124 vs 210 - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

zafarhayatkhan · #46 12-15-2005, 11:05 AM

braverichard, you are correct, an average consumer maynot notice the fine technical points

Most consumers just start the car, put the transmission in D, as long as they can keep up with the traffic, they are fine, then they put the tranmission back in P and turn the Key off.

braverichard · #47 12-15-2005, 11:08 AM

True man. To the average person down there, reliability of the engine and reasonable fuel economy and maintenance costs are all that matter. If the car's engine starts every time the ignition is turned to "on", is efficient enough such that the car doesn't cost too much to refill at the pump and doesn't cost too much to maintain, the consumer would nominate it for best engine of the year.

zafarhayatkhan · #48 12-15-2005, 11:33 AM

To the orignal poster, choice between 124 & 210. To choose betwee the lesser of the two evils

my vote goes to W210!

Reasons:

W210 maint. cost is considerably less than W124
Improved Transmission 5 speed
Improved Steering Rack & Pinon
Possibly Improved Suspension
Improved Climate Control/Audio system
No Headgasket/wiring harness issues, possibly reduced evaporator failure
Improved electrical system

W124 has the ageless classic styling, with an unlimited budget, I would go with the W124 and make modifications to improve the weak area's!!

skiier3_9 · #49 12-15-2005, 04:50 PM

I see so many people praising the w210 for having a 5sp tranny, a v6, no head gasket issues etc... however:

The 96 and 97 models used the same m104 3.2L L6 that the w124 did, I don't know what improvements MB made to the m104.995 (w210) vs. the m104.992 (w124)

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 96 (and 97 I think) models were paired with the 722.3 transmission, a 4sp not 5. The 722.6 5-speed was not available in the US until MY 1998 (along with the V6).

braverichard · #50 12-15-2005, 05:01 PM

If you are correct on all those issues, then assume that people are praising the fact that those more advanced features (such as the 5 speed electronically controlled transmission, the V6, etc) can be obtained on most W210 models (1998 - 2002 if you're correct) and can't simply be obtained on ANY W124.

jcyuhn · #51 12-15-2005, 05:33 PM

Here's the skinny on the 210:

- The '96 and '97 model years used the m104.xxx engine. The wiring harness issues appear to have been resolved these years, but there is certainly the possibility of a head gasket failure. In my family we had a 97 w140 with the m104 that got a fresh head gasket early in life.

- the '96 model year only used the 722.3 four speed automatic.

- the '97-onward model years used the 722.6 five speed automatic.

So you can get a 210 with straight six and four speed tranny, with straight six and five speed tranny, or v6 and five speed tranny - those are the choices (excluding diesels, v8, etc.).

The m112 v6 seems to be a lower risk proposition than the m104. It doesn't have head gasket problems. It doesn't have an EGR tube that clogs and needs to be cleaned or replaced. It has 5 year/100K mile platinum spark plugs. It has the same power as the m104, a flatter torque curve, gets better fuel economy, and pollutes less. Just make sure the harmonic balancer has been updated, and you're good to go. Pretty much a no-brainer choice, IMHO.

- JimY

braverichard · #52 12-16-2005, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

The m112 v6 seems to be a lower risk proposition than the m104. It doesn't have head gasket problems. It doesn't have an EGR tube that clogs and needs to be cleaned or replaced. It has 5 year/100K mile platinum spark plugs. It has the same power as the m104, a flatter torque curve, gets better fuel economy, and pollutes less. Just make sure the harmonic balancer has been updated, and you're good to go. Pretty much a no-brainer choice, IMHO.

So basically you're trying to tell us that the newer engine is better than the older one overall. Must be the first instance I've read someone admit that something new from MB in the 1990s was better than the older one it replaced.

3star · #53 12-16-2005, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Ward's Autoworld (wardsauto.com) is the leading publication, that we in the Atuomotive Industry use for information on what's going.

This is not a consumer magazine like Car & Driver or Consumer Reports. You will not find it on newsstands. The magazine is technical in nature. For each winning engine, it lists Torque/Hp curves, innovations, unique features etc.

Ward's AutoWorld magazine selects ten "best" engines annually. The selection takes into account power and torque output, noise vibration and harshness (NVH) levels, technical relevance and basic comparative numbers.

It looks like the W210 M112 engine made the Wards best engine list in 1998 and 1999

braverichard · #54 12-16-2005, 10:44 AM

I also noticed that.

jcyuhn · #55 12-16-2005, 11:03 AM

I'm generally not one to subscribe to conventional wisdom.

I just call 'em like I see 'em.

- JimY

zafarhayatkhan · #56 12-16-2005, 12:52 PM

It made the list in 2000 & 2001 as well. The name of the company changed to "DaimlerChrysler", but it is the same engine!

Information on this engine available at http://www.whnet.com/4x4/new_V6.html

Not bad for a 90 deg V6! I still don't like it much

I'm very impressed by the the new MB 3.2 Inline 6 Diesel engine. That is probably the best diesel engine in the world right now!

Nabeel · #57 12-16-2005, 03:19 PM

I thought MB replaced the 3.2 diesel I6 with a V6 unit?

suginami · #58 12-16-2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zafarhayatkhan

To the orignal poster, choice between 124 & 210. To choose betwee the lesser of the two evils

my vote goes to W210!

Reasons:

W210 maint. cost is considerably less than W124
Improved Transmission 5 speed
Improved Steering Rack & Pinon
Possibly Improved Suspension
Improved Climate Control/Audio system
No Headgasket/wiring harness issues, possibly reduced evaporator failure
Improved electrical system

W124 has the ageless classic styling, with an unlimited budget, I would go with the W124 and make modifications to improve the weak area's!!

I agree with your reasons wholeheartedly, which is why I am happier with my W210 over my previous 1993 300E (3.2) "E320".

However, I am disappointed in the fact that my rack and pinion is going out. It has developed a leak, and it has developed a rough spot when turning the wheel to the left in low speed conditions.

A new unit is several thousand dollars, while a factory rebuilt unit is somewhere between $1,000 - $1,500.

I'm saving my pennies for the future repair even now...

neanderthal · #59 12-16-2005, 09:47 PM

the 124 WAS available with a 5 speed auto transmission, 722.5.

just not here.

suginami · #60 12-16-2005, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neanderthal

the 124 WAS available with a 5 speed auto transmission, 722.5.

just not here.

That's right....Europe and Australia got that transmission. I heard it is basically a 722.4 with an overdrive, and I heard it was not a durable transmission.