2 w124 diesel saloons

[WesLangdon]

MERCEDES 300 DIESEL | eBay

 

[BillyW124]

more and more 124's on their death bed these days.

 

[SilverSaloon]

yes the last year especially has seen many go very cheap (from my usual checks on ebay). many sold as spares/repair even though they run. the same happend with W123's.

many buy them cheap, run them cheap and then just scrap them even though they may still be good.

the silver 1994 multivalve diesel estate is a perfect example of this - i got it cheap(ish) from ebay as it had a banging gearbox and various tatty bits. interior is mint but was let down as the previous owner broke the door handle, let it get really dirty. a good VAX, and a few new clips (pennies from MB dealer) see the interior really nice again. no bolster wear either! The banging gearbox was simply a cracked vacuum pipe under the manifold that was replaced with some spare leak-off pipe i had laying around in my garage... 20 second job but the previous owner drove the car for a year with a banging gearbox and sold it spares/repair to me on the basis the gearbox was f***ed. Luckily I plan to look after the car and its now looking very smart. unfortunatly, this isnt true for most bargain ebay purchases.

within the next 5 or so years all the bangers will bite the dust and only good ones will remain, and push up the values, which is only good for us W124 enthusiasts.

 

[michaelk3289]

yes the last year especially has seen many go very cheap (from my usual checks on ebay). many sold as spares/repair even though they run. the same happend with W123's.

many buy them cheap, run them cheap and then just scrap them even though they may still be good.

the silver 1994 multivalve diesel estate is a perfect example of this - i got it cheap(ish) from ebay as it had a banging gearbox and various tatty bits. interior is mint but was let down as the previous owner broke the door handle, let it get really dirty. a good VAX, and a few new clips (pennies from MB dealer) see the interior really nice again. no bolster wear either! The banging gearbox was simply a cracked vacuum pipe under the manifold that was replaced with some spare leak-off pipe i had laying around in my garage... 20 second job but the previous owner drove the car for a year with a banging gearbox and sold it spares/repair to me on the basis the gearbox was f***ed. Luckily I plan to look after the car and its now looking very smart. unfortunatly, this isnt true for most bargain ebay purchases.

you were lucky

i bought my 124 estate of this forum, it looked a minter on the pics and i was told how great it was, when i got all the way to scotland i found it was not the car i thought, although i did think i could make it a lot better for a few hundred quid, how wrong was i, i am now getting the car somewhere close to what i want and by the summer it will be a very nice example however its taken a lot of cash, i think i am up by the grand mark already and some way to go yet

 

[michaelk3289]

yes the last year especially has seen many go very cheap (from my usual checks on ebay). many sold as spares/repair even though they run. the same happend with W123's.

many buy them cheap, run them cheap and then just scrap them even though they may still be good.

the silver 1994 multivalve diesel estate is a perfect example of this - i got it cheap(ish) from ebay as it had a banging gearbox and various tatty bits. interior is mint but was let down as the previous owner broke the door handle, let it get really dirty. a good VAX, and a few new clips (pennies from MB dealer) see the interior really nice again. no bolster wear either! The banging gearbox was simply a cracked vacuum pipe under the manifold that was replaced with some spare leak-off pipe i had laying around in my garage... 20 second job but the previous owner drove the car for a year with a banging gearbox and sold it spares/repair to me on the basis the gearbox was f***ed. Luckily I plan to look after the car and its now looking very smart. unfortunatly, this isnt true for most bargain ebay purchases.

within the next 5 or so years all the bangers will bite the dust and only good ones will remain, and push up the values, which is only good for us W124 enthusiasts.

you were lucky

 

[michaelk3289]

i bought my 124 estate from a forum member

i didnt do enough research and thought i could get it back to the way i wanted for a few hundred quid, its getting there now and and will be a really nice example once i finish off the little bits that need doing,

it had loads of little broken bits and pieces and a bodged up gearbox which is now working really well after several hundreds of pounds spent

what im trying to show is that its down to luck and an honest owner/seller

 

[BillyW124]

You are up to the grand mark? If im honest with you Michael, thats peanuts.

A grand in 124 terms however can go a long way. (On parts only.)

I wouldnt say its down to luck. Honest seller yes, but you have got it in one.... research! Buying from a member in your case i just hope he didnt bull S$%t you and then you start having heart in you mouth moments with you car once you proper explore it on your driveway.

On the flipside however as a first time buyer theres only so much research you can do or take in really. Theres alot of stuff out there documented that can veer anyone off wanting to buy a 124!

They'll see it as complete money pit - thats it. Not really understanding the concept and accept that its going to need some sproosing up now or later. They are 15 year old + cars now! What are ppl expecting?

