300ce 24V - Talk to me

[wolfy1988]

I am seriously thinking of buying this one:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/30134...


What do I need to look at?

Thanks guys

Justin

[JackCarter]

1. Rust
2. Engine wiring loom can fry itself (pricey to replace)
3. 5speed auto not as durable as 4 speed?
4. Head gasket?

I had a low mileage one of these a couple of years ago. Lovely car with great build quality, but didn't feel much quicker than a regular 300CE. Great wafting/cruising car.

[wolfy1988]

Thanks for getting back to me.

Another car that has come onto my radar for the first time is the 208 CLK320, any good?

Now, I know, I know! The 124 coupe is a thing of beauty but realistically now which one is going to be the better proposition for me? in terms of performance and running costs?

What potential pitfalls are there guys?

doesn't seem to be a very 'PH' kinda car.

[flatline84]

Its very PH, you are wrong.

[r129sl]

The 208 in my eyes is a lesser car than the 124. It does not have the pillarless side windows, which is really the sine qua non of the classic Mercedes coupe. The CLK has not proved so enduringly built. And the m113 V6, great engine though it is, lacks the character of the DOHC straight six in the earlier car. The m104, be it the 3.0litre in the 300 CE-24 or the 3.2litre in the 320 CE or E320 coupe, is packed with charm and character and really goes above 4,500rpm. The bottom line is that the 124 coupe is and always has been a classic in the true sense of the word.

[Pentoman]

The CE does have a certain classic appeal that the CLK lacks. Also, check out the interior of both and then see which you'd prefer to actually own. I can really understand being interested in the CLK and if you want more modern ride/handling then you can't really knock it. But overall the CE is such a classic.

[bolide]

There are lots of things to look at on a W124 but, being realistic, there are on any car of that age. I'd look for originality & condition first, then mileage. After that it's the usual old-car stuff

There's a list of potential faults on Honest John's website - I wrote it for W124 Estates but the majority of it is applicable to all W124 variants

The 300-24 engine is a very un-Mercedes-like engine and it loves to rev. Between 70 and 110 mph they are hilarious. It's more of a "sporting" engine than the other M104s and it suits the car well, particularly with the 5-speed box. A 320 is as powerful but a bit torquier so easier to live with overall

The 300-24 doesn't have the wiring loom of the later 2.8 & 3.2-litre M104 engines

A nice W124 Coupe is a great way to travel. IMHO it needs a six-cylinder engine like the 300-24 or 320

Nick Froome

[r129sl]

This looks like a good buy:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C287792

[wolfy1988]

Thanks guys, some very interesting reading there.

I have actually fallen a little in love with that green one however I have also come across another 300CE, this time a 12V but its owned by an enthusiast who has not been shy in replacing parts.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/29531...

Cheaper too. I spoke to him yesterday, nice guy who obviously loves the thing

[chazola]

wolfy1988 said:

Thanks guys, some very interesting reading there.

I have actually fallen a little in love with that green one however I have also come across another 300CE, this time a 12V but its owned by an enthusiast who has not been shy in replacing parts.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/29531...

Cheaper too. I spoke to him yesterday, nice guy who obviously loves the thing

That looks like a good buy, he's sorted pretty much everything you'd need to worry about for a while so you could just enjoy driving it. The 12v engine is nice and smooth, and likes being revved.