WANTED Looking for new (to me, but older than 95) MB

[quicksilver500]

Guys

My E320 coupe was recently totaled out by a young lady who thought red lights were optional for her. I have been looking for a nice w124 Wagon, w126 89'-91' (420SEL would be perfect) or something like to replace it. So far, not much luck with anything in my area (Atlanta, Ga). If anyone see's anything worth while let me know, right now I am daily driving my 500E which I consider to be a temporary solution to my vehicle problem.

I have played with the idea of a 210 E55 but all the ones I have looked at have too much miles, or the interiors are shot - especially for the asking price...

Thanks,

-Mike

 

[Glen]

You might consider a 400E420. Good power, good MPG, and very affordable.

 

[quicksilver500]

I have, but I don't think I want another M119 W124. I would just want it to be a 500E...but if a really clean one came up for the right money, who knows what could happen!

 

[sheward]

Sorry to learn of your being hit, Mike. I hope you weren't injured. No one seems to be paying any attention on the roadways. Have you seen this wagon? Nice color and lower miles.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3617638920.html

drew

 

[quicksilver500]

Its terrible in Atlanta the last few years. The guy that totaled my 500 basically just said he wasn't paying attention...guy was totally clueless. My brother was driving the coupe when he got hit, I am swapping a C36 motor into his w124 2.8L so he was borrowing it till i get the swap done. He was ok, mostly, but the door hit the seat so hard the arm rest is up against the passenger seat. In both accidents (500 and coupe) the witnesses said that the car doing the hitting didn't even hit the brakes, it was like they didn't even see the big MB...

I saw that wagon, but no air box! air mass is just dangling there.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3639064235.html

This is the only one I have hope for but hiiiigh mileage. Luckily, my personal parts department is well stocked for w124's.

 

[gsxr]

Yikes! I missed that in the listing for the black wagon. Maybe there was a 50hp gain by removing the airbox completely, eh? Forget high-flow filters, go NO filters!! LOL!!

The silver one doesn't look too bad, although it appear it may have no options. If you don't mind a base model with no options, you'll have a much easier time with your wagon hunt... it seems like about half the ones for sale are strippers.

 

[gerryvz]

Hope everyone was all right in the crash and no lasting injuries occurred. Sorry to hear about your coupe -- loooove 124 coupes and hate to see them off the road.

I'd recommend you talk to Jono as he has knowledge of the kinds of cars you are interested in. I'd have sold you my 560SEL (which has 82K on it, SoCal/Texas car, extremely tight/new feeling) but I just sold my 560SL and I'm back down to a comfortable 4 cars

How about another 124 coupe? I've got a friend with a 1992 300CE Sportline here in Houston (I think he still has it), it's got I think around 75K miles on it, 040 black over mushroom mushroom: ) leather. It's got a problem that makes it run a bit rough (I think ignition) but easily fixable being a CE-injected M104. I think he'd sell the car for around $4K? Here's a thread about the car on this forum. Let me know if interested.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Maxb12]

Sorry for your loss... please keep us posted on the car hunt.

 

[ClassicCarsAllDay]

So sorry for your loss... Did a quick search on auto trader for you..found a bunch around page 5-6 (once you get past the "premium" listings)
thought this was interesting if your a fan of these (suspicious about the mileage, but maybe that's my hatred of NJ coming out. lol

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...[]]&listingId=335917879&listingIndex=20&Log=0


Hope the car search goes well!

 

[quicksilver500]

Dave - Yup its in race car trim! Weight savings + power gain.

Gerry - Known Jono many years, he is looking but doesn't have anything right now. I will think about the coupe, I was leaning more towards a 4-door that rides good. If I get another coupe, I will have every intention of it remaining stock....for like 2 weeks. Then I will have but my H&R springs on it, sport shocks, wheels, etc etc....C36 motor. The roads here in Atlanta just keep getting worse and we keep digging them up because of our 100 yr old water system full of 36" lead pipes that need replacing...

I went and looked at a 300SE over the weekend. Ok paint (grey, single stage?), ok leather (not dry, but could use some die), valve guides have been done, trans was great, clima worked great, but front suspension needed to be done and the interior had a lot of sun. Has anyone redyed the vinyl door panels and stuff?

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/sale-wanted-trade-giveaway/1696417-1990-mercedes-300-se-sale.html

They wanted it gone and went to $3100 with me just saying the front needed $1600 in repairs. So might could get a little more out of it, but the faded wood and sun dyed vinyl threw me off.

 

[quicksilver500]

Anyone close to this car?

http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/1990_Mercedes-Benz_420_151913174

 

[Glen]

Anyone close to this car?

http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/1990_Mercedes-Benz_420_151913174

I live about an hour from there. If no one else is closer, I can get down there over the weekend.

