Car for Mom? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

zhandax · #1 12-12-2009, 08:21 AM

I read all 14 pages of the somewhat wandering W140 advice post. Now, on the cusp of the second decade of the 2000's, what would be the thoughts about buying a 1995 S500 with 145K in mint condition? I am looking at that or a 95 E420 with 55K and expect the price differential to favor the S500. I want to get mom another car and am considering whether to give her the one I buy or give her my 540i and keep the one I buy (she is 80 miles away and maintenance at that distance gets troublesome - my 540i won't need anything but oil changes for the next 50k or so). I already have a W124 so the maintenance there is familiar. I have also looked at some 94-98 C280-C230 but I have done no research on the C series. Manheim is down the street from where I work, but I have not found anyone at the moment who knows anyone who can buy there. Should I try to get something done by Christmas or just back up and punt?

samiam44 · #2 12-12-2009, 09:57 AM

I'd just guess that for maintence the W140 is going to be more expensive than C-class by a lot. THe E420- man where are you finding a mint condition 55k car. That could be very nice, but expect expenses. If you are not driving a 124.034, let me tell you parts prices are MUCH higher than similar W124.030 parts.
$500 for factory motor mount set, Idler arm bushings are 4X the cost of a 300E, etc.
Both the W124 adn W140 are known to have evaporator failures and the W140 it's huge amount of labor to replace- 20-25 hrs? Both of these seem to suffer low reasale value due to the majority being neglected cars.

Michael - I just purchased a E420 Tuesday.

dhjenkins · #3 12-12-2009, 10:41 AM

If it was my mom and reliability was an issue, I wouldn't be looking at 15 year old MB's.

Don't get me wrong, I love them, but parts & repairs are going to be expensive - and that's if you can find someone competent enough to diagnose and complete repairs properly. If you can't, reliability will go down the toilet, along with a lot of money.

Personally, for peace of mind, I'd either be looking at a GM, honda or toyota with a long model run (not a new model).

Of course, if this is going to be an extra car, and not a replacement one, then it might not be so bad. However, even a car with low mileage will have a lot of wear & parts that need to be replaced after 15 years, though.

Pavka007 · #4 12-12-2009, 11:36 AM

I wouldn't hesitate for a second to buy the W124. With 55K on the clock (if you can verify them) this is the best car for the money...period. One of my cars is 94/E420 with just over 70K and this is my favorite from all the Mercs I own and I do have W140....
You wrote that you own W124 already, so you know that the money to keep the car on the road are the same as Honda or Toyota. I am talking long run...over 3/4 years period.
Do you maths and you will see that if you keep the Merc for 3/4 years the overall cost for maintenance are the same with any Honda or Toyota BUT..if someone hit your Mom car what you rather she was driving... I am sure you got my point.
No to mention that for around $5K you are looking at 100K miles for Honda or Toyota and this money can buy you a fabulous low mileage W124.
My vote: E420 any day

zhandax · #5 12-13-2009, 01:16 AM

The E420 was on eBay and $4600 did not meet reserve. Wonder if he will re-list? The car is in Tampa and spent most of its life in FL.

Was that $500 installed? Check Phil out (forum sponsor). He sells 124.034 motor mounts (Febi-Bilstein) for $200/set. Factory was probably Boge, which are about $30 more. Best I recall, I gave about $150 for the ones on the 124.030 and I guessed that on the E420 they would need to be replaced just due to age.

I certainly get the point on the safety factor although I was thinking more along the lines of what she hit rather than what hit her. Mom is getting a few miles on the clock herself.

I replaced the evaporator on my 300E because that area set off the freon sniffer and it took me every weekend for a month. I will never replace another one until it stops cooling. However, I got the chance to repaint the gauge dials and replace the temp readout and vacuum actuators.

Hatterasguy · #6 12-13-2009, 07:33 PM

Were working on getting my grandmother out of her Jag and into a Honda Accord. We already got her to get an Accord for her FL house, now she just needs one for up here.

It breaks a lot and my family IE me, my dad, and his brothers are tired of the calls for roadside help. If you buy her a 15 year old W140 you will get those calls, but since your so far away you can't help and its going to cost her a bundle.

If you insist on getting her a MB I'd buy a late model C class with a lot of CPO warranty left. Or if the budget doesn't allow for that as nice of a Camry or Accord as you can find. Maybe a Buick, can't go wrong with Buick's.