W124 The Best Mercedes Ever ?????????
#101
Just wanted to jump in here on my first post. This was a really interesting thread, esp. some of the comparisons made. I'm actually letting go of my 270K mile '90 Civic to start driving my 247K mile '90 300TE.
The Civic got 40+mpg on any decent length trip, and was mostly reliable, but was the ugliest car I've ever owned, esp. with the Wisconsin rust and previous owner spraypaint touchup.
My 300TE is really clean, but I'm planning a few upgrades, the new headlights came in the mail today. Brakes need to be done before it's 100% roadworthy. Here's hoping all the bugs have been worked out by now.
PS, not my first Benz, I've also got an early 73 220D, before the crash bumpers.
The Civic got 40+mpg on any decent length trip, and was mostly reliable, but was the ugliest car I've ever owned, esp. with the Wisconsin rust and previous owner spraypaint touchup.
My 300TE is really clean, but I'm planning a few upgrades, the new headlights came in the mail today. Brakes need to be done before it's 100% roadworthy. Here's hoping all the bugs have been worked out by now.
PS, not my first Benz, I've also got an early 73 220D, before the crash bumpers.
#102
![Rant](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rant2.gif)
You know, what's sad is the fact that apparently the W124 is the "Most Reliable" car MB ever produced. Yet, A Ford Taurus would have fewer problems costing less $$$ to repair in 120,000 miles than the Benz! True, it's not even 1/8 of the car, but if we're talking reliability... I think it would be difficult to find an American car (impossible to find an Asian car) that is LESS reliable than the W124, in terms of spending money on repairs. The American cars will leave you stranded, but at least it's infrequent and it's not $500 just to touch it.
For example, Tauruses don't usually need a head gasket unless they were overheated. Wiring problems are seldom. A relative of mine has a '92 Taurus that has needed a couple motor mounts, a $200 radiator, and I think maybe some tranny work. It was never flushed! There have never been any electrical problems, the AC is perfect, the engine doesn't leak a drop, come on! Do the Germans have an endless supply of money to fix their cars constantly, or are they punishing us for WWII? I don't think you could FIT $10,000 worth of repairs to the average American car in 10 years even if you abused it. True, they are disposable but if I have to spend 10-15,000 every 10 years to replace everything, what's the difference?
The W124 is a tank, and a very unique car; built very solidly and smart. A few shoddy parts that eminently fail on almost every W124 (head gasket, wiring harness, transmission, evaporator) totalling about $4500 ruin it for me. There's plenty of other things to fail in between major repairs, too. I don't consider it reliable when it costs an arm and a leg to repair, and requires about $2000 per year to keep it up, unless you want to dedicate your weekends to DIY repairs. Choose one: Family vs. W124
![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
Sorry, just the way I see it.
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#103
MBWorld Fanatic!
In 2007, when my '89 300ce arrived
, I ran it through the car wash and then took family to Ihop. 17 yr old step daughter got out at Ihop and asked if it was a new car. (she's no expert, but other car interiors don't hold up like that
)
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#104
Member
one minute inside my 300CE... this car is a keeper! never found anything to really compare it with! 2004 Lexus? pfaaa... audi A6? not even close!
my girl used to be into BMW's... than she took the CE for a spin
, now she keeps reminding me that I have to find another w124 by september!
my girl used to be into BMW's... than she took the CE for a spin
![EEK!](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
#105
MBWorld Fanatic!
Dan: "I have to find another w124 by september!"
With the current price of these cars, it's like a big 'ol candy store out there right now.
With the current price of these cars, it's like a big 'ol candy store out there right now.
#107
Member
gassers are pretty rare out here, diesel's are all-over, and the roads, and off course, the little consideration these guys have for these cars, turned 85% of them into scrap...
or some of them, "tuned" them, with there own imagination!
http://www2.autovit.ro/html/9/3/5/2/799352.php
so it's not that easy, finding a decent w124 around here!
or some of them, "tuned" them, with there own imagination!
http://www2.autovit.ro/html/9/3/5/2/799352.php
so it's not that easy, finding a decent w124 around here!
#109
The reason for my post? I found this forum yesterday to educate myself on the marque, specifically the 124 since I'm buying the 300CE from his son. Any observations since it appears that the posters in this thread have about a jillion miles in 124's? Head gaskets, wiring harness etc. Do they fail with age, miles or both. Obviously the car is not worn out and the condition? Multiple MB show winner. I need another car in my stable like I need another eyeball but I can't resist the urge to buy this car and keep a piece of my best friend around for a long time. He loved the car and somhow I think I owe it to him to "keep it in the family". Comments and observations would be greatly appreciated.
Yes, the C36 is also for sale. Have no idea what full value would be to a buyer who wants a once in a lifetime 1996 C36 AMG. Suggestions? I told his son I would try to help him find a worthy buyer who would maybe cherish the car as much as his Dad did. Thanks for listening.
