I'd want a lot off from £14995. Unlikey i'd get it for 13k.
But if you really want a one owner car then how long would you wait to find another?
I'd want a lot off from £14995. Unlikey i'd get it for 13k.
But if you really want a one owner car then how long would you wait to find another?
Bill_33
Active Member
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- Aug 29, 2008
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- 249
- Location
- Hampshire
- Car
- A160,(W169) previously 300TE - 300CE, E280TE
A couple of comments here. You might think it a contradiction in terms but pre 1992/3 ??? cars like your friends 1989?? car are often in better condition body wise than later cars. The reason was a change in Mercedes paint technology from a solvent based system to a water based system. Its widely held these earlier solvent paint cars seem to hold up better rust wise. The MOT structural failure vulnerabilities on these W124 cars seem to centre round the rear sill jacking points/ rear subframe front mounts/ rear wheel arches so your friends faithful chariot may be living on borrowed time.Cars not subject to the attack of salt and road grit will be at a distinct advantage although living in an area with high agricultural fertiliser use, high rainfall or proximity to the coast would also be a risk factors.
Now this may seem a contradiction, but I prefer the looks of the face lift cars but I prefer the pre face lift cars.
I have a 300CE.........I thought about a E320 Coupe.........I prefer the looks of the E320 Coupe...............but my gut feeling told me to get a 300CE.
With some regret, I sold my E280 Estate but I will buy a 300TE.......for the same reason
I also think that you can get a lot of pleasure from a £2,000 to £3,000 car
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The G.F.P
MB Enthusiast
i really dislike the CE versions compared to the E coupe versions
the facelifted stuff just make the cars look more streamlined and newer
still look good and ive heard on here that the 300CE is a better engine too
the facelifted stuff just make the cars look more streamlined and newer
still look good and ive heard on here that the 300CE is a better engine too
Roger Jones
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- May 18, 2006
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- 824
I confess that I haven't read all the details posted above, but here are my observations from owning two E320 Coupés, the present one for nine years (a 1996 model bought with 19k on the clock from an MB dealer in 2000):
* The rear screen delaminates and costs £500ish + labour. Many choose to live with it, as I have, as it doesn't seem to get much worse after its first development. There is a risk that it will foul up the demister heater if it goes too deep.
* Being a W124, the front wings will corrode and need replacing, unless you are very lucky. About £200 each primed from MB, plus bodyshop costs (available from Beevers and others at less than half price, but quality and fit have mixed reports).
* Mine has persistent corrosion around the antenna aperture. £400ish bodyshop job every several years.
* Mine has incipient corrosion on the back edge of the sunroof aperture, but you can barely see it as yet.
* I seem to be one of very few whose wiring harness has yet to fail.
* Head-gasket failure is common, although mine has yet to go at 62k on the clock. £600+ job at an indie, and few heads don't need skimming (£100ish). Both my M103 engines have had to be fixed, but at higher mileages; M103s and M104s tend to fail in the same place: left rear of block, looking from the front. Timing-chain cover goes too, although not yet mine.
I've had no mechanical problems in the nine years of ownership and 45k done, with the sole exception of drive-train vibration. I had a damping block fitted, but my mechanic now reckons that the UJ at the front end of the rear half of the propshaft is the culprit, with too much play in it, even at the modest mileage. I've given up on the two breakers I've contacted about it and shall be selling a few shares to get an OEM replacement for about £500 -- such is my willingness to invest in the future of a car I can't envisage selling. Thus, I remain wedded to a superb car that I will continue to invest in. I'd rather do that than suffer the depreciation on a newer plastic/electronic job. It will probably outlast me.
P.S. The asking price doesn't seem extortionate for a superb specimen from a specialist dealer. Dealer or not, get an independent inspection by someone who knows the model intimately. And for insurance, try RH Specialst Car Division; the price you quote seems too high.
P.P.S. "The reason was a change in Mercedes paint technology from a solvent based system to a water based system."
This didn't start until August 1995.
* The rear screen delaminates and costs £500ish + labour. Many choose to live with it, as I have, as it doesn't seem to get much worse after its first development. There is a risk that it will foul up the demister heater if it goes too deep.
* Being a W124, the front wings will corrode and need replacing, unless you are very lucky. About £200 each primed from MB, plus bodyshop costs (available from Beevers and others at less than half price, but quality and fit have mixed reports).
* Mine has persistent corrosion around the antenna aperture. £400ish bodyshop job every several years.
* Mine has incipient corrosion on the back edge of the sunroof aperture, but you can barely see it as yet.
* I seem to be one of very few whose wiring harness has yet to fail.
* Head-gasket failure is common, although mine has yet to go at 62k on the clock. £600+ job at an indie, and few heads don't need skimming (£100ish). Both my M103 engines have had to be fixed, but at higher mileages; M103s and M104s tend to fail in the same place: left rear of block, looking from the front. Timing-chain cover goes too, although not yet mine.