 

[quicksilver500]

Let me call them and see what the deal is, I'll pass it along to Jono and see what he thinks. I appreciate the offer and I would be happy to compensate you for your time and gas if you have time!

Update: They actually have some other nice looking w126's too, damn Cali has a early 90's monopoly...

 

[quicksilver500]

Glen,

Car has a broken Odo with unknown mileage greater than 184k! The owner was much less than helpful when asked about the condition of the car - Looks good drives good...So I think it would just be a waste of time to go look at it.

 

[Glen]

I understand and agree with your assessment. I wasn't going to say anything until I saw the car in person, but personally, I would be suspicious of any car from that area of San Diego. It's an area with a ton of salvage yards and cheap labor. My gut feeling is that many questionable cars end up there to be "fixed" and flipped. Now, there are certainly some cars that are just as described and things check out but there's no way to know without really checking them out.

 

[quicksilver500]

Glen - That is exactly what it sounded like on the phone. There certainly is a possibility one of them could be a diamond in the rough, but the guy on the phone was barely conscious...so it just felt like a waste of time.

 

[jhodg5ck]

211 E55...

 

[quicksilver500]

Can't afford it

 

[jhodg5ck]

Pen Fed, 1.5% zero down...Almost free money...;-)

 

[gsxr]

I haven't been in the market, but what are decent W211 E55's going for these days?

I've seen a few W210 E55's for ~$11k / OBO. Here's a couple:
http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/3654260423.html (Yakima, WA)
http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/3653193047.html (Podunk, ID)

 

[szvook]

That's funny to see, my car can sell for more than a 2001 E55 AMG. Talk about shit for price depreciation on newer Merc's, let alone an AMG.

 

[jhodg5ck]

211's...15-20 will get you a decent ride.

Wagons still bring a premium...;-)

But for the ride/power..hell, you can't beat it. right around 500hp out of the box sure is intoxicating..!

plus, where the 211 feels a little flighty on it's feet, the 211 gets back to the more solid/Mercedes like feel...they borrowed Heavily from the S class suspension to rectify that very complaint.

jono

 

[quicksilver500]

210 is <<<<$ to maintain over a 211 though. Big time.

 

[Trae]

How is maintenance on a 210 vs. a 124?
What are their problem areas?

 

[quicksilver500]

Pretty similar to w124 except engines and transmissions. M113/722.6 is a dream as far as maint is concerned. I think some of the links in the suspension went hydraulic so they wear quicker than w124. But w210 rear is pretty much the same as w124 and the front is similar to w124 with addition of a top link. Cars usually need new links or valve cover gaskets, we had cars come in with voltage leaks occasionally. The cars are replace not rebuild, but everything seems to wear pretty well (except the interiors...).

w211's, have lots of $$$$ problems. More complicated suspension, more $$$ electronic modules, 55 engines have more crap on them than NA, brakes are $$$$$$$$$x2 on 211 55's. w210 E55 is 3600lbs w211 E55 is like 4400lbs....so suspension, brakes, shocks, trans, everything wears faster because of more weight, more power, etc etc.

 

[gsxr]

Trae, the W210 is a notch up in complexity compared to the W124, primarily related to the computer systems. Mechanically they're roughly equal as far as repairs are concerned, build quality is not as good. Still DIY'able if you are brave. I've tinkered with my W210 quite a bit, the biggest frustration is the stupid electronic stuff... DAS won't let you swap computer modules, the instrument cluster is digital and shares data with the HVAC and other modules, they can't even have simple level sensors for the coolant & washer fluid. If you can search forums, you'll be ok.

I haven't touched a W211 yet but as Mike noted above, it takes things to a whole new level of complication and cost. I'd still like to have a late W211 E55 though.

 

[Trae]

Yes Dave,
I hear the guys at the shop complain about electronics all the time. In their opinion, NOTHING beats a 124/126.
Having said that, I still think the Renntech 6.0 W210 would be great fun as long as I HIRED the electronic stuff out.
So far, no problems with the 129.

 

[quicksilver500]

Yeah, I mean you can just price out front rotors for a 211 55 and you'll see what your getting into...sure 8 brake pads 2 piece rotors seem like a good idea at the time....

 

[quicksilver500]

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3695487743.html

Found a car, everything on the car is really in great condition. Never seen orange gages like this before. Needs some small things like a hood pad, antenna grommet, tow bumper cover and belly pan, no leaks, ball joints and bushing look perfect. The only thing that doesn't work is the passengers seat and it doesn't work at all, so I am thinking a minor electrical issue or switch.

 

[sheward]

That one caught my attention too. Very nice looking from the pics. Great color for this model. I wish i had more garage space.

drew

 

[quicksilver500]

Yeah its really nice and all original. Some door dings being a city car but drives beautifully and the interior is superb.