Welcome to the forum, Hexkraut. Please take a moment to complete your user profile with your location. Also add your vehicle model and year if you currently own a M-B.
On the 124 you will want to ensure that the engine wiring harness has been replaced. Also at that mileage you will want to ensure the headgasket is not leaking. Also problematic can be the air conditioning so make sure that works well. It would be helpful if you knew that the evaporator was replaced. As with any benz you are considering, get a pre purchase inspection from a qualified independent benz mechanic.
Note my 124 has more than 250,000 miles on it so I don't know why you would need a new engine with only 120k?
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1988 300TE, 254,000 miles
1989 300SE, 91,000 miles
2000 E320 4matic wagon, 119k miles
for a 95 wagon?
you can pick up low mile 99 for 8g
just had a friend who is a master tech pick up a low mile 94 wagon nearly flawless for a grand on craigslist.Shop around,you are thinking of paying way to much.
W210 easier to diagnose and work on.W211 stay away from unless you are a glutton for punishment.W124 if all you can do is oil changes and brakes,you had better have deep pockets for the trips to the shop for required services and repairs.That holds true for all MB either diy or pay to play
If you diy they can be one of the least expensive luxury cars in the world to own.
If you can't diy the old saying goes something like "Mercedes Benz the most expensive least expensive luxury car you can buy"
Being from das Vaterland you already know that.
Expecting to purchase a w124 wagon for 8G and having to put an engine into it,means finding a low mile engine(rare)trusting that it is in good shape,or buying a low mile donor car.Another pricey option.You not being a diy'r would be several thousand dollars into the swap in a blink of an eye.
Look for a well inspected low mile 99 for 8grand put the 5 grand you saved into a maintenance and repair fund and every time you need to dip into it think of the money you could have saved if you did it yourself.I.E. diy plugs,under $100 plugs,tools and all.Shop average $500
Less for a w124 however if you get hit for a $1000 defective wiring harness labor not included. You will wish you had opted for the w210.
inspect,inspect,inspect.
Recent example private sale 96K miles
2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon 4 Matic (4X4) ** Very Nice ** - $10900 (Mesa)
probably sold for a lot less,cash talks
1995 Mercedes Benz station wagon - $4999 (San Antonio) white with grey int exlnt cond.Roof rack cold a/c
Inspect it by a pro and want to bet it could be had for $3900cash
2001 Mercedes E320 Wagon - 80k mi. - One Owner - $11700 (Park Cities)black on tan if it passed my muster I'd offer 10,200 cash
Wagon lover unite
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Mercedes Benz Lyrics
Artist(Band):Janis Joplin
"Oh Lord, won't you buy me
a Mercedes Benz
My friends all drive Porsches
I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime
no help from my friends
So Lord, won't you buy me
a Mercedes Benz"
That's it
"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over."
ohlord
Being an owner of all those models have to admit that each one is a marvel of its decade.
The only problem i had with W124 was leg room, what was still acceptable bur far cry to others.
Than each newer model offers more gadgets with more power and much better economy.
Of course in more complicated car more things can go wrong. There is no free lunch.
If you really want reliability and don't care about better technology, nothing beats W123
I also own both models. While the W124 is much better built, specially inside, it runs much more "like a tractor" when compared to the W210. I enjoy both for different reasons but I must admit that I spent an enormous amount of cash repairing the W124 even though I've done 85-90% of the repairs myself. The W210 is quieter and has more of a "Japanese" (please don't shoot me) feeling than the W124 does.
If you are considering a 4-Matic (all wheel drive) then the only choice is the W210 since the W124 4-Matic system = $$$$$.
Both are relatively easy to work on but I think the later model W124s require more repairs.
both wagons were great.
But the W124 trany is missing that last overdrive gear.
I remember crusing around smoothly at 70-75 thinking if I only had one more gear so the RPM's could drop and let me relax a little.
If I were buying something to double as a fancy work truck, the 124 might make sence, otherwise +1 to what everyone else is saying about the 210.
'03 is the last of the 210 wagons and a clean low milage version might be a car worth keeping.
Personal opinion.... if properly maintained both engines should outlast most every other major component in the car. Key is maintenance. If you were to ask me which engine I would take to war... Cast Iron Inline 6cyl. No if ands or buts.
In today's market - finding the right car for you is a matter of patience and diligence - and the right amount of effort and patience will pay off for you. You can end up being very-very happy.
The car business is quite depressed, about 30% or more down, and the right seller who is earnest about selling his car, and the right buyer who is earnest about buying a car - eventually both of you will link up.
My experience parallels others here - I like the handling and ride of the W210 for this size chassis. Suspension itself is relatively bombproof, the type/quality of rubber and brakes are the only real long term costs.
The engine has relatively few inherent faults and normally can run out past 200K - correct oil/filter changes, etc. Regular correct maintainence.
The tranny in the W210's are more of a issue, overall, than the engine.
This all goes back to the ass-backwards direction from MB at that time towards "sealed for life tranny's" - and the breakdown of the tranny fluid. With "normal" service intervals of 60K miles, the tranny is quite bombproof.
My recomendation is any tranny over 100K that has NOT had sevice has to be scrutinized.
Linear Mode
