klobbr

Hi all,

Now on ebaymotors:130582529227
Newbie here wondering about this car. I have wanted one for years, just lurked all over the posts here on E320 cabs, and I want all of yours, but still have reservations about this particular car. Fate has it that I need another vehicle for a new job I have. Boom.

And, can you believe it, I love this color combination. Mostly because no one else does, but I think its cool. Typical for the period. I like old school.

Most of the troubles I hear about the 94 are to be considered. Log book is stamped through 130K, so I have high hopes. Biggest threat is the accident report. But even so, at the Buy it Now price I could still win on this. Or one of you could.

I work about 5 miles away from this car. If you want to guide me as to what I should inspect fire away. I'm heading over to see it on Monday. In the least, myself or one of us should be enjoying this car very soon.

Best,
Bob Angone
312-218-2584

PaulX608

I would jump right on that! Even if it doesn't run or move under it's own power, just what you see should be worth that. Nice find!! Take pics when you see it even if you don't buy it.

RHW

We have that color and it is nicer than it gets credit for amongst these boards....in the real world folks like the color.

And for that price, a 3000 mile per year joy seems like it could be had for a sweet budget. But, gotta look close, never trust a dealer, never trust an ebay ad at it's word.

stormtigers

Jeez you guys get all the breaks - I would have snapped that up for my wife at that price!

klobbr

Just missed this one by an hour. Looks like somebody on the west coast picked it up. Hopefully the new owner will be on this board soon, and we'll see what condition she's in. Kinda bummed, but it just wasn't meant to be, and i really couldn't buy it without driving it first.

I'll keep you posted,
Bob

klobbr

I just committed to the 1993 300 CE cab that was listed on ebay out of Austin, Texas. Had to spend quite a bit more than the green one I listed at the top of this post but am convinced I made the right choice. Triple black, fully documented logs and service history, new top, new actuators, brakes, chrome wheels (we'll see about those monoblocks in the spring) head gasket replaced, new wiring harness, new cats, no apparent leaks, bushings new at 55K miles now shows 73K on the odometer. My inspector (friend and master nechanic) verified the above and said the car looks like its new. Even the condition of the steering wheel is better than he expected.

I've been excited before racing vintage motorcycles. This is a completely new buzz. I guess I have finally found my midlife crisis fix.

Is there a registry I should enter the vin into for posterity?

Best,
Bob

stormtigers

That is one awesome example of a classic model !!!!!!
Had that option been available here it would have sold for much more and a queue of slobbering buyers would have strecthed down the street.

Congratulations - enjoy !!!

RHW

I have 2 of these, bought a second to be sure I'd have at least 1 good one for many years. Well, gave 1 away, but it is in family.

Fantastic color combo and for my taste, Cabs are the first choice for a 20 year old 124, including the V8 options. These cars have tended to be driven gently and primped in the garage, so WHEN they get used, they MUST show well.

Hope the car is as described and you've done well. I know of no car I'd rather have in the price range.

Congrats!!

Now, maybe slip in some Sportline springs, lower her a tad, and...
nonono enjoy her until she needs something!

klobbr

Any suggestions on floormats? The ones that come with the car are trashed.

stormtigers

I seem to recall a post where floormats were discussed by a few guys, pros and cons of various makes and availability.

Personally I would tend to lean towards some all weathers - Windy City can get mighty cold and wet. I found a website where the guys specifically do carpet sets/seating for the MB might be worth looking at !

http://worlduph.com/mercedes_benz/w124/coupe_cabriolet/

Cheers

klobbr

Thanks.
This is going to be a lot of fun. I can already start adding up the little details I want to add/update to make this car mine. Cheers.

stormtigers

Yes it will be fun.
A small word of warning without taking the joy of your new purchase.

1993-95 was the years where Mercedes used an inferior wiring harness that would degrade over time.

IF and I repeat IF you start to get a lot of small annoying problems occurring then bear the previous statement in mind. Just a heads up.

Ray

klobbr

Duly noted.

stormtigers

Oh and make sure you don't go near the water - you don't want no friggin' seagulls adding abstract art patterns on that beautiful black paintwork !

RHW

Nice thing abut the Cabs is that their relative value to these repairs is far greater.

A $1700 repair on a $4000 sedan is different than on a $14,000 Cabriolet or e500. Yet as common as it is on a e320, it is usually the same on the Cab.

That said, they only brought about 750 1993 Cabs in, so not many black on black...and very few with 73k on them. So you have one that could sooner appreciate in value. I think you should park it and get another to use up.

