Big milage 300TE forsale.
Discussion
300k wonder how many cars from other makers would get to this mileage and still have some value,the colour coded bumpers are wrong with the rubber side mouldings I assummed W124's were face lifted in '88.Still aircon, cruise control,and teddybear velour what could possible go wrong!
http://tinyurl.com/7pzn7zm
http://tinyurl.com/7pzn7zm
The facelift came for MY1990, so halfway through 1989. It's amazing how I have come to prefer the pre-facelift style: so much simpler and more elegant.
As you observe, there can't be many other manufacturers whose vehicles are capable of bearing such heavy use. I know everyone reckons BMWs and Audis are better built than Mercs these days, but when it comes to high mileage they still can't touch a Merc. My own w124 is showing 196k; my r129 211k; and my c126 151k; all are in pretty good shape still, the r129 in particular runs up to 150mph without hesitation.
As you observe, there can't be many other manufacturers whose vehicles are capable of bearing such heavy use. I know everyone reckons BMWs and Audis are better built than Mercs these days, but when it comes to high mileage they still can't touch a Merc. My own w124 is showing 196k; my r129 211k; and my c126 151k; all are in pretty good shape still, the r129 in particular runs up to 150mph without hesitation.
That looks like my old girl!!! 
i know it was way past the 250k mark a few years back, if its got the 3.0 24v motor in then it will have some power, reason i replaced back and front bumpers was because i went over quite a big hill at 120 got about 8ft of air and they both ripped off, got it on ramps and everything was fine, well roll bar was touching the motor and the gearbox and sump where a little dented, drove away though!
Cars arnt made like this by anyone anymore.
i know it was way past the 250k mark a few years back, if its got the 3.0 24v motor in then it will have some power, reason i replaced back and front bumpers was because i went over quite a big hill at 120 got about 8ft of air and they both ripped off, got it on ramps and everything was fine, well roll bar was touching the motor and the gearbox and sump where a little dented, drove away though!
Cars arnt made like this by anyone anymore.
That car looks great condition. And that dealer always has a lot of premium brand metal - they would only sell it if they knew it was straight. So why has the previous owner got rid ? Just for a change / died ? There is someone out there for the car - just need to meet up with each other at under £1k cash (excluding the last post from Ted of course - 8ft !!)
I have seen several past this mileage. The winner, as I have posted here before, is a LHD import that is local to here. Its a diesel and is on 900k km - or well over the 1/2 million miles. Just needs the bodywork tidying.
And my S124 E220 hit 130k last week - run in. I too prefer certain elements of the pre facelift - especially the grill.
I have seen several past this mileage. The winner, as I have posted here before, is a LHD import that is local to here. Its a diesel and is on 900k km - or well over the 1/2 million miles. Just needs the bodywork tidying.
And my S124 E220 hit 130k last week - run in. I too prefer certain elements of the pre facelift - especially the grill.
Edited by ClassicMercs on Saturday 7th January 19:54
ClassicMercs said:
that dealer always has a lot of premium brand metal - they would only sell it if they knew it was straight
'fraid I have to disagree there. When I was looking for an R129 SL500, I drove one they had and it was a dog. Soft top didn't work and the ADS suspension was knackered. When I mentioned the latter point I was just offered the chance to buy a more expensive warranty... was not impressed!chris333 said:
'fraid I have to disagree there. When I was looking for an R129 SL500, I drove one they had and it was a dog. Soft top didn't work and the ADS suspension was knackered. When I mentioned the latter point I was just offered the chance to buy a more expensive warranty... was not impressed!
I will happily accept your opinion. I don't know them - but have seen them around for a long time selling the same sort of metal. It may be a one off - or maybe they are constantly lucky and manage to stay in business.
If you were running such a business selling quality metal would you want to sell stuff that was wrong - as you mention. Still - there are rogues in all business sectors.
ClassicMercs said:
chris333 said:
'fraid I have to disagree there. When I was looking for an R129 SL500, I drove one they had and it was a dog. Soft top didn't work and the ADS suspension was knackered. When I mentioned the latter point I was just offered the chance to buy a more expensive warranty... was not impressed!
I will happily accept your opinion. I don't know them - but have seen them around for a long time selling the same sort of metal. It may be a one off - or maybe they are constantly lucky and manage to stay in business.
If you were running such a business selling quality metal would you want to sell stuff that was wrong - as you mention. Still - there are rogues in all business sectors.
Its pretty easy for a prospective buyer to spend a few evenings on the internet and find out a whole load of information about a specific car. Far harder for a dealer to know the intricacies of every complex option on every car.
In fact all the cars at dealers which I drove had something not right with them. In the end, I got more of a warm feeling from a German guy with an immaculate 911 in his garage that I bought my car from!
Edited by chris333 on Sunday 8th January 00:38
W124Bob said:
300k wonder how many cars from other makers would get to this mileage and still have some value,the colour coded bumpers are wrong with the rubber side mouldings I assummed W124's were face lifted in '88.Still aircon, cruise control,and teddybear velour what could possible go wrong!
http://tinyurl.com/7pzn7zm
I actually like the colour coded bumpers on that one. I also have a 1989 300TE which is pre the mid '89 facelift, so no lower body cladding and no wood trim on doors or across the dash, and that ad has got me thinking about how mine would look if I got my front & rear bumpers painted to match the body (Almandine red). I'd prefer a 1990-1993 version though, i.e. with the 1989 alterations but still with the proper grille etc.http://tinyurl.com/7pzn7zm
Edited by mccrackenj on Monday 9th January 20:55
Unfortunately and ironically I may be finished with it. I arrived home from a long day yesterday to find it absent, my parents' spare car in its stead, my fears for the worst quickly confirmed by a shame-faced wife. Fortunately she and my son are undamaged, which is the only important thing, although my wife's pride is a bit hurt. By the sounds of things the car may well be beyond economical repair; I haven't seen it yet. So, the debate rages in our house: do we replace it with something else (nobody is calling loudly for that) or do we give in to our sentimental attachment to this wonderful vehicle and repair it anyway, even if it is financial madness? Answers on the back of a postcard.
