Build quality of CE300/320 W124

[Roygarth]

Switching my attention from 500SE to 300/320CE.

Did the legendary build quality last through until the 320 ie is the 320 as well built as the 300?

I ask as a while back I had a 3 year old N reg C class that fell apart!

Thanks
Piers

 

[SilverSaloon]

Switching my attention from 500SE to 300/320CE.

Did the legendary build quality last through until the 320 ie is the 320 as well built as the 300?

I ask as a while back I had a 3 year old N reg C class that fell apart!

Thanks
Piers

124 still had the good build quality..... 202 was the start of the cost-cutting, but still a decent car.

 

[grober]

Paintwork on the earlier cars[solvent based] is reckoned be better than the later cars [water based ] altho exact the changeover point is disputed. Likewise the later cars had the degrading engine wiring loom problems and a slightly more complex fuel injection system.The earlier 4 speed autoboxes are also more robust and easier to repair than the later 5 speed ones. Set against this is the slightly increased sophistication,power and economy of the later models. However the differences are not so great as between a well looked after car and one which has been neglected or left to rust. Literally hundreds of posts on the forum about this so do a bit of research using the search facility. Summing up the earlier cars are" potentially "more reliable but there's not much in it.

p.s.of course an earlier car would have been around that bit longer [ up to 7years] so take that into account- rumour has it that some bits for earlier cars are also getting harder to source-- the EZL ignition units for example and some items of trim.

 

[davidbilyk]

Find a well looked after facelift W124 and it will run forever! I have had 4 124's now, the latest addition being a refurbishment project which has been stood for nearly 2 years and the only problem with it is the front wings and a little hole in the inner wing. Finding a well loved one is key, full history, detailed records etc.... Hopefully buy from a passionate MB lover!!!!

 

[bennesspipers]

Sorry to but in. What year did the 124 get its facelift ?

 

[d w124]

Late 93.

 

[davidbilyk]

1993 I believe

 

[Roger Jones]

I've had a 1996 E320 Coupé for nine years, with which I'm very happy. It is my second, the first one being 1995 with the four-speed box.

Compared with the M103 in the earlier cars (I have the M103 in a W126 and a W124 300E twin turbo), the M104 engine has a wider torque curve that starts lower down the rev range. Hence, it has more "grunt". It's also more powerful, smoother and quieter.

I've had no trouble with the five-speed gearbox. It is smoother and more responsive than the four-speed box.

The paintwork is generally good, although the wings have started to go in front of the wheel arches, there is a persistent corrosion problem around the antenna aperture, and there is incipient (although barely noticeable) corrosion on the back edge of the sunroof aperture. That sort of corrosion pattern seems to happen to the earlier cars too, and it is happening to the W126, which was built well before water-based paint arrived and hasn't been resprayed. As for water-based being inferior to solvent-based, the owner of the bodyshop I use isn't convinced.

The only mechanical problem has been an irritating drive-train vibration. I installed a damping block some time ago, which seemed to help, but the noise may now be from a different source. I'm on the point of replacing the rear half of the propshaft in the hope of fixing that, as my mechanic is convinced that the universal (sort-of) joint at its front end is the source of the vibration, being too loose and not smooth in movement.

Great cars, whichever you choose.

 

[The Boss]

the w124, as many on here know, is one of my favorite cars of all time.

The quality of the c class was good, but not as good as the w124.

Even the w126 was not fully on par compared to a w124.

any w124 from 1984 when they were launched through to 1998 when the series ended, will have exceptional quality. They didnt really mess around with the build quality, though later models had a difference paint method, which i believe was not as durable as the pre facelift.. but i could be wrong... just from experiences and various discussions i remember.

