Shed Of The Week: Mercedes 230E
Prepare your 'barely run in' comments now; Shed's found a W124
Well it looks alright from this angle...
That's the case with this 230E Merc, a remarkably solid-looking example of the Bruno Sacco W124. This 1985 replacement for the W123 was the cause celebre of a revolt by Berlin's taxi drivers. Their complaints about the quality of early W124s resulted in a pretty comprehensive improvement programme that benefitted '88-on cars. From around 1993, things started to go downhill again, particularly in the area of corrosion prevention, culminating in the disastrous late-'90s/early '00s Benz rustboxes that we all know about.
But let's not prolong the old 'when Mercs really were Mercs' debate here: let's simply luxuriate in the take-it-or-leave-it chutzpah of an '80s-designed Mercedes saloon.
Oh good, it's fine from here as well
Back in the day, the 230E was hailed by the press as the most accessible all-rounder in the W124 range. Drive one now and you might understand why. The M102 2.3 may not have the sex appeal of a six, but there's something very calming about a meaty four-pot. You know it's not going to rev at all, but it doesn't seem to matter somehow.
All W124 engines are built to last. 500,000 miles without a major overhaul is quite normal. The M102's hydraulic lifters might eventually need replacing, which isn't an expensive job. Timing is by chain, single-row on the earlier models and a much longer-lasting twin-row on the later ones. This car is almost smack in the middle of the 1985-1996 W124 lifespan, so it could have either. Entries on a postcard please.
See here for a durability, if not glamour
You'll be regularly checking and replacing fuel too. It might only be a 2.3, but this is an exec car from the '90s, so don't be tempted if you're allergic to forecourts. The clue's in the numberplate. If you're looking to keep a car like this for a long time - and why would you not? - an LPG conversion at around £1,200 might not be all that stupid.
The 'E' stands for Einspritzung, which is German for injection. The M102's Bosch KE Jetronic fuel injection marked the first appearance of an ECU in a Benz. The Bosch system has its own special little ways, but is generally reliable. The auto gearbox is good for 300,000 miles as long as you keep renewing the oil and filters.
Rear-wheel drive notwithstanding, a 230E might not be the first choice for a regular 'Ring visitor, though you would at least have plenty of time in the yawning gaps between bends to ponder on the car's sub-140hp performance and on the razor responses of a dustbin lid-sized steering wheel that is charting your course with all the accuracy of an aftermarket coracle rudder.
Pretend you're a Berlin cabbie for £800
Climb aboard. The door shuts with the relentless finality of an angry parking warden's ticket machine. Sit to attention in your curvy, sturdily-fabricked chair. Admire the last mechanical speedo Mercedes ever made. Relish the surgically precise operation of the minor controls. Think of a time when cars were built with care by human beings, and wonder whether robotisation really has brought genuine progress in every area of the automotive experience.
If there's still a medical kit behind that warning triangle in the boot, wrap one of the bandages really tightly around your head to boost the intensity of your thoughts and feelings on the matter, and then congratulate yourself on the wisdom of your purchase.
Fantastic condition car with full service history.Drives wonderfully with no faults.No rust
and just had full service.Have fitted a new Sony DAB cd player.Mot till feb 15 2015 tax till 31 july.Good Michelins all round, lovely car that will not disapoint.
contact sandy 07504018553
Of course it would be better if it was a 6 but those M102's are a piece of cake to look after and genuinely go on forever. The OVP/fuel pump relays and lack of general ignition maintenance are all that would likely let you down.
- J reg will be twin row timing chain for sure.
An old boy on our road has one very similar but its a 300, same colour as well, it just ambles past ont he way to church, he must be eighty now, we have been here sixteen years and he had it when we moved in.
Always had a secret urge to own a W124, nearly bought one the other week but already have three cars and don't do many miles, was a lovely red 230CE (Coupe) with 212,000 miles on for £800, very good condition considering age and mileage, drove ok but these things are pretty slow, perhaps a few ponies have died of old age but the auto box and substantial weight versus not that much power means progress was a bit too stately. The drive was nice though, that big steering wheel, Teutonic comfort and lack of outright go means you just waft, old mercs have a feel all their own.
I kind of like a low spec one as well, MB Tex seats wear pretty well, in fact the whole interiors do on these, with a little care and attention you get the impression they could go forever, that blend of quality and almost puritanical lack of "toys" means all the luxury comes from the construction, the complete antithesis of say a top spec mass market car of the time, saw a bog spec 1990 190 in Nato green and was very taken with it.
Wonder at what point there will be more W124's left than W210's, most W210's look like a Tug Boat that has had a hard life in the North Sea these days yet there still seems a ready supply of W124's.
Eventually tin worm got to the front arches, which was a shame as it was a lovely motor. She was the second owner - I seem to recall she bought it from Freddie Starr's first wife who sold it after a year as it wasn't quick enough.
She sold it in 2010 with a genuine 89k and FSH for an unbelievable £500.
It's not fast but that's not the point and in many ways I love the German taxi spec. Brilliant ride, very refined and so well made. I don't see the point if having a fast one as it is not a performance orientated car.
I love the looks and the build quality and it makes a great combination with something else light and fast in the garage.
If that's rust free I would go in with the view to look after it and get years out of it - safe in knowledge its infinitely better built and classier than anything built since. They are a joy to tinker with and everything still off the shelf so occasional DIY wouldn't scare me.
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