FWIW, I budget $2000 per year for my convertible's needs,
and rarely spend anything close except when I am playing.

stormtigers

As i said you guys are spoilt with available selections.

The cheapest Cab I could find here at present was

1995 E220 Cabriolet for $11999.00 (about $12100 USD)

Sheeesh !!

klobbr

You guys would flip out if you knew what I've spent on Italian motorcycle restoration, vintage road racing, and on the 115 year old Victorian I live in. I hope I'm not jinxing myself, but even 2k a year seems like a dream.

I am pretty handy with the toolbox, and am looking forward to using this car as a daily driver, I only have a 24 mile round trip commute. When it's really awful i'll take the Audi or work at our downtown office which I can get to by train.

But I actually look at this car as a weekend getaway hustler for me and my wife. We have a bunch of friends and relatives with cabins and lake houses in Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana and i love riding through rural areas at speed and in the wind. I have been touring on motorcycles for years, now I can share that experience with my wife and kids.

But first, i solo from Austin to Chicago this coming Saturday. I'll be sure to report all about it under a different thread.

Prost!
Bob

stormtigers

God Speed John Glenn ........err..... Bob !

klobbr

Right?
I seriously am going to have a hard time concentrating at work this week.
And will probably be hitting the search on this forum often.

What kind of mods do most folks do outside of springs, spacers and wheels?
I saw headlight upgrades...interesting.

What about engine performance...cold air intake? Chip? Header/exhaust? Just wondering.

RHW

Forget the engine mods, these cars provide limited opportunities and low ROI.

Custom visual mods per taste, BUT, like I said earlier, that car is in a bit of a rare category. Used (as I use mine) a few thousand miles a year, that car should retain it's value or even increase soon.

It is the kind of car some here would argue...should not be played with too much.

Other than your list + cupholder(s) and audio (Jehnert speakers are stealth) I wouldn't do much more.

Plus, give yourself 1-2 years of ownership to be clear on "needs" lest unexpected budget busters creep up on you.

klobbr

Good to hear. I'd like to learn more about how rare it is. Any sources? Thanks for the info.

RHW

I don't have the source links, someone will hopefully post them.

But the 94-95 got maybe 3000 brought into the USA
and the 93 - the only Cabriolet version with the pre-facelift look,
got about 750 brought into the USA.

Tried a few searches, did not find the stats, but liked this unrelated article.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...r-w124-e-class

stormtigers

Your probably already getting the feeling that you have stumbled upon a conclave of motorheads who absolutely love their MB's with a passion !.

I second the otion from RHW regarding mods.

You have bought what is argueably the best model MB ever produced (ewww watch the fur fly and the claws come out now !) not to mention one of the even rarer sub-models. A classic car that oozes prestige and class.

Hang on to it, love it, nuture it and drive it and it will still be there with all it's attributes intact in another 10 years. And people will look in awe and ask how the hell a "28 year old car can still look so good" when their "post 2000 Nippo-Korean-Domestican tin can" is a stuttering mess in the driveway !

Here's some more reading for you, if your so inclined !

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/m...-c-124-series/

If you would like to know your vehicle's delivery build config, here is a handy VIN decoder page. wack your VIN in and you an see the bits and pieces the vehicle was ordered with.

http://www.neoriginal.ru/cat/mb/

Another forum member "ps2cho" has his own website dedicated to the W124 and has handy maintenance information online.

http://w124-zone.com/downloads/MB%20CD/W124/Main.html

There is a goldmine of how to's and mod discussions on this forum and others. Quite often if you stuck on a question, a post from years ago may well answer the question - so get comfortable with the search facilities on here - IT CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND !

Other MB forum site's worthy of mention....

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w124/ (obviously)

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w124-e-ce-d-td-class/ (few too many ads on the pages each time it loads but lot of guys here are also members there)

http://www.peachparts.com/ (really good resource for tech how-to's etc)


Cheers

klobbr

I will read all of this, don't hesitate to send more.

I am thrilled to learn of this car and am so glad you all prefer to retain these cars in standard trim. Rest assured this one will remain as it is.

Can't wait to decode the vin, thanks so much. Is there any resource for the owner's manual for these cars, I'll get one with the car, but I would like to read it in advance. Thanks!

stormtigers

Ask and ye shall receive ! This is my web hosting platform so I get to dump stuff there !

http://web-wizard.net/w124/Tech_Docs...ers_Manual.pdf

Might care to browse for other bits and pieces in there also.

http://web-wizard.net/w124/