Sold the W126 :-( and have gone over to the other side

[ivan1983]

I have parted with my W126 and while it was a far from perfect car it had so much character that I feel like I have just broken up with a girlfriend!

I was searching for a nice W124 estate S124? or even a W202 C250 TD but they just seemed to be bad value at my end of the market.

I have ended up with a 530i SE touring with a manual box, we shall see how it compares to merc ownership.

I think i need to find an older car as Im finding most things post 1990 leave me a little cold.

One problem I have is that everything feels slow compared to a motorbike and doesnt seem to have enough character to compensate.

Anyone else had a similar problem?

 

[mct_cars]

I'm having a similar issue. I want another car so I can take the SL off the road in the winter months. SWMBO already has a boring family car, so I'm after something with a bit of something....

I've narrowed it down to either a 330 / 530 d or i touring (plenty of power). My criteria were were Estate (cause it's handy), Rear wheel drive (cos it's fun) and Manual (cos it's more fun).

Manual means most Mercs are pretty much out which is a shame as I could fancy a W124.

 

[ivan1983]

I found the W124s I drove didnt have that certain something, although the 300 estate I drove was pokey enough.

From what I understand the 5 series touring are quite rare in manual form so finding a good one might be a bit tricky. Does it have to be a diesel as the 530 I have has a very refined engine which I think suits the car and the real world cost per mile may not be that different although I suspect it will be down on torque by a significant margin

 

[E270 Owner]

Just inherited/bought (non paying customer) a 2.7 S type for running around in @ 100000k
drives the pants off the E320 E270 C220 we have lurking in the car pool.

Tight and quiet powerful, incredible car for the miles and very under stated.

 

[merc85]

Had similar issue, go buy a Turbocharged Petrol car, i bought and had 4 Volvo 850 t5's after many years of Mercedes ownership.

Have only recently come back to Mercedes and now drive a s211 e320 cdi which i love.

 

[ivan1983]

Had similar issue, go buy a Turbocharged Petrol car, i bought and had 4 Volvo 850 t5's after many years of Mercedes ownership.

Have only recently come back to Mercedes and now drive a s211 e320 cdi which i love.

I did like the idea of a volvo or a saab for that reason but my stupid head wouldnt let me buy something that has a timing belt instead of chain :fail

 

[merc85]

My Black 850 t5 was 297bhp, 256whp and delimited too was quite quick, a 850 isnt a heavy car at 1450kg

 

[mct_cars]

From what I understand the 5 series touring are quite rare in manual form so finding a good one might be a bit tricky. Does it have to be a diesel as the 530 I have has a very refined engine which I think suits the car and the real world cost per mile may not be that different although I suspect it will be down on torque by a significant margin

i or d, I'm easy although I would prefer the d as it suits my driving better - I'll only do a max of 3k miles a year in it so economy isn't a consideration. Loved my old 328i which the 30 is basically derived from. Lovely smooth engine.

Agree there's not a lot of 5 series manuals about... but there are some!

 

[ivan1983]

i or d, I'm easy although I would prefer the d as it suits my driving better - I'll only do a max of 3k miles a year in it so economy isn't a consideration. Loved my old 328i which the 30 is basically derived from. Lovely smooth engine.

Agree there's not a lot of 5 series manuals about... but there are some!

Well if you are flexible on either a d or i then you stand a chance of getting what you are after! For some reason I did not have a lot of interest in the 3 series but i guess that would be pretty pokey with a 3.0L engine

You could always search out the elusive 540i manual touring