Just from what i've read and experienced being an owner of a latter model W202.

I would say W124. Topgear would agree.

Agree.

__________________
95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

I feel otherwise.

This board shows plenty of problems with W124 vs the W202.

If you already have your answer then why ask?
Problems with the W124 possibly because they have been around since 1986 versus 1996 for the W202?

I own a 1988 300CE purchased new in may of 1988.
The 300CE with 63K miles has recently had a period TurboTechnics twin turbo kit installed.
Also acquired a 1999 C43 AMG a few years ago with 26K miles.

Both excellent automobbiles, but I would stand behind the w124 as being better engineered and higher build quality.

Probably wouldn't own any Merc newer then a W202, as it still retains a "connection" with the W124 design elements.

__________________
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...c/GOWIDE-1.jpg
1971 280SL ROADSTER
1988 300CE TWIN TURBO WIDEBODY
1994 E320 CABRIOLET
1999 C43 AMG
2005 G55K AMG
2008 CLK63 AMG BLACK SERIES

I'm just noting overall that the W124 still seems to be more of a problematic vehicle vs W202.

Also the W202 arrived here in the US in 1994.

That possibly reflects the number of 124 owners vs 202 owners. I'll bet it is a 4 to 1 ratio at least. But whatever,,,,

__________________
95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

I'd have to think the model of W202 would factor hugely into the comparison. The W202 with the 4 cylinder engine and 722.4 transmission might just be the most bulletproof car MB has ever made. The M104 equipped W124s and W202s have pretty much identical demons to exorcise (head gaskets and wiring harnesses). Early 722.6 equipped W202s had their fair share of transmission issues, and the harmonic balancers on the first few years of M112 W202s probably weren't fun for the owners.

__________________
Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

i think if you can keep your transmission going... the 124 is one of the cheapest DIY cars out there.

Everything just bolts and unbolts, essentially. Very little electronics to worry about.

But the big plus out there is: There are so many 124 owners on this board, they can guide you through just about anything.

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Its you.

If you already believe it then I am not going to convince you otherwise, and I doubt anybody else here will. Enjoy your ride.

The biggest problem with the 124's, is the wiring harness issues that also plague some 140's. If MB had the integrity they would like to think they have, they would've fixed the harnesses a long time ago. Penny wise, and pound foolish.
I can deal with all of the other problems that I have had - but their lack of action with the harnesses is a slap in the face, and I'm going to slap back, best as I can.

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

BTW, i've put 12k miles on my 99 C280 and pretty much it has been bulletproof.

Overall i've spent about a $100 dollars in preventive maintance.

The question you really have to ask is : "What is the maintenance cost of the W202 at 100K, 150K, 200K miles.

The majority of the W124's that you feel are expensive to maintain are well above the 100K mileage mark.....

Your cost of $100.00 in 12K miles is not enough to even meet the service requirements established by Mercedes.

__________________
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...c/GOWIDE-1.jpg
1971 280SL ROADSTER
1988 300CE TWIN TURBO WIDEBODY
1994 E320 CABRIOLET
1999 C43 AMG
2005 G55K AMG
2008 CLK63 AMG BLACK SERIES

I had a 1988 300TE for 240,000 miles. In over 40 years of car ownership it was the worst car I ever owned, but I was in so far I kept hoping it would get better. My wife finally demeanded that we get rid of it. Nothing I experienced was out of the ordinary from my observation of this forum since it came online.

I have two C280's - a 1995 and a 2000 and my son has a 1999 C43. The 1995 is 1,200 miles short of 200,000; the 2000 has 102,000. The C43 has only 42,000. My experience is that the 202 is generally much more reliable than the 124. However, the W202 C280 up through 1997 has the M104 engine with all the usual problems (harness, headgasket, water pumps, belt tensioners, etc.). Also, the W202 went through a lot of changes through the model run, engines, transmissions, electronic systems, etc. Therefore among W202 models there is a wide variation in potential and actual problems.

One other observation - the W202 is much easier to work on than the W124. I do all my own work, so I think I can speak with some credibility.

Well DIY prevents MB dealers from getting their greedy little paws on my dough.


I do a lot of PM to my car and it's what i've spent.

I guess that's a shocker to most of the W124 owners.