E36 - the first 1000 miles

[Palfrem]

So, 1000 plus miles into W124 E36 ownership and what are my thoughts?

It’s the first car I have ever had where a random stranger entered into a conversation about it – I was returning to the station car park yesterday and one of the guys working for the contractors refurbishing the car park came over as I was putting my trappings in the boot and said how it was the best preserved w124 he’d ever seen and wanted to know all about it. That’s definitely never happened before. He seemed a knowledgeable chap too and said he’d had an early w124 in the past but it had long since died of rust.

I think it still the shape looks good. Discuss. To me the form is pretty timeless, just not “modern”. It sits quietly and confidently in the works car park like a leather bound Dickens on a shelf of airport paperbacks. It doesn’t jostle for attention like some of the showier up-to-the-minute offerings with their alluring curves and me, me, me corporate fashion cues.

As to driving, well, it’s now become a bit of an occasion as opposed to a simple journey. I like the way the speedo needle can’t quite make its mind up until you are doing about 35 mph and it flits up and down like the speedo in my 1962 mini used to when I was about the same age this car is now. It settles down OK at motorway speeds but it’s hopelessly optimistic when compared to the GPS readout.

I quite like the smell of the interior. Who was it on Top Gear said they bought a car for its smell? When the guy who fitted the new radio (Blaupunkt Toronto with Bluetooth) was sat in it he said that with his eyes closed he’d be able to tell it was an old Merc. Is that true I wonder? The new radio is fine, paired with a phone without any profanity at all. It accepts SD cards too so I can have endless music. The car does need some new speakers. Open to suggestions here chaps.

There’s no need to drive fast in this car. It will show much newer cars a clean pair of metaphorical heels if required, but I reckon my average speed has dropped by about 10 mph on motorways and I have turned into something of a pootler on urban roads. Mind you, with oscillating speedo needle, your guess on the actual speed is as good as mine. I’m perfectly happy just proceeding calmly and carefully toward my destination.

For those who may be interested, it is presently giving an average of 29.7 mpg at 85% motorway 15% urban.

The engine has a pleasing tone. There is a satisfying chord when it starts and settles to tick-over (did I say it sometimes hunts a bit – the garage tells me it’s normal) and if you want to overtake on the motorway, anything above about 3000 rpm delivers a resonant, harmonic baritone that remains as background music and never dominates like 55s and 63s. Not that I find the modern AMG pipes unpleasant, it’s just a tune played on a different instrument.

Her Ladyship (who doesn't drink) borrowed it the other night for a girly night out taxi and as she was driving away there was a lovely key change as it shifted up.

The handling is better than I expected. Firm but not arduous like a BMW. I’ve not exactly explored the limits of grip, but when pushed it felt like it knew what it was doing and only needed me to hang onto the steering wheel. Nicely relaxed, no roll or drama. It has Pirelli tyres on at present and they are very noisy on motorways. There’s a thrum that sounds just like someone is drumming on the side-wall or there's a big ballbearing doing a roulette ball spin around the inside of tyre. I can’t describe it, but I’ll be glad when they are finished and I can get some other tyres.

The brakes are as good as my C280 but I suspect it will be needing some new disks before long. Perhaps it would be nice to get the calipers refurbished too.

The electric aerial is jolly entertaining. It rises in its own sweet time and just like me, it never quite achieves the same degree of erection as it did when it was younger. When the radio is turned off it lowers like a flag at sundown in about the same time as it takes to get out of the car and lock it. I’ve given it a spray of silicone lubricant but to very little effect. It needs some sort of telescopic Viagra I suspect.

The driving position is pretty well perfect and even Her Ladyship can get comfy. I’m not convinced she really gets this old car thing but she can see I’m happy so she humours me.

The seats are comfy but still supportive, they don’t appear to have sagged at all and the leather is nicely lived in and looks good.

What do I miss when compared with the fripperies available on modern machinery? The volume controls on the steering wheel for sure and the ability to change radio station, CD track, etc.

I miss that 3 flashes thing on the indicator for a flick of the stalk, oh and I miss the stalk being on the left – still.

I’ll miss it when the car tells you it wants a drink of oil and a service. Note to self – must get back into the habit of weekly checks. It probably actually uses some oil as well, so I’ll get some on my next trip to Costco. Just buy the traditional 10W 40, not the all singing all dancing super thin synthetic Mobil 1?

For sure there's a few minor faults that are to be fixed soon, but nothing that’s taken the shine off ownership. For peace of mind I bought the full 3 year warranty on it. It covers any single “claim” up to £2K so I hope that should cover most eventualities. It was very good value for money I though too.

There are a few tiny paint blemishes and stone chips I want touched up and maybe I'll get it valeted. Oh no, does this mean I'll be detailing it soon not just giving it a wash and some Autoglym.

I'll enjoy running it for the summer then garage it and buy a runabout for the winter I think.

So, am I happy?

Yes thank you.

 

[mika]

excellent report Mike
as i had said ive seen that car it looked marvelous
clearly you are enjoying it !
You got through those 1000 miles quickly

 

[trapperjohn]

Speakers. I have Rainbows in mine.

Rainbow 231182 Mercedes W124 Speaker Upgrade Easy Fit | eBay

There is a discount available if you ring Ray apparently. Other members says Rainbows not the best but they are good enough for these deaf old ears.

There is a part available to fix the "nodding" speedo. Its like an auger thingy that fits in the gearbox somewhere. Its only tiny.

Yup 10 40 is the oil on a standard engine not sure on yours. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Really pleased you are using it as you should. Wait 'til you get in something else and no one "taken any interest" or even "looks" at your motor.

Methinks you have a friend for life there.

 

[d w124]

Great write up Mike,the car deserves an owner like yourself

 

[WDB124066]

I liked the Leather Bound Book reference, it really is how the 124 feels for me too, they are almost an icon of MB really.

Any details on that auger thingy Trapps, looks like we both could do with the benefit. I had alway thought it was because of the path the cable took but I can't get rid of the wobble in either of mine especially at lower speeds.......

 

[trapperjohn]

Ill ask Mr Walker on Wednesday which is when I see him next. It was not a complete fix but it made things a whole lot better.

 

[Biglips]

Lovely write up Mike. I can't believe your fuel consumption is so good! Clearly I have a heavy right foot.

 

[kth286]

what's that advert - "FOR THE JOURNEY" - Lloyds bank I think.

It could well be describing the 124 serenity.

I feel those fast drivers in their modern boxes cannot wait to get to their destination, just to get out of the thing.

 

[st4]

I love threads like this, they make this forum good.

 

[Newera]

Thanks for taking the time to write.

Like you, I've only recently begun to drive my 1992 W124. In fact - less than 24 hours. I took mine for inspection this afternoon in Tokyo, which it passed without any drama at all and now, at last it's road legal for 2 years...

On the 60km drive there I took the time to become acquainted with the 300D Turbo.
Just as I got onto the Motorway it begun raining heavily so the wiper was the first form of entertainment. Although it improved as it presumably cleaned itself in the rain the rubber might benefit from a change and I smiled at the thought I'd only have to buy one for this car.

The steering is a little vague but has no play in the straight ahead position, although it doesn't self correct as readily as other cars.
The Benz doesn't have the engine braking of the 4 cylinder Toyota and there's some transmission snatch (Auto) when pushing it harder, but it feels perfectly solid nonetheless.
As the rain stopped I thought it would be interesting to see how much smoke the old Diesel would make on boost. Acceleration isn't fast but the torque is there & it wafted up to an easy 160 km/h and would have kept going had I not let off. Having watched my mirrors I was pleased it barely left any smoke in it's wake and thus I knew it would pass it's smoke test easily.

At the test centre they told me the car was 5cm lower than it's recorded height and I was going to be required to have it re-measured and weight tested after the compliance testing was done.
And so after the main test I emptied the boot of a few of the new parts I have sitting inside waiting to fit including H&R springs and Bilstein shocks, etc. Once I finished taking them out I noticed the suspension had risen a bit.
So the tester measured again. It was back to original ride height. One less pointless hassle to contend with.

Drive home after sunset in the rain was another 60km, funnily enough via Costco to stock up on wine, salmon French cheese & microfibre polishing cloths which aren't so easily available from Japanese supermarkets & home centres. It climbed the multi storey car park ramps with barely any additional throttle at low revs.

Headlights aren't very bright, even with the fog lights on. Since the Technics tape deck doesn't work (It was simply slotted into the hole, but not connected by the previous owner) I sat at a steady 2,500 rpm listening to the steady hum of the 6 cylinder Diesel at 100km. I liked how the gauges are lit at night and how comfortable the old leather seats are. Even in the rain on the way home the car seemed silent if not slightly nervous over larger puddles.

With 120km or on the odometer, the fuel gauge had only moved about an eighth of it's range, although I'll have to wait and see how much it does to the tank, I expect it'll do better than our 3 litre Toyota Diesel people carrier since it's lighter and much more aerodynamic.

To me the drive confirmed I'd done the right thing in selling a perfectly well running but thirsty Lexus estate, to get a higher mileage (175,000km) rust free but solid old Benz to be the family runabout. My wife's already begun to like the Toyota where she sits nice & high, so it may be I end up with the older, but ultimately better car.

The first drive today was an opportunity to check what else I want to change on it and I think I pretty much have the list sorted.

You ask about speakers. Rainbows are available via eBay - eine der größten deutschen Shopping-Websites and they're a direct fitment. I got my new rear Rainbows via Ebay from a shop called: Schlauer-Shop24 e.K. - Top Products - Top Prices. They accepted my offer of 20% less, but that was probably because in my case they can sell without VAT, but it's worth a try.

I've also ordered the W124 complete front speaker kit from Jehnert Sound Design
which appears to be the best bespoke kit available without need to do tiem consuming custom speaker installations, etc.
As I intend to keep this car for 10+ years, I don't mind splashing out on a good quality audio system. Despite it being so quiet on the Motorway, I'll be fitting the best sound deadening & insulation to floor & door insides along with a complete 500E interior and a newly refreshed (R12) air conditioning system all to make it a much more pleasant place to spend time in.

I'm excited for this old Benz, it's certainly proven itself to be a usable daily classic. My wife can keep the Toyota...

 

[bolide]

Do yourself a favour, junk the tyres that are on the car and buy some Continentals. Life's too short to listen to rumbling, grumbling tyres

Aerial masts are £19 from an MB dealer. Cheaper than Viagra!

Nick Froome

 

[GP801]

Great write up. Really pleased you are enjoyng it. We cured the bouncing speedo on our 280 with a new cable. Not expensive but a bit fiddly.
We now have rainbow speakers in the front which do make a difference. Alfie suggested Morel speakers in the doors but they will have to wait until its back from Italy as he isnt sure there is enough depth available.