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.

 

I've had 2 Ford Taurus' and both SUCKED, couldn't keep a trans in one, also the headgaskets blow like crazy. I'm on my 2nd W124, 1st 1986, 2nd 1994 love both of them. I've also have a W116 which is a headturner anywhere I drive her. I;ve had w123's and w114. So I guess you could say Im HOOKED.

 

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 )

 

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!

 

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.

 

LOL my girlfriend drove mine for the first time last week. She was speechless nonetheless!

So now I have to fork up some more money for her to have a matching e320...

 

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!

 

I love the w124 i think they are wounderful and are like TANKS...... long live the w124 benzo

and i love my car

 

How's this for Candy Store. 1991 300CE, black over grey leather, 8,800 miles. Never seen rain, snow or dirt. Long story short. My best friend and I were on a motorcycle trip and three miles from Sonora, CA the road went left and he didn't. Died in the chopper on the way to Modesto. He left two cars to his only son. The CE and a 1996 C36 AMG, silver over black leather with 1,700 miles. Both kept is a temperature and humidity controlled garage with carpet on the floor, track lighting and art on the walls. I called it the Mercedes Museum. Great guy. I really miss him. I've been Benzless all of my life, although I came real close to buying a 71 280SL a few years back. Bought Harleys instead. Had cars but no bikes. No regrets except for the fact that it got my friend hooked and hence his demise. He loved to ride and was lucky to go doing something he truly loved. Beats dying of cancer in a hospital any day.

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.

 

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.

 

WOW! The wiring harness pics are amazing! I wonder it the insulation failures are age, heat or both related?

 

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.

 

1. How much for a new MB harness?
2. Any better aftermarket harness available?
3. Dealer cost to replace?
4. DIY difficulty?
Anybody?

 

definitely DIY if you knkow your way around a car

cost should be >$1000

 

You shouldn't need a wiring harness as the W124s affected were from '92 and newer.

 

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!!

 

I always like to start the week with good news. Thanks for the response. I thought I had read somewhere that 91's were part of the problem. I'll take your word for it. Thanks again!

 

i wonder why nobody brought up the w140, i mean not saying its better than the w124, but why hasn't anyone talked about it, it's a very nice car

 

because this is the W124 forum and the w140 is still not as well built as the W124

 

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

 

Hah I agree! I just went north of 200K on my trip to Washington DC this weekend

 

Hope both of my M103's go that far I got a LONG time until that happens though of course. I only do 10k miles a year...and so now split between the cars I'll probably put 7k and 3k on 260 and 300 respectively.

Haven't even broke 100k in either yet.

 

Hey, so we have several things in common, one I love the W124 cars (own two) and two, we own W115's. Worlds apart but each great cars for their own purposes.
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.

 

Just finished a CLEAN '92 up today if you feel like taking a vacation to cape cod

 

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.