Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-25-2007, 08:14 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: AL
Posts: 1,219
From a 124 to a 210. Is it really an upgrade?

For years I have intended to eventually replace our 124s with 210s.

Problem is, I love the 124s. I think they were the last of the best MBs. A 1995 124 is probably THE one to have.

But ours are getting to that age...evaporator, head gasket, PS pump, Aux water pump, etc.

I drove a 1997 210 yesterday. It was very nice. More bells and whistles. I did not think it handled as well as the 124.

The 210s are cheap...but the 124s are Real Cheap.

For maintenance, I seem to know these 124s like the back of my hand (and learning more all the time!).

Would giving up a 124 for a 210 be considered an upgrade?

__________________
2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-25-2007, 08:28 PM
Ta ra ra boom de ay
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 1,915
yes and no...
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=119726
I've never driven a 210 so I'm biased.
__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831799&postcount=13
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831807&postcount=14
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-25-2007, 09:00 PM
Zeus's Avatar
Moderating, Eh?
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,774
Hey brewtoo,

Just made the jump myself. Your thread echoes many of the same thoughts I had when making the decision. I have gotten to know my 300E so well I'll definitely miss her!

I went from a 1989 300E to a 1998 E430.

Is it an upgrade? Definitely yes, IMO.

The car is much more advanced all around. Initially, it felt a bit foreign to me, and somewhat 'aloof' compared to the hands-on, sturdy road feel of my 300E. However, I've already grown to love the E430 in the couple of weeks I've owned it.

The 5-speed transmission is leaps beyond the old 4-gear IMO. It shifts smoothly, no more of the solid 'clunk' of the 4 speed. The 'W/S' switch still gives you the choice of a 2nd gear start, and it is nice to have the option. The 5th gear is a godsend for highway travel. I can't comment on reliability, but my 300E has over 330,000 Kms on the original tranny. Will the 210 hold up accordingly? I hope so. For the record - although the 722.6 is touted as 'sealed for life', my tech replaced the fluid recently and recommends doing so every 50,000 Km.

Another nice feature is the ESP, which can be switched on or off. If you drive in snow as I do, it's a great feature. The option to remove it for some 'spirited' driving is nice as well. Summer roads here I come...

It's hard to compare the engines as the inline 6 to the V8 is apples to oranges. Not really a fair comparison, the V8 has so much power and torque. The grin factor it produces is substantial, however.

I had some suspension components replaced before I purchased it and it handles very well. Overall, I'd say the handling is superior. Less body roll, same tightness.

The interior is excellent and the controls are well laid out. Although the car doesn't seem much bigger from the outside, the interior space is a fair bit larger. This is something I really enjoy as I'm 6'1" and with some passengers, everyone has enough leg room!

To me, the only thing that remains to be seen is if the car ages as gracefully as my W124 did. I just sold her today and I'll miss that car. It's been the best vehicle I have ever owned - thus far. Will the 210 fill the shoes? I hope so!
__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired


"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-25-2007, 09:03 PM
powerpig's Avatar
In Memory of the Sam Man
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Guntersville, AL
Posts: 649
As you can see by my sig, I have several Mercedes. I must say that the E320 Cabriolet is the most fun to drive. I'll probably be buried in that one!
__________________
99 ML320
94 SL600
92 SL500
95 E320 Cabriolet
87 560SEC
86 300SDL Grease Car
80 380SLC Euro

13 Fiat Abarth
02 Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa
00 BMW Z3
90 Rolls Royce Silver Spur
80 Ferrari 308 GTSI
88 Jaguar XJS12 H&E Edition
99 Land Rover Discovery
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-26-2007, 12:29 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Canada
Posts: 219
powerpig, as you have roadsters, sedans, and the mighty SEC, what aspects of the E320 Cabriolet make it the most fun to drive ?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-26-2007, 12:44 AM
Jim B.'s Avatar
Who's flying this thing ?
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
Posts: 3,611
Going upscale, W124 style.

Brewtoo, what about getting the upgrade from a W124 sedan to a really mint W124 Cabrio or a Sportline coupe?

