honest w123 needed!

[pete007]

How about this one, OK its a 280 but looks very good value, only thing is lack of history with such a claimed low mileage !
1982 Classic W123 Mercedes-Benz 280e - Excellent Condtn | eBay

 

[James1976]

Rather late update I know but just realised I hadn't updated!

*ducks*

I've bought an E34 BMW 525i SE. 1990, 91k from new and complete and full BMW history, looks very close to new and goes very well after an Inspection II and new viscous coupling. I would post a pic but that's upset you all even more! If it's any consolation the forums are somewhat "quiet" in relation to BMW's....

I spoke to mark champion Mark Cosovich about the W123 and he advised, in words of one syllable, "don't do it under any circumstances, it'll be a wreck, be rusting and cost you a fortune". Enough said.

So there we go. I'll spend 10k one one in a few years time then!

J

 

[jaymanek]

Mark is a perfectionist... he HATES ebay and if you told him that its £2500 he will have had a heat attack as he thinks good examples should all fetch over £15K.

That ebay one looks clean on the face of it.. as long as its not rusty then its a bargain.

 

[sl300 ireland]

It amazes me that people ring the swansea guru and he consistantly says the same DONT TOUCH IT come and buy from me

where does he get his cars ??????????

 

[neilz]

Methinks he wants to get to those cars first to sell them on (by putting others off buying them), if I'm right then he's got a good business mindset!

 

[James1976]

Hmmmm. To be honest I think he needs to keep his nose out. I got very annoyed when I first read Jaymanek's post and decided it was best not to vent publicly.

However!

Mark is well know in MB Club circles and very well thought of. Indeed his help, advice and stock of parts is very impressive. However, he needs to learn that not all cars are concourse trophy winners and indeed most cars coming out the showroom cease to be this way after 6 months of normal use. They're most certainly not all worth 15k.

After reading these comments I was extremely annoyed that he'd put me off with his stories of doom of costs and that all cars are now worn out. I hay by then gone and bought an immaculate BMW e34 instead. I dare say the car I was going to look at would have been fine, it certainly looked it in the pictures. I've never bought a knacker yet and have enough knowledge I can tell the problems.

Let's face it, and not meaning this nastily, but these cars were and are utilitarian taxis. I've had them, I know. I love them. But we're not talking something utterly amazing here like a 50's SL, but a workhorse. He's parading around like they're the don and they're worth 15k. I say ********. Good ones are lovely, bad ones are sheds, but he needs to keep his snout out of poo-pooing people off normal cars. Not impressed. At All.

 

[James1976]

Mark is a perfectionist... he HATES ebay and if you told him that its £2500 he will have had a heat attack as he thinks good examples should all fetch over £15K.

That ebay one looks clean on the face of it.. as long as its not rusty then its a bargain.

I think he's clearly misguided and should keep his snout well out.

 

[nickod]

I spoke to him too when i was looking for a coupe and he scared me witless with stories of what can go wrong 'if you only spend 8k' on one. i did give up looking in the end. i wish i had bought jaymaneks one - that looked rust free and was a fair price.

 

[James1976]

Hmmm. I think that quite a few people have had this experience. His relaxing tones whilst imparting terrifying advice are enough to scare the crap out of anyone! I've calmed down a bit now, but all he's doing is making what's a great car seem a terrifying prospect and possibly putting people off for good!

You've not bought one, I've not bought one a defected to the other side!

I think Jaymanek's would have been fantastic - he's got some cracking cars.

:-(

 

[Buster'stheboy]

Are you enjoying your BMW, James?

These old Mercs are brilliant value when they're a little tired. My old 230e was £1500 when I bought it and it lasted for another 8 years and was 100% reliable until it died this January.

My new one was £700 and I reckon it will give me a few years yet. All old cars will need some money spent on them, whatever brand they are.

I had about £5,000 in total to spend and researched various models from a dozen or so Marques and every single one had known problems and horror stories on their own forums. Anyone who thinks buying an old Merc is scary should look into buying a Rover 75! Eek! (I still like them though).

 

[jaymanek]

I have to say my car was absolutely spot on...
I do sometimes miss it but it was so good I just never used it for fear of increasing the mileage and putting wear on it....

 

[James1976]

Are you enjoying your BMW, James?

These old Mercs are brilliant value when they're a little tired. My old 230e was £1500 when I bought it and it lasted for another 8 years and was 100% reliable until it died this January.

My new one was £700 and I reckon it will give me a few years yet. All old cars will need some money spent on them, whatever brand they are.

I had about £5,000 in total to spend and researched various models from a dozen or so Marques and every single one had known problems and horror stories on their own forums. Anyone who thinks buying an old Merc is scary should look into buying a Rover 75! Eek! (I still like them though).

Hey!

How's the new W124 going? Did you swap interiors etc in the end? I hope it's working out well after all the journeys!

Yes, my BMW's going brilliantly thanks. It's about the same age as yours and indeed in a period road test I've got your 230E and my BMW went head to head It's working well, seems to be settling into getting used again well after being in a private collection for a while and I love it.

Would have been nice to have a W123 though! Ah well. I agree with you completely, there are horror stories everywhere about any car you care to think of, and everyone had an opinion. I just got a little upset with a very strictly enforced viewpoint which put me off!

I also like Rover 75's, not sure why.

I have to say the Merc lot here are a lot nicer than the BMW forums :-/

Enjoy!

J

 

[Buster'stheboy]

Yes, my BMW's going brilliantly thanks. It's about the same age as yours and indeed in a period road test I've got your 230E and my BMW went head to head It's working well, seems to be settling into getting used again well after being in a private collection for a while and I love it.

I'd like to see that road test. Who won? Is it available anywhere online?

Yes, I've changed the interiors over. I hated the look of the cloth seats but they were actually firmer and more supportive than my leather ones. Still prefer the leather though. I have to admit I don't like this car as much as my old one, but I don't know why. Just doesn't feel the same

Glad to hear you're enjoying yours

 

[James1976]

Odd the way some cars gel and some don't. The BMW won :-/. !! I think in the longevity stakes the Merc would win hands down though!

I'll see if I can find it, will scan and email it to you - it's from an old magazine I've got.

 

[millo777]

Apologies for a further thread derailment, but who is Marc Cosovic? I live in Swansea and I've never heard of him. Does he have a business selling parts and servicing MBs I should know about?

Obviously I won't be asking this chap for buying advice....just intrigued that there is a specialist close by I haven't heard about.

 

[neilz]

He is a W123 specialist currently having a book written and having his website updated:

:: W123 World - Mark Cosovich ::