Only after you have owned one for a period of time, the next one you buy (if you buy another), you will know exactly what you are looking for and looking at. Also you would be able to let some bits go second time around that may have bothered you when first on the scene to a 124 if you get my drift as you'll put it down as a 'common' 124 trait.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Only after you have owned one for a period of time, the next one you buy (if you buy another), you will know exactly what you are looking for and looking at. Also you would be able to let some bits go second time around that may have bothered you when first on the scene to a 124 if you get my drift as you'll put it down as a 'common' 124 trait.

exactly. thats why after a few questions to the ebay seller i bought the car "spares/repair" unseen 350 miles away . i was 99% certain the gearbox was just the common vacuum issue. i was hoping it was the loose pipe on the manifold but it wasnt - it was another pipe closeby that was split. i thought it was going to be in worse condition than it was in - when i went to get it i was pleasently surprised.

there is a multivalve estate on ebay that looks like a basis of a good one for just £250 as "thats what the scrap man will give the seller". even though its in daily use he is selling as spares. crazy.

 

[WesLangdon]

this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-MERCEDES-E300-D-AUTO-BLUE-/280807575181?pt=Automobiles

 

[SilverSaloon]

this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-MERCEDES-E300-D-AUTO-BLUE-/280807575181?pt=Automobiles

thats it. oh, he forgot the electric memory drivers seat

i wonder how much it will go for.

 

[trapperjohn]

210's are coming right down in price too now.

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

Not much of an add but could be to the buyer advantage. I was in my brothers 210, 240 petrol today. Nice car if a bit floaty.

 

[michaelk3289]

billy thats exactly what he did do, he sent me pics of the car in pristine condition (i guess the day he collected it) when i turned up in Glasgow to view it, it was filthy the interior was full of dog hairs and the interior stank of wet dog

i should have walked away (well flew away) back to london

but i thought i could see the worst and that with a good clean and valet it would be mint (like in the pics),

i could right an entire book with issues that i didnt see from the sunroof to bulb holders, the only thing that didnt need antention was the engine, its as smooth as silk

 

[GP801]

billy thats exactly what he did do, he sent me pics of the car in pristine condition (i guess the day he collected it) when i turned up in Glasgow to view it, it was filthy the interior was full of dog hairs and the interior stank of wet dog

i should have walked away (well flew away) back to london

but i thought i could see the worst and that with a good clean and valet it would be mint (like in the pics),

i could right an entire book with issues that i didnt see from the sunroof to bulb holders, the only thing that didnt need antention was the engine, its as smooth as silk

Dont feel too downhearted. Even if you do your homework you can still get caught out. We bought ours after doing the research and bought what looked a very good example with lots of history. Bodywork rust free and still is however the mechanical issues soon began to show themselves. In the first 12 months it got through headgasket, new ECU, OVP relay, fuel pump relay, rear exhaust box, rear discs/pads/handbrake shoes, rear brake pipes, various suspension/steeering joints/bushes, SLS valve. Having got it fully sorted it runs like new and looks more like a 3 year old car then 17 years old. In the last 12 months its just needed new discs/pads on the front and a door check strap. Oh yes and lots and lots of unleaded. Once sorted they are great cars. They are now at an age when any previous neglect really starts to show.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

W124s can be deceptive on first glance, as silver saloon says, a dirty and tired looking example can turn out to be a gem with a bit of TLC, and the shiniest looking jewel like specialist over priced one can turn out to be a duffer!

I've bought both, some you win, some you lose.

What I do find interesting though is when reading adverts for cars bought from specialist dealers for high prices, then being sold on by private buyers, who list big ticket items such as rust rectifications and head gaskets, looms, etc being done AFTER their purchase at THEIR cost - now that would tick me off!

 

[BillyW124]

Are you saying that these rectifications shouldnt go the sellers way?

Surely after their purchase at their cost and have sorted all the traits out dont you think as a seller you have a justified case to price the car the way you have?

Or have i misunderstood you?

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Sorry, I didn't make myself very clear.

Guy buys W124 from specialist dealer for top top dollar.

Within 12 month has bills for replacement wiring loom and head gasket -neither covered under warranty.

The point I was making is that with a car purchase it's a bit of a lottery and you can buy a cheap gem, or an expensive duffer.

In answer to your question, if I paid 8k plus for a W124 from a dealer, I would expect at least a gesture of good will if either of those items failed as they are well known problems.

I'd like to make it clear this isn't a dig at dealers or anything like that.

 

[Dieselman]

Are you saying that these rectifications shouldnt go the sellers way?

Surely after their purchase at their cost and have sorted all the traits out dont you think as a seller you have a justified case to price the car the way you have?

Or have i misunderstood you?

He means that the expensive trade sellers are doing very little but a good clean and polish but asking loads, then the poor buyer gets stiffed with hefty bills so sells the car, for a much lower price.

 

[BillyW124]

ah ok get it, cheers DM

 

[BillyW124]

Sorry, I didn't make myself very clear.

Guy buys W124 from specialist dealer for top top dollar.

Within 12 month has bills for replacement wiring loom and head gasket -neither covered under warranty.

The point I was making is that with a car purchase it's a bit of a lottery and you can buy a cheap gem, or an expensive duffer.

In answer to your question, if I paid 8k plus for a W124 from a dealer, I would expect at least a gesture of good will if either of those items failed as they are well known problems.

I'd like to make it clear this isn't a dig at dealers or anything like that.

For 8k, i would be hoping that those bits are already taken care off in the first place, with proof!

 

[Dieselman]

For 8k, i would be hoping that those bits are already taken care off in the first place, with proof!

Yeah...right..