 

[Charlie W]

Ye, the C class form 96(n-reg i beleive)...was from a new era of mercedes: under american ownership they beleived cost cutting was superior to quality, so the c-clas, although based heavily, i beleive, on the w124 used much cheaper materials and was assembled without the same perfectionist attention to detail that the w124 had under the german authority.
As it has been stated the w124 has superior build quality even in comparison to most other mercedes, perhaps only rivaled by the 123 and the 104 s-class of the nineties....so there is no difference between the 320 and the 300...both are german developed and produced engines so withstand the same w124 reputation lost post-1996/7, with the introduction of the new eclass, (w210? i think....)
i am currently looking for a c124 320(coupe w124)...and have read that what you get for your money now represents how well it has been maintained and looked after, and unfortunatly the temptation of ragging the 3.2 litre was too great to some owners that the well being of the car was severley deminished...some cars ive seen for sale at £2000 pounds look very similar to the ones for sale at £7000....however it is what is underneath that counts now...if you read the mbclub thread, 'disaster with the alfa' (or some title similar) you will see the potential fiasco that can be caused by giving into a cheaper car to buy, however ultimately a bank account-breaking car to run or own.
In simple...there shouldnt be much differennce between the 320 and 300 engines, however it is the treatment they have received that determines how well they are now, and ultimatly it means that every engine will be individual now, and check ups(for instance something like an AA mechanical check up), are essential when considering buying any old car now
Having said this....as i said i am lookng to buy a 320 c124...and have seen examples with 100k+ miles on the clock from independant specialists....and the i have seen one example with 59k miles on the clock from a private seller...does anyone think that the lower mileage one, without a warranty is worth a shout, as it has less miles...or is it better to buy a higher mileage one with a warranty...i beleive that 60k miles is the fruit of the engine...i imagine the warrantied examples are the best option, however when there is a price difference of £4000 to £7000 i really am not sure..if anyone can shed some knowledge id be much appreciative..
regards

 

[Charlie W]

Find a well looked after facelift W124 and it will run forever! I have had 4 124's now, the latest addition being a refurbishment project which has been stood for nearly 2 years and the only problem with it is the front wings and a little hole in the inner wing. Finding a well loved one is key, full history, detailed records etc.... Hopefully buy from a passionate MB lover!!!!

Hi, as you may read, i am looking to buy a 320 c124...i read that you have bought four!...could you shed any advice on what i should look out for, and perhaps what you would suggest i buy, not spec, as im decided i want the dark green(the specific name is gone form my mind temporarily)...with classic mushroom leather interior, or then dark grey with the same interior...but mileage and any specific paperwork?
also ive picked up that one good thing to look for is, if the seatbelt extention thing works for the front seats nce the engine is started?...why is this...costly repair? or an indication of the condition of the rest of the electricals?
regards

 

[Charlie W]

1998??? no way..i thought top latest was 1997? wow so you could potentially find w124 with S reg?
and also ive seen some alloys that were basicly standerd on the post w124 model(w120 or 210??) like the 15-hole alloys(pepper pot are they called???) but more rounded and less angular

 

[d w124]

1998??? no way..i thought top latest was 1997? wow so you could potentially find w124 with S reg?
and also ive seen some alloys that were basicly standerd on the post w124 model(w120 or 210??) like the 15-hole alloys(pepper pot are they called???) but more rounded and less angular

After 96 there was w124 made in India and South Africa.I`ve seen w124 with X plate.By the was,do you like white?
1990 MERCEDES 300CE-24 AUTO WHITE on eBay (end time 01-Sep-09 20:28:13 BST) This one looks very nice

 

[Charlie W]

thanks dw124...but 1990 is too old...i definatly want a face lift...and i like white, i have a 200 te in white at the moment...hah
and also...the 300-24, wil it be an more less reliable to the 320? the extra age for instance?...i was searching for as late a model as i could, howver now i read that the engines got more complicated...i think now that a late 93 to ealry 95 would be the best option....picky i know but i do like the best...thus im a mb fan..hah

 

