W124 series E class, advice for a newbie

[janner]

I have spent 700 pounds on a new timing chain, tappetts, manifold gaskett .. it went back to the garage twice as the first set of tappetts were pressumed faulty. They werent !!..so it went back again and it was the manifold gasket causing the tappett noise

Sounds like you needed a better mechanic. If he had diagnosed the gasket in the first place you wouldn't have needed the timing chain or tappets.

i now need a whole new rear suspension system

Really? There are only a few rear suspension bushes that normally need changing after 14 years and they're not that expensive. If it clonks when you change gear it's probably the front propshaft coupling (£40).

ahhh cylinder head gasket

Maybe that's why it was for sale?

I'm sorry that you have had a bad experience with your Mercedes but I really believe that the W124 is one of the best engineered cars out there. After 14 years though, some things ARE going the need changing (like suspension bushes and window motors).
It sounds like you were unlucky with this car and the mechanic.

 

[Benzowner]

Interesting point, I don't know mileage or age of car, but when I bought my 260E in 1989 brand new, I was told, by the dealer, that the engine was good for at least 100,000 miles and then things would need to be looked at. Now I don't know what was meant by that and I never kept the car past 40k miles. However I have had a 280SE which flew past 100k and I sold it with 140k on it with no engine problems. It had had only 1 previous owner with full MB history. Unfortunately a car IMO need to be looked after all the time and it will reward you with reliable service. If your car during its life had, shall we say questionable owner, who for all sorts of reasons was unable to or neglected to look after the car, faults will appear. But as a previous poster said, if your mechanic cannot tell whether its timing chain or manifold leak, change the mechanic.

 

[janner]

On 6 cylinder engines if you change the oil every 6k miles you will need to change the valve stem oil seals @ 110-130k miles (depending on year) and the valve guides every 180-220k miles. The bottom end should last forever!

If you don't change the brake fluid every 2 years you may get ABS problems.
If you don't change the coolant regularly or use Radweld, Radflush or anything other than MB anti-freeze you will blow the headgasket and/or the waterpump.

 

[Ian B Walker]

It has been well documented that my green monster has high milage (219k) there is some rust on it, but nothing that is going to worry me in the next 6 months. The Coupe (101k) is a fabulous car (ok so I bumped it but its getting fixed next Monday). It would seem that you have been unfortunate with the purchase of yours. W124's do go on for years, and years, and years Like anything old, you have to change bits now and then but I cant think of anything on a W124 that cannot be changed in a weekend. I may be corrected here. Bits for them can work out on the pricey side unless you know of somewhere reliable to obtain non OEM parts. Cheaper than the modern car parts though. In summary would I have anything other than a 124? I doubt it unless it had a Brabus badge on it.

 

[Will]

Hi Pete,

I am sorry to hear of your troubles, and as much as I hate to ask, who inspected it?

Without knowing what kind of mileage you have put on it during your ownership (I guess not a lot?) that sounds like an incredible list of faults for a car that has just been inspected by a 'Mercedes Specialist'.

As others have said, W124s (and most 80s-90s MBs for that matter) are regarded as very reliable cars. Obviously like any machine they require routine servicing, but I wouldn't expect as many repairs as you mention for a car that has been properly maintained and driven sensibly. Even with higher mileage, these cars should and do exceed the expectations of many - there are plenty around with over 200K miles and still going strong.

Good Luck,

Will

 

[Uncle Trev]

:bannana: Ive a 260E 1989 and its now got 280,000 miles on the clock and still going strong, it looks very good for its age but it has been looked after, its had fully stamped up service history from the same mercedes dealer right up to 240,000 miles I bought the car with 251,000 on it two years ago and all its needed since then is tyres and two new front wings and the usuall oil changes routine stuff etc, these cars are very capable I wouldnt let mileage put me off buying one, they really do feel like they could last forever, I would be intrested if anyone could let me know if there W124 has more mileage than mine. Thanks :bannana: :bannana:

 

[petef]

The guy who inspected the car was Ian Tyrell ( he did warn me of the tappett noise ) ...however as the car was up for sale for 3999 i obtained it for 3500. The saving was for the work to be done.I then took my car to S & R Motors in Formby for the work to be carried out ( you can read my previous threads on the problems i had ) I am gutted really as the car was one of the most comfortable cars i have ever driven, and i would look forward to the 25 mile journey to work in the mornings ..seat right back with classic fm on......bliss !! ....and then the problems ....which really tainted my enthusiasm for the car and actually made me hate it. I just felt as if i had done every check on this car.....The thing is i have always been quite a confident car buyer, and have regularly bought ex fleet cars from auction. This incident has really zapped my confidence. However i do think this forum is
informative for people who are experiencing problems with their cars and people like Ian Walker really know their stuff. Many thanks for your impartial comments.
Pete

