Best MB for Commuter Car. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GradyService · #1 11-04-2007, 06:30 PM

After working 6 years since leaving school, I am finally at the point where I can go to college. I have been planning to go at either a nearby private liberal arts college (20 miles away), or at the local university (45 miles away). I will be commuting at least 3 days per week (still working the rest of the time). I need a reasonably fuel efficient, reliable car to do this with, but I still want the luxury and quality of a Mercedes Benz. However, I am unsure which model is the best for doing the job. I was thinking about either a W124 or a W201, or possibly even a W123. Not sure about Gas or Diesel. I don't want to spend more than 5k. (Trying to save up for a older 107 SL for my "personal"

car.)

All advice will be greatly appreciated,
Thanks, Dave

POS · #2 11-04-2007, 06:55 PM

Sounds like money is or will be an issue. I know I had little when I was in college. I would think you're best bet is a w123. And I know most will tell you to go diesel, I'd say get the lowest mileage 280E you can find. They're just as reliable, drive faster with today's traffic, they're 1/2 as much as a diesel, and the low-mileage means the interior will be well-maintained.

TMAllison · #3 11-04-2007, 07:09 PM

In my mind, gas vs diesel doesnt matter so much. Diesel prob still just barely edges out a gasser in terms of fuel cost per mile but with diesel as much or more than super in many locations that becomes less an issue. Diesel engined cars also sell at a premium currently in most markets.

I'd buy the nicest, best maintained car with documented records that you can afford. In the long run it will usually be the cheapest to own regardless of age.

You could do a lot worse than a W124; is nimble with either engine, safe, efficient and pleasant to drive.

Wodnek · #4 11-04-2007, 08:11 PM

You can get a decent 124 for $4-$5,000, either Gas or Diesel.

TheDon · #5 11-04-2007, 09:05 PM

how about a w201 190E? ..

Nate · #6 11-04-2007, 09:15 PM

How about my 89 trofeo, $1800 obo... Gets around 20 intown, dunno interstate but.... $3200 buys alot of gas and parts if you need...

rawr, end shameless plug for my car

~Nate

gqmagic · #7 11-04-2007, 09:33 PM

How about a newer Altima?
It for sure will be more practical and reliable.
wait till you finish school, there will still be plenty MB's to pick from.

MB-Dude · #8 11-04-2007, 10:46 PM

Red Hot Mercedes-Benz 190SL Pedal Car!

Mercedes means quality! Features working steering wheel, high traction rubber tires, powder coat paint, shiny chrome parts, detailed body, padded seat, and adjustable non-slip pedal positions. Very low maintenance, exceptional gas mileage and a convertible, to boot! Low emission should get you a HOV sticker for California Carpool Lanes. And you can’t beat the price for a classic – only $250 at http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/item/productid/7597
What more could you want? And check out the whitewalls!

Although, if you want something a bit less flashy, I'd settle for a nice, clean W123 - the more manual, the better (less stuff to breakdown). Seriously though, you just can't beat the reliability of a W123. They just seem to go forever with simple, routine maintenance.

...But the pedal car has class!

Cheers (with LOL),
Jeff

anthonyb · #9 11-05-2007, 12:46 AM

I'd consider a 4-cylinder or diesel W201, or, if you can afford it, think about a non-supercharged 4-cyl W202. While the W124 is a nice driver, the gas mileage on a 300E at least isn't anything to write home about. I think you could eat up a lot of cash with gas costs. I don't know much about the 190s, but the early C220/C230's get surprisingly good hwy mileage (low to mid 30s) depending on your driving style. I just did a 1000-mile round trip in a '00 C230k and it gave me 28-30 mpg while cruising at 80+, I'd imagine it'd be a couple/few mpg higher at more reasonable speeds.

Either way, try to figure a total-ownership cost for the number of years you'll be commuting to school in your purchase decision.

Will_w202 · #10 11-05-2007, 09:20 AM

94-96 C220, easily had for $4000 and gets 30mpg highway. I don't know why anyone would suggest paying the same money for a 123 or 124 which can be 10-20 years older. Any diesels you see are commanding RIDICULOUS money because of the WVO/BD craze, and they are going to plummet, guaranteed. A 1983 300D is not a $4000 car. Keep in mind with diesel, you ARE going to have more maitenence - fuel filters, oil, anything related to dirty diesel - and diesel is still higher in cost than 93 octane now. The early 202s with m111 are CHEAP now......and they are fairly abundant.

