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Do you guys think that a W124 Merc would be a good bit of budget luxury? Plus, would a tatty early-ish one be worth restoring? Let us say i have £2500 to spend...
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Budget yes. Luxury no. This is a traditional Merc, in which carpets etc were optional ;)
However, x,000 Stuttgart cabbies can't be wrong can they? Give it a go and let us know how you get on.
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Well.. it's purely hypothetical at the moment... I'm only 18, but I really admire the car and am thinking 2 or 3 years down the line, when the insurance companies let me drive something half decent!!!
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A better car for 2.5k IMO is a Lexus GS300, although, as you say, best if you build up some NCB first!
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I'm on my second W124 Coupé.
No problem on the luxury front if the spec is right. As an old used prospect, the advantage of the W124 is its intrinsic durability and the availability of spares, whether OEM from MB, OEM (or not) from Euro Car Parts or GSF, or used/refurbished from dismantlers. There are so many W124s around that there are no worries on that front for as far ahead as you can imagine. Also, and especially in comparison with a Lexus, the parts prices are quite reasonable, and there are plenty of independent specialists around for fitting and servicing at sensible prices.
Finally, the MB Club is one of the largest around and has an active online forum packed with helpful experience; almost all potential problems will be known about and can be anticipated (and perhaps avoided) by timely attention. You don't have to be an owner to become a member at £30 a year (plus £5 joining fee), so that's something to consider doing in the run-up to the purchase.
www.mercedes-benzownersclub.co.uk/
I like my present W124 so much that I don't think I shall sell it, ever. I agree with Aprilia's opinion: MB peaked with the W124.
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I like my present W124 so much that I don't think I shall sell it, ever. I agree with Aprilia's opinion: MB peaked with the W124.
Yup, I agree with my own opinion too...
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Tanvir,
Sod the modern cars your mates might drive, and get one. The last of the overengineered MBs (other was W140). They actually drove quite well, and were so solid. If you can get a coupe model, then WOW! I'm quite jealous of you!!! Just make sure you don't get an abused one..
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Had an old mate who worked for MB, he had a 1990 300TD estate normally aspirated 6 cyl diesel, leisurely and basic described it however he once borrowed a 300CE 24v coupe, quick and luxurious.
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"Yup, I agree with my own opinion too..."
On your bike, Aprilia! Sorry, couldn't resist ....
Jack
PS VMT for your help with with XK8 "lifetime" ATF - nothing in handbook so will follow through your recommendation with my lovely independent.
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Excellent idea. Drive one of them, and you'll never WANT to drive any other car. Even better, go back a model, and get a late W123 - for which budget £500 or less, a doddle to service, loads of lovely access space, and you can happily do an oil & filter change wearing a suit. Beware, it's a 20 year old car, and security is not high. Park it on the street in London, and don't expect to come back to find it again, as it will be in bits, on its way to Africa where spares are in short supply, as happened to me; twice. Beware rust. Oh yes, and they rust. Did I mention the rust?
Don't bother with the restoring bit though. You can spend thousands on restoration and it won't be worth much more than it was before. Either buy tatty & stick with it, or buy the best you can find. When the tatty one fails the MOT through rust, buy another. Welcome to Bangernomics.
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They are good. Mine is 124K and 13 years old. They are group 14 plus on insurance so if you are young I would check the cost. I do think that with this type of car, never buy a tatty example as there is no need. Many older caring owners have these and look after them. Buy the car + the owner! If it is a young lad selling a car he has had for 4 months be very carefull. It will never be up to stratch in the long term.
I also think this is not the car for someone with little DIY experience, no older car is, because the slightest problem becomes very expensive.
If you have no DIY experience get a nice 2000W Nissan Micra, for the money. One £150 service a year. End of problems.
Old cars need a little sympathy and the ability to lift the bonnet if need be,. If you have good DIY skills these cars are very good. All nuts and bolts are German logic, not French complexity. It really is DIY friendly, and ECP and Swedish and German really help. Just bought oil filter for £3 and 4 Bosch plugs for £4.60 + VAT. Dead cheap, but can you fit the parts? Don't over-stretch yourself for passion. Do German logic and calculation.
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And as if to prove their longevity - there's a 300TD on ebay with 460,000 miles and only two owners - tinyurl.com/kgsv9
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