W124 shopping: what to look for?

[BenzV8]

Quick background: my venerable old Honda has finally given up the ghost. This presents a convenient problem: I don't want to subject my immaculate C63 to the punishment of daily commuting. So, why not try to get another Mercedes for commute duty without breaking the bank (again)? I think this is how the addiction begins, isn't it?

I've settled on a W124, and found this lovely black/saddle E320W with relatively low miles on eBay. Before I begin spending time and money to perform due diligence on this car, I have four questions for any W124 aficionados out there:

1. Based on what I know about the W124, it seems to be what I expect from a Benz: reasonably sturdy and reliable if properly maintained. I'm aware of two common issues (head gasket, engine upper wiring harness). Other than these problems, are there other recurring issues that require attention with these older cars?
   
2. The valve cover seems to show some discoloration/yellowing. Is this a cause for concern? Suggestive of high temperatures or something like that?
   
3. What are those squares affixed to the interior trim panels of the front doors? Some kind of knee bolsters? Are they removable? Never seen those before in a W124 (admittedly, I'm far from a W124 expert).
   
4. Price: I would expect this car to sell at the high end of market pricing, but $15k is nearly 3x NADA retail book value, which seems absurd. Am I missing something? Would you pay anywhere close to this asking price?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

[lorainfurniture]

I own a 93 300te 4matic, with 122k. I am in to it nearly $10k at this point including purchase. I think $15k is too high, but 10-12 wouldn't be crazy if that is exactly the car you are looking for. Keep in ming that you are buying a 20 year old car, regardless of how nice it is. ( and that one looks NICE).

If I would have saw that car a year ago when I was looking, I likely would have offered 8 thousand and gone from there. I ended up buying mine for $2500, and putting the balance in to it to get it back to "like new" status. Bear in mind I spent a grand just on the stereo.

I don't know much about the m104 engine, but everybody says it is a great runner, with much more power than its predecessor the m103. (my engine).

Body wise, the rear windows tend to leak, and leak on the amp. if the radio does not sound perfect, then likely the car needs the radio upgraded (or fixed), and he rear gaskets replaced as well.

Bottom line, take the car to a real professional, and have the car looked at. The suspension is expensive to renew, but make THE difference when driving. Look for any rust on brake lines, hydraulic lines (if applicable), as those are pretty expensive too.

[tecqboy]

Those square things on the doors are after market cup holders. They fold open.

[jake12tech]

Don't buy from those guys. I live about 10 minutes from that little rip off dealer. Google car cheer reviews and you will see why I say that.

[JimFreeh]

I've been a serial w124 owner since 1993.
Pretty much have had at least one of each of the major permutations.

My favorite is the 1995 E320 chassis.

Why?

Nicest interior, best looking trim (bumper/grille, headlight) outside, and polished wheels vs painted. Also has the M104 engine, a low numerical rear axle ratio, and first gear start.

The V-8s are nice, but they are very tightly packaged, and are chore to work on compared to the inline engines.

Diesels are also nice, I've had an 87 wagon, and a 95 4valve, as well as my current 2.5 turbo. Fastest was the 87, my favorite engine was the 95. Problem is availability. Not many sold, and those that pop up usually have high mileage and /or in poor condition, and the price asked is much higher than an equivalent gas powered car. If fuel mileage is a big deal to you, the next generation(s) diesels make these W124 diesels as obsolete as the W123 ones. I really like the W124 chassis, but my W211 CDI is a much better car than any of my W124 diesels, and from a mileage perspective, it knocks the W124 into the weeds. If you are looking at the W124 diesel as an emotional purchase, they are just as endearing as the W123s, and nicer in most ways.

The 260E and the 300E2.8. Basically the stripped, price leader versions. Smaller transmission, less of everything. Last choice for W124s.

The coupes are an acquired taste, the chassis and trim changes parallel sedans. The cabriolets, well lets just say take a look what the fifties 220S cabs and the sixties W111 cabs have been doing and you can see the future. At least, I'm betting on it, I've got mine.

The early gas cars had the single cam M103 engine. Noted to be long lived, with a couple of notable issues. The early versions also had a 3.07 or 3.27 rear end, and the trans started in second gear. Exterior trim was minimal, and unpainted bumpers detracted from the car. Interior was more severe, less wood than later cars, but tended to be fully equipped in standard trim.

Mid series cars got an improved trim package, and painted bumpers. Most of the cosmetic updates happened in 1990. Still the same M103 engine and driveline. In 1993, the M104 engine showed up, but the cars were still badged 300E. The 400E appeared in 1992 as a result of the japenese luxury car introduction in 1990.

