Opinions Wanted - Please! (Decisions, Decisions...) - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RunningTooHot · #16 12-15-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Potentially for an extra 5k or so, you get a whole lot more car with a 211, but EVERYthing is more complex on it.

Thus the debate (in my head). I'm spoiled rotten after the absolute bulletproof reliability of my '95 124 E300. I've never EVER had a concern about "limp mode"... or worse, being stranded in the middle of nowhere. I'm curious about what you mean as "a whole lot more car" with the 211? Do you mean build quality? Driving characteristics? More accessories & "convenience" features? Please elaborate!

Quote:

but it still is 15+ years old, and potentially a slew of suspension repairs, etc etc. loom. Plenty of items to worry about that the dealer probably didn't cover regularly: Was the 722.6 serviced? (ever?), are the shocks old enough to drive now?, Was the rear diff ever serviced (w211 folks seem to have the occasional "whole diff needs to be replaced at 100k"). Anyhow, I'm rambling about this, but it's all about condition to me,

I'm in full agreement with you regarding condition. I'm cognizant of all the wear items that typically are needed with a car of this mileage & vintage - that's (again) why I am so divided about it. I know I'll be spending money for a lot of things IF the dealer didn't already do the work.

I know that dealers are unbelievably thorough when servicing and inspecting new cars under warranty, because they know that MB will pick up the tab - the owners aren't going to say "no" to a free repair. BUT, what about an older car? Things such as a trans flush may be a hard sell when a customer has to pay for something that their owners manual says is "not required".

I have to find out how much of an "open checkbook" policy the owner had towards the dealer, and how proactive the dealer was with using that checkbook.

Rollguy:
Sorry about the redundancy of this thread, but I have read numerous other similar posts - and a fresh perspective is always appreciated. Plus, I tend to keep my cars until they turn into a heaping pile of greasy iron oxide with bundt's - so I don't want to make any rash decisions that I may regret later. A CDI sounds SO good... except for the complexity that may become an "issue" in years to come.

shertex · #17 12-15-2013, 02:56 PM

FWIW....tell yourself that a W210 is the logical next step beyond the W124. Why cheat yourself by leapfrogging over the W210 to get to the W211? Your time for a CDI will come....now is the time for an E300.

Anyway, that's part of how I convinced myself to buy mine.

sixto · #18 12-15-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Anyway, that's part of how I convinced myself to buy mine.

You convinced yourself??? The indictment transcripts tell a different story

Sixto
87 300D

shertex · #19 12-15-2013, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

You convinced yourself??? The indictment transcripts tell a different story

Sixto
87 300D

That is true....I was browbeaten into the purchase by Sixto and GSXR, as if I were barely worthy of MB ownership if I passed on the car. (Jeremy5848, though party to the dialogue, was relatively innocent of coercion.) But, when I handed over the cash, I was fully convinced.

I asked Sixto if he would provide 0.1% financing, but then he got strangely quiet.

ROLLGUY · #20 12-15-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

Rollguy:
Sorry about the redundancy of this thread, but I have read numerous other similar posts - and a fresh perspective is always appreciated. Plus, I tend to keep my cars until they turn into a heaping pile of greasy iron oxide with bundt's - so I don't want to make any rash decisions that I may regret later. A CDI sounds SO good... except for the complexity that may become an "issue" in years to come.

No need for apologies. It seems that it is the time of year to buy 210's, and many folks are looking for advice. That is a good thing.

Quote:

FWIW....tell yourself that a W210 is the logical next step beyond the W124. Why cheat yourself by leapfrogging over the W210 to get to the W211? Your time for a CDI will come....now is the time for an E300.

Although I have driven a 211 CDI (was very impressed), I agree that a 210 is the logical next step. I too took that same step(s) (123's to 126 to 124 to 210 etc). Maybe one day I will be blessed with a 211 to round out my repertoire.

RunningTooHot · #21 12-16-2013, 12:30 AM

Geez Shertex, 74,000 miles on her, and you still had to be browbeaten? Maybe the car does deserve a better home?

I'll give you that 0.1% car loan! Then I'll throw out any checks you send - and repossess the car. Yeah, that's the ticket...

But I do like your thinking - the w210 is the next logical step. And I'll just keep my ear to the ground for a CDI even if I can actually get my grubby hands on this w210.

Rollguy, due to space constraints, I sold my w123 early this year. Although I love my w124('s) that w123 just had a lot of (agricultural / nautical?) character that I still miss. (oooooh, I can smell the flames coming, but that's not a dis of the w123 - I really did love that car. Really.)

So since I've hacked off the earlier part of the family tree from my fleet, it's logical to add on the next progressive step forward. At least that's how I'll rationalize it.

shertex · #22 12-16-2013, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

Geez Shertex, 74,000 miles on her, and you still had to be browbeaten? Maybe the car does deserve a better home?

I'll give you that 0.1% car loan! Then I'll throw out any checks you send - and repossess the car. Yeah, that's the ticket...

