mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701 
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 A standard non Turbo 900. Retro, cool, comfortable, family friendly, huge load area, well served for parts etc etc etc. Love them, but we're dig shopping to. Husky/alsatian size beast. Her fn2 type R won't take one, and my 06 9-3 is a saloon. Hence looking at big load lugging buses 😊 |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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A W124 230TE would be great for you. The only thing is to get one without rust. IMHO these are the hidden gem of the W124 range; diesels are now expensive for something good, and the 6 pots are too thirsty with the 200E making even some diesels seem reasonable! The only thing I'd say is if you get a 16V version make sure it's had a new loom. Even with a £400 repair made to the loom, if there are any traces of the old wires left it will crack again and you will cry and hate the car as t lets you down. Recon looms built up from the ground up around around £500-600 with Mercedes wanting £850 for a new engine harness with next day delivery. Yes, they are a known fault on multivalve petrol cars. The only other thing you have to look out for is a tired example and rot. People take their 'solid' status to heart and neglect them. Rusty wings I'd be fine with, but I'd take a careful look at the rear subframe mounting points, the sill jacking points (they have plastic covers aka Sacco Panels on later 1990 cars like mine, which can hide a number of things) as well as potentailly the bukhead, where a leaking master cylinder or spilt brake fluid can cause corrosion. If those key areas are fine you'll be OK. 850s are a good shout too. I wouldn't discount MkIII and MkIV Mondeos here. The only thing I'd say is to avoid MkIII diesels; a good one is a great thing, but a bad one will have you wishing you never ever bought it, like many modern diesels. We've clocked some massive figures with a family and they've been great workhorses. We currently have two MkIV 2.5T (the ST engine). One is on 159k and the other is on 174k and both are great. I love the idea of a P38 but they can be a massive world of pain. Yes, low mileage may get you out of trouble but they are Land Rovers (aka unreliable) and now 20 years old, where maintenance will count for much more than mileage. Cheers for all the information, I'll be concise as possible... W124: 230te - that was exactly what I fancy, or a c2xx tourer of similar/slightly newer vintage. Then, subtle lows, nice wheels, clean, simple. Read about the looms, didn't know all that, so thanks. Rust - dad's got a w123, had it 15-17 years, rebuilt twice. He's got a w113 pagoda too that's had floorplans. Benz, rot. It's a given. W123 is half new sheet metal and savings account. Ford - had 5, all rotted and ate engines. Never have another, ever. P38/discovery might be terrifying me 😂 Volvo appeal too |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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It's a shame about the Mondeos but I appreciate where you are coming from. Bar one (down to a curse word LPG conversion) all of ours were spot on. But all were petrol MkIIIs until the last lot and none were that bad on the rot front, even the 380k 2.0 we had  . They were safe too. My beloved V6 @262k in 2014 got written off by a lady going into the back of it at 40MPH. My old man who drove the car walked away fine thankfully. The MkIIs do like to rot I admit! Back to the W124 most of the multivalves suffer from the engine harness failure if you decide to go for a six pot. In short, the following are affected as per TurboDieselWeasel 's response in this thread. forum.retro-rides.org/thread/166491/mercedes-biodegradeable-engine-harness-which |
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Last Edit: Apr 30, 2018 7:54:01 GMT by ChasR
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Apr 30, 2018 10:55:18 GMT
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It's a shame about the Mondeos but I appreciate where you are coming from. Bar one (down to a curse word LPG conversion) all of ours were spot on. But all were petrol MkIIIs until the last lot and none were that bad on the rot front, even the 380k 2.0 we had . They were safe too. My beloved V6 @262k in 2014 got written off by a lady going into the back of it at 40MPH. My old man who drove the car walked away fine thankfully. The MkIIs do like to rot I admit! Back to the W124 most of the multivalves suffer from the engine harness failure if you decide to go for a six pot. In short, the following are affected as per TurboDieselWeasel 's response in this thread. forum.retro-rides.org/thread/166491/mercedes-biodegradeable-engine-harness-whichMK3 fiesta - 4 engines in 2 years, terminal rot MK2 focus estate - never made over 60% of claimed MPG, lots of tedious niggles, awful interior and seats MK3 Mondeo - subframe bushes, calipers, rot, engine ate itself MK1 kak - £80 Car. Rotten as hell, burning oil, doors didn't lock, heater stuck on full, boot and bonnet didn't open. I drove it until test expired, sold as scrap. MK2 galaxy Tdci - £5k of scrap. Constant issues, endless niggles, culminating in random not starting which took 8 weeks and 2 garages to sort. Sold after 9 months of ownership, £2500 bills, for £3k. Glad to be rid. A dodgy loom seems minor in comparison 😂😂 |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Apr 30, 2018 11:30:51 GMT
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That seems fair enough!
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Apr 30, 2018 11:42:47 GMT
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I might have lost half an hour to eBay, and old Volvo's |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Apr 30, 2018 12:23:47 GMT
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This can only mean you're winning a bid on something!
On a serious note I may be getting rid of my W124 but it won't be until the end of May.
