Considering W124 300 24v coupe

[LordSalisbury]

Hi guys,

I’m thinking about a W124 coupe 300 24v. Been looking at the same one for a while now. It’s odd, has the 560 SEC grill and headlight conversion. Black and 171k. Now the odd bit is, that it had 170k in MOT back in 2007. New MOT done in May this year with 171k. It’s been in storage for 11 years. The current MOT had no advisories. So I am obviously thinking about the fluids in her, like old oil etc. Now, would you go for this if there was proof of a service - the MOT should reveal that the car is safe to drive but I still wonder. I know these were built better thab most. I also hope that it doesn’t have the bio degradable wiring loom. It’s an H reg so about 1990. Just looking for advice as I’m about to swap for a TTVR6 Quattro I have. Have I lost my mind - the W124 has always had a place in my heart.

Anything I should look out for before making this decision? Please feel free to comment.

Thanks for your time.

 

[GP801]

Wiring loom predates the biodegradable ones so that should be fine. Certainly needs to have all fluids replaced including gearbox oil. We used to have a 300e-24v saloon and mechanically it was very robust. Rust may be an issue especially around the rear subframe mounts, jacking pints etc like all 124s. The front end mods are not my thing but should hopefully mean its cheap.

 

[LordSalisbury]

Thank you very much for communication. Yeah the mod is unusual but chap claims it was factory. Never heard of that though. Fluids are my concerns so need solid evidence that recent service for motor and gearbox was done after such a long storage. Worry about sub frame rust too. So will inspect jacking points and subframe as advised. Swapping for a high spec 3.2 TT, so price unsure of the moment. Kind regards

Glenn

 

[Scott_F]

Thank you very much for communication. Yeah the mod is unusual but chap claims it was factory. Never heard of that though. Fluids are my concerns so need solid evidence that recent service for motor and gearbox was done after such a long storage.

Factory my ar$e. It's an absolutely awful modification and should be of far greater concern than the fluids.

I'd run a mile and wait for a good one to come along.

 

[LordSalisbury]

I was afraid that my fellow Merc lovers and purists would feel that way. I will need to give this some more careful thought I feel. But this is what sort of feedback I wanted from joining the forum.

Thanks again, all important feedback to me.

Glenn

 

[Charles Morgan]

24V 300 eat cylinder heads. If the MOT has no advisories with a car laid up for 10 years and no evidence of money spent on it, then I would consider the MOT worthless (I have plentiful experience of MOTs showing nothing and a cursory inspection revealing numerous fail items). Why was it laid up, it could easily have a lot of mechanical work required. Nick Froome of W124 did a semi restoration of a 300-24 for a client and the bill was several thousands in parts alone, many of which were difficult to find. I would be extremely careful, especially with a seller (the long term owner or some part time optimist?) who describes the car mods as factory.

 

[coupe addict]

24V 300 eat cylinder heads. If the MOT has no advisories with a car laid up for 10 years and no evidence of money spent on it, then I would consider the MOT worthless (I have plentiful experience of MOTs showing nothing and a cursory inspection revealing numerous fail items). Why was it laid up, it could easily have a lot of mechanical work required. Nick Froome of W124 did a semi restoration of a 300-24 for a client and the bill was several thousands in parts alone, many of which were difficult to find. I would be extremely careful, especially with a seller (the long term owner or some part time optimist?) who describes the car mods as factory.

The 124 coupes are fine cars, but this may not be the one. Head gasket replacement is surprisingly costly and, as Charles Morgan says, all too likely to be needed. Check the rear screen for milkiness at its edges - another common and costly repair. Rust can be surprisingly hard to spot - but they mostly have it. Many years ago Nick Froome (Bolide) pointed out that the slam panel was a handily accessible indicator - if it is at all rusty, expect problems elsewhere. However, few cars have every one of the many potential problem areas: I would suggest using this as a try-out, before looking for a slightly earlier 300ce or slightly later ce320/e320 coupe. The former has arguably the least aggro potential, the latter arguably the best driving experience.

 

[SW18]

Depending where the car is, can you have someone like Olly from PCS inspect it and list the issues?

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Last year I threw many hundreds and thousands at a W124 diesel, that fabled indestructible W124, tosh.

These cars are old and complex and mainly knackered now if they’ve not been kept on top of along the way, which isn’t hard.

Front and rear suspension rebuilds are expensive, much more than a head gasket, is it a 5 speed auto? If so, lovely box but apparently when it expires it expensive.

Injection and engine management on the 24v is expensive to fix, if you can find someone who knows what they are up to.

