MX5 swap for merc w123 or w124 - good idea?
Discussion
Hi all,
I am seriously considering selling my 91 eunos, which is supercharged and in amazing condition. I just do not use it as much as i thought i would. 95% of my journeys require 4 seats (school runs , pick ups etc). I know i will regret it but want a classic or modern classic that i can use all year round and have fun in it but can fit an adult/small child in the back for short trips. I have a BMW as my DD so have a sensible car for longer trips.
I have whittled the choice down to a Mercedes coupe W123 280CE or most likely a W124 320CE even though the 123 is more of a traditional classic! The engineering behind them and classic interiors really appeal to me.
Any thoughts from people who have owned these?
thanks in advance
I am seriously considering selling my 91 eunos, which is supercharged and in amazing condition. I just do not use it as much as i thought i would. 95% of my journeys require 4 seats (school runs , pick ups etc). I know i will regret it but want a classic or modern classic that i can use all year round and have fun in it but can fit an adult/small child in the back for short trips. I have a BMW as my DD so have a sensible car for longer trips.
I have whittled the choice down to a Mercedes coupe W123 280CE or most likely a W124 320CE even though the 123 is more of a traditional classic! The engineering behind them and classic interiors really appeal to me.
Any thoughts from people who have owned these?
thanks in advance
Not owned a 123 or 124 coupe but owned a 1975 W114 280 CE pillar less coupe many years ago.
The twin cam engine was a jewel ,bit thirsty but went like f*** , handling was OK, don't recall the brakes being less than adequate , unlike the SD1 I was running at the same time !. the only downside with them IIRC , was the cams which used to wear excessively when used around town a lot, I never had any problems though !
Drove a 123 coupe belonging to a customer , felt a bit more refined (soggy )than the earlier stacked headlight model , nice vehicle though.
Put 400K on a 124 230TE in 10 years , could get 30mpg on long trips ,the 280 CE was high teens to mid 20's at best but it was thraped mercilessly around Norfolk in those much missed pre gatso days...
The Mercedes coupes are IMO grand tourers , rather than sports cars in the Mazda mould ,which in turn are softer than, say , a sixties Elan.
The build quality of the 123 series is slightly better than the 124 in my experience .
HTH.
The twin cam engine was a jewel ,bit thirsty but went like f*** , handling was OK, don't recall the brakes being less than adequate , unlike the SD1 I was running at the same time !. the only downside with them IIRC , was the cams which used to wear excessively when used around town a lot, I never had any problems though !
Drove a 123 coupe belonging to a customer , felt a bit more refined (soggy )than the earlier stacked headlight model , nice vehicle though.
Put 400K on a 124 230TE in 10 years , could get 30mpg on long trips ,the 280 CE was high teens to mid 20's at best but it was thraped mercilessly around Norfolk in those much missed pre gatso days...
The Mercedes coupes are IMO grand tourers , rather than sports cars in the Mazda mould ,which in turn are softer than, say , a sixties Elan.
The build quality of the 123 series is slightly better than the 124 in my experience .
HTH.
I used to have a 1985 W123 280CE. Great car after I replaced the valve stem oil seals - smoked prodigiously before that. With four electric windows and an electric sun roof it was almost like driving a convertible on a summers day. I had some trouble with a fuel injection device on the right rear of the cylinder block (as looking in the bonnet standing at the front). A fairly small device about the size of a packet of fags. The diagnosis was more difficult than the replacement. My wife had a W123 230TE at the same time which was pretty slow and unexciting, but great family general purpose transport. We went all over Europe in it with kids and camping gear etc. Quentin Willson says W123's are "hewn from granite".
thanks guys, everything i read appeals to me. Just wanted to check out the hype. i bought an MX5 based on the hype and it was all true they truly are amazing little cars especially supercharged but i have realised i just don't care about the speed and open top motering is great but in England its infrequent. I think a pillarless coupe with a sun roof and a lovely interior fits my needs much better so sadly the v special will have to go - such a pity as i've done tons to it and it really is a great car. So come summer it will be most likely up for sale along with all the goodies i have still not fitted to it!