[Charlie W]

i did look at the ad...grey leather is nice...but i think mushroom is the best....but then i like navy blue too, especially for the unusuality, rarity....but then i like black, very smart, cool and potentially sexy, hehe...but one i def dont like is the burgundy leather i saw in the w124 for sale on car and classic at the moment...black exterior...hearse with puke interior, hah....ive seen green cloth too...what other colour interiors were available?
regards

 

[Smiley]

Hi, as you may read, i am looking to buy a 320 c124...i read that you have bought four!...could you shed any advice on what i should look out for, and perhaps what you would suggest i buy, not spec, as im decided i want the dark green(the specific name is gone form my mind temporarily)...with classic mushroom leather interior, or then dark grey with the same interior...but mileage and any specific paperwork?
also ive picked up that one good thing to look for is, if the seatbelt extention thing works for the front seats nce the engine is started?...why is this...costly repair? or an indication of the condition of the rest of the electricals?
regards

There is quite a bit to watch out for buying a used W124. The main things to look for on a late e320 are
rust rust and rust - then after that head gasket problems, engine wiring loom, gearbox problems on the 5 speed auto, cooling system problems eg radiator or viscous fan, air conditioning not working, sunroof mecahnisms jammed, suspension wear (Sportline models more expensive) at high mileages, leaking differentials, worn out prop shaft joints. Non functioning seat belt extenders are the least of your worries.

The reason that there is a wide variation in prices is that a cheap one could be an absolute money pit; if you have 2 or 3 of the problems above then you are into several thousand pounds for a proper repair - and thats before you start treating any bodywork problems.
So tread carefully, a great car but buy a duffer and your bank balance will feel it.

ps it is tourmaline green I think.

 

[Charlie W]

ans also forgot to say...x reg???? phwoar amazing...so weird..was it the same w124 interior, or alloys, did they adapt the post w124 equiptment?..i imagine not...but then i could imagine them doing it like they do in the g-wagon(gelandewagon??? what a cool name eh? does it mean 'over-land wagon'??)
and W124...it stands for Wagon(german for estate?)...just as C124...Coupe?...and S124?...saloon?....but cabriolet...A124 yes??? hhm my german vocab doesnt extend so far...."es ist shizer!"...hah

 

[Charlie W]

i see i see...thank you smiley....
hhhm im mechanically inept...i presume an AA mechanicla check up would reckonise these problems? or would it best to take to a MB specialist before the purchase...perhaps sneak it there whilst on a test drive if possible...or should i ask the owner to do it perhaps, and to supply paper work of the check up...and then validate the check up with the garage i imagine...as you may be able to tell im new to the car market, at 19...and especially new to the second hand car market...

 

[Smiley]

i see i see...thank you smiley....
hhhm im mechanically inept...i presume an AA mechanicla check up would reckonise these problems? or would it best to take to a MB specialist before the purchase...perhaps sneak it there whilst on a test drive if possible...or should i ask the owner to do it perhaps, and to supply paper work of the check up...and then validate the check up with the garage i imagine...as you may be able to tell im new to the car market, at 19...and especially new to the second hand car market...

AA would be about as much good as a chocolate tea pot for one of these. MUch better to have an indi MB specialist inspection done - just be up front with the seller after you have found what you believe to be a good one. Chances are you will be looking at one priced at over £3k and they do not sell very quickly so you will have plenty of time to arrange an inspection before purchase.

 

[Roger Jones]

"There is quite a bit to watch out for buying a used W124. The main things to look for on a late e320 are rust rust and rust - then after that head gasket problems, engine wiring loom, gearbox problems on the 5 speed auto, cooling system problems eg radiator or viscous fan, air conditioning not working, sunroof mecahnisms jammed, suspension wear (Sportline models more expensive) at high mileages, leaking differentials, worn out prop shaft joints. Non functioning seat belt extenders are the least of your worries."

All of this happens, although little of it has hit my car (see earlier post). However, I also have two M103 engines and both have had head gaskets done. Rust also affects earlier W124s in the same places. I suspect that the earlier ones may also suffer from the other problems, except the wiring loom and gearbox.