W124 vs W210 wagons

[skinnison]

Hello all,

A friend of mine is considering purchasing a w210 wagon. To date his only experience is driving my 1995 w124 wagon which he loves but wants all wheel drive. What can he expect in terms of the feel of driving a w210? I have heard they are not as "heavy" or as well built as the w124. Is this the case? How does the all wheel drive feel under normal driving situations, (dry road conditions)? Handling? Braking? Over-all feel?

As always, thanks for any feedback!

[locry]

I think the w210 is gorgeous in general. Just don't like the non-angled hatch at the back. Make sure it's a diesel.

[jcyuhn]

I've owned 124, 210, 203, and 211 chassis wagons. The 210 has a different feel than the 124, mostly the steering is lighter effort. Overall I think the 210 is quite a bit better driving car than the 124. Although light, the steering is very accurate with good feedback. Because the 210 carries more tire than the 124, turn in is sharp and there is more grip available.

In terms of subjective build quality I don't see much difference between the two. A 210 is tightly assembled; the doors thunk with the best of them.

Of course, at this point even the newest 210 is 10+ years old. So it is important to locate one that has not been abused.

In the USA we never received 210 wagons with a diesel engine. All USA cars have the 3.2 liter M112 V6.

[RichardM98]

The 4Matic was re-engineered on the W210 and is less problematic (no pun) than the W124.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by locry

I think the w210 is gorgeous in general. Just don't like the non-angled hatch at the back. Make sure it's a diesel.

I'm not aware of the diesel being available in the late '90s/early 2000s U.S. W210 wagons.

Originally Posted by skinnison

Hello all,

A friend of mine is considering purchasing a w210 wagon. To date his only experience is driving my 1995 w124 wagon which he loves but wants all wheel drive. What can he expect in terms of the feel of driving a w210? I have heard they are not as "heavy" or as well built as the w124. Is this the case? How does the all wheel drive feel under normal driving situations, (dry road conditions)? Handling? Braking? Over-all feel?

As always, thanks for any feedback!

As per the W210 sedan - I have no issues worth mentioning as a reason I would not want to buy and own one again having owned one for 14 years since new. I suspect the 210 wagon similar to the sedans' characteristics of drivability.

[skinnison]

Great info so far. Thanks! I will spread the word to him.

[Ferdman]

The 210 cars have rack and pinion steering versus the recirculating ball steering of the 124 cars so they have an entirely different feel. In my mind the 124 car build & material quality exceeds the 210, but as stated the all wheel drive in the 124 cars is more problematic. Having said that a 124 wagonr with rear wheel drive and snow tires all around should be fine in the Winter, presuming that's why your friend is leaning toward all wheel drive.

[skinnison]

Originally Posted by Ferdman

The 210 cars have rack and pinion steering versus the recirculating ball steering of the 124 cars so they have an entirely different feel. In my mind the 124 car build & material quality exceeds the 210, but as stated the all wheel drive in the 124 cars is more problematic. Having said that a 124 wagonr with rear wheel drive and snow tires all around should be fine in the Winter, presuming that's why your friend is leaning toward all wheel drive.

I drive winter-studs and have no problem in the snow with my rear wheel drive. I have told him that repeatedly but he is like a woman behind the wheel and insists on all-wheel drive. LOL! (I doubt there are many women on this forum, and if there are, I am sure they know how to drive).