I've had no mechanical problems in the nine years of ownership and 45k done, with the sole exception of drive-train vibration. I had a damping block fitted, but my mechanic now reckons that the UJ at the front end of the rear half of the propshaft is the culprit, with too much play in it, even at the modest mileage. I've given up on the two breakers I've contacted about it and shall be selling a few shares to get an OEM replacement for about £500 -- such is my willingness to invest in the future of a car I can't envisage selling. Thus, I remain wedded to a superb car that I will continue to invest in. I'd rather do that than suffer the depreciation on a newer plastic/electronic job. It will probably outlast me.
P.S. The asking price doesn't seem extortionate for a superb specimen from a specialist dealer. Dealer or not, get an independent inspection by someone who knows the model intimately. And for insurance, try RH Specialst Car Division; the price you quote seems too high.
P.P.S. "The reason was a change in Mercedes paint technology from a solvent based system to a water based system."
This didn't start until August 1995.
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chrisdovey
Member
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- Location
- brighton
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- 1996 w140 s class 280 and 1987 vw jetta 2.0 16v
what the differerence between a w124 ce and an e class coupe?
my mate had a ce a coupe of months ago he bought it for £2400 spen about £800 on it then only manged to get £900 for it when he sold it
my mate had a ce a coupe of months ago he bought it for £2400 spen about £800 on it then only manged to get £900 for it when he sold it
ce was made pre 1993.
Mercedes re-branded the model line up after 1993.
ce was the e class coupe from 1987 - 1993 and then became the e class from 1993 onwards.
the changes from 1993 onwards, were
the change over from bolder heritage grill to recessed grill, to follow on from the launch of the s class and the new c class which all had recessed subtle grills.
the bumpers became colour coded and slightly deeper in height.
mechanically, they were almost identical!
ce, or e class coupe.. contrary to most others, i prefer the bolder grills, as i have always said, resembles the look of the car Tim Cruise had in the movie, THE FIRM, where he was a top city lawyer, thus, the rarity of the bolder grill gives a whole different sense of occasion compared to the face lifted models..
i prefer the deeper bumpers of the facelift, but the grill of the pre facelift!
kth286
MB Enthusiast
To original poster - at least go look and drive the car - you will be building your knowledge.
If it won;
'The Mercedes Benz Club' (the official club) concours, the standard is very high and I would not hesitiate to consider that car.
The high end 'young timer' dealers are usually very knowledgeable and know their market and the car will generally be very good, and is priced at a level that WILL attract interest.
If it won;
'The Mercedes Benz Club' (the official club) concours, the standard is very high and I would not hesitiate to consider that car.
The high end 'young timer' dealers are usually very knowledgeable and know their market and the car will generally be very good, and is priced at a level that WILL attract interest.
grober
MB Master
Not trying to dispute this Roger but I would be grateful to hear your source for this date. I always thought it was at least a couple of years earlier ?? My reason for this are following excerpts from the Mercedes catalogue- DATED 00/1092
The 220CE and CE320 COUPES from Mercedes Benz --the 1993 models
Quote;- We are particularly proud of our new plant in Rastatt, where we have used the most up-to-date technology to make it probably the most ecologically compatible car factory in the world---------Today,sophisticated cleansing systems remove paint particles from the air leaving our spray booths, while increased use of water-based paints is steadily reducing solvent output.------Mercedes-Benz are in the process of converting their production to environmentally compatible, water-based paint. As far as possible the conventional organic solvents are replaced in thes paints with water: their proportion is kept to the minimum technically feasible.
The Rastatt plant in Baden-Württemberg was opened on May 25, 1992, and initially made E class sedans . Of course this is
" advertising speak" but I inferred from this that the changeover dates from the start of production at the new Rastatt plant??? Of course roll out of water based paint might well be later in other production plants.
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Ade B
MB Enthusiast
My 2p based on 30k miles in 2 1/2 years.
CE paint is better than later variants.
They are not cheap cars to keep in good fettle unless you have the time inclination & spannering skills required. There's a thread on here for running costs.
Suspension parts will require attention due to either age or mileage.
I would seriously consider a cheaper clean car & then undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of the mechanicals.
Nick Froome has put together a pretty all encompasing list of what goes wrong which is on honest johns 124 page.
I'll sell you mine for a lot less than £7k
Ade
CE paint is better than later variants.
They are not cheap cars to keep in good fettle unless you have the time inclination & spannering skills required. There's a thread on here for running costs.
Suspension parts will require attention due to either age or mileage.
I would seriously consider a cheaper clean car & then undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of the mechanicals.
Nick Froome has put together a pretty all encompasing list of what goes wrong which is on honest johns 124 page.
I'll sell you mine for a lot less than £7k
Ade
The G.F.P
MB Enthusiast
also the CE does not have a center lockable cubby hole and just has a space, thats how i tell the CE from the inside
awaits to be told that im wrong, but will take it like a man
awaits to be told that im wrong, but will take it like a man
u might be right or wrong...
ce cabrios had the locable cubby in the centre console as mine does.. whilst coupe may not have.. not sure..
for now, i have to say you might be wrong..