My dilemma was the arrangement I have with my wife. The two W124s are my permanent diesels; and at any given time I buy an extra car to live with, play with, work on for six months or so then sell. I'm sentimentally attached to the W124s so I can't bear the thought of parting with either of them (Sixto would have had me kick poor Milo or Otis to the curb). But I didn't have confidence I could acquire the W210 and not lose money on the back end. But somehow in the whole discussion I made peace with keeping Milo (the 92 with 250k miles) in the extended family by eventually passing it on to son or son-in-law...which in turn cleared the way for a new permanent diesel.

sloride · #23 12-16-2013, 09:21 AM

How come it always seems longer to go from here to there, than from there to here?

RunningTooHot · #24 12-16-2013, 09:54 AM

Shertex: Good move giving Milo to your son. And the "arrangement" with your wife... smart woman. I'm sure she's happier with you finding a new car instead of a new mistress to screw around with for six months at a time. Or maybe that's your plan... to initiate the concept, then take it to the next level? Wow - that's brilliant!

Sloride:

Quote:

How come it always seems longer to go from here to there, than from there to here?

Because there is uphill from here, and you're driving a 240d automatic?

Simpler=Better · #25 12-16-2013, 12:04 PM

Be careful, first you get a car with the 606 just for modern driving...then you're buying a modified pump...a giant turbo...a bag of snakes manifold....all the sudden it's a 400HP monster machine

atomix8 · #26 12-16-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

Thus the debate (in my head). I'm spoiled rotten after the absolute bulletproof reliability of my '95 124 E300. I've never EVER had a concern about "limp mode"... or worse, being stranded in the middle of nowhere. I'm curious about what you mean as "a whole lot more car" with the 211? Do you mean build quality? Driving characteristics? More accessories & "convenience" features? Please elaborate!

Yes, Limp home seems to be inevitable on a high mileage CDI with EGR from what I've seen, but so is a gunked intake on a 606. Along with blown ball joints, and an SBC pump that will probably announce it's end of life soon or around the 10 year warranty, seat weight sensors that die...yea, that's about all I'd look out for outside of regular maintenance. Maybe High Pressure Fuel Pump failure, that seems to happen to some as well, but seems straightforward to reseal.

Sounds fatalist, but the rest of the car is worth it, "the whole lot more"...tons of torque, great mileage, excellent ride, quiet, and yes a few more gizmos over the 210, but also a perceived higher build quality.

I went w123->123->124->211 and am trying to sell my 'new' Mazda for this last step. Finally realized I enjoyed the Benzes more and didn't want them just as a second car. The 210 just never 'did it' for me like a 123, 124 has, and more all the time the 211. Hope that helps, a 210 would still be a great purchase, easy to maintain (less Star Diagnostics for everything), and isn't going to lose much more resale value at this point!!

RunningTooHot · #27 12-18-2013, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomix8

...EGR... blown ball joints... an SBC pump... seat weight sensors that die... yea, that's about all I'd look out for outside of regular maintenance. Maybe High Pressure Fuel Pump failure, that seems to happen to some as well, but seems straightforward to reseal.

Thank you! That's helpful info. I wasn't aware of the seat sensor problems. I'm curious to know of any other "typical" idiosyncrasies inherent to the 211 CDI's. (gunked manifold on the 606 - BT,DT!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomix8

Sounds fatalist, but the rest of the car is worth it, "the whole lot more"...tons of torque, great mileage, excellent ride, quiet, and yes a few more gizmos over the 210, but also a perceived higher build quality.

Gizmos I actually don't want, but everything else sounds great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomix8

The 210 just never 'did it' for me like a 123, 124 has, and more all the time the 211.

That's what I'm concerned about. The 124 is just such a great chassis - on so many fronts. And the 123 had so much 'character'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomix8

a 210 would still be a great purchase, easy to maintain (less Star Diagnostics for everything), and isn't going to lose much more resale value at this point!!

Yep, I've decided that if I get the opportunity to make it happen, I'm going to pull the trigger on the w210. (And keep on the hunt for the 'right' CDI.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

Be careful, first you get a car with the 606 just for modern driving...then you're buying a modified pump...a giant turbo...a bag of snakes manifold....all the sudden it's a 400HP monster machine

Yes. The "itch". I know it well. Cortisone cream doesn't help.

I'm still itching to do a turbo 606 with a very mildly 'breathed upon' 603 pump in a w124 chassis, but the 722.6 trans control is an issue. Maybe I should use the 400e as the donor since it has the higher capacity (hydraulic) trans and larger tunnel already there. I would need to modify the valve body for diesel torque & RPM characteristics. Hmmm.... Anybody want a 4.2 M119 with only 177K - but a bad harness?

Simpler=Better · #28 12-18-2013, 08:13 AM

Unless you have a bum knee, there is no reason to not put a manual transmission behind the 606. A stocker should be fine for a "mild" 603 pump

Skid Row Joe · #29 12-20-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

Thus the debate (in my head). I'm spoiled rotten after the absolute bulletproof reliability of my '95 124 E300. I've never EVER had a concern about "limp mode"... or worse, being stranded in the middle of nowhere. I'm curious about what you mean as "a whole lot more car" with the 211? Do you mean build quality? Driving characteristics? More accessories & "convenience" features? Please elaborate!

