Mercedes W124 E280 resurrection
Discussion
I just thought I would share with you all my recent acquisition, the wonderful W124. This one in E280 guise with the silky smooth M104 197bhp straight six. That was the main for reason for purchase; my 1.8 190E barely has enough power to get out of it's own way. A fast driver I'm not,(it's not like you can tear-arse around anymore anyway), I just want something that isn't so overworked at higher rpm's.
This is the pretty side
This isn't!
Void a few crutial items, fortunately most included. That's from a cold start btw.
Some areas of rust on the arches, hopefully not too deep, but it will be dealt with to keep at bay.
The sacco panels have a habit of hiding rust, and this car is no exception, there's a hole just in front of the wheel. That I will weld up, Ill get a repair panel.
Another reason for the purchase was the interior, grey leather. Absolutely filthy, however in remarkably good condition.
I adore Mercedes of this era, exceptionally well built, and I don't believe any other mainstream manufacturer, baring Porsche, who produced cars with such care and engineering prowess at the time. It's just unfortunate that these cars drop to a certain price point whereby they're majorly neglected, and ultimately scrapped. I understand the need for new cars, with their necessity to improve economy, environmental damage and the safety of occupants and pedestrians alike. I can see this car doing everything a 2017 E-class will do, with air bags and ABS fitted to this car, any other driving aides are for inattentive drivers.
The W124 is such a classy, well mannered and unpretentious car. Especially in this colour scheme. It does being a car very well, or will one day!
Unfortunately it's been unloved for some time, it's not been on the road for seven years. The reason for its departure from the highway is that it suffered a minor engine loom fire, which actually are a weak point on these specific cars. Fortunately this has been changed for a brand new one, which cost circa £700 new I believe.
Rust is evident in the front inner wheel arch under the washer bottle, the front wings are rusty, a new one was included. The worst rust though, which is rather annoying as I did not know about it is under the battery, quite and undertaking not to burn the car down to repair that properly!
A full comprehensive service is a must, as is an overhaul of the braking system. Seven years of slumber is no good for most cars and I simply won't risk safety. The same goes for the tyres, good tread but perished. Maybe a refurb of the wheels if the kitty allows.
I'm not as familiar with the M104 engine, so if there's anything I should know, please let me know.
I paid too much I fear as there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes!
This is the pretty side
This isn't!
Void a few crutial items, fortunately most included. That's from a cold start btw.
Some areas of rust on the arches, hopefully not too deep, but it will be dealt with to keep at bay.
The sacco panels have a habit of hiding rust, and this car is no exception, there's a hole just in front of the wheel. That I will weld up, Ill get a repair panel.
Another reason for the purchase was the interior, grey leather. Absolutely filthy, however in remarkably good condition.
I adore Mercedes of this era, exceptionally well built, and I don't believe any other mainstream manufacturer, baring Porsche, who produced cars with such care and engineering prowess at the time. It's just unfortunate that these cars drop to a certain price point whereby they're majorly neglected, and ultimately scrapped. I understand the need for new cars, with their necessity to improve economy, environmental damage and the safety of occupants and pedestrians alike. I can see this car doing everything a 2017 E-class will do, with air bags and ABS fitted to this car, any other driving aides are for inattentive drivers.
The W124 is such a classy, well mannered and unpretentious car. Especially in this colour scheme. It does being a car very well, or will one day!
Unfortunately it's been unloved for some time, it's not been on the road for seven years. The reason for its departure from the highway is that it suffered a minor engine loom fire, which actually are a weak point on these specific cars. Fortunately this has been changed for a brand new one, which cost circa £700 new I believe.
Rust is evident in the front inner wheel arch under the washer bottle, the front wings are rusty, a new one was included. The worst rust though, which is rather annoying as I did not know about it is under the battery, quite and undertaking not to burn the car down to repair that properly!
A full comprehensive service is a must, as is an overhaul of the braking system. Seven years of slumber is no good for most cars and I simply won't risk safety. The same goes for the tyres, good tread but perished. Maybe a refurb of the wheels if the kitty allows.
I'm not as familiar with the M104 engine, so if there's anything I should know, please let me know.
I paid too much I fear as there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes!
