124 vs 210 - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ksing44 · #61 12-17-2005, 05:00 AM

My 1995 E320 leather seats seem to have quite a bit of cracking. I have owned it for 8 years and I guess I should have done more to lubricate the leather. I take very good care of the car, but the seats cracked anyway. My friend just purchased a 1996 300D. It is the W210 instead of a W124. His car’s seats are like brand new! They do not have a single crack or any kind of wear at all. They are MBTex seats, which seems to be much better than leather. Who would have thought that vinyl would actually be much better than leather.

In general, after seeing how well his 1996 W210 has held up, I would be tempted to recommend the W210 over the W124. It seems a bit more modern, even though I still love my old-school W124. There is only 1-year difference in our cars and we have the same mileage, but his car seems like new. It is very hard to believe that anyone could have babied a car more than I have, so I think it must be the W210 that is just well made. He does have a couple of door dings, but other than that it looks brand new. My car is almost perfect, except for those increasingly cracked leather seats and deteriorating steering wheel. My car is dealer maintained and waxed constantly, but that W210 still looks to be in better shape than my pristine babied W124.

Maybe a 1997, because I do have a special love for the straight-six. Then again, I guess I could move to the V8, or better yet, I could get a diesel for 37 mpg and the opportunity to burn vegetable oil instead of regular fuel.

My very nice W124, but his W210 did look good.

Impala · #62 12-18-2005, 01:42 AM

ksing44,

Your car looks great!

With regards to the leather seats -- has the car been exposed to a lot of direct sunlight? The seats in my 95 E320 are in excellent condition, and I don't go overboard with their upkeep -- I just wipe them once a few months. I use Meguiar's "Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner", but I'm sure other reputable brands work too.

This is not to take anything away from the W210, but just to give the feedback that not all W124 leather seats are cracking up by now.

ksing44 · #63 12-18-2005, 04:57 AM

My seats do not look terrible, but they are definitely getting cracked. In fact, I have always liked the look of aged worn leather. I was just very impressed with the incredible durability of the MBTex. As I sad, my friends W210 looks like it is brand new.

I always use the custom fit sun shield that I purchased from the dealer, so it isn’t that I have been careless. As I said, I really do pamper my car.

Not bad, but also not like new

braverichard · #64 12-18-2005, 05:03 AM

Man that car is the bomb!! Excellent exterior, great in interior!! Two Thumbs Way Up!!

ksing44 · #65 12-18-2005, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braverichard

Man that car is the bomb!! Excellent exterior, great in interior!! Two Thumbs Way Up!!

Thanks braverichard. I do think my car is very nice, but my friends "new" 1996 W210 is also very nice. In addition to the more modern feel, I suspect that W210s may not have issues with the wiring harness, the head gasket, and the AC evaporator, so I was just trying to say that they might be worth a look. That is if you like the styling of the W210. I have to say that I do not like the lights on the boot lid. Other than that, the W210 does look pretty good. Oh yes, I also hate how the black rubber strip shows at the bottom of the doors. I also hate how the earlier models had the rocker panels painted black, regardless of the color of the car. My friend’s car is black all over, so you don’t notice the black rubber or the flat black rocker panels. On any other color, however, the black stuff looks absolutely terrible.

Guys at work are giving me the business, by saying that my friend’s car is nicer than mine. Before this, it was generally accepted that my car was the nicest in the parking lot. It wasn’t the newest, but it was the nicest. Now they think my friend’s black W210 is nicer than my azure blue W124. I still love my W124, but the black W210 does look very good.

braverichard · #66 12-18-2005, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksing44

Guys at work are giving me the business, by saying that my friend’s car is nicer than mine. Before this, it was generally accepted that my car was the nicest in the parking lot. It wasn’t the newest, but it was the nicest. Now they think my friend’s black W210 is nicer than my azure blue W124. I still love my W124, but the black W210 does look very good.

The truth behind your feelings have come out LOL

donwo · #67 12-18-2005, 08:10 PM

I own both a 124 and a 210. In my opinion the 124 "feels" more substantial than the 210. The 210 has a lighter more nimble "feel" than the 124. This is not to say that one is better than the other. It all boils down to personal choice. I think the inline 6 is a smoother engine while the V6 is more responsive. I personally prefer the smoothness and substantial "feel" of the 124. The materials in the 124 seem to be of a higher grade. My 124 has MB Tex and it looks as good today as it did when new. The 210 has leather and is holding up very well. As for looks, it is possible to confuse the newer MB's with other cars. The 124's and 126's were more impressive and not to be confused with any other car. You just knew they were Benzes. The newer MB's may be more advanced technologically but they lack the feel and style of the older MB's. My personal choice between the 124 and 210 would be the 124.

