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The old man called me, very excited about a W124 E280 estate he has seen locally thats for sale for much cheapness! I have wanted one for a while as a daily to potentially replace our ageing but ever reliable Golf.  I was just wondering if anyone could advise on what sort of running costs / reliability I should expect from a W124 and what should I look for if I do have a look at one? Its a N plate if it makes any difference? Oh an just 1 more question? What sort of towing weight could this thing haul? Sorry not massivley clued up on towing but have been thinking about taking the AE86 off the road and just towing it to track days instead. Have some pictures for your time ....      |
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Last Edit: Nov 6, 2009 18:27:18 GMT by eightsix
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If you buy one of the ones listed above then you are in instant Win territory, if not, you will need wheels like they all have, and colour coding no doubt...
They RUST.
That's the most useful advice I can give, and why I didn't buy one earlier this year.
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binboy
Part of things
Posts: 317
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Hi I think the later W124 280 have the V6 engine. They can have probelms with the wiring that runs on the top of the engine, the heat from the engine starts to melt it. If it has any running problems leave it as it cost loads to sort out.
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Slammed 1975 Mercedes 240d back with Dez
1978 W123 Mercedes in yellow
1972 Danbury delux VW camper
1967 Aussie import split screen camper Sold
Slammed 1992 Golf 1.8
1987 Bmw 320i sold
1984 Mitsubishi L300
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The 124 series was never fitted with the V6 engines The 280 you are considering is the M104 24v straight six which is a great engine, only sometimes prone to occasional head gasket failure - although Ive had a few and never had a problem. Ive never encountered the (bio-degradable) engine bay wiring loom problem either, athough as mentioned keep away from any car with running issues (miss-firing). The engine bay wiring problem isnt as common as some would have you think. I currently have a W124 saloon with the 3.2 verion of the M104 engine and it flies!! Make sure the box changes smoothly without slurring or snatching. They don't rust bad, check the wheel arches mainly, pop off the jacking point covers and check what you can there and at the bottom of the rear side windows, but thats usually only bad on earlier cars. If it twitches its bum as you pull away its the rear suspension control arm bushes (not a massive job). Listen for any creaks or knocks from the front suspension, balljonts can collapse, rare though. All in all they are great cars, well built and not costly to run at all (as long as the above problems are avoided) and have a pretty timeless appeal. Ive had 8 W124s and never regretted buying any of them.   |
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Last Edit: Nov 7, 2009 6:54:49 GMT by Deleted
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 My friends E300TDT... Very nice finish on everything and about 300 hp of diseasel power... Maybe looks a little modern to be put here, but I must say that it is an impressive build, considering he started with a very cheap and rusty 1987 one that looked like curse word...  There is not many problems with the W124. One of the most reliable cars that's built, just keep in mind that they often have rolled around the world a million times, so they are worn out due to mileages that would have killed most other cars. A lemon like that doesn't really make a nice car like the 124 justice... But if it feels OK and everything's working, it's probably a nice car... Quite easy to wrench on too. |
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194? Willys Jeep MB 1965 Volvo 544 Special 1968 Opel Rekord 1975 Opel Kadett Estate 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E 1985 Datsun 720 King Cab 4x4 diesel 1997 Volvo S70 2.5SE (ex. "Volvo544special65" - changed to more reader friendly username. ) |
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W124 Merc Estatesmilfordcubicle
@GUEST
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300bhp! Yikes. It's a shame W124 300D turbos are extremely rare in the UK.
I like W124s... I've been thinking of getting a 250 or 300D. Am I right to avoid multivalve engines? They seem to be prone to cylinder head failures.
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i would agree with suprisingskoda on the rust comments,especially on a later car, btw anybody know why i see a couple of s and t plated w124's about here?
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I almost bought one of these a while back. a 300 tdt with an E conversion, personally i would have changed it back to the old front end. Great cars, very well built, but i haven't heard anything good about the 12 valve straight six, and don't know much about the 24v. Here's one i've photoshopped earlier  before |
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W124= Instant win
i had an '89 230 TE. i would say it was underpowered but the 280 should be fine. Front wings were rusty by the bumper, round the rear side windows were rusty and around the sunroof. Very reliable though, confortable and huge load area.
I relaced it with a 300 CE W124 coupe which is perfect for performance (0-60 in 8 secs) . Built like tanks, some of the best cars Mercedes have produced!
