w123 w126 or w210? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dieselbenz25 · #16 02-07-2017, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

Ah, but is it a design flaw, or a perhaps a flawed preconceived notion on how the defrost is designed to work?

In the 126 (124 is similar in operation), the "Defrost" button is there to quickly melt ice and snow off the front window, thus max heat + max fan.

Unlike most other cars, the climate control will send part of the air stream to the defrost vents when heating. It has some sort of algorithm in it to adjust how much of the air is sent up there vs the various other vents in the system.

The owner's manual describes the operation and I initially thought it was overkill and seriously ridiculous until I got used to driving my 126 in cold weather. I never had to hit defrost or adjust anything at all and got to the point that driving my normal car and other people's cars annoyed me because the front window kept fogging up!

Those Germans and their engineering...

lol yeah, I know it's more effective with hot air.. the problem is.. I get roasted really fast... when I do defrost I usually have to open the window.. My honda van (or say a 240d) allows the defroster to be put on with cool or moderately warm air, but on the mercedes climate control it goes to max heat.. eesh.. it doesn't get that cold in california! on regular cars the front window will usually only fog up with cool air if the recirculate feature is on. Definitely a convenient idea to just have to hit a button to do it, though!

dieselbenz25 · #17 02-07-2017, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I would not be afraid of smog testing a '98 or newer, it is really no big deal. I had a '95 years ago, and loved it. A few years later I got a '98 and loved it even more. I won't go back to an N/A. I've even gone a step further an purchased a W211 E320 CDI. Once you own a turbo W210 or better, you won't go back to the N/A. Again, having to smog it every other year is well worth it. Also, the turbo fuel mileage is not much worse than an N/A. You can expect 28+ combined with the turbo car.

This is interesting to me.. I generally prefer naturally aspirated engines, the turbo adds a lot of stress to an engine, but the speed is nice. I remember when I used to drive my 83' 300cd it had a lot of pick up on the highway when that turbo kicked in.. it was nice. I can imagine the turbo 606 would just be incredible.. Best mileage I've pulled in the NA 606 is 35.. incredible. maybe i'll do a 97 and consider upgrading to a turbo 606 when the engine goes. How do you like your CDI? a w211 cdi would probably be the newest i'd ever go!

dieselbenz25 · #18 02-07-2017, 01:36 AM

Now I just thought of something to ask the folks who have the w210 now. Especially in california. Do you have any rust problems on your car? I love the older chassis because there is usually absolutely no rust on a california car.

tjts1 · #19 02-07-2017, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselbenz25

Now I just thought of something to ask the folks who have the w210 now. Especially in california. Do you have any rust problems on your car? I love the older chassis because there is usually absolutely no rust on a california car.

Yup, the front window frames in the channel that holds in the door seal, the fuel door, the floor underneath the rear seat where the battery is, the rear mounting points for the front lower control arms and the catalytic converter. Any paint chips or scratches need to be addressed immediately. Fortunately the car is white and it was all surface rust. The previous owner lived in Longbeach a couple of blocks back from the water. It was a good tool to bargain down the price.
https://i.imgur.com/QraDLx2.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/BSb0FdY.jpg?4

https://i.imgur.com/dQbe1mX.jpg

sixto · #20 02-07-2017, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselbenz25

lol yeah, I know it's more effective with hot air.. the problem is.. I get roasted really fast... when I do defrost I usually have to open the window.. My honda van (or say a 240d) allows the defroster to be put on with cool or moderately warm air, but on the mercedes climate control it goes to max heat.. eesh.. it doesn't get that cold in california! on regular cars the front window will usually only fog up with cool air if the recirculate feature is on. Definitely a convenient idea to just have to hit a button to do it, though!

Agree. I'd like defrost to be on a 5 minute timer like recirc. I can press it again if necessary.

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

dieselbenz25 · #21 02-16-2017, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

Yup, the front window frames in the channel that holds in the door seal, the fuel door, the floor underneath the rear seat where the battery is, the rear mounting points for the front lower control arms and the catalytic converter. Any paint chips or scratches need to be addressed immediately. Fortunately the car is white and it was all surface rust. The previous owner lived in Longbeach a couple of blocks back from the water. It was a good tool to bargain down the price.
https://i.imgur.com/QraDLx2.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/BSb0FdY.jpg?4

https://i.imgur.com/dQbe1mX.jpg

i saw one for sale here in the bay area.. white ( my favorite color on mercedes, aside form the metallic petrol green of course) and it has a big ugly rust spot under the antenna!

DslBnz · #22 02-16-2017, 11:15 AM

It's apples and oranges comparison. The last time I drove a W123 for a daily driver, I was in high school. I'm now 33 years old. But I've driven W210 turbodiesels, for about 50K miles and I have 100's of thousands of miles logged on W126 cars. I can speak for those two.

First off. You're comparing the S Class vs the E Class. Totally different. The W210 handles way better, less boaty...More responsive. WAY less body roll. But the rust is a BIG issue. You REALLY have to keep up with the bodies on the W210....If you do, I don't think they'll rust out too badly. In winter, in salty climates, treat them AT MINIMUM every other day. Plus the spring perch issues up front. Always gotta keep a close eye on those.

