Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferdman
IYAAYAS, unless you have a body shop cut out the rusted areas and weld in new metal the rust will continue to grow, and you will be chasing it forever. For that reason I would be reluctant to start restoring your 1995 E320 if you plan to do it inexpensively. Recommend buying another 1995 E320 in pristine condition, instead of throwing good money after bad on your current car. Likely a less expensive approach in the long run.
I own two 1995 E320's and enjoy the ride and build quality ... plan to keep both as long as possible, without breaking the bank doing so as I am a DIY'er. There comes a point that it doesn't make financial sense to keep a car, especially one with rust issues.
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The value of late W124s doesn't support anything but the nicest of cars. I've broken up many for parts that just were not economical to fix when you look at the retail numbers on the W124s. A significant factor for me is that I do all my own work. I look at it as therapy, cheaper than a psychiatrist. If your toolbox is a cell phone and a credit card, running a 20 year old car isn't the best idea.....
Unless there is some very significant emotional reason to keep a particular car, You will be better off replacing yours with a very nice example. Lots of these cars were made, and there are still many well kept examples coming up for sale. Find one without rust, with records and an obvious caring owner, and you'll have a car that can last for literally years.
The trick is to recognize when a good one comes up. That can take time, experience, ability, and most importantly, luck. Plan to look at quite a few to learn how to gage a nice one. The right car will speak to you.
The best of the W124s are the last two years, 94 and 95. I've owned many W124s and the two we now have are keepers. My wife has no interest in replacing her wagon, and I don't expect to ever sell my cabriolet. Even though they are twenty years old, they feel new to me, and more importantly, run as reliably as most newer cars. My CDI is a much more advanced car, but it's also exponentially more complex. With the W124, over 20 years of ownership has me able to speak W124 fluently.
Jim