Just my 2 cents....

ksing44 · #68 12-19-2005, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braverichard

The truth behind your feelings have come out LOL

Not exactly, I was just trying to point out that others have noticed how good the W210 looks. It isn’t just me.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my w124, regardless what others may have to say. Actually, they are just giving me the business because they know I can take the heat. My car is virtually flawless on the exterior and the beautiful azure blue is stunning. Add to that my AMG wheels and the subtle drop, and you really do get a very nice looking vehicle. The W210 is almost cookie cutter, compared to my beautiful unique automobile. At the same time, that W210 really is a vary nice looking car.

ksing44 · #69 12-19-2005, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donwo

I own both a 124 and a 210. In my opinion the 124 "feels" more substantial than the 210. The 210 has a lighter more nimble "feel" than the 124. This is not to say that one is better than the other. It all boils down to personal choice. I think the inline 6 is a smoother engine while the V6 is more responsive. I personally prefer the smoothness and substantial "feel" of the 124. The materials in the 124 seem to be of a higher grade. My 124 has MB Tex and it looks as good today as it did when new. The 210 has leather and is holding up very well. As for looks, it is possible to confuse the newer MB's with other cars. The 124's and 126's were more impressive and not to be confused with any other car. You just knew they were Benzes. The newer MB's may be more advanced technologically but they lack the feel and style of the older MB's. My personal choice between the 124 and 210 would be the 124.

Just my 2 cents....

As an owner of both, I think you are definitely the best person to ask for an opinion. In addition, I like your final decision, since I am already a very proud owner of an awesome 124.

braverichard · #70 12-19-2005, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksing44

Not exactly, I was just trying to point out that others have noticed how good the W210 looks. It isn’t just me.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my w124, regardless what others may have to say. Actually, they are just giving me the business because they know I can take the heat. My car is virtually flawless on the exterior and the beautiful azure blue is stunning. Add to that my AMG wheels and the subtle drop, and you really do get a very nice looking vehicle. The W210 is almost cookie cutter, compared to my beautiful unique automobile. At the same time, that W210 really is a vary nice looking car.

Relax man I was just messing with you. Your car is sharp. I've said it and what everyone else says is wrong.

suginami · #71 12-19-2005, 01:55 PM

Since I've owned both a W124 and a W210, my ultimate vehicle of choice would be a mix of the two.

I'd take a car that had:

1. The body of a W124, but with the back seat space of the W210.
2. The instrument cluster, HVAC controls, Navigation / tuner, and armrest w/ cupholders of the W210.
3. The multi-link suspension of the W210, but with the firmness of the W124.
4. The recirculating ball of the W124.

braverichard · #72 12-19-2005, 02:17 PM

Welcome to the land of wishes and dreams. I'm very sure all car nuts have wishes like yours. Too bad they'll never come true.

john_nch · #73 12-19-2005, 02:21 PM

I would have to add to the above what I think the most important thing is and have come accustomed to driving mercedes. The oil pressure gauge. It tells alot about the oil of the car in that it changes pressure when you put in a fresh batch over time. Also you can tell how viscous it is because the pressure varies accordingly with temps. It's also nice to watch it rise from 2 to 3 bar on acceleration. They should have never discontinued that. Must be to save costs once again.

braverichard · #74 12-19-2005, 02:57 PM

The decision to remove that probably has more to do with isolating the car owners more and more from the internals and the workings of the car than anything else. Over the years, as we've all noticed, there has been this increasing trend of turning cars into more standard issue appliances - extended oil change intervals, extended maintenance intervals all made possible by longer lasting components which used to require frequent changes. It is all good for the average driver out there who doesn't care for an ownership experience that requires any significant amount of knowledge of the car being used. Not good for the car drivers who want to have more than just a standard issue, maintenance-free appliance. While I fall into the latter in some ways, I do prefer the overall trend in the industry. Having a car that nearly needs no maintenance for several years can save everyone a bunch of time, money and efforts.

zafarhayatkhan · #75 12-19-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

Since I've owned both a W124 and a W210, my ultimate vehicle of choice would be a mix of the two.

I'd take a car that had:

1. The body of a W124, but with the back seat space of the W210.
2. The instrument cluster, HVAC controls, Navigation / tuner, and armrest w/ cupholders of the W210.
3. The multi-link suspension of the W210, but with the firmness of the W124.
4. The recirculating ball of the W124.

What if we let Mercedes design the body/frame (think W124) and provide a diesel hybrid engine, let BMW supply suspension & transmission and leave all electrical/interior design (instruments, audio, seating, NVH) to Lexus!