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Well the old man went and had a close look for me, its green, with green leather (vomit!) has FSH, MOT, Tax and looks to be in exceptional condition - sorley tempted but it means shifting the ever reliable Golf which would be like getting rid of the family dog.
The main thing thats now putting me off is that it seems the car may not be upto spec towing a car and trailer.
They weigh around 1500kgs - couple that with a light car trailer, 600kgs, and my AE86 ontop 900kgs then I am basically pulling 100% of the tow cars weight which from what I understand isnt safe. IIRC the braked limit for the E class is 1900kgs which is a fair amount more than the weight of the car, don't really understand how that works?
Does anyone kow the deal with towing weights on this car and what I can pull. It looks like I will need to take a test to haul the trailer legally but concerned the car wont be upto scratch.
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dclane
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,037
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Towing weights - don't know.
Having had two of these, some simple comments:
Front wings rust, but everything else should be OK apart from the rear window frames (check for bubbling under the plastic seams)
Self-levelling rear shocks leak eventually (if fitted - they were an option) and are EXPENSIVE to replace (£400+ each)
Otherwise, buy. The engines last forever if serviced and pull like a train.
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Current vehicle collection:
2006 Saab 9-3 Aero convertible - in mid-life crisis yellow
No new retro as yet ... all attempts to sneak one onto the drive have failed.
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Not sure about the weights, so please don't take this as gospel, but I'd imagine that Merc would be more than capable of towing your 86 + trailer?
On the colour side, green with green hide = WIN in my book and one factor that would have me rushing to buy it. Nice alloys, nice drop and hero status granted in an instant.
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W124 Merc EstatesHARDCORE
@hardcore
Club Retro Rides Member 190
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its green, with green leather ( vomit WIN!) I've edited that for ya  I know nothing about towing (tho I'd be very surprised if it wasn't comfortably within its abilities) but with some nice splits or AMG's & a good smack with the stick you'd have yourself an awesome ride HC. |
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My 230 towed a medium sized horsebox and horse from north to south Wales through small A roads, up and down hills without too much issue. I'd be really surprised if a 280 struggled?
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Gah ... this is so hard ... I so want one, but we wernt looking at getting a new car until this one came up!
I don't have any doubt it would haul my 86 and trailer with ease - the old man had one years back and it yanked a horse box and 2 nags around and you wouldnt even know you were towing. My concern is just if the towing weights are out I could get royally bummed by the 5-0 if I get stopped (and it seems they are getting quite hot on this these days?)
AMG wheels and a drop would be the first things on the list. However I also have dirty thoughts about painting it nimbus grey and rolling on matching colour wheels - with a few subtle additions of black here and there.
Running costs seem good though, obviously more on petrol but only 180 to insure FC! Oh the joys of getting old!
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.....however I also have dirty thoughts about painting it nimbus grey and rolling on matching colour wheels - with a few subtle additions of black here and there. Now that is something I'd LOVE to see! (Nimbus paint, Nimbus wheels & green moo-skin = EPIC!) You had better block my number on your phone otherwise I'll be harassing you endlessly until you buy this car. Fact. |
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Rust is only an issue because the newest are now 14 years old. With the exception of things like galvanised Audis and Porsches, they were probably one of the most rust resistant cars of the 1980s.
The replacement E class (w210?) - now that had rust problems from day one.
Basically check all around the plastic overpanels at the lower half of the body (for example look at the door bottoms from underneath the door), and a good look around the sunroof if it is fitted.
I would avoid anything with chrome arches like the plague, not just on taste grounds but because they are the cheapest way to get a car with ragged arches though the MoT.
However the scrappage scheme has resulted in some rust free secondhand panels being available - I wouldn't let grotty front wings be a dealbreaker if it was all good everywhere else. If the sills or any inner panels have gone, walk (run!) away though.
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Last Edit: Nov 9, 2009 17:20:22 GMT by anthonyg
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Argh ... something told me not to search for lowered W124's ... How badly and I talking myself into this? OOOF  |
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nice^
on the rust issue,have a look at the rear jacking points,rear subframe mounts,front inner wings on its both sides,rear quarters,spare wheel well as weel as the other areas mentioned,the roof seems to be ok though,unless it has a sunroof,always liked these.
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I know nothing about towing (tho I'd be very surprised if it wasn't comfortably within its abilities) but with some nice splits or AMG's & a good smack with the stick you'd have yourself an awesome ride