Is a W124 300E a money pit or a worthwhile vehicle to own? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #46 01-23-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pifcat2

I stick with W124 because
1) I have useful experience and familiarity with them
2) I can share most of the spare parts
3) I like the styling and ergonomics (who else has Car Styling #50?)
4) I like working on them and learning the MB engineering brilliance
5) Great overall performance and reliability
6) I like restoring the experience of a high end automobile

For you, one more W124 would be good for #1) and 2)
Your wife already likes #3)
You are already an MB enthusiast #4) and 6)
These forums show all the potential issues with the car so most W124 owners are just motoring on trouble free #5)

Someday when the end comes for my 300SD (which I hope is a long time yet!!) I will have to make the tough choice of which chassis to go with. I reeeealy like the W126....and depending on finances probably would not want to take on a W140.....the W124 is kinda small for my tastes (wife actually wanted a 190!).....but if it was a 400E I'd probably "be ok".

It will have to be seen....

ChrisSporty · #47 08-28-2009, 05:02 AM

My 93 W124 runs and drives top notch with 188k, making friends who have late model LEXUS, Beemer's jealous. Not to mention power and reliability!

engatwork · #48 08-28-2009, 05:34 AM

I just picked up my second '95 E300 so you know where I stand on this matter. The lady I purchased it from made the statement that she was not sure she was going to like her new 09 Bluetec as much as she liked the '95.

Quote:

Overall...for a 14+ year old car...it is better than any heap of junk that mercedes has built since.

I feel the same way. I drove a 99 E class gasoline car one time and could not help but feel like I was driving a Nissan Altima.

pawoSD · #49 08-28-2009, 05:55 PM

Well, I see my thread has been resurrected.

Verdict: Not a money pit. I'm only 2.5 months from having the car for a year....and it has cost way less than my diesel did in its first year....and it has been very reliable....pretty much only one major service has been done (valve stem seals)...which turned the oil consumption from 400 miles per quart, to 1000+ miles with 0 change on the stick!

Amazing. It runs great, I expect to have it for a long time. And the wife likes it a lot too (since its her car)...always a good thing.

Its a joy to drive, the handling and feel is awesome....and M103 can get up and go if you want to.

bsmuwk · #50 08-28-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Well, I see my thread has been resurrected.

Verdict: Not a money pit. I'm only 2.5 months from having the car for a year....and it has cost way less than my diesel did in its first year....and it has been very reliable....pretty much only one major service has been done (valve stem seals)...which turned the oil consumption from 400 miles per quart, to 1000+ miles with 0 change on the stick!

Amazing. It runs great, I expect to have it for a long time. And the wife likes it a lot too (since its her car)...always a good thing.

Its a joy to drive, the handling and feel is awesome....and M103 can get up and go if you want to.

Ain't it amazing.

I love my W124.

Ivanerrol · #51 08-28-2009, 07:00 PM

Keep the thread resurrected every six months or so and let us know how the car is panning out. It will be future interesting reading describing the ongoing pratfalls or lackof

pawoSD · #52 08-28-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivanerrol

Keep the thread resurrected every six months or so and let us know how the car is panning out. It will be future interesting reading describing the ongoing pratfalls or lackof

I will do that. So far it has driven over 8,500 miles since purchase. If it can go 75k for less than $11,000 in maintenance then it will be cheaper than my 300SD has been.

I have a feeling it will be much cheaper....

It still needs tie rods (eventually), and front struts/strut mounts....maybe a few new bushings in the rear suspension....and a new set of injectors would probably not hurt (to make hot starts not take 2 tries).....aside from that....not much else....despite those things it drives great!

Matt L · #53 08-28-2009, 08:20 PM

The driving feel of the 210 is a bit different than the 124 because the 210 is fitted with a steering rack. That will change the steering characteristics of the car, and makes it feel more like a modern car. I don't think that this is a bad thing. I love the way my '96 drives. I just had it out again today.

The automatic climate control has self-diagnosis, which is nice. I have heard of the CC computer going out, but that seems to be quite rare. Also I've heard of problems with the 722.6 transmissions fitted into the '97's and '98's, something about an input bushing that was later changed to a needle bearing (and it is extremely expensive to update your transmission with the new parts).

I don't find it ugly, even at the tail end, which is where you hear the most complaints. And while I know that the 210 was built for a price point, rather than building the car and then deciding what you need to sell it for to profit, it is a good platform. You do need to watch for rust even more than on the older cars, but it's mostly cosmetic. Except for the front spring perches on the non-4matics. That's an expensive repair, but so far, nobody has been injured by the failure.

Note that the 4matic system on the 210 shares nothing with the 4matic system on the 124 other than the name. It is open differentials and uses the brakes to control wheel spin, just like the RWD 210's do with the rear brakes.

My RWD 210 (4matic is not available with the 606) is fine in snow. I have never gotten stuck. Once I had to accelerate on a very icy incline, after getting around a Mustang that just couldn't go anywhere, but the ASR did its job admirably and pulled me through.

