Looking to buy W124 coupe/conv - tips

[benjj]

Hi chaps,

Not really a regular visitor to the Merc subforum but after some advice.

I'm running a very early Porsche 944 as a daily at the moment but am going to retire it (and rally prep it ) so am in the market for a new daily driver.

I've always liked the W124 model so have decided to have a good look for a tidy coupe or drophead.

A few details:

Budget of up to around 3k, could maybe go 3.5k tops for the right car.

Must be petrol, not interested in derv at all. Ideally want a 6 pot too. Really not fussed about mpg.

Not fussy about colour really but do want leather, a/c nice but not really essential.

That's about it really. Does anyone have any tip regarding spotting a good one and what to look out for? I'm based near Harrogate (North Yorkshire) so local would be groovy but willing to travel for a good 'un.

Cheers,

Ben

[74merc]

For your budget, you'll be able to get a good coupe, you'd need another 5 grand to get into good convertible territory.
I think an E320 coupe would be your best bet. Things to look for:
Head gasket leaks.
Engine wiring harness deterioration.
Rusty front wings.
Rusty sills/jacking points.
Rust under the washer bottle.
Delamination of the rear screen (milkiness around the edges).
Everything is repairable for reasonable money, 5-600 quid for a new wiring harness for example.
There's lots more info on mbclub.co.uk. Search under the engine code of M104 for more details.

[benjj]

Just having a quick look online these both look quite interesting:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C356986

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C384363

[benjj]

74merc said:

For your budget, you'll be able to get a good coupe, you'd need another 5 grand to get into good convertible territory.
I think an E320 coupe would be your best bet. Things to look for:
Head gasket leaks.
Engine wiring harness deterioration.
Rusty front wings.
Rusty sills/jacking points.
Rust under the washer bottle.
Delamination of the rear screen (milkiness around the edges).
Everything is repairable for reasonable money, 5-600 quid for a new wiring harness for example.
There's lots more info on mbclub.co.uk. Search under the engine code of M104 for more details.

Thanks, didn't realise there was such a disparity between the coupe and drophead, good job I prefer the coupe really

Am going to drop in and see the car in my first link above later hopefully. Will make sure to work through the list you made.

[mickyveloce]

Ben , good choice of car;I've owned a few 124 series Mercedes .
The 6 cylinder cars are lovely and smooth, the 320 may suffer from wiring loom degrading and drop a bit of oil. The earlier 300 and 300-24 engines don't have the wiring loom problems.
Don't discount the 220 150bhp 4 cylinder cars . I had one and found it refined and adequately punchy and good on fuel .
As has been said already, watch for delaminated rear screens and wet carpets . Rusty front wings are common.
I see you're in North Yorks ; my specialist is Hydes of Boroughbridge who have proved excellent with my old Mercedes .

[mickyveloce]

Ben , good choice of car;I've owned a few 124 series Mercedes .
The 6 cylinder cars are lovely and smooth, the 320 may suffer from wiring loom degrading and drop a bit of oil. The earlier 300 and 300-24 engines don't have the wiring loom problems.
Don't discount the 220 150bhp 4 cylinder cars . I had one and found it refined and adequately punchy and good on fuel .
As has been said already, watch for delaminated rear screens and wet carpets . Rusty front wings are common.
I see you're in North Yorks ; my specialist is Hydes of Boroughbridge who have proved excellent with my old Mercedes .

[BlueMR2]

If you buy a 24v engine model, ie 300-24, 280 or 320, make sure you check the ball joints very carefully, if they go you need to buy a new control arm as the ball joints are welded in, so not £15 a piece for the ball joints like the older cars.

[benjj]

Thanks for all the tips chaps.

Just been to see a 300 in Killinghall near Harrogate. 94k and 2995 asking price. It was solid but a bit of a shed, a bit downhearted as I thought it was going to be the one.

Also slightly disappointed I haven't had a slew of PMs here from people looking to sell

[mickyveloce]

They are out there but mainly in the south east.
owners are generally in it for the long term too.

[jas xjr]

have look at page 429 of the bargain basement

[benjj]

jas xjr said:

have look at page 429 of the bargain basement

Looks pretty snotty but a lot of pig iron for the cash

[steady eddie]

Contact Mark Taylor
MTSV
Mark specialises in classic mercedes

I travelled to Keithley to buy my immaculate Merc 190E and after 2 years as my daily
driver I love it
Go on to his web site and have a look.
Mark is a sound bloke and his cars are top notch.
By the way I am in Northern Ireland.
Cheers
Stready

[soxboy]

^^^^^

What he said, worth a short trip to Keighley to chat to someone who really knows Mercs of that era.

[benjj]

Brill, thanks chaps, am only 20 miles away.

[BlueMR2]

He has this one listed on the site, not sure if you'd prefer a 24 valve but worth a look over at what you will get for the money.

http://www.mtsv.co.uk/info/300CEHM2.htm

[BlueMR2]

That car seems to have a plastic thermostat cover, best to change it to a metal one, costs about £10 to £20 for the part.

Worth joining the mercedes benz club as well, get the extra discounts off parts. 10% and sometimes more at the leeds branch at least.

[W124Bob]

How about this 300CE 24v one from John Haynes, it's a big mileage car with several owners but he states that it's been maintained and sold by him for the last 15 years so I would be less worried about mileage, Paget red with cream velour plus AC. What could possibly go wrong!
http://www.johnhaynesmercedes.co.uk/mercedes-for-s...

[r129sl]

148k miles is not big miles! It's a nice spec (heated ortho seats are a big enhancement) but it needs ginger.

[benjj]

Gents, thanks for all the help.

I'm not quite sure how to say this...

The Merc has been vetod by my wife.

I wanted to argue. I wanted to tell her no. I wanted to tell her that I'm a man. A man who makes up his own damned mind. A bold, thrusting rock of a man.

Then she told showed me her knockers and told me to shut up. I agreed.

I'm so, so sorry.

[BlueMR2]

Was it too normal looking and awesome?