C diesel estate vs E diesel estate? help please!

[mark the garden]

hello everyone,

i'm looking for a car that's going to last me virtually a lifetime and that i can run on bio-diesel and/or veg oil.
consensus seems to be a merc, and i've heard that the W124 is the last over-engineered merc.
i need an estate, should i consider a C-class, or stick to W123/W124 please?
thanks in advance for any help and opinions.
mark the gardener

 

[marcos]

Having never owned a W124 but reading about them on this forum and others I would say gor for that. They seem fairly bullet proof if looked after but you must remember that if you buy one then you are already buying a very old car and you should not expect it to last forever.

 

[TonyVianoAmbiente]

Of course I am biased, but I would strongly recommend the 1993-1995 E300 Diesel facelift model with the OM 606 high output engine. It gives good performance and excellent fuel economy, up to 40mpg on a run and always over 30 mpg, even in town.

The facelift models have the Mercedes bonnet emblem affixed in the paint behind the chrome grille, whereas the pre-facelift emblem was in the chrome grille. The diesels have a large additional air vent in the driver's side front wing, just behind the headlamp (just to help you spot them on eBay!).

 

[mark the garden]

Thanks ever so for the detailed info, Tony.
I'm checking ebay and various other online places pretty regularly.
Not a lot cropping up just yet, but fingers crossed...
If you spot anything, I'd be very grateful if you gave me the nod.
All the best,
Mark

 

[TonyVianoAmbiente]

Thanks ever so for the detailed info, Tony.
I'm checking ebay and various other online places pretty regularly.
Not a lot cropping up just yet, but fingers crossed...
If you spot anything, I'd be very grateful if you gave me the nod.
All the best,
Mark

You're very welcome, Mark. Keep an eye on Auto Trader and its web site, especially on Thursdays. Search on Mercedes: E Class; type of body: Estate; type of fuel: Diesel; transmission; Automatic; Add keywords like "leather" and "aircon". Set distance to "National" or whatever radius from home you are prepared to travel. Enjoy!

There's also eBay, but you need to be careful. I have bought and sold literally thousands of items on eBay including 6 cars, but I have been bitten more than once! Always look at the car and test drive it before you bid a penny.

Good luck!

 

[Subyland]

I'd also go for a S124. Ok I am biased as I have one but I can assure you that you won't be disappointed. As Tony suggest the E300D estate is a good buy. The 300TD also, especially the engine which is bullet proof, but performance is on the slow side. Gives you plenty of time to fully enjoy your MB then...