Well, in search of a affordable wagon with automatic and preferrably diesel to keep daily driving costs down I stumbled across a Binz modified W124.

My previous record with Mercedes includes an 81 W123 200T. Probably never seen in the US, it was a straight 4 2 liter gas wagon with 4 speed manual. Excellent room and cruise comfort. Wouldnt have minded better seats and less rust and engine problems.

The next vehicle(s) was actually a US W124 300E 4-door automatic and a W126 560SEL. Never stayed around long enough to get either car fully working and properly working. The 300E was used a lot though. When my US stay ended I returned to Europe again and now ended up with the W124 Binz.

No, Binz is not a typo or slang They modify Benzes to various applications. My current one an old ambulance from the Red Cross here in Norway. The engine probably never made it to the US, it is based on a 230TE which is a stright 4 gas 2.3 liter engine with fuel injection. Whopping 136BHP

Streched about 2.5 ft and with lots of added weight it is no race car. But I am pretty sure they added a higher ratio diff because the acceleration is rather good. Fuel consumption is not too bad either considering the weight and the automatic. Expect around 25MPG on side roads. Havent checked the actual highway mileage. Probably a couple of MPGs more. Estimated 18MPG city driving.

Has a block heater and battery charger. Outlet for coupe heater as well.

What needs to be done:

Front pads and sensors (brake wear)
Right rear wheel bearing
Tune-up servo assist
Right rear shock (probably self-leveling and hydraulic? $$$)
Oil leak from engine or transmission. I suspect it is the servo though, since ATF level seems ok and engine oil level is good as well. Though might be a small leak that shows up over time.
Interior fan only works on 3 and 4. Though has been working on 2 a few times as well (just bad connections or needs new resistor pack?).
ASD stays lit (will try read codes and reset instructions found here).
Indicates bulb failure (could be rear tail light which is out).
Central locking not working.
Door light swithes need replacing.
Stereo must be replaced (has new one ready).
Right front door interior handle broken.
Front fog lights not working (just missing bulbs?)
Needs summer tires... and wheels.
Windscreen wiper seems to struggle a bit / is slow (adjustments?)
Probably has an exhaust leak around front / middle.

Tends to idle high when it is warmed up. Idles around 750-800 when cold, but after driving for an hour it idles 1000+. Acts up now and then when warming up while driving. Gets jerky but is fine if you let of the gas and reapply it. Transmission hesistates for a second or two when cold from 1st to 2nd. Otherwise shifts fine. Kickdown does not work, and it is unwilling to shift down unless you slow down a bit. Manually downshifting is great though. A bit jerky at times though. ASD has worked a few times for a minute or so. Seemed more responsive when ASD worked.

Other than that a bit cosmetic work is of course needed.

Link to my photo gallery is found in the signature and avatar... Suspect I will be frequently asking questions here after digging through the archives.

Welcome any pointers and links to my known problems. Hopefully it can become quite well without another morgage on the house

From the colds of northern Norway,

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99 W210 E220 cdi sedan automatic (248.000 km) 210.006