Toying with buying a W124 coupe

[Conquistador]

Loved the old W124 pilarless coupes since I was a boy and I'm now toying with the idea of getting one as a weekend play thing. Up to £3/4k most likely

I know there are lots of W124 owners on here so would anyone be kind enough to share what is imperative to check and look for if I view some?

Like this, for example:
MINT MERCEDES W124 1992 300CE CE-24 COUPE ARMADINE CREAM LEATHER MOT'D FSH AC | eBay

 

[nullogik]

I think you can do a lot better than that example.

For the upper end of your budget you should be able to get a facelift version in a nice colour with around 100k miles on it.

 

[Rob77]

Well, it's not a 300-24 and it doesn't look mint either. Dreadful looking steering wheel too

It might still be a nice car though and worth a look?

 

[BillyW124]

Out of all w124 coupes on sale currently this one come top of the pile. Its a pearl on the face of it.

It has been for sale a while. i just hope these pictures are recent. Perhaps mileage on the high side but it looks an absolute beaut and @ high spec. For starters looks like the rear window is in good shape. No delam. Been garaged all its life or a replacement?? Either way its worth a trip there to check it out i'd say.

Classic Mercedes E320 Coupe For Sale (1996) on Car And Classic UK [C394952]

its one of the last being a 96.

 

[coupe addict]

That looks beautiful - but check that the wiring loom and the wiring in the ETA have been replaced, and that it has had a new head gasket at some stage: in each case the replacements should last, even if done some time ago, but you could be looking at £3000 for those items if they haven't yet been done. Otherwise it's mostly about rust, rust, and rust. The slam panel under the bonnet is a good tell-tale for this - if it's rough and all else is good, then probably rust repairs have been done - which is better than not being done, but not as good as the ( ultra-rare ) alternative of not having been rusty.

 

[Dee-124CAB]

£4.5K for one that is 150k up... Is that abit rich or are the prices firming up on these?

I for one know how durable these are and should be bought on condition and to some degree a nice spec, but thought the market has always dictated that there be a cap on the value of a leggy one...

PS: I know 150k equates to about 8k per annum, but i sometimes get the impression people prefer lower miles to condition, crazy as it sounds.

 

[ShinyF1]

or this [must be one of very few 124 manuals]:

Used 1995 Mercedes-Benz E Class E 320 for sale in Derbyshire | Pistonheads

 

[Dee-124CAB]

^^ The ad itself says that its got a 5 speed automatic transmission.

In pre-facelift form, there were a few coupes specified in 300-24 Sportline spec but with the 5 speed getrag dogleg box!..... Now that i would love!

 

[RBYCC]

Considering the 203K miles, it looks clean and well maintained.
The full service history is a real plus when purchasing any vehicle.
Try to find out if the head gasket has ever been replaced and if any transmission work has been done.
I would do a compression and leak down test prior to purchase.

Ed A.

 

[Conquistador]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I know it's not a coupe, but what do we think of this example?...
1990 MERCEDES 190E 2.5-16 COSWORTH | eBay

 

[Palfrem]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/spotted-ebay/174207-mercedes-190e-2-5-16-cosworth.html

 

[del320]

Out of all w124 coupes on sale currently this one come top of the pile. Its a pearl on the face of it.

It has been for sale a while. i just hope these pictures are recent. Perhaps mileage on the high side but it looks an absolute beaut and @ high spec. For starters looks like the rear window is in good shape. No delam. Been garaged all its life or a replacement?? Either way its worth a trip there to check it out i'd say.

Classic Mercedes E320 Coupe For Sale (1996) on Car And Classic UK [C394952]

its one of the last being a 96.

Oooh Lovely!

There's some hope for me then.

A couple of gratuitous shots as it's a lovey day and she's lookin' good. (washed a coupe of days ago)

That looks beautiful - but check that the
wiring loom and the wiring in the ETA have been replaced, and that it has had a new head gasket at some stage: in each case the replacements should last, even if done some time ago, but you could be looking at £3000 for those items if they haven't yet been done. Otherwise it's mostly about rust, rust, and rust. The slam panel under the bonnet is a good tell-tale for this - if it's rough and all else is good, then probably rust repairs have been done - which is better than not being done, but not as good as the ( ultra-rare ) alternative of not having been rusty.

Tell me about it...

...wouldn't have it any other way.

Buy one!

 

[Jukie]

Here's one with all major W124 work sorted:

Mercedes E320 Coupe C124 (1995) For Sale on Car And Classic UK [C510435]

I've been in touch with the seller and he seems a decent bloke. Stated there is de-lamination on both windscreens (not much) and some bubbling at the top of the rear screen and very early signs of paint spidering on some wheel arch areas. Plus a small crack in the rear bumper. I have pictorial evidence from the seller which I'm happy to forward to any interested party.

Current MOT has no advisories.

 

[Spin_bowler]

Stop toying with the idea and get on with it. The most satisfying car I've ever owned bar none.