post opinion on cars w124 vs. w201 manual - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vstech · #1 02-13-2015, 05:03 PM

A member is considering the two and wanted my opinion between them...
What do you all think?

Quahog · #2 02-13-2015, 05:15 PM

you should give them your opinion

dkr · #3 02-13-2015, 05:19 PM

I think the older manuals may have been better written, although there are some strange English terms that weren't exactly contemporary. It may be easier to read a W201 manual although not necessarily as many details.

I hope that helps this member decide which manual to use, although it does help to use the right manual on the right car otherwise you deal with components being located in different places and other variances.

Dkr.

biopete · #4 02-13-2015, 05:24 PM

I'd go 124 and then put a 5 speed in it when the tranny goes out. The 201 interiors are flimsy. the w124 with 2.5t and a 5 speed is probably in the top 10 cars ever made for durability and simplicity And drive ability and economy.

tjts1 · #5 02-13-2015, 05:32 PM

Just to clarify, the person asking is in Europe and has access to a lot of engine/trans/year combinations most of us could only dream of. I already gave my opinion over PM. Happy hunting and let us know what you decide to buy.

t walgamuth · #6 02-13-2015, 06:35 PM

Is the choice between a 124 with a manual vs a 201 with a manual? If so I'd pick the one in the best condition. If the 124 is an automatic I'd choose the stick.

If you're talking owners manuals I have no idea!

gatorblue92 · #7 02-13-2015, 07:05 PM

W124 with a manual. I haven't sold mine yet and I already miss it.

Mölyapina · #8 02-13-2015, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorblue92

W124 with a manual. I haven't sold mine yet and I already miss it.

If you don't sell, maybe the wagon could accept the tranny setup... it would be the coolest 1991 300TE around!

vstech · #9 02-13-2015, 07:39 PM

Yeah, sorry. Europe member cheap access to all manner of manual trans 201 and 124 diesels with manual transmissions.

He's worried a 124 may be too large for euro winding roads.

biopete · #10 02-13-2015, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Yeah, sorry. Europe member cheap access to all manner of manual trans 201 and 124 diesels with manual transmissions.

He's worried a 124 may be too large for euro winding roads.

Lucky dog. i've never lived anywhere where a w124 would be anything other than compact. There are so many damn huge SUVs trucks around here.

Stretch · #11 02-13-2015, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

...
He's worried a 124 may be too large for euro winding roads.

Space / dimension-wise there's not enough difference between the W201 and the W124 for that in my opinion.

If we're talking about the ability of a W201 and a W124 to go round roundabouts however, the W201 has the potential to make it round faster! But an old car with crappy rubber and crappy shocks will always handle poorly.

Camille171084 · #12 02-14-2015, 02:53 PM

Hey, I'm the anonymous European poster!

I've posted some PM concerning this question to members who own both series but now there's a thread (thanks vstech) so I'll tell more about my quest here!

So I was looking for a w201 or w124 Mercedes diesel that I'll use (here in Europe) both as a daily driver and as a long distance cruiser (I mean 5.000 - 10.000 km trip in Eastern and Southern Europe where roads are not always highways...). We got a good bunch of roundabouts, speed bumps and mountain roads but I maybe emphasize a bit too much those negative points.
If it can help, I'm 5'9" and often travel alone or with a single passenger (but obviously it's always a bonus to have usable rear seats...)

I've decided to narrow my search to NA diesel only with manual box, performance is not a relevant parameter, in order to maximize the reliability and reparability of the car. A w124 300D or w201 2.5D would be perfect but I can't decide which type I should preferably get. Our 300D come with the OM603 but contrary to the US version sold in 1987 we had no EGR or trap oxidizer in France until 1993 and the new OM606, add to that the fact there's really few turbo versions, this engine has never been considered as a dog due to poor headgasket here.

The real hesitation I had was about the comparative size of w201 and w124 and the build quality of those 2 models. I've read that the w201 was truly made as a premium car but some users complain about poor door panels or wood paneling, I've also read that sound proofing was not as perfect as in a w124.
On the other hand, I'm a bit afraid by the larger weight and size of the w124, plus there's maybe more electric equipment inside that might be harder to repair.

I'll read all your advises but it already seems clear that, although the w201 is perfectly made, the slight bigger size of the w124 is quickly forgiven as it's better on almost every levels.

And yes... money is not a problem as w201 and w124 are still widely available in manual transmission here. And as I wrote to a poster, you can right now even find almost ten 190D 2.5 turbo manual for sale on various French websites for less than 4000$

Kind regards to you all

TLTR : I hesitate between a w201 and w124 NA diesel manual for trips and daily driving in Europe.

sixto · #13 02-14-2015, 09:24 PM

There's also the 202 which has more usable room than a 201 and likely more safety features if such matter to you.

A base model 124 or 202 will not have significantly more electric equipment than a 201.

Sixto
MB-less

dieselbenz1 · #14 02-14-2015, 10:21 PM

Have you sat in both? I'm 3 inches taller and the 201 does not fit but the 124 is a perfect fit. Comfort is number one.

vstech · #15 02-14-2015, 10:33 PM

I am 5'11" and have zero leg or headroom issues in the 201... Forget about holding a drink when driving a manual one though! Messy!
CAUTION: driving a 5 speed without a cupholder...