Benzy3682

other than body style.

cap'n jasper

Rust?

ZedStyle

i think the 96 w210 e320 had the same straight 6 engine as the last w124's, and then they went with a v6 97 onwards, from what i understand. the interiors are a little more updated than the w124 too

Chappy

Many, many more computers. Most E320s (beginning in '98 IIRC) have fully electronic transmissions. DO NOT spill anything down the shifter area - you'll fry a computer.

Techonologically, the W210 cars are more advanced, but also can have a host of expensive issues - I own a W208 - with LOTS of computers too! Instrument clusters on the later W210s have a high failure rate and the dealer will tell you the only fix is replacement. Big $$$.

All W210s have water based paint...I think MB went to that in 1995 or so.

Cap'n Jasper mentioned rust...that is a real concern for the W210 and there have been many reports of spring perch failures as a result of rust and/or problems with the welding.

Whereas the W210 has it's share of issues, the W124 is not immune. Wiring harnesses, oil leaks, a/c problems, etc.

shdoug

So, would you say that the W210 would definitely, most likely, possibly, or not be more costly to own that the W124? I would think that the W124 would be more costly because they are getting so old. How is the ride quality/comfort different? Also, what's a spring perch, where is it located, and is it something that will kill the car, or can you live with it being rusty?

Chappy

Lemmie dig out my crystal ball....lol

Seriously, you have to determine what your needs are - whether you want a W210 or keep your W124. FYI, my 1991 300CE has cost me nearly $30,000 in receipts for maintenance and repair for the past 12 years and 150,000 miles I've owned it. Would a W210 cost any less? I don't know.

I will say this.....a well maintained W210 is going to be less costly and aggravating than a poorly maintained W124.

If you are a DIYer, my sense is that the W124 will be easier to repair - saving labor costs - over a W210, simply due to the less-complex systems and expensive diagnostic tools that would be required to service and repair a W210.

Spring perch info:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...t=spring+perch

ZedStyle

just look for a car that has been very well maintained. if the car has been treated like crap it doesn't matter if it's 5 years old or 15, it will give you problems.
touch wood my w124 has not had any problems so far at all, and i only do regular maintenance on it. mind you, it doesn't want to start every now and then, but i haven't figured that one out yet.
find a car with good maintenance records and get it checked by a mechanic before you buy, and you'll be good.

Benzy3682

The main reason I started this thread was because the E320 has versions for W124 and W210. My mother has a 95 model that she purchased new,it currently has 97k on the clock. Since reading the posts you guys have submitted her car has had all the classic symptoms.....replaced the wiring harness at ~70k miles,a/c problems,oil leaks,etc. If I had known at the time of purchase that a newer version was going to be released I would have advised her to wait for it. Then again we may be better off with the W124 that has less computers.

ZedStyle

at least the 95 124 looks better than the 96 210, so take consolation in that....!

shdoug

Absolutely! Someone over in the W210 section disagrees, calling the W124 a "two headed cow". I personally think the W124 is one of the best looking sedans ever made. On the W210 the spring perch issue alone would probably keep me away from those, as long as there are still W124s in good shape to be had.

zerodynamic

I had the option of buying a 210 if I wanted to... I chose the 124 w/o hesitation....

IMHO, BMW and Mercedes have let their build quality down... the last good bmw (to enthusiasts anyway) was the e34 (aka the 89-1995 5 series). The last good MB... was our 124s... also made in 1995.

I hate how germany is going now a days... for example, german cars DON'T have cup holders!!! They should stop trying to adapt their cars to stupid marketing and go back to rock soild, over-enginerred tanks of the 70's and the 80's... Personally, I like my c230k.. but its too complicated. I prefer my w124 and my older bimmers (aka the e34) anyday.

Max Hughes

I have both a 1986 300e and a 1997 e320. Ive only had the 1997 car for 2 weeks and already the coil that controls cylinders 3 and 6 died, and a parking lamp burnt out. My 300e came to me in boxes and the motor only presented problems the previous owner didnt have the means to fix IE a fuel relay and a vavle spring about a year ago. The most obvious differences i would say are that the straight 6 in the 97 much more electronic than the straight 6 in the 300e, the becker stereo in the 97 kills the 86, the 97 is quicker, and the 97 rides better. One thing i like about the 86 tho is that you have a real nice feel on the road and if you wanna mess around in the parking lot sliding around, or if you accidentally come into a slide, its much more forgiving becuase you can feel where the tires are. Also my e320 has this ETS traction control im sure the 86 doesnt have and the "wipers" on the 97's lights are these cool little sprayer arms that come out and splash the headlights with wiper fluid instead of a mechanical wiper.

Tommy_s4

98 onward

jgajito

The M104 was actually used as far as 1997 and some mechanics love the Inline 6 because of maintenance and torque power compare to the V6's that came out after this change. Even though the M112 was about 4 or 5 hp more, and was supposedly the same torque, many have sworn it to have a more PULL than the M112 V6's. I think it was a Chrysler conspiracy.

shdoug

Inline 6's have always been know for low-end torque no matter what the numbers say. Even Jeep knows that. My '83 Supra was a beast, too!

neanderthal

i think the biggest difference is that the 124 wasn't designed to a price

when the 210 came out, lexus had been decimating mercedes sales for about 6 years here in the states. development may have started prior to the debut of lexus but it was far from complete. it was immediately made cheaper.

the 124 had pretty much all mercedes' known technology thrown at it in 1984. not so with 210