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Apr 30, 2018 13:13:57 GMT
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Have you considered a renault espace?
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Apr 30, 2018 18:14:23 GMT
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This can only mean you're winning a bid on something! On a serious note I may be getting rid of my W124 but it won't be until the end of May. Nah, but I have eclipsed my maximum allowable "watched items". What figure you got in mind? I'm in no rush, garage not up yet.. 1300 not sold, or even on our property... Or within 30 miles of our house. |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Apr 30, 2018 18:14:50 GMT
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Have you considered a renault espace? Briefly, want lows... Boxy... Cool |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Apr 30, 2018 21:03:42 GMT
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This can only mean you're winning a bid on something! On a serious note I may be getting rid of my W124 but it won't be until the end of May. Nah, but I have eclipsed my maximum allowable "watched items". What figure you got in mind? I'm in no rush, garage not up yet.. 1300 not sold, or even on our property... Or within 30 miles of our house. I'll send you a PM. |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Nah, but I have eclipsed my maximum allowable "watched items". What figure you got in mind? I'm in no rush, garage not up yet.. 1300 not sold, or even on our property... Or within 30 miles of our house. I'll send you a PM. Cheers, will read it. The old Benz capable when towing? Got a twin axle 1400kg caravan |
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steveg
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,586
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Hence looking at big load lugging buses 😊
This sounds like a Volvo Estate to me !
What about a Carlton or an older 5 series.
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Last Edit: May 1, 2018 21:37:35 GMT by steveg
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Unless I've missed it I don't see you've mentioned how much you're looking to spend? I haven't seen many bad suggestions so far as long as you take on board that most models have an Achilles heel or two and some cars cost more than others to keep running. To throw in a few wildcards as specific examples, (which may include several you've considered):- Mitsubishi Pajero / Shogun lwb.   Audi A6 Quattro.   Volvo 740.  Volvo 760. (The rocket-ship version of this leather armchair bedecked barge).   Volvo 240.   Toyota Landcruiser.  Toyota Hilux Surf.   Others you might consider keeping your eyes peeled for, Toyota Camry estate, Honda Accord Aerodeck, (estate), Volvo 245 estate, Isuzu Bighorn, Isuzu Trooper. All with plenty of room for Fido out back! |
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Last Edit: May 2, 2018 6:43:08 GMT by MkX
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Hence looking at big load lugging buses 😊 This sounds like a Volvo Estate to me ! What about a Carlton or an older 5 series. Exactly. Big dog on the cards, baby/toddler/caravan/MTB hobby. Need a classic car that'll earn it's keep. Good call on the Carlton. |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Unless I've missed it I don't see you've mentioned how much you're looking to spend? I haven't seen many bad suggestions so far as long as you take on board that most models have an Achilles heel or two and some cars cost more than others to keep running. To throw in a few wildcards as specific examples, (which may include several you've considered):- Mitsubishi Pajero / Shogun lwb. Audi A6 Quattro. Volvo 740. Volvo 760. (The rocket-ship version of this leather armchair bedecked barge). Volvo 240. Toyota Landcruiser. Toyota Hilux Surf. Others you might consider keeping your eyes peeled for, Toyota Camry estate, Honda Accord Aerodeck, (estate), Volvo 245 estate, Isuzu Bighorn, Isuzu Trooper. All with plenty of room for Fido out back! Budget will be whatever I can get for the Austin 1300. Expected to be between £2k and £3k, by end of summer. Pajero & land cruiser already considered, as per Volvo's. Volvo or Benz estate are currently favourite. LR stuff is too fragile. A tidy swb pajero appeals. I'd like something that looks purposely retro, not just "banger" money if that makes sense? Mrs has "standards" |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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ETA that 760 estate is 50 shades of awesome 😎😍😎😍😎
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ETA that 760 estate is 50 shades of awesome 😎😍😎😍😎 I did see the £2½K mentioned but wasn't sure if that was being added to money from the other cars you'd sold. If you watch what's about you should get a decent 760 for what you've got to spend and you'll almost forget you've got a caravan hitched up. It's the ideal time to sell your 1300, car show season has kicked off, worth taking along to a few shows with a 'for sale' sign displayed? Get some photos posted in the What's it worth? section, you might be aiming low with your price. Amongst the various other free ad sites you can advertise for free here; www.the1100club.com/marketplace.php |
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Last Edit: May 3, 2018 10:51:48 GMT by MkX
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,659
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You have covered all the top picks above I think.
I just got a super cheap 850 T5 saloon auto to smoke around in and it is a tank. That said I had a W124 200 Estate previously and it was likewise.
Given the budget I think you will get a lot more quality T5 for your cash than the equivilant W124 - (and hopefully way less rust)
Also, the engine in the Volvo is far more interesting and sporting than anything you will get in the Mercs.
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. They were safe too. My beloved V6 @262k in 2014 got written off by a lady going into the back of it at 40MPH. My old man who drove the car walked away fine thankfully. The MkIIs do like to rot I admit!