Other bits and bobs can be troublesome, sunroof, seatbelt butlers, windows regs, etc etc.

I wouldn’t give the bonnet a second thought as if you like it great, if not cheap to sort.

Rust can be present in front inner wings, sills, rear suspension mounts, front suspension mounts, floor pans, arches, rear quarter where meets bumper, and so on.

I would be very wary of a no advisory mot if it’s been pulled out of a garage after 11 years without being recommissioned.

The 24v coupe is an utterly fantastic car in good condition but please don’t think it will be faultless and cheap to keep on top of an average one. Personally I find it a price I’m prepared to pay, great cars.

 

[horatio]

Last year I threw many hundreds and thousands at a W124 diesel, that fabled indestructible W124, tosh.

These cars are old and complex and mainly knackered now if they’ve not been kept on top of along the way, which isn’t hard.
.

Well yes but I wouldn't say it's tosh. They are very strong and durable cars given a modicum of maintenance - unfortunately few people bother and fighting a 20 year backlog of work ain't gonna be cheap. Like you say, you can easily run up 0000's in one hit just on consumable stuff if it's all just been left to decay. Same story with other "indestructible" cars like the LS400.

 

[fabes]

Depending where the car is, can you have someone like Olly from PCS inspect it and list the issues?

This ^^^
You need someone with experience, knowledge and the right kit to go over it given 11 years storage and unknown unknowns
If its between Berkshire and Salisbury (from your forum name) its not too far for Olly or a number of other local, recommended Indy's to travel with you to look at it - for only a modest fee no doubt

 

[LordSalisbury]

I’m most grateful for the feedback on this, I take on board all the comments and value them. I wish I found one a few years ago. I had a Mk1 A class, then w209 estate, followed by clk 320cdi then CLK500. Now just want to go back to old school and am blinded by the fact I could get one before all the good ones are too expensive. I think I will need to walk away from this one and find one that’s been driven and constantly maintained. Thank you all.

 

[Eddy77]

I see you are in Berkshire. If you need a good Mercedes specialist to take a look at any potential purchase, consider giving Liam a call at Huxleys Mercedes in Fleet (Hampshire). Really nice chap and I'm sure he would check it over for you in return for an hour or two's labour charge. He inspected my CLK for me and has looked after it impeccably for the last 4 years. Tell him Ed put you in touch if you do contact him - he knows me after all these years!!

 

[LordSalisbury]

That’s very kind of you Eddy77. I think that’s a safe bet before buying a potential money pit that I can’t drive. Thank you

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

As with all vintage/laid up cars, tyres, along with everything else ages. A car untouched for 11 years will need new tyres, even if new tyres were fitted prior to storage....very unlikely in my opinion.
There are bargain cars out there, however, I would be thinking " why is it still for sale " in any event, good luck on your quest.

 

[219]

While the CHG problems undoubtedly do blight some cars , I had a 300TE-24 which had covered 430,000 miles ( 380,000 on the original engine , and the rest after a short motor fitted by the supplying dealer ) no issues with that car .

I currently have a 300SL-24 with 180 odd thousand on it and no problems with CHG and nothing about it in the history file .

I agree about changing fluids and perishable items , but could be a good car if price is right .

Grille is a personal preference , but a standard W124 bonnet and grille would b easy enough to come by if you want to go back to original ( which would be my preference ) and there would always be someone wanting to buy the aftermarket thing .

One thing the M103 and 300-24 M104 engines do eat is distributor caps ( 20-30K is as much as you can expect out of one ) and poor running issues are often down to this component

 

[BaldGuy]

I too have used Liam @ Huxleys.... another Genuine independant that knows his stuff...

 

[Eddy77]

I too have used Liam @ Huxleys.... another Genuine independant that knows his stuff...

Yup, he’s a top banana! 100% recommended.

 

[TaniDrizi]

Heyy guys
New here don’t know how to post yet her ,soo sorry for goin off subject
Soo I hv a Sec 560 for years now
And I wanna do a crazy swap wanna keep the outlook only and swap it on another car “ modern completely with engine chassis interior completely just like that E190 to c63
Soo would help if u would advise me which would fit it best , was thinkin the new sclass coupe
Apriciate the advices don’t wanna let it sit there

 

[Abb]

Thats sounds reasonable and a very easy conversion to do. Not only would it be a straight swap for most parts from a 2018 S class coupe to a car from 80's era it sounds really cheap to do to.

Perhaps you should start another thread with your request in the appropriate section and you may get more invaluable advice.