I'm in full agreement with you regarding condition. I'm cognizant of all the wear items that typically are needed with a car of this mileage & vintage - that's (again) why I am so divided about it. I know I'll be spending money for a lot of things IF the dealer didn't already do the work.

I know that dealers are unbelievably thorough when servicing and inspecting new cars under warranty, because they know that MB will pick up the tab - the owners aren't going to say "no" to a free repair. BUT, what about an older car? Things such as a trans flush may be a hard sell when a customer has to pay for something that their owners manual says is "not required".

I have to find out how much of an "open checkbook" policy the owner had towards the dealer, and how proactive the dealer was with using that checkbook.

Rollguy:
Sorry about the redundancy of this thread, but I have read numerous other similar posts - and a fresh perspective is always appreciated. Plus, I tend to keep my cars until they turn into a heaping pile of greasy iron oxide with bundt's - so I don't want to make any rash decisions that I may regret later. A CDI sounds SO good... except for the complexity that may become an "issue" in years to come.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

At a social event, I met an elderly couple driving a 1998 E300 turbodiesel. In the course of talking with them, they mentioned that they were considering putting it up for sale soon. Uh-Oh!

The car is a true original purchaser / one-owner unmolested car with 130,000 miles. Believe it or not, it has been MBZ dealer-only maintained it's entire life, and it still has all factory original paint. It has some stone chips & road rash on the front, and a couple of tiny door dings - otherwise the paint is truly excellent because it was garage-kept it's entire life. . It originates from a desert / dry climate area, so hopefully rust and spring perch failure won't crop up as an issue in the future.

I've been thinking about getting an '05 or '06 CDI, and have been casually looking for the past few months. But now this w210 has cropped up. Ugh! What to do?

I'm curious to know your opinions, especially those of you that have owned both a w210 turbodiesel and a w211 CDI. I know the CDI will get better mileage and has more power, but... jeez, this car is a rare find.

I'm also curious to know what you guys think the current market is for a car like this. We didn't discuss price, but we exchanged phone numbers.

Looking forward to hearing what you guys think!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

t walgamuth:
It is most definitely the "right" type of car to buy. (The ones that never show up when you're looking for the specific model you want.) It seems too good to pass up, even if I pay top dollar.

Spoken like a true addict.

(it takes one to know one.) I thought this was a support group? Oh... no? Not that kind?

- 12 cars, not 12 step?

Shertex:
You're right on the money. Both literally and figuratively. This car definitely is worth a premium over all the other 210's I've seen listed. (BTW I still love my 124, but it's getting pretty long-in-the-tooth @410,000+.)

Aquaticedge:
They absolutely know what they're sitting on. And they know there are a fair number of diesel-heads out here. (or is it out there? Or where?)

Jooseppi Luna:
I cant go nuts - I'm already there. (Or here. Or wherever.)

Although I am from here, I'm not there. The owners are here, but they are not from here either. (they are visiting here too.) Here, where I am not currently (because I'm here, not there) is home. The couple with the car are from there (not the there where I'm from, the there from where they drove. (The there where the car lives.) Where we are is in the Southern US, but not quite enough East to be Thar. Thar is still waaay over there.

I'm not concerned about someone grabbing the car, as it is not advertised here, there, thar, or elsewhere. On a final note, as indicated by my predilection towards these cars, perhaps I am not all here either. (I herefore plead insanity.)

VW1300: Yep. I need to thoroughly check it out during daylight hours and check the story about it being only dealer serviced. If it was truly "open checkbook" dealer serviced, then I can't even begin to imagine how much stuff has been done over the years. You know those dealers...

And you're right, I could just keep my eyes open and if I find the perfect CDI in the future... well, everyone here on the forum would get first crack at the w210. That's IF I still want a CDI.

And therein lies the original question: To go 210, or to go CDI?

I've owned 'em both. My '99 E300TD had 131K miles on it when I passed it on to it's new owner. I bought it new in July 1999, drove it 14-years - great car. I bought a used, '06 E320 CDI the first week of June '13. Another great car. I decided not to buy a brand new one this time around, so I shopped for a very long time before deciding on the W211 I bought. Buy the one you like better by driving several of each, when considering different used models. That's what I did.

RunningTooHot · #30 01-12-2014, 12:02 PM

It took almost a full month, but I was finally able to get the w210. (as described in my first post.)

It's a nice car - definitely "different" than the 124. I'm not going to say 'better' or 'worse', just different. It will take more time to adequately assess it.

Of course the additional power is nice, and the gearing allows for more relaxed RPM's on the highway, which will be nice over the long haul. The torque really allows the car to push & squeeze through traffic with less effort, and hills are not a struggle. The turbo lag can be noticeable at times, but it's no big deal. It's kind of like the car is saying (for a second) "this is how the normally aspirated 606 feels... and now this is the difference." It's not like an early 3-liter 930, but it's not like a variable nozzle setup either.

Now I have to make some room and get rid of one of my other cars. That's the hardest part.

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