_ccp

Hi all--

I've been looking into buying a used e class. I like both models, but which one would cost me less in the long run, and just feel better?

OK55

IMHO, the W210 looks more modern, and drives better but W124 has less by way of electronics and should be more reliable. Choice is yours, but whichever you choose, get a good low-mileage one...
Brgds

bsmuwk

Exactly.

Whatever you do eventually decide on, find the very best one you can afford. You'll have less headaches.

Jan AMG

We have W124 and W210 in our family so it's easy to compare. I would advise you to get a W124 or skip W210, W211 and go straight for W212.
W124 is more reliable and has more soul.
If you want facts, also crash tests comparison say W124 is better built than W210.

Actually, the correlation between newness and safety cell rigidity isn’t what statisticians would call a “direct relationship.” In offset crash testing, the structural rigidity of pre-facelift W210 E-Class (1996-1999) left something to be desired particularly when compared to the stronger performance of the W124 predecessor (1984-1995).

http://www.automobilesdeluxe.tv/tag/w124/

slow_vw

im a much bigger fan of the w124 interior

BlackStar Stig

If corrosion is a problem where you live the 210 corrodes way faster than the 124 also.

Atleast this is very much a fact here in Norway, because of our winters and the fact they use alot of salt on our winter roads.

And I think the 210 feels alot more "plastic" than the 124 when you consider the interior of the two.. But that could be just me.

deanyel

No, not just you, and no, not just Norway.

nantucketsleigh

My 1992 500E has been much more reliable and cheaper to repair than 2006 E500 and 2007 GL.

BJaltima

95 w124 with an already replaced wiring harness would be your safest, most reliable and better built choice.

tmaguire

I have two 2000 W210 4matics (each with over 210K miles) and a 1994 W124 coupe... I love my E430 but the 124 coupe is much easier to maintain, has less problems and IMO looks better. If you get a 124 things to look out for.. oil leaking from heads, throttle body actuator (ASR limp mode), wiring harness brittle, blower motor and regulator weak/inoperative. All that being said each of those things are pretty cheap (except the wiring harness)... get one with low miles...

Ivie

An cheap Mercedes is an expensive Mercedes.

zach1328

I love my w124. About $750 in repairs/service a year, but thats because i dont do any of it. 3-4 oil changes a year is already $200, so if i did everything on my own it would be more like $200-$300 a year in repair/service. Also many of the things i get repaired dont HAVE to be repaired, i just prefer it to be in 100% working condition.

And i LOVE my car. I wouldn't trade it for many cars, except the 500e.
Theres something about the car that makes it so much fun to drive.

Just by opening the door of a W124, you can feel how solid it is. The door just feels heavy, solid, and well-built. Open the door of many other cars, it feels light, plastic-like, and unsafe.
Theres actually a pretty neat thread on this forums of a guy who crashed his car in my area going 70 MPH on the highway. He ended up with some small cuts and bruises after slamming into a parked car at 70MPH. Just shows how safe and well built the W124's are.

In addition, the car can really take a beating. You can trash it around all you want.....But it just keeps going and going and going.

EDIT:
Here i actually found the thread (below) about the accident. Read over it, very unbelievable how the cabin looks after a 70MPH slam into another car.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ost-story.html

Mike M.

I am also looking but considering a W123 vs. W124. I owned a W124 all through college and it was a great auto but made the mistake of letting it go. I now drive a 120 mile commute daily and want to pick up another for the longevity factor, any thoughts? I really like the classic looks of the W123 but I'm not sure about making the leap...

nantucketsleigh

Don't know about the 210 but, my 1992 500E has been far more reliable than my 2006 E500 which seemed to completely disassemble at 40K miles and 4.5 yrs. Spent almost as much repairing the 211 in the one year out of warranty I owned it as I spent in 20 years with the 1992 124. Because of my reliability/service experience with the 2006 E500 and a 2007 GL450 I doubt I'll buy a new MB any time soon.

190E 16V

Mercedes built much of their engineering/build quality/endurance reputation on cars like the 123 and 124 - great taxi's!

The 124 made great leaps forward in design (and performance) from the 123, though. The 123 may be reliable, and you may find that they have held together well, but it'll be at least 25 years old. It will be easier to find used parts for a 124.
If a 124 is what you're used to, the performance of a 123 is likely to be underwhelming.
If you are talking diesels - both are slow.

austinholloman

The W124 might be the best built benz of all time for both quality and maintenance. Watch these videos done by fifth gear, simply amazing. Its in three parts I think and worth your time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bIV_hHPAFQ

hineywineries

Although the W124 is a fine car and the only car that MB constantly upgraded,it is getting to be an old car. In my opinion if you are looking at investing in transportation for the future, the W210 would be a smarter choice. Maintenance and repairs are probably about the same on both models. My only objection to the W210 is the rack and pinion steering. Mercedes is going along with the rest and getting rid of the recirculating ball steering system and replacing it with the cheaper more problematic rack and pinion .