It'd still be in the familiar idiom but really something beautiful and exclusive.

And then there is the E500/500E, you'd LOVE driving one of those, guaranteed. (or the E420, for about 75% of what the E500 gives you, but at a budget entry price.)

Not to say the W210 is a bad choice, it indeed is more modern, but it's inferior in build quality to the W124.
__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-26-2007, 09:43 AM
Zeus's Avatar
Moderating, Eh?
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,774
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim B. View Post
Not to say the W210 is a bad choice, it indeed is more modern, but it's inferior in build quality to the W124.
While that may be true in general terms, the W124s are aging quickly. Even if you find a good specimen with no rust, age is taking its toll on all the parts.

That was a big factor in my buying the 210. I loved my W124 dearly and it served me flawlessly for 8 years. But I didn't think that buying another one, and expecting to get 5+ years out of it, was a reasonable assumption.

As far as build quality, I don't know if any manufacturer, let alone Mercedes, is going to ever build something like the W124s ever again. It's too competitive a market now with Lexus, Audi, Infinity, etc.

However, there are many features of the 210 which, to me, make up for any lack of build quality. The transmission alone could potentially make the argument. After driving the 722.6, I could not go back to the 4 gear. Yes, it was (is) a solid tranny with proven quality, but it lacks performance and the shifts could sometimes hit at weird times and it seemed to have a mind of its own at times. Not to mention certain shifts could be, well, rough. The 722.6 shifts like a dream. Faster, more responsive and the 5th gear is a must on the highway, IMO. Will it last like the 4 gear? Time will tell.

All IMHO, btw.
__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired


"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-26-2007, 05:35 PM
POS's Avatar
POS POS is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 2,506
I've been banging on this idea for weeks, and I think the w210s still have a lot of depreciating to go through - in other words, the w124s are cheap and staying there. For me to sell my '95 E300D and move up to a w210 would mean that the w210 will lose value as I drive it - so I'd have to cough up more money up front to buy it, then I'd have to lose money on it when I sell it, and I'd more-than-likely still have the same repair bills as my w124.

For now, I think I'm going to stay in the w124 camp. My '95 is fun to drive and gets 30mpg driving like a demon from the darkness, hasn't cost me much in maintenance, and hasn't depreciated much at all. If I didn't commute 140 miles a day, I'd probably move up to the w210 and enjoy the nicer climate control, but as a high-mileage commuter the w124 is perfect.
__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-26-2007, 08:44 PM
powerpig's Avatar
In Memory of the Sam Man
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Guntersville, AL
Posts: 649
Quote:
Originally Posted by Impala View Post
powerpig, as you have roadsters, sedans, and the mighty SEC, what aspects of the E320 Cabriolet make it the most fun to drive ?
The Cab is the easiest to handle. The others have a great ride but feel "heavy" The Cab feels more sporty IMHO.
__________________
99 ML320
94 SL600
92 SL500
95 E320 Cabriolet
87 560SEC
86 300SDL Grease Car
80 380SLC Euro

13 Fiat Abarth
02 Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa
00 BMW Z3
90 Rolls Royce Silver Spur
80 Ferrari 308 GTSI
88 Jaguar XJS12 H&E Edition
99 Land Rover Discovery
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-26-2007, 11:28 PM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Posts: 8,538
Quote:
Originally Posted by POS View Post
I've been banging on this idea for weeks, and I think the w210s still have a lot of depreciating to go through - in other words, the w124s are cheap and staying there.
My opinion is that the 210's are nearly fully depreciated.

My 2000 E430 was purchased by the second owner owner of the car in 2003 (with about 30,000 miles) for $34,000.

I paid $18,600 for it in 2005 with about 70,000 miles.

You can find 1998-2000 E430's all day long on ebay Motors for between $9,000 - the low teens with around 100,000 miles. I'm not sure how much depreciation these cars have left in them.

We're talking about a car here (the E430) that sold for around $65,000 brand new, and that you can now buy for around $10K.

As far as I'm concerned they are shamefully undervalued.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page