Buying Advice
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10
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From: Cologne, Germany
600SEL and S500L
Buying Advice
Hello All,
I am in the market for a W124 E-Class, in particular the 300E. I haven't driven any cars yet, but I have sat it them and I love the look of them both inside and out. Such solid build and quality!
My question is this: What are they actually like to drive? I would most probably buy a 1989 or 1990 model. I have read auto reviews stating that the original 6-cylinder engine is less powerful than the 24 Valve, but the original delivers power much more smoothly. Is this true?
Also are there any differences to the interior/specification from the 1990 model compared to the 1989. Any problems mechanically/other that anyone could report?
If possible I would like to purchase a 1990 model without the 24 Valve engine. What do you think
Otto
I am in the market for a W124 E-Class, in particular the 300E. I haven't driven any cars yet, but I have sat it them and I love the look of them both inside and out. Such solid build and quality!
My question is this: What are they actually like to drive? I would most probably buy a 1989 or 1990 model. I have read auto reviews stating that the original 6-cylinder engine is less powerful than the 24 Valve, but the original delivers power much more smoothly. Is this true?
Also are there any differences to the interior/specification from the 1990 model compared to the 1989. Any problems mechanically/other that anyone could report?
If possible I would like to purchase a 1990 model without the 24 Valve engine. What do you think
Otto
Last edited by herr_kaufmann; Feb 25, 2003 at 12:05 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
Hi Herr Kaufmann,
if you are in the market to buy one of the goodies like the 300E I would say, good move. But also I would recommend to go for one 93 or later (face lift). Am I mistaken that you may be looking for the car in Germany??? If so be very, very carefull with private deals!!! Most of those in that age are just accident rebuilts coming back from Hungery or the Czech Republic. Most of them have tampered odometers or are just not well kept and decent deals. My recommendation would be see a decent dealer and try to retrieve the car's records which you have to proof to be honest and not tampered. The W124 are reliable cars which hardly ever let you down, but the key is they need some attention like oil changes etc. I own 2, each of them over 180 000 mils and no major problems. Concernig the engine 24 valves make a differnece but are not essential. Check oil leakage, A/C function, Power Steering function and automatic transmission. Those are the most expensive things to be fixed in case they need to be worked on.
if you are in the market to buy one of the goodies like the 300E I would say, good move. But also I would recommend to go for one 93 or later (face lift). Am I mistaken that you may be looking for the car in Germany??? If so be very, very carefull with private deals!!! Most of those in that age are just accident rebuilts coming back from Hungery or the Czech Republic. Most of them have tampered odometers or are just not well kept and decent deals. My recommendation would be see a decent dealer and try to retrieve the car's records which you have to proof to be honest and not tampered. The W124 are reliable cars which hardly ever let you down, but the key is they need some attention like oil changes etc. I own 2, each of them over 180 000 mils and no major problems. Concernig the engine 24 valves make a differnece but are not essential. Check oil leakage, A/C function, Power Steering function and automatic transmission. Those are the most expensive things to be fixed in case they need to be worked on.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
the differences between 1989 and 1990 are a) interior seats are more modern on '90 b) Passenger Airbag became available in '90 c) more modern lower cladding on body instead of moulding strips on '90
Later face lifted models (94-95) have a DOHC engine with slightly more power but also have terrible wiring harnesses that are prone to failure and EXPENSIVE to replace. Go with a 1990-1992 and do a facelift if necessary later. I have updated mine to a point where it looks much more sporty, aggressive and modern WITHOUT the new grille and hood setup. I will send you pics if you'd like
Hope this helps
Later face lifted models (94-95) have a DOHC engine with slightly more power but also have terrible wiring harnesses that are prone to failure and EXPENSIVE to replace. Go with a 1990-1992 and do a facelift if necessary later. I have updated mine to a point where it looks much more sporty, aggressive and modern WITHOUT the new grille and hood setup. I will send you pics if you'd like
Hope this helps
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10
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From: Cologne, Germany
600SEL and S500L
Thank you!
Thanks bamberger_1 and ZorroAMG for your help. I have actually moved from Australia from Germany just a few years ago.
Looks like I will be going for a 1990 model then. I would buy a 1993 if I could - they are exceptionally rare here, I think because there was a recession at the time and no one was buying new cars. Do you know what production date the updated 1990's came out?
Looks like I will be going for a 1990 model then. I would buy a 1993 if I could - they are exceptionally rare here, I think because there was a recession at the time and no one was buying new cars. Do you know what production date the updated 1990's came out?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
I guess the update for Europe started early 1990. I have a March 90 and this is the 1st upgrade. In Germany at that time airbags still were an extra, the same goes for Automatic and A/C.
Again watch out for those "criminal" deals you may be offered from "private" owners.
My suggestion get one from a real MB-dealer, since according to the German law a professional car dealer has to grant you one year warrenty at no cost, also for used cars.
Just out of curiosity: Why would someone voluntarily move from Australia to foggy, wet, cold, dark Germany???
Again watch out for those "criminal" deals you may be offered from "private" owners.
My suggestion get one from a real MB-dealer, since according to the German law a professional car dealer has to grant you one year warrenty at no cost, also for used cars.
Just out of curiosity: Why would someone voluntarily move from Australia to foggy, wet, cold, dark Germany???
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10
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From: Cologne, Germany
600SEL and S500L
Correction
Thanks for your help bamberger. I mistyped somethign in my previous reply. It should read:
I am from Germany and I moved to Australia.
I guess I made a good move seeing it is that cold and glum over there. Not that the weather here is any better - Very dry, varying between ultra humid and just plain hot.
Strangely enough the Mercedes dealers don't sell older Mercedes here, only relatively new cars.
Otto
I am from Germany and I moved to Australia.
I guess I made a good move seeing it is that cold and glum over there. Not that the weather here is any better - Very dry, varying between ultra humid and just plain hot.
Strangely enough the Mercedes dealers don't sell older Mercedes here, only relatively new cars.
Otto
