When did mercs stop being built like a merc

[thinfourth2]

Considering a dog carrier/comfortable long distance car with a budget of about 4 grand

I want something bomb proof and easy to fix as i am sick of cars that need binnng because some electrical dobery has stuck its head up its arse

The wife wants something comfortable

I thought about a 110 land rover as they are easy to fix but really really piss poor at long distance

The other thought is an early 90s vintage mercedes

So what big old mercedes estates can you buy that will run for another 15 years without hassle or complicated electronic tantrums

Or any other suggestions at something large estate shaped and bomb proof preferably with minimal rot problems

And no decking hondas after her reliable honda accord has turned out to be anything but

[v8will]

IMHO the W124 is the last of the proper E class, the W210 is a rot box. Might be worth having a look at a late 900 series Volvo. Pretty much rot free and capable of huge mileages

[RemainAllHoof]

I think the general agreement is the late 1990s.

[vixen1700]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2681436.htm

Edited by vixen1700 on Saturday 13th August 11:34

[B.J.W]

v8will said:

IMHO the W124 is the last of the proper E class, the W210 is a rot box. Might be worth having a look at a late 900 series Volvo. Pretty much rot free and capable of huge mileages

W124 prices are on the up and good ones are seriously sought after. I think you'd struggle to get a decent one for much below £4k, but push the budget to £6k (ish) and you can land yourself one of the best with 10 x the class of modern estates.

You might want to take a look at www.w124.co.uk - they seem to have the best cars for sale.

This months' Classic Car magazine (Lancia Stratos on the cover) also has a 119k 280 on an M-Plate with 2 owners and full history. Price £3999. No brainer really.

Edited by B.J.W on Saturday 13th August 12:02

[Engineer1]

Post German Unification so 90's on.

[NHK244V]

I'd agree W124 was teh last, recently serviced one on 248K and everything worked! only has an exhaust in all that time (appart from service items), seats were a bit thin but way better than any other motor i've serviced that had quater of a mill on the clock.
Don't even get me started on the A class P O S

[CampDavid]

Berlin's taxi drivers complained when the W124 came out, not to the same standard as the E123 apparently. It was gradual though. The 1996 E-class was the tipping point

[BigBen]

CampDavid said:

Berlin's taxi drivers complained when the W124 came out, not to the same standard as the E123 apparently. It was gradual though. The 1996 E-class was the tipping point

But seems to be widely accepted that things are on the up again with the subsequent (W211?) E-class. But certainly the general quality on later cars than my W140 does not feel anything like the same.

[SuperHangOn]

Usually considered to be the W201, W124, W140.

I'm thinking about a decent 124 diesel myself for the same reason. Sick of DMF's etc

Edited by SuperHangOn on Saturday 13th August 13:00

[SuperHangOn]

BigBen said:

But seems to be widely accepted that things are on the up again with the subsequent (W211?) E-class. But certainly the general quality on later cars than my W140 does not feel anything like the same.

The latest C-class apparently used the W201 (190) as a benchmark & was launched with the 190e alongside in some countries.. we shall see

[Glassman]

SuperHangOn said:

Usually considered to be the W201, W124, W140.

1990s.

W163

[marcosgt]

They haven't been the same since 1945!

M.

[CampDavid]

My old Man's 1994 C class was a better built thing than the 1999 one, the 2003 car was ok, but nothing like the other two.

Mum had an A140 on a 2001Y. It was crap

[Wedg1e]

Pah, they've all been sh!t since my dad's 300D (all 1200 of them) went out of production in about '61.



Not his actual car, mind...

[Jw Vw]

1996 was when I believe Mercs stopped being built of granite. As said W124 the last proper Merc.

[bazking69]

The rot started in the early to mid 90s with the new generation of C and E class due to cost and corner cutting. Even throughout most of the 00's, they were still riding on the brand qualities that had established them but that simply weren't there anymore in most cars.
My personal opinion is that they have only made headway in quality in the last couple of years. They've really upped their game of late, especially in terms of looks, but in reality they needed to considering they are promoting premium products in a competitive market.

[Arthur Jackson]

vixen1700 said:

A friend of mine had one of these in the early/mid '80s and it spent more time with the dealer than on his drive...

[stuttgartmetal]

G Wagens were built by Puch I believe.
Try and spot a pre 1990 around, they're nearly all dead.

I bought this for £550 on ebay in May.
With 12mths MOT.



W124's.

Live with one for a month, you'll get the idea.

[Arthur Jackson]

stuttgartmetal said:

G Wagens were built by Puch I believe.
Try and spot a pre 1990 around, they're nearly all dead.

"Hello Sir. We've sorted that front brake problem."
"Yeah, excellent."
"Yes, they were full up with mud...you've been driving it off-road haven't you."
"I'm a farmer....."