The engine bay is much cleaner and simpler in a W210 turbodiesel. I love it. I especially love the electronic injection pump. No more PITA linkage freezing up on you, or crowding out the engine bay. Among other things. Just a clean design. But there are downsides, because things are more electrically based. Requires a new working knowledge. Not to mention the glowplugs. Watch out for those. It should be a common search term on these boards. With them freezing inside the heads.

I like the W210, but for me a W126 with an upgraded OBD2 interface and a turboed OM606 would be perfect. Until then, I think between the two, it's hard to decide. Maybe the W210, because it's shorter, more in-town friendly, cleaner and easier to work on (less messy wiring)...But I like the classic looks of the older Mercedes. Power is a non-issue. I think it's relatively easy to tune either the OM603 or OM606 to give more horsepower than you'll ever be able to use on public roads. Of course easier with a mechanical pump, though. I prefer the OM606 because they breathe better, but they have stronger internals. Stronger connecting rods anyways. If you want big power. But the OM603 can take plenty of power even stock, and you can always upgrade the rods, and crank the Hell out the engine to likely match any OM606. As for safety...The W126, IMO, has a much stronger passenger cage (from what I've seen)....But that doesn't mean they're altogether safer. Modern side curtain airbags are a big plus. The W210 is a safe car. I'd have no problem puttting a loved one behind the wheel of one. But the W126 is old school battletank ready. I like both for different reasons. I'm an S-Class man, but I truly do love the W210 for modern conveniences...(And better sound proofing, that's another big one with a diesel).

dieselbenz25 · #23 02-16-2017, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DslBnz

It's apples and oranges comparison. The last time I drove a W123 for a daily driver, I was in high school. I'm now 33 years old. But I've driven W210 turbodiesels, for about 50K miles and I have 100's of thousands of miles logged on W126 cars. I can speak for those two.

First off. You're comparing the S Class vs the E Class. Totally different. The W210 handles way better, less boaty...More responsive. WAY less body roll. But the rust is a BIG issue. You REALLY have to keep up with the bodies on the W210....If you do, I don't think they'll rust out too badly. In winter, in salty climates, treat them AT MINIMUM every other day. Plus the spring perch issues up front. Always gotta keep a close eye on those.

The engine bay is much cleaner and simpler in a W210 turbodiesel. I love it. I especially love the electronic injection pump. No more PITA linkage freezing up on you, or crowding out the engine bay. Among other things. Just a clean design. But there are downsides, because things are more electrically based. Requires a new working knowledge. Not to mention the glowplugs. Watch out for those. It should be a common search term on these boards. With them freezing inside the heads.

I like the W210, but for me a W126 with an upgraded OBD2 interface and a turboed OM606 would be perfect. Until then, I think between the two, it's hard to decide. Maybe the W210, because it's shorter, more in-town friendly, cleaner and easier to work on (less messy wiring)...But I like the classic looks of the older Mercedes. Power is a non-issue. I think it's relatively easy to tune either the OM603 or OM606 to give more horsepower than you'll ever be able to use on public roads. Of course easier with a mechanical pump, though. I prefer the OM606 because they breathe better, but they have stronger internals. Stronger connecting rods anyways. If you want big power. But the OM603 can take plenty of power even stock, and you can always upgrade the rods, and crank the Hell out the engine to likely match any OM606. As for safety...The W126, IMO, has a much stronger passenger cage (from what I've seen)....But that doesn't mean they're altogether safer. Modern side curtain airbags are a big plus. The W210 is a safe car. I'd have no problem puttting a loved one behind the wheel of one. But the W126 is old school battletank ready. I like both for different reasons. I'm an S-Class man, but I truly do love the W210 for modern conveniences...(And better sound proofing, that's another big one with a diesel).

Thanks for the insightful and in depth response. I am a few years younger than you, and have driven w123 and w124 often. I've driven a w126 once when I was considering a trade for my 87' 300d and I remember it being a really solid feeling car. reminded me much of the w124. I think I am going to look out for a 210 because the prices have gone down quite a bit and I also love the om606 engine. I've only had the non turbo but i find the engine to be very smooth and reliable. The rust issue does concern me (even in california) but I think if I find a well cared for car it will be better. I get tempted to lock down a good conditon w123 or w126 before they start getting rare.

ROLLGUY · #24 02-16-2017, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselbenz25

Thanks for the insightful and in depth response. I am a few years younger than you, and have driven w123 and w124 often. I've driven a w126 once when I was considering a trade for my 87' 300d and I remember it being a really solid feeling car. reminded me much of the w124. I think I am going to look out for a 210 because the prices have gone down quite a bit and I also love the om606 engine. I've only had the non turbo but i find the engine to be very smooth and reliable. The rust issue does concern me (even in california) but I think if I find a well cared for car it will be better. I get tempted to lock down a good conditon w123 or w126 before they start getting rare.

My friend has his '99 E300 for sale in So. Cal (he is going to step up to a CDI). Smoke Silver color (aren't all of them this color?). PM for details.....Rich