How Exactly "Bad" Is the wrenching on 124s - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pinkfloydfan810 · #1 10-16-2012, 10:19 PM

I might be looking for a 124 for as a next car if my car develops too many issues. I know "nothing as a cheap mercedes".

I might go back to a 124 because no computers. I'm just wondering how simple it is compared to the 202. I never went to tech but have guidance and am well inclined as is. Everybody says "buy Pre-Owned" but just can't get over the smooth ride of a Benz. They scream "too complicated", "need a Benz tech". Is it really THAT bad?

scottmcphee · #2 10-16-2012, 10:21 PM

Everything on the w124 is fixable in your garage. If you have a good garage filled with tools.

Many things are as you say, mechanical. So your eyes can see where the issues lay.

Can't compare to 202, never had one.

lorainfurniture · #3 10-16-2012, 10:29 PM

The w124 (300e) is very easy to work on as long as you know how to wrench. One of the major difficulties is getting the car to run "right". It will never leave you stranded, but when it starts sucking down a gallon of premium fuel for every ten miles you drive, it gets frustrating.

Chasing down problems like that have no real answer.. You will end up spending big money changing a lot of parts for marginal gains.

I love my 300e very much, and even more now that I'm getting 18 mpg again

pinkfloydfan810 · #4 10-16-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmcphee

Everything on the w124 is fixable in your garage. If you have a good garage filled with tools.

Many things are as you say, mechanical. So your eyes can see where the issues lay.

Can't compare to 202, never had one.

Appreciate the quick responses, both of you. I've got no problem with tools, and compression testers etc... The DIYs are pretty easy to follow? I've never done the work on the 202, but had just had a fuel pump go.

Scott, I've got no garage, just a driveway and universal jack and stands and plenty of tools for the job. Should driveway work be ok. The township fines at the first sight of oil in the driveway.

Got a local garage that does fluids for me (proper).

jbach36 · #5 10-17-2012, 12:28 AM

When I got my first MB, I thought I had to take it to a specialist, and that's not right at all, especially not a used one.

You can take it to a seasoned general mechanic if you need to, and save a lot on repairs. I find that a well-seasoned mobile mechanic is also very handy to have around.

Jeremy5848 · #6 10-17-2012, 01:31 AM

One of the nice things about having an older Mercedes is that you can still get parts for them. Expensive some of the parts may be but at least you can get them. Your driveway wrenching will be limited by weather and the township so you will want to find an independent mechanic who is familiar with whatever car you end up buying. The 124 is old enough that many things can still be taken apart and fixed rather than replaced. This is fun (if you like fixing things) and certainly less expensive. The W124 model was offered in the USA from 1986 through 1995. In that 10-year run the newer cars have some additional nice features and may be in better condition. Many (but not all) parts are interchangeable across the 10 years and many 124s are showing up in junkyards, always a good place to save money on parts.

Jeremy

pawoSD · #7 10-17-2012, 07:50 AM

Overall I have found the W124 to be very low maintenance and easy to work on. As mentioned, the gasser engines can be a pain to get "just right" but once they are they stay that way for a while. I have not had to do anything major to ours in years...just keeps going, every single day. We've had it 4 years and have driven it about 35k so far with only one official breakdown (starter failure).

BobK · #8 10-17-2012, 08:05 AM

We've had two, one gas one diesel. Good cars that can take a hit (Yikes). Just check the front spring perches for rust under the dirt before you buy. The design allows dirt to sit on top of the perch and hold moisture. Our gas one got in the low 20s for MPG. '87 diesel got almost 30 with hot foot daughter driving. That engine just made its way into my '86 SDL

Skippy · #9 10-17-2012, 08:50 AM

I've owned a couple 123 diesels and a 114 gasser. The wrenching (of the "for pay" kind) I've done on 124's has been pretty minimal, but I didn't find them tough to work on-nothing like trying to fix an Audi or newer VW.

My driving experiences in 124's have been less than positive, but I always seem to get the ones that have been beaten and not maintained.