Now, had I found a 124 that I liked before finding my 210, I would have owned it. I do like that platform too, but I am very happy with my car.

pwogaman · #54 08-29-2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

I bought these things called "spark plugs" today, ... almost forgot what those are. You'll be fine Paul. A little more maintenance than a diesel, and it's a bit weird to hop in and turn the key without waiting for the yellow light to turn out.

I've had my 300SD for just over 7 years now and the 300TE for 7 months. The TE has grown on me and I drive it more than the SD - over 3,000 miles since getting it. Even still, I get in the TE, turn the key to the on position, put on my seat belt and then start it. Its a hard habit to crack.

I am equally impressed with the build quality of both; although I prefer the slightly thicker gauge wiring of the 85' and earlier cars - it just feels more solid. I would not have gotten the TE but for the ready supply of parts at local pick & pulls. I also probably would not have gotten it if it were not a wagon, but since getting it and driving it I 'd jump into another W124 again in a heart beat.

If you put a really nice C126 and a equally good C124 in front of me an gave me the choice driving away for free I would be hard pressed to make that choice. I would probably go with the easier to service engine bay of the straight six, no wait, I'd go with the power, but then again the fuel economy of the C124 has its advantages . . . who cares, the C126 has more leg room in the rear - how long do I have to make my choice?? Don't rush me now I'm still thinking . . .

pawoSD · #55 08-29-2009, 09:33 AM

There is definatley something to be said for the ease of working in the engine compartment with the I6....so much room! The V8's must be a nightmare....I got frustrated just trying to take parts off one at the junk yard!

pwogaman · #56 08-29-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

There is definatley something to be said for the ease of working in the engine compartment with the I6....so much room! The V8's must be a nightmare....I got frustrated just trying to take parts off one at the junk yard!

And lets not forget the 617 I-5

johng99 · #57 08-30-2009, 09:04 PM

I just had the 150,000 mile service performed on my 93 300d. I bought it with low mileage and just completed 75000 miles in 5 years. Maintenance has averaged about $1000/year, and that includes a new evaporator core. Overall, very pleased and very reliable. It was my daily driver until my son took it over. Now I switch back and forth between my '95 E320 and my '88 560SEC.

arkie · #58 08-30-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

The driving feel of the 210 is a bit different than the 124 because the 210 is fitted with a steering rack. That will change the steering characteristics of the car, and makes it feel more like a modern car. I don't think that this is a bad thing. I love the way my '96 drives. I just had it out again today.

The automatic climate control has self-diagnosis, which is nice. I have heard of the CC computer going out, but that seems to be quite rare. Also I've heard of problems with the 722.6 transmissions fitted into the '97's and '98's, something about an input bushing that was later changed to a needle bearing (and it is extremely expensive to update your transmission with the new parts).

I don't find it ugly, even at the tail end, which is where you hear the most complaints. And while I know that the 210 was built for a price point, rather than building the car and then deciding what you need to sell it for to profit, it is a good platform. You do need to watch for rust even more than on the older cars, but it's mostly cosmetic. Except for the front spring perches on the non-4matics. That's an expensive repair, but so far, nobody has been injured by the failure.

Note that the 4matic system on the 210 shares nothing with the 4matic system on the 124 other than the name. It is open differentials and uses the brakes to control wheel spin, just like the RWD 210's do with the rear brakes.

My RWD 210 (4matic is not available with the 606) is fine in snow. I have never gotten stuck. Once I had to accelerate on a very icy incline, after getting around a Mustang that just couldn't go anywhere, but the ASR did its job admirably and pulled me through.

Now, had I found a 124 that I liked before finding my 210, I would have owned it. I do like that platform too, but I am very happy with my car.

I'm still trying to decide how I feel about the W210 chassis. A majority of the MB's that come into the shop are W210 chassis, and we have seen the full gamut of common problems, including the spring perches. But the things that break (outside of the spring perch problem) are generally common and almost predictable as far as the body/chassis go. They driver really well, but a well-maintained W124 FEELS better to me - tighter and more attached to the road.

Jim B. · #59 08-31-2009, 12:39 AM

The ONLY car I would EVER think of trading my AMG coupe for would be a low mileage, full books and records, mint, never hit or rusted, Almandine Red W124 E500/500E or AMG Hammer 6.0 liter (<----Sedan to separate your retinas), a car truly for the ages.

pawoSD · #60 08-30-2013, 07:54 AM

Came across this thread while searching something else.

I ended up trading the 300E after having it about 3.5 years and driving it about 38k. It was moderately reliable, but much less so than any of our other cars in my family so far, including the 420's...they have been some of the MOST reliable other than the diesels. The TDI has been fine....but it has its failings too (road noise, A/C is weak, ride is not like a MB), but it has done 4,000+ miles with no real issues so far, so we'll wait till it breaks to complain. I don't intend to keep it beyond the warranty at all, way too complex and way too much $$ risk in things that can go wrong.

I would not call the 300E a money pit, but it was a pain to keep running perfectly, had to be towed twice (once for failed starter, once for fuel system issue), it also used almost as much fuel as the V8's with 1/2 the fun and power. W124 with diesel = great, not with gasser.

Overall costs to keep the 300E going for 3.5 years was about 3-4k or so....more than my V8 has cost by far. (barely 1.5k in 2 years at an anal maintenance level)