Need a hug lol!
Unless you ordered it as a cost option, the lockable cubby only came when a passenger airbag was fitted.
bolide
MB Enthusiast
I would disagree that cylinder head gasket failure is common - I only know of two cars where the CHG failed and had to be replaced. But M104 engines do leak oil from the CHG from quite low mileages due to a design fault
Other than delaminating rear windows, cracked piping on the centre armrest and spiders under the paint on the roof, the Coupes seem to have all the usual W124 strengths & weaknesses
As usual, factors that affect price are condition, history, mileage, spec, colour and number of owners. Whether the price is low or high, and whether the car is good value or not, is a personal judgement
Nick Froome
Other than delaminating rear windows, cracked piping on the centre armrest and spiders under the paint on the roof, the Coupes seem to have all the usual W124 strengths & weaknesses
As usual, factors that affect price are condition, history, mileage, spec, colour and number of owners. Whether the price is low or high, and whether the car is good value or not, is a personal judgement
Nick Froome
The G.F.P
MB Enthusiast
Nick, i forgot the center front arm rest piping issue, i cut mine off GFP 1 and GFP 2's is bad and i need to have it repaired but aparantly its not cheap
i had the oil cooler go on mine and that leaked into the engine so i had either oil in water rather than water in oil (which ever is not the norm for a head gasket) and they thought it was a head gasket even though id told them it was the oil cooler pipes that split
£2,300 later ish it was sorted as was a £1,600 refund
i had the oil cooler go on mine and that leaked into the engine so i had either oil in water rather than water in oil (which ever is not the norm for a head gasket) and they thought it was a head gasket even though id told them it was the oil cooler pipes that split
£2,300 later ish it was sorted as was a £1,600 refund
Roger Jones
Active Member
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- 824
"I would disagree that cylinder head gasket failure is common"
Interesting comment, especially from you, Nick. It is featured as the first "common" -- well, "notable" -- fault in Stu Ritter's E-class owner's bible (p. 139) as seen in M103 and M104 engines, and I've seen similar comments elsewhere. I suppose my experience with two high-mileage M103s may be influencing my perception. But if it hasn't proved common in the many cars passing through your organization, then I take some comfort from that and thank you for the post.
Interesting comment, especially from you, Nick. It is featured as the first "common" -- well, "notable" -- fault in Stu Ritter's E-class owner's bible (p. 139) as seen in M103 and M104 engines, and I've seen similar comments elsewhere. I suppose my experience with two high-mileage M103s may be influencing my perception. But if it hasn't proved common in the many cars passing through your organization, then I take some comfort from that and thank you for the post.
Roger Jones
Active Member
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- 824
"Not trying to dispute this Roger but I would be grateful to hear your source for this date."
All grist to the mill. I cannot recall the source, but I think I've seen it stated twice with apparent certainty, if not actual authority. I also recall that the paintwork on my first E320 Coupé, built before in 1995 before August, seemed distinctly if marginally better than that on my present one, and I formed that view before I had any knowledge of water-based paints.
Yours is a good source, but "increased use of" is a bit vague. And then there is the W210 experience, which someone suggested yesterday (from a bodyshop source) was caused or exacerbated by the use of a substandard primer or undercoat by MB. For what it's worth, the boss of the bodyshop I use is dubious that water-based paint per se can be blamed for all such problems.
Sometimes central MB surprise me with their willingness to disclose such information. I'll see if I can get them to confirm it.
[Why in this forum only does my Delete key not work in this Quick Reply box? I have to go to the right of the character and backspace over it]
All grist to the mill. I cannot recall the source, but I think I've seen it stated twice with apparent certainty, if not actual authority. I also recall that the paintwork on my first E320 Coupé, built before in 1995 before August, seemed distinctly if marginally better than that on my present one, and I formed that view before I had any knowledge of water-based paints.
Yours is a good source, but "increased use of" is a bit vague. And then there is the W210 experience, which someone suggested yesterday (from a bodyshop source) was caused or exacerbated by the use of a substandard primer or undercoat by MB. For what it's worth, the boss of the bodyshop I use is dubious that water-based paint per se can be blamed for all such problems.
Sometimes central MB surprise me with their willingness to disclose such information. I'll see if I can get them to confirm it.
[Why in this forum only does my Delete key not work in this Quick Reply box? I have to go to the right of the character and backspace over it]
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Ade B
MB Enthusiast
Fwiw my chg was replaced a couple of years back. It's the early M104.
Seem to recall a couple on here with the same problem for the 300 24v.
320s less so.
Ade
Interesting comment there. I also only know of two cars where the CHG failed and had to be replaced. Trouble is, I owned them both.
Perhaps it's a matter of definition - I suffered catastrophic failure on a BMW 325 Touring many years ago, but in both my coupes it was merely slight but persistant weeping of oil. As each were under warranty at the time and both had done under 60k, they were replaced although I was told they could well have gone on for years without further deterioration.