 

[glojo]

The guy who inspected the car was Ian Tyrell ( he did warn me of the tappett noise ) ...Pete

Hi Peter,
I hate to say this but the car you bought was one that a competant, knowledgeable mechanic would not have touched with the proverbial barge pole. If it was the head gasket, then the signs are very easy to detect.

Hind sight is a useless talent that so called experts thrive on. My personal opinion is you have learnt a very expensive lesson. Why buy a vehicle that is making a suspect noise, when there are plenty of vehicles out there; all for sale and in better condition. If you don't want to accept responsibility for buying this alleged 'dog' then blame the mechanic whose advice you sought.

My son bought a secondhand Ford Escort for £995 in excellent condition and has now been running for two years without any problems (the kiss of death), before that however we looked at dozens of vehicles and heard dozens of excuses, "All Ford engines make that noise!!!" "The smoke is from the automatic choke, and will clear when the engine gets warm". Walk away and be determined to get value for money.

If you are going to buy a new car, then perhaps that might be a less painful experience? Good luck with whatever vehicle you plan on buying.

Kind regards,
John

 

[Pringles]

My own experience with W124's ( E320 and now an E36 ) is that you need to have a decent reserve of cash because when bits go wrong ( they will at some point )it is easy to get bills with 3 zeros.
My only way of justifying the car financially is that if I bought a new car I would lose as much in depreciation without even taking it off the drive.

They are certainly much more durable than most other cars of similar age .

 

[phoenix_nights]

2, central locking, comfort locking and auto closing make sure everything works as it should

Cans someone explain what comfort locking and auto closing are?

 

[andy_k]

comfort locking is on the later cars, if the door handle has a chrome insert then it should be installed.

When you lock the car and hold the key in "lock" position or the remote button held down then the sunroof and any windows which are open will automatically close.

Auto closing will normally only be on the rear door of estates, as you gently close the door it will pull itself shut using a small motor.

HTH

Andy

 

[Howard]

Interesting Andy ....

I have the chrome inserts , and have never been able to make the 'comfort' locking work ....

All fuses are OK, do you know an easy test to see if it is installed ?

 

[andy_k]

I thought it was standard on all of the facelifted models (with the plastic panels).

To test, wind all the windows down and open sunroof. Lock the car and hold for anything up to 5 seconds and the windows should all rise. Don't let go of the key until the windows have closed though otherwise it can confuse the system.

I presume there is a control module somewhere (my guess is in the drivers door) but I can't be sure

HTH

Andy

 

[phoenix_nights]

I thought it was standard on all of the facelifted models (with the plastic panels).

To test, wind all the windows down and open sunroof. Lock the car and hold for anything up to 5 seconds and the windows should all rise. Don't let go of the key until the windows have closed though otherwise it can confuse the system.

I presume there is a control module somewhere (my guess is in the drivers door) but I can't be sure

HTH

Andy

Cheers i will give it a go. If it only applies to facelift models then is your only option is the keyfob as there is no keylock on the drivers door handle ?

 

[andy_k]

mine works on the keyfob but I think only the later facelift cars ('94 and later) had that (I'm happy to be corrected here ) however comfort locking was available from 1989/1990 on the first facelift cars

Andy

 

[Howard]

Doesn't seem to be on mine ......

Maybe i have the 'discomfort' locking option where you have to lean in and do them all yourself ....

 

[phoenix_nights]

To test, wind all the windows down and open sunroof. Lock the car and hold for anything up to 5 seconds and the windows should all rise. Don't let go of the key until the windows have closed though otherwise it can confuse the system.

Thanks Andy. Tried it out on my 94 E200 and it works! The attention to detail of these 'auld w124s never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Vips]

Never knew this. I'm gonna try this on my 124 now.

 

[bolide]

I've found this on most late W124s. If you have RCL with the black key with flip-out key tang then just hold the button down for a few seconds and it should work

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Vips]

Does not work on mine. Looked a right wolly in the car park, playing around with my windows. Best get back to some work than