide i don't even like going fast and wafting around is far more fun! Aaaaarghhhh
My plan is to keep my BMW5GT (i bought it new 5 years ago) until i eventually replace it with something electric BUT i want an "proper" car as my fun toy that i can use all year around. I want a car trhat puts a smile on my face when i get in it but also seats more than two people. A W123 280/124 320 coupe fits that bill nicely but then again so do dozens of other options as i am a complete car tart and cant make my mind up. One minute its a Mercedes, next its Porsche and then something daft like an old SAAB 900.
Then my sensible head tells me to keep the MX5 as its only going up in value and is supercharged and a really nice sports car (now it goes as well as it handles)! Then i have another word with myself and decide i don't even like going fast and wafting around is far more fun! Aaaaarghhhh
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