Replacement for 1987 W124?

[DrJ]

My 1987 w124 -- a 300E -- obviously is getting old. He'll be fine for another five years or so, but I've started to think about a replacement.

Simply, what Benz should I consider?

I love the size, ergonomics, materials quality, simplicity and reliability of the old guy. I'm not a big fan of all of the modern electronics, but there seems to be no avoiding this. Keeping maintenance costs down is important (I don't work on cars) as long as the solid quality feel is kept.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Maximan1]

Personally, I would restore what you have. I haven't been in a newer vehicle that checks all the boxes you want.

Just my 2 cents.

[Mikebear79]

Well, simply put, the most logical choice would be a 1995 E320 W124. That’s the newest W124 you can possibly get and is a whopping 8 years newer than what you have.

[DrJ]

Thanks for the replies!

Certainly I have considered keeping my aged W124 -- it only has about 190K miles (!) and overall it is in excellent shape. Still, there is about $7K worth of maintenance due over the next few years, and I doubt it will get better with time.

I'm not wedded to the W124 though -- what about newer models of the E and C classes? The S probably is too large and expensive, even well used. I've not kept up with these newer models...

[hanno]

Go for a 94 or 95 E320 as stated above. Good examples can be had for less than $3k. (around 100-125k miles)

[porkface]

the electronics on the later cars is an issue, if you don't like them. they will haunt you during ownership. half of what's replaced needs coding, also. more money.

get another 124, they are simple enough, yet have enough electronics to be more reliable than previous-and later-cars. or spread out the 7k on yours. would like to see that list that's due to be done. good luck, chuck.

[DrJ]

Here's the list: the transmission is starting to slip, so I'll need a rebuild. The dash will need a "pod-ectomy" one of these days -- it has the original evaporator and the air is not being directed properly. The moonroof needs to be redone, as it doesn't work right. These are each about $2K, though of course not all are critical. The last amount is for a few miscellaneous things that are not worth mentioning here.

[85 DSEL]

You are asking the same question I have asked myself for a couple years now. Our '95 E320 wagon was purchased in Aug of 2009 with right at 75K on the clock. Beautifully maintained obviously and was looking for a nice safe QUALITY Euro motorcar to haul the wife and two kids in. I couldn't have made a better purchase and we are still driving this car as our DD (wife drives it to work). It's great on the interstate for traveling, etc etc etc.

There are little things needing fixed such as the head restraints have not functioned for many years but would be nice to have again. I've got a couple body rust blisters popping out. The leather seats are showing a bit of age but am aware that there are ways to bring them back to life. I'd like to have original style mats in it. Mechanically, it's great except a developed I'll drip. Nothing major but still annoying. My Indy mechanic says it does need a head gasket and that's actually where the drip is coming from.

If someone could have seen into the future nine years and told me if still own this car is not have believed them. Longest term I've ever owned a vehicle but will say it's been the best car I've ever owned.

Now - to replace it. I once pondered what I'd like to have in its place and I asked a service writer for our local Benz dealership what would be his opinion based on what he sees coming in for service on a daily basis. He didn't hesitate when he suggested the C-class sedans. I have had them as loaner cars when having service work on ours and I must say that I do like them, how they perform, how I sit in the cockpit, just the overall feel. Others will have differing opinions but will likely she on pine fact: they simply do not make a car with the quality level that the mid-90's Mercedes Benz vehicles.

And like someone mentioned, I've considered just restoring the one we have but not sure that's the wisest use of dollars. We each have to make these decisions as our cars are aging. Good luck in your search!

[MB140300SD]

I would probably shoot for a 98 or later W210. If you get one that has been maintained well, they are pretty much gas and go cars.

[w123fanman]

Late W210 seems like a good option, parts are super cheap. W211 parts are fairly cheap as well but might be more expensive to maintain, especially if it has the air suspension.

[porkface]

Originally Posted by DrJ

Here's the list: the transmission is starting to slip, so I'll need a rebuild. The dash will need a "pod-ectomy" one of these days -- it has the original evaporator and the air is not being directed properly. The moonroof needs to be redone, as it doesn't work right. These are each about $2K, though of course not all are critical. The last amount is for a few miscellaneous things that are not worth mentioning here.

ok, the trans and podectomy-i get it now. and unless ANY car you look at has not had the evap done, it may still be in your future.

someone else mentioned 210s, they're ok but more complicated than the 124s. had to replace wiring in the headlights on a few and v6/v8 plugs get expensive when it's 2 per cylinder. and they don't like anything but the CORRECT bosch plugs-no substitutes. OTOH, it's every 60k or so. mb says 100k but by then you might need a coil or 2.

any car you look at, has to have service records. clean bill of health. good luck, chuck.

[Mikebear79]

Honestly, after having owned a 1990 300E and how much trouble that car was for me and how difficult it was to get to all the pods in the dash, requiring removal of the dash, I have found the W126 models to be generally easier to work on and they tend to have more robust metal parts in them than the W124, which tend to favor plastics. Even the way the interior door panels are constructed are more robust on a W126 than W124. Maybe a 300SE would be more your flavor. There's still a grey one for sale in Tucson on craigslist that has about 100k miles on it and looks almost cherry.


Podectomy = pure gold :-D


https://tucson.craigslist.org/ctd/d/1991-mercedes-benz-300-series/6698693932.html

[DrJ]

Thanks for the reply!

You certainly are right about the plastic in the W124 -- I wish it wouldn't have it, but it does. Still, I am hesitant to buy such an old car, such a the W126 you cited, since it will have problems but I don't know them. At least I know what I have in store for me with the one I have.

I probably could buy my neighbor's 420SEL if I wanted it. It is a backup car for them, and it is driven only rarely. It is not in perfect condition, but it has been cared for reasonably.

[Hirnbeiss]

Not in any way to denigrate older cars - this is why I’m here- but I need to put a word in for the newer ones too. The electronics bring plusses and minuses with them. On the plus side, diagnostics can be a lot quicker and easier, plus many components just last longer than their digital ancestors.

But, the real benefit can be in safety. I was on a trip to Norway and Sweden and picked up a Hertz rental Volvo in Oslo. The thing had navigation with a heads up display that also showed the (frequently changing) speed limit. Huge benefit to driving in a strange area and avoiding massive tickets. It had features I didn’t have time to figure out, but it saved my but one morning when I came over a hill into the sun. A car had hit a deer and was stopped in the downhill area in front of me. Alarms blared, I braked hard and it was a close non-event.

We’re not getting any younger, and some of these assist devices can be a benefit.

[will_t]

I have to concur on the w210 idea. We bought a 98 4matic wagon with 45k on it in 2003 and drove it until a few days ago (I sold it, 218k miles.) It was my wife's DD until we bought another one, a 2003, two of my kids learned to drive on it, I drove it from Colorado to Massachusetts 12 times in the last 13 years for our summer car there, and it was our winter/mountain car in Denver (studs on all four wheels.) We serviced it regularly and yes, it needed the occasional part but overall it was a really great car. I sold it a few days after I drove it for the last time from MA to CO (in two days!) going 80, 90, even 100 with the cruise control on and the a/c running. What a car. I sold it because I found a beautiful one-owner 2001 4matic wagon with 140k for less than three thousand dollars. They are out there and both under appreciated and undervalued.