Cost of ownership 126 vs.124 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

A264172 · #1 09-13-2007, 06:59 PM

Iv'e had a 124 for about 5 years and have a pretty good idea of the price of maintaining the systems on it. But as it's rust issues make it less and less desirable for the long term every season, and not really worth the full restore as a more common M103 4 speed Auto 4 door. I have found myself looking at the variety of 126's in diesel and M103/M104 configurations (not really interested in the 126 V8's) as a possibility for the planned eventual move into a stead with less cosmetic issues.
In considering this, I dwell upon the potential for preimum pricing of the parts for an S class, and perhaps, systems that I am unfamiliar with from my 124 experience.

Any thoughts about what likley 126 maintainence items might suprise me as a 124 owner would be appreciated.

gmercoleza · #2 09-13-2007, 10:28 PM

I've never had one, but I think an M103-based W126 would be killer. Good performance, decent fuel economy, and best of all the M103 is very easy to work on and would have plenty of clearance in the larger W126 chassis. The W126 has timeless lines and, since a large number of them were in use not only here but around the world, parts are very inexpensive.

A264172 · #3 09-13-2007, 10:43 PM

I agree. With diesel's at a premium it becomes the best deal of the lot.

And I already know the M103 well so I am attracted to that idea even more so.

E150GT · #4 09-14-2007, 08:59 AM

I don't think parts are too expensive for a W126. I have been lucky so far though and not had to replace too much.

t walgamuth · #5 09-14-2007, 09:03 AM

I would buy a 126 again over a 124 for sure. Much more user friendly and mechanic freindly. Don't overlook the v8s unless fuel economy is paramount. They don't use much more fuel than the six and if you buy an 84 like I had they use rug. The difference in the price of that and premium may cancel out the mileage difference.

The 126 is a very high quality car.

Tom W

david s poole · #6 09-14-2007, 09:25 AM

i own both and of the two i much prefer to drive the 126.little things like overhauling front brake calipers to prevent drag on front wheels can help with mileage but the 126 is so much stronger than 124.

Moneypit SEL · #7 09-14-2007, 09:30 AM

Best car I've ever owned, once I caught up with the previous owner's neglect.

A264172 · #8 09-14-2007, 10:06 AM

It's not so much the mileage I'm thinking about with the M103 vs. M117 but the maintainance. The reletively indestructable timing chain on the M103... and the difference in power is not as great as the price premium would indicate.

Edit: Of course, if your going to putter around town, the diesel gives much better fuel return than the M103.

Benzadmiral · #9 09-14-2007, 10:37 AM

I've never owned a W124, so I can't comment on that. But the W126 was a superb car. If I found a minty 300SE or 300SEL, I'd be very tempted.

Not to mention the 300s carry on a classic 30-year nameplate: MB had a 300SEL all the way from about 1964 up till they went to the letter/number format, e.g. S320, E420, etc. (Except for the W116 years, I think.)
.

LUVMBDiesels · #10 09-14-2007, 11:42 AM

I have found my 300SD to be very reasonable as far as parts pricing and availability go. As long as you do most of the work yourself you should have no trouble keeping costs down. I like the size of the W126 cabin and the fact that the cars were built to an engineering standard that I have not seen before. Even the BMW feels like a cheap piece of tin next to the S class.

The biggest headache are the climate controls and the fact that they are all getting old. However, with a little PM (citric acid flush, new brake soft lines/fluid, power steering flush, tranny fluid change, etc) they are quite bullet proof. Also they do not have all the pesky engine electronics that go bad (at least the diesel doesn't) The climate controller can be re-soldered if it goes bad (if I can do it, anybody can)

I would look for a diesel if I were you. they have OK performance (never going to beat a gasser in a stop light drag race) but they get mpg in the high 20's and can cruise all day at 75+

