rusty mercs

[willyb]

The stage has come where I may replace my W124 230E, which has been very reliable over the last six years of ownership but now getting tatty about the front wings.This is acceptable for a 15year old car. The problem is what do I replace it with : I want something with the same solid klunk that the doors make, the unmarked interior, the total lack of squeeks or rattles. Do Mercedes still make such a car? It seems not.

Of most concern are the stories about rampant rust that seem to plague all models. I am not a familiar with series numbers W??? etc:were any models in the C and E classes from 1995 to 2000 free from the rust plague?

My other car is a 1993 Saab and it is rust free as is my brother's Audi of the same age.

I will not buy a rust prone car. Do I just fit new wings and keep the 230E forever?

 

[Robbo]

were any models in the C and E classes from 1995 to 2000 free from the rust plague?

I dont think there are, I am afraid. I would either keep the W124 going or go for another brand such as Audi, who galvanise their cars. The very recent mercs are now galvanised if you can afford one, but they are prone to other problems.

We just have to hope that Mercedes has learnt from all of the recent quality issues and can regain its reputation for top quality and longevity.

 

[Howard]

Keep the w124 - build quality is unsurpassed , and the new ones don't drive like the old w124's .......

I went on a 300 mile round trip yesterday in my fathers CLK430 (w208) and while it goes like stink and is undoubtably very nice, when i got back to his place and got into my w124 230ce the ce just felt 'nicer' its hard to describe but i think you know what i mean ......

Get the wings done and hang on it it...... they don't make 'em like they used to.

 

[Mambo]

The stage has come where I may replace my W124 230E, which has been very reliable over the last six years of ownership but now getting tatty about the front wings.This is acceptable for a 15year old car. The problem is what do I replace it with : I want something with the same solid klunk that the doors make, the unmarked interior, the total lack of squeeks or rattles. Do Mercedes still make such a car? It seems not.

Of most concern are the stories about rampant rust that seem to plague all models. I am not a familiar with series numbers W??? etc:were any models in the C and E classes from 1995 to 2000 free from the rust plague?

My other car is a 1993 Saab and it is rust free as is my brother's Audi of the same age.

I will not buy a rust prone car. Do I just fit new wings and keep the 230E forever?

Keep the W124, my mate sold his and now drives a E46 M3 convertible but he still thinks the W124 was better put together.....

 

[DITTRICH]

How can I put this...
When I first drove a W202 I thought it was solid compared to other marques.
When I first drove a W124 it made the W202 feel flimsy.
Yes, my W124 has faults, but a visit or two to my independant will sort this out.
I'm also going to waxoyl the underbits this summer.
My car had done 175,000 so far. I'm hoping for 500,000 (E300D).
At 20,000 per year tops that's 16 years.
It's pretty much depreciation proof as I didn't pay that much for it.
It doesn't have loads of complicated electronics which cost an arm and a leg to fix.
So...
Get your car checked out for rust - everywhere - get it fixed and keep the car.
Les

 

[pepper&boulou]

How can I put this...
When I first drove a W202 I thought it was solid compared to other marques.
When I first drove a W124 it made the W202 feel flimsy.
Yes, my W124 has faults, but a visit or two to my independant will sort this out.
I'm also going to waxoyl the underbits this summer.
My car had done 175,000 so far. I'm hoping for 500,000 (E300D).
At 20,000 per year tops that's 16 years.
It's pretty much depreciation proof as I didn't pay that much for it.
It doesn't have loads of complicated electronics which cost an arm and a leg to fix.
So...
Get your car checked out for rust - everywhere - get it fixed and keep the car.
Les

Hear Hear.

 

[big x]

In your position I think I would go for an E39 5-series 530d BMW 1996-02, I've never seen a rusty one of these and they drive far better than the older Mercs.
Looking at older Audi catalogues they do indeed seem to be 100% galvanized...kudos to Audi.I really like the solid fee of Mercs and ease of DIY but walking past a P reg silver W210 estate in my street every day with rust on every single panal

adam

 

[glojo]

The stage has come where I may replace my W124 230E, which has been very reliable over the last six years of ownership but now getting tatty about the front wings.

If this is the only reason you are making the decision on, then I go along with the majority.

These cars do not really age as per the average vehicle. If you spent some money getting the bodywork prperly sorted then the car will still attract envious stares from owners of far more modern vehicles.

If however the time has come to get a newer car, then it would take a brave\foolish person to recommend the older model E-class which we refer to as a W210. Rust is a major, major problem. The 320CDI powered model has excellent performance and relatively speaking is economical, BUT it still has RUST problems. There are no doubt models out there that are rust free but they are few and far between. My advice would be to also consider either the Audi, or BMW equivalent

Good luck with your decision,
John

 

[Dieselman]

In your position I think I would go for an E39 5-series 530d BMW 1996-02, I've never seen a rusty one of these and they drive far better than the older Mercs.

I have been shown an E39 that was booked in to have a new bootlid, under warranty, due to rust. It was right through on the inside at teh bottom by the seam. The car looked spotless from the outside. This was a '98 car and thiis was about 3 Years ago.