Time to move on? If so, where to? 1995 w124 wagon

[skinnison]

I'm afraid I am approaching a sad day.... my 1995 w124 wagon may be on its last leg. Here are some quick figures: It has 271K miles on it. The tranny was replaced with a used one which now has 183K on it, (currently shows no sign of problem). Head gasket was done at 190K and is holding up fine. Wiring harness is fine.

Here is what is going wrong: both rear axle seals are leaking, front transmission seal at pump gasket seal leaking, engine oil level sensor is leaking. All of these leaks have been ongoing for a while so they are probably in need of repair soon. I also have a feeling the water pump is going, I replaced that about 10 years ago so I think that is where the coolant leak is, (have not confirmed this yet but it does have about 150K miles on it). There is an exhaust leak somewhere around the center of the vehicle. The car needs 4 new tires. I think best case scenerio the battery is going, (lights dim when the car is stopped with heat running). The battery may be original, (it didn't look new when I bought the car 11 years ago).

Here is my dilemma: Do I drop $2-3K in a car that is worth probably $1500 and could have more issues arise in the near future? Do I find another 95 w124 wagon with lower mileage and repaired head gasket, wiring harness and tranny? If so, it will probably be about $6-9K and a bank won't finance that. Do I get into a 2009 w211 wagon, (which seems to be the best new one out there?) Or maybe a 2003 w210 that will become a rust bucket up here in NH?

Thoughts anyone?

By the way, I averaged the original cost of the car and every repair since I owned it, (11 years) and the average cost has been $250 a month. This is having all repairs done by an Indy MB mechanic with all high quality parts.

[oldsinner111]

You could probably fix things and get another 100,000 miles or more.Its cheaper fixing a paid for car than finacing a new one,that could break down also.The newer Mercedes are not the best,they have complicated things.

[lee polowczuk]

i think there is a time to let one go... and this is it... i think i would get another and keep your car for spare parts.

just my opinion.

[Gilly]

Take it to the indy, mention the things you have mentioned here, and have him inspect the car for other problems you might be looking at in the next few years (bushings and suspension/steering components, other signs of developing leaks, maybe ask him to check timing chain stretch, anthing he hopefully is familiar with on this vintage car) and then do an evaluation. If you are bored with the car and want something new, be honest with yourself, if you do still like the car, I don't see a problem in dumping money in to it if there is no signs of impending disaster. You know the history of the car and that counts for a lot.
If bailing out is in the future you could consider possibly a later 210 chassis wagon, unless as you say the rust out too badly where you live. The MLs seem to hold up body-wise, have you considered one of those?

[COLDSTART]

are you anywhere close to west nottingham , I have a very good friend who has a shop and can check out your car , honestly it would be hard to find a nicer made car that rides as well as the one you own , I am up here in the rust capitol of the planet and I have a few 124's and have always been a volvo person I have not found one that rides as well or is built as well either the only thing Volvo has on Mercedes is there seats , the hardest thing about owning the car is finding someone who truly knows then well , I am able to do most of my repairs.so it is a little easier for me , hope you make a decision that works best for you ,Peter

[kwontumspeed]

Originally Posted by Gilly

If you are bored with the car and want something new, be honest with yourself, if you do still like the car, I don't see a problem in dumping money in to it if there is no signs of impending disaster. You know the history of the car and that counts for a lot.

Gilly nails it. What's to say that if you move to another car will not guarantee a whole new set of problems where you will need to troubleshoot all over again. The reality is that a PPI will not catch everything. You know everything about the 092 and have a good idea of what it will cost to get it fixed. Your situation sounds a lot like mine, 1994 wagon. A year ago a had a pretty long laundry list of things that needed attention (valve cover gasket, full brake job, neutral safety switch, engine mounts, just to name a few). I contemplated a sale to a friend a couple of times but decided to slowly chip away on each and every item that needed attention. Now most of it is fixed and I've fallen in love with the wagon all over again.

[skinnison]

Thanks for all the input guys. My mechanic is very good and I trust his opinion. I love the car and know that I cannot "replace" it unless I was to buy another exact one. They just don't make them like that anymore.

I think my wife would kill me if I bought another 1995 though...

I think I will spend some time with my mechanic and come up with a plan. Maybe I can squeak another year out of her, but at some point I will need to move on.

It seems by what I have read that a 2009 is the next best year. Any opinions on that?

[skinnison]

Originally Posted by Gilly

Take it to the indy, mention the things you have mentioned here, and have him inspect the car for other problems you might be looking at in the next few years (bushings and suspension/steering components, other signs of developing leaks, maybe ask him to check timing chain stretch, anthing he hopefully is familiar with on this vintage car) and then do an evaluation. If you are bored with the car and want something new, be honest with yourself, if you do still like the car, I don't see a problem in dumping money in to it if there is no signs of impending disaster. You know the history of the car and that counts for a lot.
If bailing out is in the future you could consider possibly a later 210 chassis wagon, unless as you say the rust out too badly where you live. The MLs seem to hold up body-wise, have you considered one of those?

The ML is not a good option for me. I am a drummer who travels a lot and a wagon is the perfect fit. Thanks for all the input!

[skinnison]

Originally Posted by kwontumspeed

Gilly nails it. What's to say that if you move to another car will not guarantee a whole new set of problems where you will need to troubleshoot all over again. The reality is that a PPI will not catch everything. You know everything about the 092 and have a good idea of what it will cost to get it fixed. Your situation sounds a lot like mine, 1994 wagon. A year ago a had a pretty long laundry list of things that needed attention (valve cover gasket, full brake job, neutral safety switch, engine mounts, just to name a few). I contemplated a sale to a friend a couple of times but decided to slowly chip away on each and every item that needed attention. Now most of it is fixed and I've fallen in love with the wagon all over again.

I drove mine with a failed neutral switch for 5 years! Had to start it in neutral every time. When I had the tranny replaced it came with a new switch. I made the joke to my mechanic that I dropped $2K so I could start the car in park. Ha.

[MAVA]

Sadly, Mercedes made a transmission dud with the introduction of the 722.9 transmission. The 4matic box coupled to the 722.9 has output bearing oil starvation problem on the transfer case. 50k miles to 100k miles these cars are dropping like fly's. Also, not to mention the pump bearing failures on the 722.9 which is all over net...I repair transmissions. These are transmissions I really do not want to deal with...

Get your self a second generation W210 wagon 4-matic or a non 4-matic(2000 to 2002) with a M112 engine and a 722.6 transmission. The car is bullet proof...

Martin

[skinnison]

Originally Posted by COLDSTART

are you anywhere close to west nottingham , I have a very good friend who has a shop and can check out your car , honestly it would be hard to find a nicer made car that rides as well as the one you own , I am up here in the rust capitol of the planet and I have a few 124's and have always been a volvo person I have not found one that rides as well or is built as well either the only thing Volvo has on Mercedes is there seats , the hardest thing about owning the car is finding someone who truly knows then well , I am able to do most of my repairs.so it is a little easier for me , hope you make a decision that works best for you ,Peter

I do live near West Nottingham! About one town over. Who is the mechanic you speak of?