W124 Reliability

[jaco]

Hi there,

I'm going to start shopping soon for my first Mercedes - looking for a nice W124 260e-300e. I have a couple of questions on these cars:

1. How reliable are they really? I'm getting mixed information searching this (and other) forum(s) on this topic.

2. Are there any specific weaknesses on these cars that I sould be aware of, or on the lookout for?

 

[Smiley]

These models mean an earlier w124 - before 1992. A looked after one should be very reliable - look for one that has been serviced properly inc auto fluid + filter changes.
The main thing to look for is corrosion; then all the usual things with a car that will be approaching 20 yrs old.
If you do not need 4 doors then consider a CE300 coupe.
Buy a good one and you will be very pleased for many years; they are super value for money - and nothing is outrageously expensive to fix if they do go wrong.
Just to add if you are looking at later ones with the 280 or 320 engine then the engine wiring loom is a weak point.

 

[Roger Jones]

Although it's the M104 engine in the 1994-6 cars that has the reputation for gasket failure, the M103 in the earlier cars goes in the same place -- rear offside. I know, as both my M103s have been done. On the other hand, my M104 has yet to show any signs of gasket or harness failure. From my experience and research, the gasket failures are rarely catastrophic or spectacular; many engines carry on leaking steadily for years, because owners don't notice the problem or decide to live with it. Look for dark streaking under the car and, if you spot it, get £750 knocked off the asking price.

The later M104 engine is definitely smoother, quieter and more powerful than the M103. The later five-speed box is also smoother and adds to the performance. Some prefer the mechanical simplicity of the older four-speed and speak of problems with the five speed, but the only problem I have experienced with the five-speed was caused by a main dealer short-changing the ATF.

On the bodywork, the front wings will corrode, usually at the lower front of the arch. Also, there is a weakness under the rear lights where the low back central panel meets the rear quarters.

All old cars have problems, but with the W124 they are well documented and predictable, so can be anicipated, budgeted, and worked into bargaining. The W124 has fewer than most and is a truly great car. I still can't envisage selling the 1996 E320 Coupé I've had for nine years, which replaced a 1994 four-speed one.

 

[grober]

As mentioned before the thing that will put these beautifully engineered cars of the road will be body corrosion. Rear sills around the jacking points and front mounts of the rear subframe where it meets the main chassis are expensive MOT failure points. Auto gearboxes are an expensive repair since its normally full box change to repair. Top end /timing engine repairs are not too bad but if the bottom end has gone crank/big ends a replacement engine is required---some folks are lucky enough to pick up a "good un " in a breakers yard but unless you are prepared to fit it yourself then this is pretty much an expensive gamble. Running engines in an MOT failure/accident damaged are a better proposition of course or a reconned unit with a warranty.

 

[Reza]

1. How reliable are they really? I'm getting mixed information searching this (and other) forum(s) on this topic.

How to kill a nice mercedes benz. W124. Estate

 

[jaco]

Wow! I'm really impressed by that video! I never realised just how reliable these cars really are. Maybe that's why there are still soooo many running on the roads here.

I'm definately looking at getting one of the bigger engine models. Unfortunately though, the 320 was never available here. Neither was the coupe - only coupes here are special imports.

Although it's the M104 engine in the 1994-6 cars that has the reputation for gasket failure, the M103 in the earlier cars goes in the same place -- rear offside.

I want to ask what may seem like a silly question, but what do you mean with offside? (Being from South Africa, I've never heard that expression.)

Just another question; How difficult are these cars to work on? I've always fancied myself as a bit of a diyer, and I'm not scared to tackle things on a car.

 

[EDZ649]

In the UK Offside means the the side of the car nearest the driver. Nearside means the side nearest the kerb/pavement/sidewalk

 

[jaco]

In the UK Offside means the the side of the car nearest the driver. Nearside means the side nearest the kerb/pavement/sidewalk

Ah, now you see, I would have figured the opposite... (nearside closest to the driver)

 

[zaphod_b]

The term comes from the days of horses as transport.. The nearside is the side you get on from, the off side is the other side!

 

[Vlad]

Seeing as you are in South Africa, I would suspect that body corrosion wont be much of an issue......you may want to double check the cooling system and see how that copes in a hot climate, ie check that viscous fan cuts in, thermostat is working and no water leaks from the water pump or radiator.

 

[hora]

Hi, I'm new! I've been offered a lovely 1994 140k E220 petrol automatic estate and as I have never owned a car over 7yrs old/70k before I'm alittle apprehensive. In 'general' how robust is the petrol engine in the E220 - are they capable of 'high' mileage like the old diesel Merc units that we always hear about??

If there is every an issue with the auto box - are there plently of specialists out there who can strip and replace bits etc at reasonable cost?

Thank you.

 

[d w124]

Hi and welcome to the forum.The 220 is a fine engine and 150 bhp is enough round town

 

[219]

My petrol 300-24 did 380,000 miles on its original engine , and another 50K on the replacement engine before being wrecked by an uninsured driver .

 

[BoyracerAU]

For a 1993-1996 car, I'd check to see if the original engine wiring harness has been replaced. The harness should have a sticker/tag with the date of manufacture visible in the vicinity of the battery compartment. And it would be good if the gearbox has already had it's gremlins dealt with.

Aside from these two major cost items, I understand they're pretty bullet proof.

 

[Biglips]

These cars are very well built but are getting old now so you will need to be sure they are regularly maintained. Budget a few hundred pounds to sort any niggles out in the first few months of ownership. As previously mention, rust is what usually kills these cars.

If you look after them they will keep going for many hundreds of thousands of miles

 

[Ted]

For a 1993-1996 car, I'd check to see if the original engine wiring harness has been replaced. The harness should have a sticker/tag with the date of manufacture visible in the vicinity of the battery compartment. And it would be good if the gearbox has already had it's gremlins dealt with.

Aside from these two major cost items, I understand they're pretty bullet proof.

Didn't think that applied to the m111 engine in these??

Anyway, I had one of these cars. 100% reliable, a joy to drive, and you really will understand why people love ths model.
As has been said, the 2.2 engine is fine around town, and sits at over 80 mph (where permitted of course)

Other than rust, I really feel that this is the nearest thing to an 'everlasting' car.