What would you do? Buy or keep?

[mendef]

Should I replace my 300E 2.6 w/215,000, that might need a good $2,000 to keep running over next 12-18 months, or pick up a 2001, E320 w/56,000 for $15,000?

Option 1. I have a well maintained 300E 2.6, Have put new alternator, radiator,water pump, a relay, few other things in past 18 months, about $2,500 worth of repairs. Will need some front end work; and possibly head gasket. Fuel pump, starter, original.

Option 2. E320, 2001, orig. owner, 56,000 miles. for $15,500. Looks and runs great.

what would you do?

[Jackd]

I've asked myself the very same question about a year and a half ago.
My 260E has not some 400,000k on the clock......
I decided to put about $4,000. worth of fixes on it and dropped the idea of going to a 2001 E320.
I've never regretted it
Since I had it done (Oct 2006), I've spent less than $100. on repair outside the nromal maintenance items (Oil changes, wiper blades, and things of that nature

[POS]

It's a quality of living question. Monetarily, you're better off with the 2.6 because there will still be repairs with the E320. Certainly the E320 is a much nicer car and a better daily driver from a creature comforts point of view - the w124 climate control is crap compared to the w210. Big question is: are you willing to pay for the upgrade and the quality of living?

[G-Benz]

These kinds of threads show up often..especially with regards to the W124s, which have now fully depreciated, yet require major refreshing of some sort which exceeds their value.

It's a good question, and if you ask my wife, she would say "upgrade". Personally, I was there a couple of years ago, facing a $2300 bill for a complete top-end overhaul (including head gasket). I still have to contend with replacing old suspension components and an ailing tranny, which will proabably top out at around $3000...but I still plan on keeping the car.

If the '01 was well maintained, it may be a better choice, despite having to carry a monthly car note...

[wbain5280]

Originally Posted by mendef

Should I replace my 300E 2.6 w/215,000, that might need a good $2,000 to keep running over next 12-18 months, or pick up a 2001, E320 w/56,000 for $15,000?

Option 1. I have a well maintained 300E 2.6, Have put new alternator, radiator,water pump, a relay, few other things in past 18 months, about $2,500 worth of repairs. Will need some front end work; and possibly head gasket. Fuel pump, starter, original.

Option 2. E320, 2001, orig. owner, 56,000 miles. for $15,500. Looks and runs great.

what would you do?

I'd keep what you've got. It's paid for and the 2001 would cost a lot of money each month, unless you have a spare 15K burning a hold in your pocket. That buys a lot of gas and parts.

Another thing to think about is that the 2001 requires a special code reader to read the DTC's. They aren't cheap but the generic ones are. A SNAP-ON will cost a lot too.

[Mistress]

That's a tough one to answer. On the one hand you have almost completely restored the one you have and have no car payments to make....on the other I can sense alittle excitment in your post at the prospect of getting another one. I'd keep the old one.

[Hatterasguy]

I would only buy the 01 if you can do with without a note, IMHO never take on debt for a car.


But the real question is do you want to get a newer car?

[Will_w202]

My take is slightly different, and I believe the best answer

Owning an older Mercedes is an emotional decision. Emotional decisions fly counter to rationality. I had the absolute most pristine 97 C230, with AMG upgrades, eye appeal, a ton of previous starmark work done to it, but this spring I realized the car was in the best condition it ever would be in. The fuel vapor chamber and lines were leaking, a horn was out during inspection, and I was replacing ball joints, etc, for the 2nd time under my ownership. At 170k, when is the trans going to die? I sold the car for $6000. The trans could have eaten $5k of that easily. Do I love this 11 year old, 4 cyl car that much? I love it, but it was time to let it go. I bought another Mercedes, but it is under warranty - an 06 C350. So, there's my take:

Sell when it when repairs are inevitable that could eat the value of the car itself (I think Clark Howard actually recommends selling when repairs could exceed a mere 50%). If you sell it, I would certainly not buy another out-of warranty Benz, or you might as well have kept the old one. Buy something under warranty. There are 02-05s out there, Es and Cs, CPO cars, cheap. Negotiate an extra calendar year or 2 on the coverage, and go with it.