S-Class Guru · #11 09-14-2007, 01:59 PM

I've owned a '91 300SE since new.
Never saw a more rugged or durable car.
Of course things wear out, but 90% of those are are interchangeable with the 124, or cost about the same.
Lots of room to crawl around under the hood, and inside.
The plus side of the S-class is the obvious timeless design, and it's still a top-line car if it's well maintained.
There are two issues with the 300-engined S-class car, however.
1. This is not a nimble car; it wallows around corners, and you feel the weight always. The 124 will handle and feel like a slot-car by comparison.
But, the S is supposed to be an elegant cruiser.
2. The transmission is geared totally wrong for this car, and just adds to to overall underpowered nature of a small six in a 2-ton car. The poor thing tries to start in 2nd gear, and creates traffic jams at every red light. If you get aggressive, it jumps down into super-low, and nearly breaks your neck.
Then when you get to cruising speed, it has no overdrive, and is screaming at 70 MPH. This eats gas, creates a noisy/busy feel in the cabin, and wears out all the belt-driven accessories. Wish I had tried a 1st gear start kit and lower diffy years ago.

If I had it to do again, I coulda had a V8!
That being said, that little six is bulletproof. Just change the head gasket at 100k, and stay on top of the minor oil leaks, and she will probably run forever (at a zillion RPM).

(And I'll never get rid of her, she's family).

cheers,
DG

remotemark · #12 09-14-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-Class Guru

I've owned a '91 300SE since new.
Never saw a more rugged or durable car.
Of course things wear out, but 90% of those are are interchangeable with the 124, or cost about the same.
Lots of room to crawl around under the hood, and inside.
The plus side of the S-class is the obvious timeless design, and it's still a top-line car if it's well maintained.
There are two issues with the 300-engined S-class car, however.
1. This is not a nimble car; it wallows around corners, and you feel the weight always. The 124 will handle and feel like a slot-car by comparison.
But, the S is supposed to be an elegant cruiser.
2. The transmission is geared totally wrong for this car, and just adds to to overall underpowered nature of a small six in a 2-ton car. The poor thing tries to start in 2nd gear, and creates traffic jams at every red light. If you get aggressive, it jumps down into super-low, and nearly breaks your neck.
Then when you get to cruising speed, it has no overdrive, and is screaming at 70 MPH. This eats gas, creates a noisy/busy feel in the cabin, and wears out all the belt-driven accessories. Wish I had tried a 1st gear start kit and lower diffy years ago.

If I had it to do again, I coulda had a V8!
That being said, that little six is bulletproof. Just change the head gasket at 100k, and stay on top of the minor oil leaks, and she will probably run forever (at a zillion RPM).

(And I'll never get rid of her, she's family).

cheers,
DG

Is there any reference material or guide as to what parts are interchangeable b/w the 124 and 126? I ask because I find it very hard to find used interior parts for the 124 Coupe, but there are many more SEC parts cars out there.

Mark

Hatterasguy · #13 09-14-2007, 02:18 PM

I love my W126, and never want to sell it.

I have replaced just about every part, most are pretty cheap, can't really complain.

I would like a 300SE. Their is a black one sitting on a used car lot not to far from me, and its pretty nice. I could get it for $2k and dump the Jetta. Don't have the spare $2k at the moment though.

lkchris · #14 09-14-2007, 06:12 PM

In the world of Mercedes an S-class is an extremely expensive luxury sedan.

OTOH an E-class is a taxi, an appliance if you will.

Production numbers reflect this.

Which do you think will have higher cost of ownership?

For example, a grill for an SL is $600; for an E-class it's $60.

A264172 · #15 09-14-2007, 07:50 PM

I can't thank you guys enough for the well rounded feedback. A lot of angles I haddn't considered and a lot of experience I haven't had.

I wonder if there are some suspension parts that might be different or more involved... and do some 126's have hydraulic suspension systems?

Anyone know the difference between an M103.983 (124) and an M103.981 (126)?

Would the head on my 86' bolt on to any other M103?

I like the idea of the 300SE/D(L) and of the 126, and I can see from reading the posts over the years, that the cars are well loved. I would miss the more nimble 124 chassis, but it is a compromise in any car, features provide different benifits.

Hattie, you sound like me. Anytime a car worth one and a half to double value shows up I' broke, and when I have some money Their all overpriced.

Anyway thanks again, doubly so for the quality of the thoughts.