Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 12]
Discussion
Really like this W124.
Doesn't mention service history or number of previous owners.
Love the colour combo but may need to ask a few questions before I bid on it
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-W124-230TE-Auto-...
Doesn't mention service history or number of previous owners.
Love the colour combo but may need to ask a few questions before I bid on it
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-W124-230TE-Auto-...
bob-lad said:
That is bloody magnificent. I'm actually really tempted by that! 
Lord.Vader said:
Good spot!That's the spit of my first E39, and exactly the same price I paid for mine in about 2008.
Terrific car.
Emeye said:
Thanks for this - I had considered one of these, but all the reviews had put me off, especially them being very sensitive to matching tyres which could cause very expensive failures.
ETA - why not make it a reader's car thread?
Yes, I never even considered one because of all the bad reviews that I read when they first came out. I can honestly say that it's really not how I imagined it to be and worth a closer look ay one of these later ones if you're considering one.ETA - why not make it a reader's car thread?
Edited by Emeye on Sunday 22 April 12:35
And yes, the tyres have to be ones with a 'Star' ( * ) mark on them. Mine already has virtually new Pirelli Scorpions (which are approved) on it but at least the 17" versions don't look excessively expensive.
Joeseppi said:
Really like this W124.
Doesn't mention service history or number of previous owners.
Love the colour combo but may need to ask a few questions before I bid on it
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-W124-230TE-Auto-...
That looks lovely. Easy to remove the boot speaker 'system' too.Doesn't mention service history or number of previous owners.
Love the colour combo but may need to ask a few questions before I bid on it
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-W124-230TE-Auto-...
Easternlight said:
Perfection - almost tempted to buy it and then think of where to store it....
CM954 said:
Easternlight said:
Perfection - almost tempted to buy it and then think of where to store it....
Milemuncher said:
Some other nice stuff on their website...but not cheap.olly755 said:
I think so too.
I only really read/contribute to this thread on the whole internet, and I reckon there are plenty of wise and articulate regulars who could post an informative and entertaining "long term test" article on individual cars that we all admire or covet. At best it could provide valuable and in depth information as to the pros and pitfalls of owning particular marques or models. At the very least it's a good bit of bedtime reading.
I'm not in the market for an X3, but enjoyed reading Derin's impressions, and may look more closely in the future having had some informed (real world) information rather than the implanted Clarkson-esque "nah, it's crap" reviews that tends to stick in the mind and blight an otherwise half decent car.
Have a go Motorrad, I'd like to see it.
Here's my attempt.I only really read/contribute to this thread on the whole internet, and I reckon there are plenty of wise and articulate regulars who could post an informative and entertaining "long term test" article on individual cars that we all admire or covet. At best it could provide valuable and in depth information as to the pros and pitfalls of owning particular marques or models. At the very least it's a good bit of bedtime reading.
I'm not in the market for an X3, but enjoyed reading Derin's impressions, and may look more closely in the future having had some informed (real world) information rather than the implanted Clarkson-esque "nah, it's crap" reviews that tends to stick in the mind and blight an otherwise half decent car.
Have a go Motorrad, I'd like to see it.
The car in question is a Mercedes C219 CLS 500 from 2008 with 116K miles on it and a complete service history. I found out about it from here as it was being sold by thread user and first class chap J4CKO at a very keen price over on MBClub UK. The car was also listed on ebay and when the price was dropped to top thread budget I couldn't resist buying it sight unseen. The car was exactly as described, front suspension squeak, faulty nearside exterior mirror and some minor trim scuffs being the only faults. Otherwise a very clean facelift car with the later 5.5 engine and little in the way of options save heated seats and parktronic. The colour scheme could most kindly be described as 'conservative' being silver with grey 'leather' seats.
One of the benefits of buying a 'known' car (ie I looked at what J4CKO had posted about the vehicle on the forum) is that I had a good idea about the car's provenance and what might require expenditure. The M273 5.5 engine fitted to these cars can be problematic so it was reassuring to see that the previous owner had checked that it was outside the engine number range known to have defective idle gears and also resolved the common cam blanking plug issue that causes a burnt oil smell in the cabin.
My first impressions in jumping into the first 'modern' Mercedes I'd driven is that quality really has taken a nosedive compared to the halcyon days of the R129 but I knew that already. The second was that things have moved on a lot since then as well.
Ownership has been a painless experience, I had a good mechanic look at the suspension creak and he replaced a control arm resolving the problem. I also had the accessory belt and pulley changed at the same time as I saw no evidence it had been done in the documentation. I've also replaced the battery as it had trouble starting in winter. The malfunctioning folding mirror was a free fix, I disassembled and cleaned it and it now works perfectly, better than the 500 pounds plus I'd been quoted for a replacement. The seat back map pocket was also loose. More evidence of cost cutting was revealed when I repaired it with a washer and screw, it's attached with flimsy plastic mouldings which will inevitably fail with use. I obtained a set of wheels from an earlier CLS fitted with winter tyres. The car was excellent in the snow and ice this winter, I even used the airmatic on it's highest setting and made it through a snow drift! Total expenditure has been about a grand including the wheels.
J4CKO removed the OEM head unit and fitted an Android replacement. Despite the loss of linguatronic function I think this was the right way to go. The touch screen unit is capable of running anything you care to choose from the Play Store and doesn't lose integration with the wheel controls. The sound quality is excellent and other than having to purchase an antenna amplifier to rectify poor radio reception I'm very satisfied with it compared to the outdated original. Aesthetically the unit looks very similar to the Mercedes fitment.
Over the last 6 months in I've found the car excels at the task I had in mind, high speed cruising with the minimum of fuss. The 7G-Tronic box had been serviced prior to my ownership and is better than I'd been expecting given what I'd read about it. The engine is a great unit, compared to the M119 in my SL it feels a lot more urgent than it's 60ish bhp advantage would suggest. Between 60 and 130 it pulls very strongly indeed. On a recent trip to Germany it proved to be easily the best vehicle I've used for the task and I was still able to get 300 miles from a tank, the trip computer reckoned I was averaging 26 mpg.
From the perspective of value the CLS seems to be one of the great bargains around as far as I can see. Where else can you get a distinctive looking 4 door 'coupe' with a stonking V8 for top thread budget? Sure it looks weird from some angles and it's compromised compared to a W211 but you'd be paying more to drive the less special car if you went the saloon or estate route. I'd recommend one without hesitation if you don't care about the high VED.
credit to J4CKO for selling me a cracker of a car and also taking the pictures, haven't done any myself yet!
edit to add: If it's close enough for anyone on the thread Mick's garage in Kirkby Lonsdale offers a great breadth of knowledge and trustworthy service, I can't recommend the place highly enough.
http://micksgarage.net/
[
Edited by Motorrad on Monday 23 April 16:15
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff