honest w123 needed!

[robst3]

Hi guys/gals

I've been looking for a w123 (200 or 230e) for a couple months now but with no success. I've been looking on ebay and car and classic etc. but am getting seriously fed up with sellers claiming their cars are immaculate only for an inspection to reveal long lists of defects. I viewed an 'excellent bodywork' red one today which looked brilliant in the pictures but amongst other things had a nasty hole rusted through right next to the driver's seat belt mount - no idea how it had got through the MOT. Even despite this the seller wouldn't budge on price Not that I was really interested after seeing that.

So... if anyone sees a w123 that has been advertised honestly up to a maximum of 3k please forward me the details! I don't mind buying something that needs a bit of welding etc, as long as its reflected in the price!

Cheers

 

[jaymanek]

The w123 is now a fully fledged classic so finding a rust free one in your budget is near impossible.

 

[robst3]

Who mentioned rust-free?

 

[James1976]

Hi Rob.

I'm viewing a bright red 230E this Friday which has been around in the ownership of the garage since September last year and is described as having excellent bodywork. Errr!

This one wasn't in Preston was it? It's got 91 / 92k on it and also looks brilliant in the pics. Somewhat concerned it might be the same one and therefore wish to save myself a long journey from London.

Help!

Thanks,

James

Hi guys/gals

I've been looking for a w123 (200 or 230e) for a couple months now but with no success. I've been looking on ebay and car and classic etc. but am getting seriously fed up with sellers claiming their cars are immaculate only for an inspection to reveal long lists of defects. I viewed an 'excellent bodywork' red one today which looked brilliant in the pictures but amongst other things had a nasty hole rusted through right next to the driver's seat belt mount - no idea how it had got through the MOT. Even despite this the seller wouldn't budge on price Not that I was really interested after seeing that.

So... if anyone sees a w123 that has been advertised honestly up to a maximum of 3k please forward me the details! I don't mind buying something that needs a bit of welding etc, as long as its reflected in the price!

Cheers

 

[Buster'stheboy]

This thread is a bit old. OP hasn't been here since December last year, have you tried a PM?

I'm in the same boat. Sellers saying the car is rust-free or has "one bit of rust on the boot lid" and you drive 200 miles each way only to find the car is rusty on every panel and has numerous other faults. They think because you've come a long way, you'll buy it anyway.

Going to look at another one tomorrow. All this travelling round the country is costing a fortune in fares/petrol and lost work time.

Good luck with your 230e on Friday, hope it's a good 'un.

EDIT:
Like this. Described as rust free and original but has a smaller engine fitted. How is it original then?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-...3768112?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a195725b0

 

[pete007]

Just noticed a very nice looking red one on carandclassics with only 39k at £2750 ...bargain!

 

[James1976]

Pete, Buster!

I know the thread's a bit old, however I was very concerned as the car I'm going to look at has been used by the garage owner for a while which coincided with the date at which the OP said he's seen a superficially good car which was a wreck! Trying to avoid a damn long trip up north at quite a great deal of expense to see a shed.... Have tried to message the OP but as he's a newby the PM feature doesn't work yet, hoping he comes on soon enough to read this thread!

Pete, the one on car and classics looks pretty good, but the bit that concerns me is that the boot lid looks like it's got some grot (the pics are very poor too). I've also had a very low mileage W123, an X-reg 200T with 43k on the clock. Alas it was built with the earlier poorer steel as per the red car and classics one and to be frank, after a year the whole damn car started to rust even where it was virgin metal. I liken it to a Lancia of the 70's to give you an idea. The one you note might be the one that Buster's been to look at? I'd rather avoid a trip to the depths of the country (not to mention 5 hours!) to find out it's a rusty shed no matter what the mileage, bodywork's always key on these. That's why I want a later car if possible with the wheel arch liners, the better steel and a moderate rather than intergalactic mileage, as the four pot motors don't do massive mileages that well no matter what anyone says.

The sad thing I've found is that even the cars that are coming through the likes of the reputable dealers are, in my view, a bit tatty, and very expensive. There was a low mileage 200T in blue for example that looked virginal before I saw it up close, but on close inspection of the inside of the arches you could feel the filler! For 10+ grand I'd want to eat my dinner of the inside of the arch, not see a lump of filler there.

It's depressing it has to be said! And the one's that are described as original are usually completely sh@gged knackers like the one buster notes. Paint looks flat as a pancake and the car generally looks like one we'd all have sent to the scrapper or run as a winter car five years ago.

Gah!

Ok, that's my exasperation over and done with. Buster, without competing for the same cars it might make sense for us to tell each other which one's we've seen, are sheds and best avoided to save many more miles and exasperation?

J

 

[AMG19]

What is your location I know a very honest 230e in petrol blue in a very good spec for sale.

 

[James1976]

London. It's a car to keep me interested whilst I'm looking for a new job, a hobby car to tinker with shall we say.

Where's the blue one and is it actively on the market?

J

 

[Buster'stheboy]

The one you note might be the one that Buster's been to look at? I'd rather avoid a trip to the depths of the country (not to mention 5 hours!) to find out it's a rusty shed no matter what the mileage, bodywork's always key on these. That's why I want a later car if possible with the wheel arch liners, the better steel and a moderate rather than intergalactic mileage, as the four pot motors don't do massive mileages that well no matter what anyone says.

Have replied to your email James.

Just to point out for anyone else reading this thread: I should have said I'm looking at a W124 230e, not a W123 sorry for confusion.

 

[James1976]

Glad that we're not chasing the same cars LOL! If I see any nice ones I'll let you know!

 

[AMG19]

He was just about to take photos, MOT the vehicle and put it on the Market. PM your number and I'll have him call you with the details I you like? The car is in Surrey so not far.

 

[James1976]

He was just about to take photos, MOT the vehicle and put it on the Market. PM your number and I'll have him call you with the details I you like? The car is in Surrey so not far.

Thanks, PM sent.

 

[s88]

Have you looked on **********.com?

I have no connection but he deals in the older cars.

looks like I am not allowed to say that??

 

[James1976]

As you're not allowed to say that I can't tell what you're saying!

I've looked on car and classic, classic cars for sale, ebay, all MB related websites such as this, MBOC and the "other" owners club, as well as the specialist dealers, including CC Benz, Avantgarde etc but all the specialist dealers are generally overpriced.

As in would you really pay 16k for a 230E? Yes, it might be immaculate but unless you're a serious collector it's a bit over the top for every day use. Besides, my budget for this is somewhat constricted as I'm between jobs at the moment and therefore looking for economical but not immaculate wheels!

Any other suggestions via this. PM or dotcom gratefully received!

J

 

[pete007]

The 39k 230e on carsandclassics is in Cornwall, I can't see any grot on the bootlid, maybe by the badges ? but it could be reflection or shadow, best ring and talk to the seller. There is another red one in Chesham, Bucks - much closer to you. You don't mention Autotrader.co.uk , I think the 'normal' dealers in here are a pretty good source as they are not so greedy, plus the occasional private bargain. However, the same cars have been there for a while, that could mean they are crap OR the market is not so hot !

 

[d w124]

The w123 is now a fully fledged classic so finding a rust free one in your budget is near impossible.

This one looks nice but just seen the update that he`s after a 124 one Mercedes W123 230 For Sale (1977) on Car And Classic UK

 

[s88]

As you're not allowed to say that I can't tell what you're saying!

I've looked on car and classic, classic cars for sale, ebay, all MB related websites such as this, MBOC and the "other" owners club, as well as the specialist dealers, including CC Benz, Avantgarde etc but all the specialist dealers are generally overpriced.

As in would you really pay 16k for a 230E? Yes, it might be immaculate but unless you're a serious collector it's a bit over the top for every day use. Besides, my budget for this is somewhat constricted as I'm between jobs at the moment and therefore looking for economical but not immaculate wheels!

Any other suggestions via this. PM or dotcom gratefully received!

J

sorry it was the system that deleted my typing not me.

**********................

obviously does not like it,

merc
seller

 

[Buster'stheboy]

This one looks nice but just seen the update that he`s after a 124 one Mercedes W123 230 For Sale (1977) on Car And Classic UK

It's me that's after a 124, James still wants a W123 afaik.

Sorry, I seem to have de-railed this thread by accident.

That one does sound nice.

 

[s88]

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