W124 £2-3Grand
Discussion
Hi
Always liked classic mercs, esp the W124 range, Im looking for something to waft to work in and the odd long journey. Don't really like modern cars (ie recent) at all.
I'm after a W124 , I have around 1500-3000 to spend:
Head says Estate (great for my bike and other gear)
Heart says Coupe (can be a bit ropey at this price)
Wallet says Saloon! (most choice)
Ideally I'm after a 280 with leather and alloys, but am willing to compromise as I after a solid (rust free!) car.
Right, enough of the waffle, can get a good one for this price and does anyone know of any decent ones for sale?
ThankyouPlease!
Always liked classic mercs, esp the W124 range, Im looking for something to waft to work in and the odd long journey. Don't really like modern cars (ie recent) at all.
I'm after a W124 , I have around 1500-3000 to spend:
Head says Estate (great for my bike and other gear)
Heart says Coupe (can be a bit ropey at this price)
Wallet says Saloon! (most choice)
Ideally I'm after a 280 with leather and alloys, but am willing to compromise as I after a solid (rust free!) car.
Right, enough of the waffle, can get a good one for this price and does anyone know of any decent ones for sale?
ThankyouPlease!
You'll struggle to get a six-cylinder coupe worth having at this price, unless you can tolerate bits of rust and non-functioning gadgets, air con &c.
You could get a fair to good estate with relative ease.
But you will get an A1 saloon. See, for example, this one: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C114482/, which I wouldn't mind for myself.
I wouldn't get too hung up about engines: any six-cylinder petrol will be adequate (the 260 E may be a bit leisurely). The 300 E probably has the smoothest and most reliable engine and it only loses out to the 24-valve motors in the limit.
You could get a fair to good estate with relative ease.
But you will get an A1 saloon. See, for example, this one: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C114482/, which I wouldn't mind for myself.
I wouldn't get too hung up about engines: any six-cylinder petrol will be adequate (the 260 E may be a bit leisurely). The 300 E probably has the smoothest and most reliable engine and it only loses out to the 24-valve motors in the limit.
The 280 and 320 (M104) engines suffer from engine wiring loom problems. Check for evidence that it has been changed. A complete loom will cost £550 in parts although I've heard that a repair piece is available now. The front wings might be a bit rusty along the lower edge in front of the wheelarch. It might be possible to get a good coupe for less than £3K if you do a bit of research.
Heres a Link to Telegraph motoring correspondent "Honest John"
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...
Personally I'd go a a 4 cylinder 230/220 as a long term prospect also 4pot coupes come in at under £4K. If you go for a 6pot best avoid the 5speed auto,more electronics in the box so expensive to fix.If the dealer doesn't specify the difference take a look at the gate shift 5speeders have a"4" position on the gate.All 6pots have complex timing chain arrangement.320 from pre face lift 93 onwards smoother engine more torque than a 280 hardly any difference in MPG.Theres a very good french W124 club web site which gives a breakdowon of all W124 models produced.
http://www.w124.org/versions.php
Hers alink to the German W124 club site.
http://www.w124-clubdt.de/index.php?id=1&L=1
good luck finding something,Bob
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...
Personally I'd go a a 4 cylinder 230/220 as a long term prospect also 4pot coupes come in at under £4K. If you go for a 6pot best avoid the 5speed auto,more electronics in the box so expensive to fix.If the dealer doesn't specify the difference take a look at the gate shift 5speeders have a"4" position on the gate.All 6pots have complex timing chain arrangement.320 from pre face lift 93 onwards smoother engine more torque than a 280 hardly any difference in MPG.Theres a very good french W124 club web site which gives a breakdowon of all W124 models produced.
http://www.w124.org/versions.php
Hers alink to the German W124 club site.
http://www.w124-clubdt.de/index.php?id=1&L=1
good luck finding something,Bob
Ive just taken in a very tidy 230E K Reg 100k miles which I plan to use as my day to day car.
They drive a lot nicer and retain the old school Mercedes 'built from solid granite' feel that the newer round headlamp cars do not have.The also do not rust as quickly!
Personally I would look for a car with low owners,FSH,and avoid cars with chrome wheel arch mouldings(usually put on to hide a multitude of sins-rust).The interior is ultra hard wearing and scrubs up well so avoid any cars with tatty interiors-they will have been hammered.Check around the boot lock and door edges for rust as well.The auto on older cars feels sluggish but thats okay because they all did.Avoid manual cars.
They drive a lot nicer and retain the old school Mercedes 'built from solid granite' feel that the newer round headlamp cars do not have.The also do not rust as quickly!
Personally I would look for a car with low owners,FSH,and avoid cars with chrome wheel arch mouldings(usually put on to hide a multitude of sins-rust).The interior is ultra hard wearing and scrubs up well so avoid any cars with tatty interiors-they will have been hammered.Check around the boot lock and door edges for rust as well.The auto on older cars feels sluggish but thats okay because they all did.Avoid manual cars.
The estates ride better than the other versions because of the self-levelling rear suspension. Many estates have led a hard life so buy with care
There are plenty of generic W124 faults but a good car will do exactly what you want & not break the bank
Buy carefully and don't buy the first car you see. There are some beauties out there!
Model timeline
www.w124.co.uk/timeline.html
Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
There are plenty of generic W124 faults but a good car will do exactly what you want & not break the bank
Buy carefully and don't buy the first car you see. There are some beauties out there!
Model timeline
www.w124.co.uk/timeline.html
Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk
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