In 1994, there were extensive changes in the cars. The sum of which make this series my favorite. MB dropped the price on these cars, and also skipped out on the standard features, making lots of used to be standard stuff optional. The M104 engine continued, and the transmission has a first gear start, with a rear axle ratio around 2.65. Better power, better economy. As the newest cars, there is higher probability of finding one that is low mileage and nice. When we bought our Wagon in 2005, there was a trend for nice late W124 wagons having a higher price than the next gen wagons. Super nice and well cared for W124 still have a market. Anything less than a top tier car, and there the market is poor. Lots of deferred maintenence high mileage cars on offer at low prices.

If I were in the market for a nice W124 wagon again, I'd still pay a premium over the W210 wagons to bag a W124. But, since I've already got one that my wife refuses to sell, I'm ok. However, ownership of a W211 tends to make the W124 cars feel a lot older than they did when they were my newest car.


Jim

[liquiddog]

Why not go to CarMax and get a E320 w/41k miles that is 10years newer for the same price. Leather seats, navigation system, etc.

That dealer must be dreaming.

[Chris W.]

That is an insanely high asking price IMHO.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 429K

[PARSHOOT1]

I think it's pricey & I own three 124's. ....and I didn't read all the details, look at all the pics etc, but anybody in Pennsylvania claiming a car is a California car raises my eyebrows and elicits a response of prove it!

I think liquid dog has it right. Buy an e320, ten years newer.

[dtf]

I agree with liquid dog. That price is ridiculous. I owned a '94 E320 wagon that was also 'mint' and still put a lot of money into it to get to 308,000 miles. I just bought a beautiful '95 e300 diesel with only 155,000 miles on it for $2500. Maybe the asking price had a typo and put a '1' in front of the $5,000?

My wagon went through 2 head gaskets while I owned it. They can run hot.

[liquiddog]

Originally Posted by BenzV8

Other than these problems, are there other recurring issues that require attention with these older cars?

To address this question, the fuel injection systems on these cars are toast from either being run into the ground, or sitting for long period of time. The old gas eats everything up internally. That's why blue book is so low. They basically fall down to DIYers and hobbyists after a certain age. This isn't really a car you would "take to the shop" if something went wrong.

[liquiddog]

BTW that C63 looks like a nice ride. I'm getting interested in a CLA once a few years go by and the price drops on gently used samples to sub 20k.

One thing I like about my 190e is there something about it's general form and the way it sits that reminds me of a early 90's Mustang LX 5.0. Just classier. The new CLA class reminds me (somewhat) of newer mustang styling as far as the front end and sides. Good direction for Mercedes I think. But they did forget to put the hood ornament on it.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by liquiddog

One thing I like about my 190e is there something about it's general form and the way it sits that reminds me of a early 90's Mustang LX 5.0. Just classier. The new CLA class reminds me (somewhat) of newer mustang styling as far as the front end and sides. Good direction for Mercedes I think. But they did forget to put the hood ornament on it.

I remember when the fox body Mustang came out in 79. They had an early preview for the local Mustang club, and the car we saw was a powder blue 5.0 coupe. I thought the greenhouse looked very similar to the R107 SLC. At the time the car was a 180 degree turn compared to the then current Mustang II, the design restraint excercised for the 79 was a real breath of fresh air. Liked it so much , we bought a new 5.0 in 82. Only new car we've ever bought.

Never thought about the 190 vs Mustang, but yes, there is a similar profile to the front fenders and door.


As far as the hood ornament goes, my wife wants the hood ornament on her Mercedes. Says the old SL never felt quite "right" without a hood ornament. All proper Mercedes have hood ornaments......


Jim

[oldsinner111]

get a w124 cheap with blown engine,and drop a 500 in it.

[Skippy]

That is a very pretty 124. However, I would not pay that asking price.

Random additional thoughts:

I saw a job in the paper today up in South Lake Tahoe that I was very interested in. Before getting home and finding out that it's already closed, I gave some thought to how I'd get up there, since it would involve a daily trip over Spooner Summit and potentially a lot of exposure to salt, which W123's like mine don't respond well to. I ride a motorcycle in the warm months, but I'd need a car for the not so warm months. For what the job paid, I decided I could probably justify a newish BMW 3-series.

[liquiddog]

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

I remember when the fox body Mustang came out in 79. They had an early preview for the local Mustang club, and the car we saw was a powder blue 5.0 coupe. I thought the greenhouse looked very similar to the R107 SLC. At the time the car was a 180 degree turn compared to the then current Mustang II, the design restraint excercised for the 79 was a real breath of fresh air. Liked it so much , we bought a new 5.0 in 82. Only new car we've ever bought.

I had a 2000 Mustang GT that I bought from CarMax with 32k miles. I sold it with 110k on the clock. The only repair I had to do was the clutch at 80k. It did eat tires though. Solid car, and fun to drive.