New to MB andf need advice!

[JumboBeef]

Hello all,

I've never owned a Mercedes *gasps* but:

1/ I have £1,000 burning in my pocket

~ and ~

2/ I fancy an old E class (W124?) estate (needs to have a tow bar and cruise control).

Could I get a good one for that money, which engine should I go for (I'm more interested in MPG than BHP!) and what the are common things to avoid?

Thanks!

 

[kwakdonut]

Welcome to the forum JumboBeef!!

There are many experts on this forum with excellent knowledge of these models!
£1000 should get you something reasonable-ish - it is a buyers market at the moment.
I'm sure there will be plenty of people along to give you their 2p worth!

Please persevere as there are only a few of us on during the day - evening is much busier

 

[verytalldave]

Welcome ! ! ! ! ! !

A goldmine of information here..............

Read and digest then you will be prepared for all the good advice that will no doubt come your way...............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W124

 

[Gawdi]

2p worth - go for it........

 

[Donald]

I'm new to owning a Mercedes too,I picked up my W124 300TD Estate on Monday i'm so far i'm very impressed

 

[JumboBeef]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm new to owning a Mercedes too,I picked up my W124 300TD Estate on Monday i'm so far i'm very impressed

How do you find it? Any idea yet what MPG you are getting? Can I ask, how much did you pay for it?

Thanks!

 

[JumboBeef]

I do like this one: 1990 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS 230 TE 5dr Auto [W124] Estate ...but is it worth £1,400? (Its too far away from me anyway).

What is the 2.3 engine like?

So many questions! Thanks!

 

[verytalldave]

Looks nice with lots of goodies.
However, I think I would always prefer a Merc with a leather interior.
Cloth (even though its VERY hard wearing) just doesnt seem to do it justice.

 

[kwakdonut]

If you have cash, go have a look! Check paperwork, service histort, MOT history etc

Rust round arches, tail gate etc I believe are issues. Other than that, usual older car things (smoke, rattles, pulling to one side or t'other when driving, braking etc).

Use your instincts - if it's too good to be true, it probably is. If it doesn't feel right, walk away.

Take a knowledgeable friend with you if at all possible!!

and finally, a car is only worth what you feel happy paying for it. If it has the right spec, engine and condition and your happy parting with £xxxx then fantastic, you've bought a car!

HAGGLE!!!! don't be scared it's not that hard....

 

[kwakdonut]

Looks nice with lots of goodies.
However, I think I would always prefer a Merc with a leather interior.
Cloth (even though its VERY hard wearing) just doesnt seem to do it justice.

Absolutely - I personally wouldnt buy a MB without leather

 

[JumboBeef]

My 'other' motor (Disco V8) has leather. I'm not sure if I mind if the MB has leather or not, to be honest......

Tow bar, cruise and ideally air con are more important to me.

 

[kwakdonut]

Leather and auto-box makes them easier to sell later on. Also, most people I know expect an MB to have both!!

 

[JumboBeef]

...but I suppose that makes non-leather cheaper to buy.....?

 

[verytalldave]

Absolutely.
Much.......................

 

[JumboBeef]

...so then I'm happy with non-leather

I rather have air con and cruise etc and 'slum' it on cloth

 

[purplegoddess]

welcome to the madhouse ! when you see the car for you it wont matter about leather or cloth on your seats as long as it has them!!

 

[dj_factor]

Welcome Jumbobeef. If you ask me the truth, I would say the old 1996-2002 model E class was a very reliable one. Strong and less prone to gadgetary complaints. I had one estate. Look for an estate with 2 magic seats in the boot. It has a lucious boot, takes almost 6 ft length stuff, good for moving houses and huge shopping. In my opinion settle for e240/280.

You can get a good 98-2000 model in good state, service history, leather, heated seats, sunroof for a good money.

 

[dino645]

You need to keep looking. The 300TE you are looking at can be picked up really cheaply, so there isn't any reason why you can't have everything within your budget.

Keep Looking!!!

 

[JumboBeef]

If you ask me the truth, I would say the old 1996-2002 model E class was a very reliable one.

Ah, I am looking older than that: early to mid 90's: what are those like? I don't really want to go (much) over a grand.

Thanks again.

 

[Donald]

How do you find it? Any idea yet what MPG you are getting? Can I ask, how much did you pay for it?

Thanks!

So far so good.I have got a wee issue with the rear suspension which i'm in the middle of diagnosing.

MPG wise very good.The car was on empty when i got it so i put £40 in.My first long run a did 145 miles non stop on an A road and found it had used no more than £15 worth of diesel.I have been running about town the past couple of days and i still hav'nt had to put diesel in yet,in fact i still have about a quarter of a tank left

Price wise, well i got it for the huge sum of £150
3 months MOT and 10 months tax can't be too bad