Wonderful to see this! I'm probably going to embark on the same with my w124 300e. It's a car I get back in after driving something else and think "home". The level of quality is like nothing else. Please keep us up to date, even if only with your thoughts and frustrations; and do join us over on the barge1-5 thread.
Have you seen r129sl's w124 thread?
Have you seen r129sl's w124 thread?
0a said:
Wonderful to see this! I'm probably going to embark on the same with my w124 300e. It's a car I get back in after driving something else and think "home". The level of quality is like nothing else. Please keep us up to date, even if only with your thoughts and frustrations; and do join us over on the barge1-5 thread.
Have you seen r129sl's w124 thread?
I've not yet come to love the car like my 190E, party due to only having it a week or so. That should come with time I'm sure. But there's no denying the level of build quality, more so than the W201 which is remarkably good.Have you seen r129sl's w124 thread?
I'm not remotely perturbed by welding or rust. I completely welded an utterly rotten Discovery 1 that had no right to be due the amount of rot, it was shocking. It's hard to believe a car like this has suffered so badly from rust though, especially under the battery which is no small undertaking.
I adore r129sl's threads, so much that I've read them numerous times, maybe that'll spur me on the bring the back from the brink.
jahbrown said:
I've not yet come to love the car like my 190E, party due to only having it a week or so. That should come with time I'm sure. But there's no denying the level of build quality, more so than the W201 which is remarkably good.
I'm not remotely perturbed by welding or rust. I completely welded an utterly rotten Discovery 1 that had no right to be due the amount of rot, it was shocking. It's hard to believe a car like this has suffered so badly from rust though, especially under the battery which is no small undertaking.
I adore r129sl's threads, so much that I've read them numerous times, maybe that'll spur me on the bring the back from the brink.
He's the man when it comes to these cars. I'm not remotely perturbed by welding or rust. I completely welded an utterly rotten Discovery 1 that had no right to be due the amount of rot, it was shocking. It's hard to believe a car like this has suffered so badly from rust though, especially under the battery which is no small undertaking.
I adore r129sl's threads, so much that I've read them numerous times, maybe that'll spur me on the bring the back from the brink.
As I said I adore my w124: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I like my 190 as well: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And will get my SL back in action very soon: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=163...
It's an illness.
Get the w124 fully back up to health and you will have quite a car. The 280 engine is great.
0a said:
He's the man when it comes to these cars.
As I said I adore my w124: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I like my 190 as well: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And will get my SL back in action very soon: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=163...
It's an illness.
Get the w124 fully back up to health and you will have quite a car. The 280 engine is great.
A man after my own heart! Would love a really early green 129, maybe I'll sell my MGB roadster. I want an Agate or Mint green 2.6 190E, but that I don't see happening.As I said I adore my w124: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I like my 190 as well: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And will get my SL back in action very soon: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=163...
It's an illness.
Get the w124 fully back up to health and you will have quite a car. The 280 engine is great.
Are the pre-facelift cars better quality cars than the later cars? The amount of rust is unusual/alarming, I've had four 190's and they've never suffered other than a scab or two. I'll put up a photo of the batter tray, it's rather bad!
Years of dormancy doesn't help I know, however I was under the impression it had been stored in a workshop for the majority of time it's been off the road, so shouldn't have exacerbated the iron oxide!
I've heard the early vs later w124 thing before but I don't think it matters too much now they are all decades old - they will all need attention if they have not been seen to before. Mine's rusting like a trooper on all 4 arches and will need a little work for the next MOT underneath technically.
Do post some more photos please!
The w124s are vastly better than the 190s, just from an interior and refinement point of view. The 190 with the straight 6 is great though
Do post some more photos please!
The w124s are vastly better than the 190s, just from an interior and refinement point of view. The 190 with the straight 6 is great though
Edited by 0a on Sunday 5th March 00:26
Unfortunately the car is no more. Far too much rust to make a viable proposition.
Other issues were also present upon further scrutiny.
Yes it may mean one less car on the road; which it's been off the road for some while, it will go on in spirit supplying parts to other cars gracing the British highways.
Other issues were also present upon further scrutiny.
Yes it may mean one less car on the road; which it's been off the road for some while, it will go on in spirit supplying parts to other cars gracing the British highways.
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