MB-Dude · #11 11-05-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will_w202

94-96 C220, easily had for $4000 and gets 30mpg highway. I don't know why anyone would suggest paying the same money for a 123 or 124 which can be 10-20 years older. Any diesels you see are commanding RIDICULOUS money because of the WVO/BD craze, and they are going to plummet, guaranteed. A 1983 300D is not a $4000 car. Keep in mind with diesel, you ARE going to have more maitenence - fuel filters, oil, anything related to dirty diesel - and diesel is still higher in cost than 93 octane now. The early 202s with m111 are CHEAP now......and they are fairly abundant.

Hmmm… Not sure I totally agree. Any W123 - in reasonable condition, diesel or not - is good value. The important thing is to find one in reasonably good shape. True, a newer model W202 may be the same basic price, but there are far, FAR more things to fail in a W202, than a W123.

Remember, the original request was a basic commuter car; one that would (I assume) be reliable and fairly reasonable on fuel. Not a car for long-haul ownership. Dave wants class, style and reliability in his MB while saving his bucks for the R107 of his dreams. (Good plan, Dave!) Whether prices for a W123 go up or down in the future is not relevant here, since Dave (thread owner) is only looking for a good basic vehicle to get him to and from college; less than 50 miles distant. He is not speculating on the futures of MB automobiles.

I agree that resale prices for W123’s have gone up, but not necessarily due to the “WVO/BD craze”. Most of the rust bucket W123’s and poorly maintained examples are hitting the crusher with greater frequency, leaving a larger percentage of finer W123 examples on the road/market. Now, the W123 will never achieve investor-type prices, but what units are available out there are of better quality. The C-class, on the other hand, was a cheaper, entry-level MB for the masses. And many of them – still on the road, unfortunately – were treated as such. I’m sure yours is not one of these, but you must admit that there are a multitude of W202’s on the road, in various degrees of desirability. Electronics in early- to mid-90's MB's (all models) was not stellar and a single problem in a newly acquired used W202 could easily cost the same to repair as the owner paid for the car. While the only electronics in my W123 is in the radio.

From experience, I can attest that any *decent* W123, with a manual transmission, is going to be fun to drive and a classic motorcar that is also inexpensive to maintain. (Fuel filters and such are not that expensive, and there are excellent methods to keep a diesel humming along very well.) I am *not* saying the other models wouldn't be good choices, but don't discount the humble W123 simply because it's a diesel or an older model. They are bullet-proof when reasonably maintained and have stood the test of time in classic style! My 2-cents.

Cheers,
Jeff

Skid Row Joe · #12 11-05-2007, 01:51 PM

Diesel -- any of them.

cjlipps · #13 11-05-2007, 02:27 PM

Sounds like you are looking for a mid-term, mission specific car and want it to be fuel efficient, maintenance friendly and comfortable. Look no further than a late 1990's - early 2000's Buick LeSabre (or one of the many similar types). 30 mpg on the highway, bulletproof 3800 engine, good availability of parts and maintenance and fairly cheap to insure. Also, have you checked the most reliable cars list lately? Buick and Lexus tie for #1.

Hatterasguy · #14 11-05-2007, 07:07 PM

Honda Civic/Accord, or Toyota Camry.

I wish I kept my near perfect Camry for school use. School ruins cars, I could have driven it to school for five years then throw what was left away. They don't break, and if they do parts are cheap and you can get them anywhere.

Running Mercedes on a budget is a PITA, they really are not ment for that.

andrew540 · #15 11-05-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjlipps

Sounds like you are looking for a mid-term, mission specific car and want it to be fuel efficient, maintenance friendly and comfortable. Look no further than a late 1990's - early 2000's Buick LeSabre (or one of the many similar types). 30 mpg on the highway, bulletproof 3800 engine, good availability of parts and maintenance and fairly cheap to insure. Also, have you checked the most reliable cars list lately? Buick and Lexus tie for #1.

I would have said toyota or honda too, but the above thread is quite valid. I had my grandfather's old 1987 park avenue, and the car was very reliable, very efficient (high 20's on the highway), smooth and good low-end torque. Granded, the thing wasn't a handler or good braking car, but the maintence was cheap relative to the german cars, and front wheel drive got me through some tough winters. A plus is you can find a late 90's early 00's for cheap- the toyota and honda I was going to recommened carry relatively higher prices comparing cars of similar age and mileage. The car I had was an 87 3800- the newer 3800s only kept getting better and better- one of the oldest and best GM motors- not for absolute power, but for efficiency, reliability, smoothness and low end torque. Simple design- pushrod V6.