Just an alternative thought but is a W123/4 not going to be a bit wafty after the MX5? I briefly considered a W124 and decided that whilst it might be OK for the school run, it wouldn’t suffice at other times. A 928 was my answer but other 2+2s are available that might have broader appeal.
i have a wafty car already (its a BMW 530GT), very fast and comfy. I have realised i prefer comfort and moderate power to a really fast go cart so my second car i want good looks, adequate power (sub 9 seconds to 60mph is fine), great engineering and a sense of occasion. But i have always enjoyed the more visceral/analogue feel of older cars. Hence why i ended up at the doorstep of mercedes of the 90's. I had thought of an SEC, as i love the front end but don't know much about them i may have to do some more research but i do love the styling of the W124 coupe. Just to confuse matters (why do we do this to ourselves) the 2000's CL has come on my radar as they are still analogue (i know im stretching that a bit maybe a lot!) and amazing value. I suspect they are not for me though but they do look good but i dont know if the quality was good. Mercs reputation in the naughties was not great.
craighayling said:
i have a wafty car already (its a BMW 530GT), very fast and comfy. I have realised i prefer comfort and moderate power to a really fast go cart so my second car i want good looks, adequate power (sub 9 seconds to 60mph is fine), great engineering and a sense of occasion. But i have always enjoyed the more visceral/analogue feel of older cars. Hence why i ended up at the doorstep of mercedes of the 90's. I had thought of an SEC, as i love the front end but don't know much about them i may have to do some more research but i do love the styling of the W124 coupe. Just to confuse matters (why do we do this to ourselves) the 2000's CL has come on my radar as they are still analogue (i know im stretching that a bit maybe a lot!) and amazing value. I suspect they are not for me though but they do look good but i dont know if the quality was good. Mercs reputation in the naughties was not great.
The C140 coupes succeeded the C126 (SEC) cars and were pretty old school Merc build quality, but you are presumably referring to the C215 produced from 99-06? These were indeed in the era when Mercedes quality dipped, but whether they, as the flagship model were similarly afflicted I am not sure - someone on here will know!AMGSee55 said:
The C140 coupes succeeded the C126 (SEC) cars and were pretty old school Merc build quality, but you are presumably referring to the C215 produced from 99-06? These were indeed in the era when Mercedes quality dipped, but whether they, as the flagship model were similarly afflicted I am not sure - someone on here will know!
yep i was referring to the 99 onward cars but maybe they are a bit too modern for what i'm after. The mercs of the 90's still had relatively old school interiors and the mechanics were beautifully engineered and without all the electronic aids that can go wrong. I am willing to be proven wrong though as im no expert in mercs.Deefor62 said:
If it’s 90’s Mercedes you are looking at, how about an R129SL?
They give you the option of wafting around in a coupe, and if the weather permits a nice convertible. Mechanically they are very similar to a 124, so no real challenges in keeping them running
Forgot to add that several R129 owners on here have commented about ferrying small children around in the back for short journeys. They give you the option of wafting around in a coupe, and if the weather permits a nice convertible. Mechanically they are very similar to a 124, so no real challenges in keeping them running
Deefor62 said:
Forgot to add that several R129 owners on here have commented about ferrying small children around in the back for short journeys.
My youngest is 12 so i don't think the +2 configuration is +2 enough! but thanks for the input its really appreciated. I just need something slightly more practical.If you seriously want to know about the W124 and its derivatives as practical propositions, or indeed the W126, go ask on this thread, which is where such people hang out on PH
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
craighayling said:
My youngest is 12 so i don't think the +2 configuration is +2 enough! but thanks for the input its really appreciated. I just need something slightly more practical.
Unless they’re a contortionist I would tend to agree with you. All the best with your hunt for a suitable vehicle.
Deefor62 said:
Unless they’re a contortionist I would tend to agree with you.
All the best with your hunt for a suitable vehicle.
It’s me who put three point belts into a 129. All the best with your hunt for a suitable vehicle.
Great for my 7 year old (with the roll over bar up, of course), not good for my 13year old any more!
Dogs like it still...
A few years ago I went down a similar road - sold the Caterham with a view to get something a bit more family friendly, in my case an E24 M635. Wonderful as it is, kids seem to grow at an exponential rate to the point where a once roomy car is now only suitable for short journeys before they start to complain. It's not the family car anymore which leads me full circle to wanting the 7 back.
Bobo W said:
A few years ago I went down a similar road - sold the Caterham with a view to get something a bit more family friendly, in my case an E24 M635. Wonderful as it is, kids seem to grow at an exponential rate to the point where a once roomy car is now only suitable for short journeys before they start to complain. It's not the family car anymore which leads me full circle to wanting the 7 back.
yes we do tend to go round in circles with cars but I've always had an itch for a nice coupe as a second car. I have so many cars i like i just need a 4 car garage and an extra half mill in the bank and i'm sorted but back to reality i'm fortunate enough to be able afford a sensible car plus a toy so i have to choose more wisely. The MX5 is a blummin hoot to drive but i want something more sedate and classy - the MX5 is many things but classy it is not.We have had a couple of MX5's for over 15 years and enjoyed every minute. However an SLK took our eye 18 months ago and we have found that to be very suitable alternative....very much a "Grand Tourer" rather than sports car, but, when booted, it seems to shrink and go like stink (it is a 350).
Ohhh....... for the 4 seats we use the family hatch back!
Ohhh....... for the 4 seats we use the family hatch back!
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