Classic as Daily?

[Downshire]

I currently have my second W205 c250d which I really like but I am getting bored. I don't travel for work any longer so my mileage has decreased to around 25k per year much of it motorways. I really fancy a classic from maybe the W124 era but wanted to know whether my mileage would prove a problem. If not a 124 what would you suggest. I am fine with either petrol or diesel but do need a back seat for the family. I was also looking at maybe a CLS? Would a classic stand up to 25k? TIA
James

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I currently have my second W205 c250d which I really like but I am getting bored. I don't travel for work any longer so my mileage has decreased to around 25k per year much of it motorways. I really fancy a classic from maybe the W124 era but wanted to know whether my mileage would prove a problem. If not a 124 what would you suggest. I am fine with either petrol or diesel but do need a back seat for the family. I was also looking at maybe a CLS? Would a classic stand up to 25k? TIA
James

Either a CLS or W124 would soak up the miles with ease. As they’re older they’ll likely have already covered more miles than a much more modern car, so just be prepared to spend more on repairs and maintenance.

If I was covering 25,000 miles per annum then I personally would much prefer to be in a CLS than a W124 though.

 

[Flyinspanner]

W126 for mile munching - lots of space in comfy back seat.

Or W124 estate for added practicality

I’d go for a nice petrol engined analogue one

“Youngtimer classics” like a CLS may be more problematic as electronic components become more scarce

 

[W1ghty]

25k a year that’s not work related .
If you don’t mind buddy how do you rack up that mileage ?

 

[ube63]

I did this - roughly 15k miles/year in a W124 2.3 litre 4 cylinder. It is god fun if a few conditions are met.

They are built well and if you can find a good one that had everything it needed when it needed then I think you will be fine. Buy one with missing, patchy, or deferred maintenance then you are making somebody else's problem your own. 124's are now in their 30's and things will break mostly due to age and you cannot stop that from happening.

So in summary; find a good one, don't be frustrated when things break due to age, fix it when it breaks down, and enjoy.

Oh, also they rust, just fix it before rust gets too bad, and a lot of parts are going NLA.

 

[BIGDOG]

For that mileage I wouldn’t touch an old clunker, it will end in massive disappointment.

 

[ChipChop]

W210's cover miles really well. Lots of engine options as well. Pick of the bunch an om606 diesel pre facelift or V8. Just the rust to worry about really.
Happy hunting.

 

[Doodle]

An important question here is "Do you have contingency?" i.e. can you make alternative transport arrangements or cancel your travel plans?

From experience, parts supply for classics can be unpredictable and you may suddenly find yourself off the road (potentially for a while) unless you can scavenge or come up an alternative to replace said item quickly. Over the 20+ years I owned my 129, I watched the supply of parts go from being held locally at dealers, to in MK stores and eventually more or less all having to be ordered from Germany.

 

[Will]

I’d be considering safety and reliability if covering 25k miles PA.

124s are old cars now, and although well engineered and well built for their time, things have moved on.

If it was for a second/third car for weekend use I could see the appeal. But a W205 beats a 124 all round and it would be a massive retrograde step IMHO. I’ve driven both extensively and wouldn’t bother with a 124 these days, certainly not for 25k miles PA.

CLS possibly the better compromise?

 

[alabbasi]

CLS or W124s are now considered classic cars?

I think that a W124 while incredibly well built will start to nickel and dime you. The CLS if built like a W211 which is what I daily drive will be very reliable and very modern but can be expensive to maintain if it has air suspension. My old W210 E55 was Toyota reliable and I could consider the W210 as a great compromise if you can find one that's rust free. I understand that this can be difficult in the UK.

Or you could buy my 69 300SEL 6.3 which I just put up for sale

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

For a change I’d go W211 or CLS, simply because parts availability and servicing expertise is so good.

You’d need to be wary about whether the back of the CLS is too claustrophobic for smaller kids.

Or keep to your tried and tested motor but run a second W124 for local duties / high days and holidays

 

[Scott_F]

W210's cover miles really well. Lots of engine options as well. Pick of the bunch an om606 diesel pre facelift or V8. Just the rust to worry about really.
Happy hunting.

25k miles a year in a V8 will be expensive.

However, anyone considering going down that route might want to think about......




They've been around 35 years now so should count as a "classic" and are likely to be at least as reliable as a Mercedes of that era as well as a lot more comfortable to waft around in.

Lexus LS400 buyer's guide

The original Lexus LS400 gave Jaguar sleepless nights and even had BMW and Mercedes on the run. Here’s how to buy this understated modern classic

classicsworld.co.uk

 

[Will]

They’re a bit dull, but it’s hard to think of the LS400 being 35 years old now - where has the time gone!?

 

[Scott_F]

They’re a bit dull, but it’s hard to think of the LS400 being 35 years old now - where has the time gone!?

I can remember blagging a brochure for one at one of their very limited number of dealerships some time around 1990.

I probably still have it somewhere....

 

[Scott_F]

^^^Yep, thought so......







I'm surprsied at the April 1999 date on the price list (and the March 1999 date on the brochure) as UK sales apparently started the following year.

 

[Will]

^^^Yep, thought so......

View attachment 166709

View attachment 166710

View attachment 166711

I'm surprsied at the April 1999 date on the price list (and the March 1999 date on the brochure) as UK sales apparently started the following year.

That’s for a later car?

Original MK1 LS was out by 1990 for sure.

I had a ‘94 over twenty years back

 

[ChipChop]

25k miles a year in a V8 will be expensive.

However, anyone considering going down that route might want to think about......

View attachment 166704


They've been around 35 years now so should count as a "classic" and are likely to be at least as reliable as a Mercedes of that era as well as a lot more comfortable to waft around in.

Lexus LS400 buyer's guide

The original Lexus LS400 gave Jaguar sleepless nights and even had BMW and Mercedes on the run. Here’s how to buy this understated modern classic

classicsworld.co.uk

A Japanese Mercedes!

 

[Scott_F]

That’s for a later car?

Original MK1 LS was out by 1990 for sure.

I had a ‘94 over twenty years back

You're absolutely right - I was getting my 1989s mixed up with my 1999s. This is my brochure for the First Generation model from around 1990:

 

[Will]

You're absolutely right - I was getting my 1989s mixed up with my 1999s. This is my brochure for the First Generation model from around 1990:

View attachment 166717

View attachment 166718

Mine was a MK2 with the later design wheels (16s vs 15s on the MK1 IIRC )

Toyota in a posh frock, although fantastic cars from a design sense. Tech wise I believe MB were still pushing the 126 when the first LS was launched?

 

[tmwsccsh]

Really like them and I see one most days at the local station. I look at it knowingly and the driver of it looks at my C140 the same. One day we might speak!

TMW