Ah no. I'm really sorry to hear that.
Glad no-one is hurt though - as you say, that really is the ONLY thing that matters.
Still, what a shame.
As to what to do now, that's difficult isn't it? If the car has served you well and you've grown fond of it, and if you've put time and effort and funds into getting it how you want it, and if it's now a 'known quantity' - then fixing it up may well be the sensible option, even though in theory there may still be good S124s available at lower cost than fixing yours.
It's all about balancing up cost Vs time and effort to find another (with some emotion thrown in). As I'm sure you'll know well, there's a lot of rubbish out there to sift through to get another good one.
Glad no-one is hurt though - as you say, that really is the ONLY thing that matters.
Still, what a shame.
As to what to do now, that's difficult isn't it? If the car has served you well and you've grown fond of it, and if you've put time and effort and funds into getting it how you want it, and if it's now a 'known quantity' - then fixing it up may well be the sensible option, even though in theory there may still be good S124s available at lower cost than fixing yours.
It's all about balancing up cost Vs time and effort to find another (with some emotion thrown in). As I'm sure you'll know well, there's a lot of rubbish out there to sift through to get another good one.
Fix it - you know it makes sense
No need to use new bumpers / bonnet / lights, etc, buy them secondhand and get it back on the road asap. Insurers are surprisingly amenable if you approach them in the right way
Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
No need to use new bumpers / bonnet / lights, etc, buy them secondhand and get it back on the road asap. Insurers are surprisingly amenable if you approach them in the right way
Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
r129sl said:
do we give in to our sentimental attachment to this wonderful vehicle and repair it anyway, even if it is financial madness? Answers on the back of a postcard.
I think you've answered your own question there. My 124 was in a fight with a Volvo a couple of years ago and ended up like this: 
Insurance wanted to write it off because of the cost of new parts from MB (wing/headlight/bumper/wheel/bent bumper bracket), luckily a sympathetic insurance assessor and some cheap parts from breakers got it back to this:
It's not quite as perfect as before the crash, but I was too emotionally attached to let it go to the scrapper, and didn't fancy the headache of trying to find another good one that wasn't £££'s
Edited by chazola on Thursday 12th January 09:02
We're fixing it.
There never really was any question about it. This may well be my favorite of all my cars; I could hardly part with it. It looks a lot like Chazola's did. It needs a new bumper and bumper bar, a new lower control arm and a bit of pulling on the offside chassis leg. I already have most of the parts tracked down, NOS or used. I'm going to have new wings and a new tailgate fitted at the same time, as well as the general sprucing up that was planned for some time in the future.
I was tempted for a while by a 1999 E300 TDT at C and V Cars in Cambridge but it sold on Tuesday, which no doubt was the good Lord's way of confirming the rectitude of my decision!
Bolide: I would love the Tourmaline Green fully loaded E320 you have on your site right now but I suspect it will be too many £££ for me (and besides, my cars really have to be Smoke Silver).
There never really was any question about it. This may well be my favorite of all my cars; I could hardly part with it. It looks a lot like Chazola's did. It needs a new bumper and bumper bar, a new lower control arm and a bit of pulling on the offside chassis leg. I already have most of the parts tracked down, NOS or used. I'm going to have new wings and a new tailgate fitted at the same time, as well as the general sprucing up that was planned for some time in the future.
I was tempted for a while by a 1999 E300 TDT at C and V Cars in Cambridge but it sold on Tuesday, which no doubt was the good Lord's way of confirming the rectitude of my decision!
Bolide: I would love the Tourmaline Green fully loaded E320 you have on your site right now but I suspect it will be too many £££ for me (and besides, my cars really have to be Smoke Silver).
Edited by r129sl on Friday 13th January 10:25
All the above look wonderful cars ; well worth keeping as they are getting scarce in cherished condition .
I usually buy a 124 for winter use , but couldn't find anything suitable for the money last October so bought a V70 Volvo . I seek forgiveness .
Ps I'd love the car on Bolides site too , but it would mean my 129 or my C36 being sold !
I usually buy a 124 for winter use , but couldn't find anything suitable for the money last October so bought a V70 Volvo . I seek forgiveness .
Ps I'd love the car on Bolides site too , but it would mean my 129 or my C36 being sold !
chazola said:
My 124 was in a fight with a Volvo a couple of years ago and ended up like this:
I was about to say that looks familiar - then I saw the reg! It's been a few years now...There's no reason to let them go simply because an insurance company wants an cheap & easy way out. That's just a scratch
Nick Froome
r129sl said:
Unfortunately and ironically I may be finished with it. I arrived home from a long day yesterday to find it absent, my parents' spare car in its stead, my fears for the worst quickly confirmed by a shame-faced wife. Fortunately she and my son are undamaged, which is the only important thing, although my wife's pride is a bit hurt. By the sounds of things the car may well be beyond economical repair; I haven't seen it yet. So, the debate rages in our house: do we replace it with something else (nobody is calling loudly for that) or do we give in to our sentimental attachment to this wonderful vehicle and repair it anyway, even if it is financial madness? Answers on the back of a postcard.
Not having seen the extent of the damage, I still hope you fix it. It looks like an absolutely lovely car, and the nicest ones are getting harder and harder to find over here (US) and over there... Have you made a decision yet?-Reed
www.totallythatstupid.com
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