#110
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1996 W124 E320 Coupé, 1990 W124 300E twin turbo, 1991 W126 300 SE, 1984 Ford Capri 2.8i
You may find this helpful:
http://www.mbca.org/pages/tech/MBCA_parts_wear_out.htm
I've seen 70--100k for the longevity of head gaskets, although the site above suggests up to 200k. I've had one done at 130k in an M103 engine and redone at 175k in another, the latter having been done at 110k but not well enough (no evidence of a head skim in the very detailed documentation). Not sure about harnesses, but you'll find evidence here (note that the problem is not confined to the W124):
http://tinyurl.com/8nx7v
My 1996 E320 Coupé has now reached 61k with no sign of a problem on either front.
http://www.mbca.org/pages/tech/MBCA_parts_wear_out.htm
I've seen 70--100k for the longevity of head gaskets, although the site above suggests up to 200k. I've had one done at 130k in an M103 engine and redone at 175k in another, the latter having been done at 110k but not well enough (no evidence of a head skim in the very detailed documentation). Not sure about harnesses, but you'll find evidence here (note that the problem is not confined to the W124):
http://tinyurl.com/8nx7v
My 1996 E320 Coupé has now reached 61k with no sign of a problem on either front.
Last edited by RogerJones; 04-12-2008 at 01:02 PM.
#111
You may find this helpful:
http://www.mbca.org/pages/tech/MBCA_parts_wear_out.htm
I've seen 70--100k for the longevity of head gaskets, although the site above suggests up to 200k. I've had one done at 130k in an M103 engine and redone at 175k in another, the latter having been done at 110k but not well enough (no evidence of a head skim in the very detailed documentation). Not sure about harnesses, but you'll find evidence here (note that the problem is not confined to the W124):
http://tinyurl.com/8nx7v
My 1996 E320 Coupé has now reached 61k with no sign of a problem on either front.
http://www.mbca.org/pages/tech/MBCA_parts_wear_out.htm
I've seen 70--100k for the longevity of head gaskets, although the site above suggests up to 200k. I've had one done at 130k in an M103 engine and redone at 175k in another, the latter having been done at 110k but not well enough (no evidence of a head skim in the very detailed documentation). Not sure about harnesses, but you'll find evidence here (note that the problem is not confined to the W124):
http://tinyurl.com/8nx7v
My 1996 E320 Coupé has now reached 61k with no sign of a problem on either front.
#112
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lots of cars
You know it's funny because I had a dream about my 300e last night. I've owned a 02 w215 and a 96 w210 with a lorinser kit ( I still have the lorinser type side skirts for anyone interested). The w124 has been the best car ever! They are easy to work on and the prices for parts and labor is not rediciolous. You know the insurance premiums for someone my age driving a CL500 is not pretty. I wasn't that conceited that i needed to drive that type of car so i sold it.
#113
#115
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#116
Gotta say, I do love my W124, it is pretty much a tank...few minor problems here and there, but the car is over 20 years old.....though it might not be as well built of a car...my brother has a w140, and if you ever get a chance to ride/drive one of those, they are amazing. I was going 75MPH and you it was the smoothest riding car I had ever been in...
Mercedes FTW!!
Mercedes FTW!!
#117
#120
I was reading this VW forum the other day and they said "my VW lasted 150k miles perfectly fine before the engine needed replacing"
I thought....that's just after the M103 has broken in
I thought....that's just after the M103 has broken in
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#122
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Haven't even broke 100k in either yet.
#123
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300D X2 300TD X2 220 (W115)
Just wanted to jump in here on my first post. This was a really interesting thread, esp. some of the comparisons made. I'm actually letting go of my 270K mile '90 Civic to start driving my 247K mile '90 300TE.
The Civic got 40+mpg on any decent length trip, and was mostly reliable, but was the ugliest car I've ever owned, esp. with the Wisconsin rust and previous owner spraypaint touchup.
My 300TE is really clean, but I'm planning a few upgrades, the new headlights came in the mail today. Brakes need to be done before it's 100% roadworthy. Here's hoping all the bugs have been worked out by now.
PS, not my first Benz, I've also got an early 73 220D, before the crash bumpers.
The Civic got 40+mpg on any decent length trip, and was mostly reliable, but was the ugliest car I've ever owned, esp. with the Wisconsin rust and previous owner spraypaint touchup.
My 300TE is really clean, but I'm planning a few upgrades, the new headlights came in the mail today. Brakes need to be done before it's 100% roadworthy. Here's hoping all the bugs have been worked out by now.
PS, not my first Benz, I've also got an early 73 220D, before the crash bumpers.
I have a 220 gasser, its a 1972 yr with stick shift and manual steering (no power robbing stuff). I hope to find a 5 cyl diesel to stick in it someday, and if I had the $$ I would relocate the pesky filter cannister on a 617 turbo engine to be able to drop in in (o/w it will hit the steering gearbox).
I will post some pics of the latest updates I've made to my blue '87 300dt.
#124
one minute inside my 300CE... this car is a keeper! never found anything to really compare it with! 2004 Lexus? pfaaa... audi A6? not even close!
my girl used to be into BMW's... than she took the CE for a spin
, now she keeps reminding me that I have to find another w124 by september!
my girl used to be into BMW's... than she took the CE for a spin
![EEK!](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#125
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300D X2 300TD X2 220 (W115)
here's a fresh pic. This is one of my '87 300D's. The front bumper add on is a Taiwanese thing I picked up in time to get it painted - the color scheme is NOT OE. The silver is a Saab color, I couldn't find a MB color I liked.
Last edited by Dieseldude; 05-20-2009 at 03:25 PM. Reason: added pics more later. dd