W124 vs W210 Vote

[ringway]

I have owned two S210's (320CDI & 430V8) and one S124 (230TE).

My 124 was probably the slowest car I've owned (ok not a great output from a 230) and trundled along well enough. It was an old car with a smallish engine so it's a little unfair to put it into the ring with the other two, but it did have style (Lovejoy style if you like) and a nicely presented 124 is always pleasing on the eye. A bit like Helen Mirren, really, knocking on a bit but still very appealing. I would!


S124 230TE.

The 430 is nicely specced and has the nice orthopaedic seats, but for the performance Vs consumption battle, the 320CDI returned not too far off double the MPG and wasn't that far behind the V8 for whooshing along.


E430. My current car.

320 CDI.

I've owned all sorts of cars over the years and as an all-rounder, the 320CDI wins hands down.
A great motor that I regret selling (I knew I would).
I used to love driving that car.

 

[grahamperrin]

S124 and S210

… owned both a 124 & a 210?

Yes. Both feel good, but the elder must go …

 

[John Jones Jr]

320 CDI.

I must say that looks bloody good to me, even as a previous owner of a saloon I was never gone on the looks but I like that.

 

[V12]

The best wheels for the W210. 8J x 17. Not over the top, but not small and pathetic looking either.

Funily enough, those wheels also look great on a W124 IMO.

 

[John Jones Jr]

The best wheels for the W210. 8J x 17. Not over the top, but not small and pathetic looking either.

Funily enough, those wheels also look great on a W124 IMO.

Might look good on a 202 also, umm...wonder how heavy they are?

 

[ringway]

Might look good on a 202 also, umm...wonder how heavy they are?

The Sador wheels are very nice. I always liked those and only marginally prefer the AMG II's I have on the car now.

There is some information on the Sador wheels (pretty similar to Athena wheels), HERE.

 

[billywhiz]

Sadly I have to agree the 210 is a unloved model in the range.

Here's mine, owned it 4 years and am only the 2nd owner.

Crazy that a once upon a time £76k car is now worth what ?? £2.5k/3k



Still for it's current ££ availability, all the t.ts n bits on it still make it a nice car to drive.

 

[WDB124066]

When these were released I have to admit to not liking them at all, but the pictures above have me thinking that they don't look too bad - gee I hate that!!! In years to come will they command a premium over similar market position 124's I have to say I doubt it.

 

[c955]

I couldn't vote because I love both! That's why I have a C124 and an S210 on the drive.

Both cars eat miles effortlessly and I wouldn't hesitate to drive either to the south of Italy. However, the C124 really has a majestic feel to it that the S210 probably never had. Is it possible that their original relative markets were a little different?

After all, the original invoice for the coupe was £48,000 in 1994!

 

[V12]

My 51 plate E320CDI which was the best W210 I owned. Lovely colour which changed from red - purple - black depending on lighting.
Still rode and drove really well even on 19" wheels and sat perfectly on E55 springs all around with #1 spring pads. Not too low, not too high, just right.

Will dig out some pics of my favourite W124 a bit later on.

 

[trapperjohn]

The Sador wheels are very nice. I always liked those and only marginally prefer the AMG II's I have on the car now.

There is some information on the Sador wheels (pretty similar to Athena wheels), HERE.

Loving that Paul. Those wheels are very special. Hmmmm.

 

[dadgad]

I own a W124, so I might be a bit biased, but I was dismayed by the sight of a neighbour's W210 that rusty really badly at only about 5-7 years old.

 

[tjamesbo]

I have both the 124 is my favourite in terms of looks whereas the 210 to look good needs the alloys and to be sitting low, one thing not mentioned a lot is that the 124 felt the right size, big enough to cater for everything ,but not overly large like a volvo 700 / 900 , why the 210 had to be larger I don't know it got a bit "americanised" in my opinion slightly too wide ,doesnt thread through parked up town streets or narrow lanes like the 124
I would have been happy if they had "210'd" the 124 ie a 320cdi lump a Decent Radio .............now no one mentioned that yet! the stock sound system in a 124 with those puny dash speakers is the worst engineered bit of the car .
124 is a classic the 210 will never be, as most of the later merc saloons / estates will never be perhaps some of the later sports coupes or AMG editions will become classic but IMO W201 / 202/ 124 ( funnily enough the square headlight set ) last of the classics in that line for a long time .
Boyd

 

[John Jones Jr]

one thing not mentioned a lot is that the 124 felt the right size, big enough to cater for everything ,but not overly large like a volvo 700 / 900 , why the 210 had to be larger I don't know it got a bit "americanised" in my opinion slightly too wide ,doesnt thread through parked up town streets or narrow lanes like the 124

A very valid point.

 

[grahamperrin]

… 210 … slightly too wide ,doesnt thread through parked up town streets or narrow lanes like the 124 …

A couple of friends commented that my recently-purchased S210 appears a little larger than the S124 that I had for years beforehand. From a driver's perspective, I have not yet noticed a difference. Maybe it'll become noticeable when I'm next in the Southover area of Brighton (narrow roads, tight parking). Or when I first sleep in the back.

 

[e320cdiowner]

I own a w124 300td( 1993)estate . as well as a w210 e320cdi estate. Agree that the engineering quality of the w210( especially the rust proofing) inferior of the w124 , but the performance and the fuel effiency of the w210 is very much greater. so my vote is for the w210. . If you have both money and time you solve the rust problem and other tecnical issues on the w210.

 

[jamesfuller]

Spent a week driving the 124 as we took it to the Peak district.

A very comfy place to spend time, ok maybe lacking elbow room but it is very handy for getting through tight gaps etc, and is dwarfed by modern cars.

I still think the driving experience and balance (of the 4 cylinder at least) is very good.
The suspension does its job very well, while away the exhaust scraped the road for the first time on tarmac, the little back road was really very bumpy and we where in the process of blowing away a Cooper S' that was attempting to keep up.

 

[Wile7]

For me it's the heritage of the W124 (S124, A124, C124...) series. One of the best selling cars of all time. Over engineered for its day and the aesthetics stand out and, in my opinion, are maturing wonderfully with age in what has rapidly become a 'sea of mediocrity' amongst car design. Oh. And parts are readily available and dirt cheap. Like the E21 and E30 BMW's, the W124 will rise quickly in value (if not doing so already). I love 'em

 

[jacks76]

W124 , such a great choice for DIY lovers .....

 

[ianrandom]

W124, no competition. I'm sure the 210 is a great drive but I couldn't love with the looks.