1992 W124 Mercedes-Benz 230CE - The land yacht
Discussion
Ever since I was 8 (circa 1988) I have lusted after a large 'pillarless' Mercedes coupe, the logical conclusion of this was of course to have one...35+ cars later, deciding that I can no longer afford / justify a W123 (and the luxury of a company car for daily duties) I have finally made the plunge.
A 3 owner, 110k car with lashings of service history (albeit with not quite the creamy six cylinder I had set my sights on) I can quite honestly say last time I saw a W124 that looked this nice, it was still the 20th Century!
I know it won't be to everyones taste, but I think the Signal red / Tan leather combo is the perfect combination for it's era, and despite the fact it will never be a sportscar, it has an amazing sense of occasion when I drive it.
There are a few jobs to do, but when I say that - I mean to get it to beyond exceptional condition and completely original.
The AMG wheels are confusing me, paperwork suggests it was delivered on them - but it seems wrong without 8 holes (it had factory sports suspension ticked too) so not sure if they stay or go yet.
I might stop grinning soon, but not sure when!
A 3 owner, 110k car with lashings of service history (albeit with not quite the creamy six cylinder I had set my sights on) I can quite honestly say last time I saw a W124 that looked this nice, it was still the 20th Century!
I know it won't be to everyones taste, but I think the Signal red / Tan leather combo is the perfect combination for it's era, and despite the fact it will never be a sportscar, it has an amazing sense of occasion when I drive it.
There are a few jobs to do, but when I say that - I mean to get it to beyond exceptional condition and completely original.
The AMG wheels are confusing me, paperwork suggests it was delivered on them - but it seems wrong without 8 holes (it had factory sports suspension ticked too) so not sure if they stay or go yet.
I might stop grinning soon, but not sure when!
DUMBO100 said:
That's lovely looking. I have the same dilemma in that I have a company car, a sporty car but I want something a bit different too and a beautiful Merc Coupe fits the bill perfectly
Thanks! It really is as good in the flesh as it is in the photos as well. 
it's the absolute antithesis of the Skoda (which is a great car) and just reminds me of a time when cars were simpler but more 'feelsome' (is that even a word?)Thanks for all the compliments!
I got a few more photos this morning - they aren't great as it was raining....so will get some better ones done as the weather improves with a nicer backdrop than Mrs j44esd'd Hyundai...! I look forward to any comments / information you want to share!
PS - I know, I know the exhaust...It is going
I got a few more photos this morning - they aren't great as it was raining....so will get some better ones done as the weather improves with a nicer backdrop than Mrs j44esd'd Hyundai...! I look forward to any comments / information you want to share!
PS - I know, I know the exhaust...It is going
I have never seen one in Signal Red. Better than I was expecting! Looks very nice. I do, though, think I would pop some amber side repeaters on it. But that's just my opinion. I do prefer the pre-facelift ones, I just didn't come across a good one when I was looking.
I too have taken the plunge. And I too am considering changing the alloys for the originals. Here she is: 1995 E320 with 107k.
I too have taken the plunge. And I too am considering changing the alloys for the originals. Here she is: 1995 E320 with 107k.
Inny said:
I have never seen one in Signal Red. Better than I was expecting! Looks very nice. I do, though, think I would pop some amber side repeaters on it. But that's just my opinion. I do prefer the pre-facelift ones, I just didn't come across a good one when I was looking.
I too have taken the plunge. And I too am considering changing the alloys for the originals. Here she is: 1995 E320 with 107k.
Lovely! Weirdly I wanted a facelift initially but then decided i'd prefer a pre-facelift! Signal red wouldn't have been my first choice of colour - until I saw it - I think it works exceptionally well on the lines of the car - a very period colour.I too have taken the plunge. And I too am considering changing the alloys for the originals. Here she is: 1995 E320 with 107k.
I have the sides in amber in the boot
and they will be going on - person who fitted the clear sides cut the loom and soldered in the newer type bulb holder so I have the new looms (luckily they just plug into the front and run down the wing, as the US models didn't have side repeaters). I bought it with clear fronts as well - but they're an easier job so did those first thing. I'm not kidding when i say that I haven't seen a pre-facelift look this good for a long while - it really is that good - i'd say 95%+ Just a few jobs and i'll be very happy!
iacabu said:
There probably isn't a better interior colour to match the red. When you said tan I was expecting it to be much darker.
After a little more digging, it is apparently option code 265A LEATHER CREAM BEIGE - MUSHROOM / QUARTZ so my generic bloke-ish 'tan' label was a little off... 
appletonn said:
I'm looking at getting a 300CE & wondered what you make of the driving experience? I know it won't be the sharpest driving tool, but how modern and sharp is it?
Cheers
Good question - my car history is vast and varied, but i'm not sure what to liken it to - mine was specced from new with Sport suspension and has the 8x16" 225/50 tyred AMG wheels (16" wheels must have seemed enormous in 1992) and an investigation underneath on my friends 4 post lift shows it to still be the right spec dampers etc.Cheers
It goes where you point it, but there is a little more lean / little less lateral grip from the seats than I would expect from a more 'sporty' orientated car (its no 635i).
Mine is a lowly 230CE but with circa 140bhp it goes well enough in kick down and pulls up true and straight under braking (ABS equipped too), steering feel is closer to vague than direct, but not bad by any means (steering box I seem to recall reading somewhere), a little play in the centre but not excessive.
Not as firm as an E34 5 series, but not as wallow-y as a W124 saloon would be a good call - if i'm honest it handles with more aplomb than I was expecting, but a sports car it is not (though I have had a couple of MK1 MX5s so my expectations might be out of tune with reality).
It is neither as fast or as mechanically grippy as my 170bhp Skoda Superb Estate, it is however special in a way the Skoda (great car though it is) could never be.
To be honest, it's just a very pleasurable experience to drive and own, I've had faster, firmer, more focussed cars - but nothing that feels or seems so right and in tune with being an enthusiast - owning it is literally like going back to being 17 and just enjoying being able to drive.
I hope you find the one you are viewing to your liking, but I would suggest an extended test drive as i'm sure they aren't for everyone!
appletonn said:
I'm looking at getting a 300CE & wondered what you make of the driving experience? I know it won't be the sharpest driving tool, but how modern and sharp is it?
Cheers
I own a 300E 4 door. I love driving it. It's not particularly quick, but it feels very 'right' (more so than any other car I have driven or owned) on a long journey - I take the longer way home on my regular 300 mile trip as I like driving fast A-roads in it. Cheers
The steering - criticised back in the day - it good compared to modern cars, and the straight 6 is a nice sweet unit (though it doesn't make much power - think modern 2.0 diesel!).
The brakes are rubbish though - that's one thing that has moved on in modern cars by leaps and bounds.
Overall I always finish my 300 mile journey wishing it was longer.
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