[Kestas]

This is definitely a personal decision. Do you do repairs yourself? How tolerant are you of a car that needs repair?

[lkchris]

Originally Posted by Will_w202

Owning an older Mercedes is an emotional decision.

I agree with this notion completely.

The W124 is the last Mercedes prior to the Lexus era. That was an era when Mercedes answered to no one. BMW really wasn't much competition in this era either.

In addition, the W124 was a radical break from the W123 and still retains that unique "aero" look and conitnues to expose the W123s for the boat anchors they became in 1986.

The W124/300E (not 260E) is the last Mercedes sedan worth keeping around because of this IMHO. Nobody will ask this question about a W210 or later E-class in the future--they'll all be scrapped without question when their repairs reach their remaining value I'd bet.

But, the fact remains, W124s are today most all about ready for scrapping and as everyone knows there are lots of repairs to be done to bring them up to speed. Their features and creature comforts are almost nothing compared to current models and lots of the new things on the new models are quite nice to have and for sure the W210 is a way improved car over the W124.

Yup, it's an emotional decision.

You can maybe get by with less yearly expense with the 300E than with a newer car on which you're still suffering resale value depreciation. But, you'll be driving a funny old car that only you care about and which is really missing all the latest advances and really doesn't get good fuel mileage. And, if it gets wrecked, your insurance company won't be much help in restoring your pride and joy unless you're prepared to buy special insurance.

[Hatterasguy]

If I was a W124 nut and wanted a keeper W124 I'd find myself a nice mint 500E and enjoy the magic of appreciation over the next 10 years.

Good 500E's are getting freaken up their!

Or an ultra rare E60 AMG, try finding one of those.

[mendef]

Thanks everybody for your insight and opinions.

[Bob G]

I like to add a last note to this post. My wife and I purchased a 1992 300E Sportline two years ago from a client of mine when I had my auto Detailing shop in West Los Angeles. I keep bugging him joking he should call me when he was ready to sell the car.

Since this was not his daily driver and he used a van for his flower business it only had 36,000 miles on the odometer all the records and owners manuals plus the tool pouch was still in plastic. The car is Black on black with the AMG snow plow spoiler and chrome wheels. three things I wish I could change at lease the car was clean no smoker or food and smeels new to this day.

My friend who is an engineer and also contributes on this forum helped me do the 30,000 service and cog belt and tenser. I got all the fluids changed and filters new correct spark plugs and brake pads with new brake fluid.

It is still quite a youg car compared to the forum notes I see. I have all the manuals and made a binder with all service records and maintance done since we purchase the car. I also am aware of the problems these cars have and have recorded them so I can have some notes to go by should they happen.

I think it is a borring car, but safe and comfortable to ride in except for the buckets in the back seats which prevent my two neices from laying down.

I serious thought about trading it in on a new Toyota Camery, but then I would get half the car for my money and have as mentioned a note to pay on a new car.

I am not as technically savy as some of our posters, but can change my own oil and filter and spark plugs and do certain services. I know Mercedees-Benz are expensive!!! to keep. I just feel this is our first Mercedes-Benz sedan and we are both in our 50s and so I plan on hopefully with proper care keeping this one for along time. We garage our cars and since my trade was in the auto apperarance care business thee car will always providing no serious things happen will look new for the next ten years.

I really am impressed each time I drive this car how well it is engineered even though it is passed it prime time. My dream car is a 500-E but it is much too comlicated for someone like me our M-103 is just the right mix for my wife and childern and we try to keep her out of harms way, but know should something happen who ever is riding or drivinng will be safe.

I hope you fine an answer and a decision you can live with regarding your 260-E W124. I know it is a had decision to make concidering the market of used cars out there.

I wish you luck which ever way you decide.

Best Regards
Bob Geco
1992 300-E sportline
1968 280SL W113.
1990 toyota corolla