So... Tell me about these old W124 chassis Mercedes Benzes.

Specifically I found this 95 E320 wagon for sale sub-$2k when I was innocently browsing CL "just for fun." It made me realize how much I miss having a wagon.

I think these are the ones that have a rep. for well-built reliability, right? A few old GRM threads I found seem to say good things about these cars. Anything big I should know about before I go sniffing around it?

"Car has a bit over 200k on it and runs like a top. Extensive service and maintenance records."

Seems like a good way to cruise around and haul stuff in comfort and style. Probably wouldn't be a car I'd keep long-term.

If the A/C, front wiper, and all electrical bits work, I'd go for it. They're great, solid cars.

Late model W124s ae probably amongst the most robust cars one can buy if they're in decent condition. The last car I owned in the UK was a '94 E280 and it was just a great car. Even my wife - who dislikes station wagons - liked it a lot.

Make sure the rear suspension is in good shape, MB multilink IRS is not cheap to rebuild.

I think that year is clear of the biodegradable wiring harness.

Check google for reverse gear failure. Some of them are prone to losing it.

W124's are tanks. Reliable, quiet, smooth, and comfortable. Remarkably modern interior for an '80s car. I had a 300CE-24 (coupe with twin-cam M104 engine) and I loved it.

Up to 1993 they were running Kjet/CIS engine management. If it's working right, it's dead reliable. From the middle of 1993 onwards, they switched to EFI which should have been good...except for the "biodegradable wiring harness" fiasco.

Wiring problems are 92-mid 96, so that one is right in the bad years for the under hood wiring turning to dust and bare wires.

I drove an '86 awhile back and was blown away by how modern it felt. Interiors seem to hold up very well to the years if not abused. Driving experience, stock for stock, was pretty close to an E34 535i. Solid, no rattles, and comfortable. The one I drove wasn't exceptionally well maintained and had a ton of miles on it, too. No experience with the wagon, or working on it, though.

Does a wagon have IRS or a straight axle?

bentwrench wrote: Does a wagon have IRS or a straight axle?

IRS

So I should check out the electrical stuff, pay close attention to condition of the wiring, and make sure the rear suspension isn't falling apart. I'm guessing with higher miles some of that stuff will be finicky. We'll see if seller responds. I do love the idea of a big comfy wagon.

If it has survived over 100k miles or so its fairly likely that the wiring has either been fixed or likely not going to fail as easily as some. Pretty much what happens when they fail is the insulation just flakes off the under hood wiring and leaves bare wire. If you see any evidence of that the whole harness would need replacing.

Make sure the HVAC system works. If that goes bad, it's a PITA to sort.

Still riding W124 E200. Never-dying car,the only problem I have here and there is electronics.

You should check this one out.... High miles, but WOW nicely kept!

Link

I had a 300E and an E420 and they were both fantastic, solid, well-built cars. Super comfy, surprisingly fun to drive, especially with the V8 (but the 6-cyl was great fun, too). And they crash well. My ex-gf was rear-ended while stopped by a car going about 30 who failed to stop for the red light. The car was smashed pretty hard and did its job in preventing damage to her. Even after that, it drove okay (but looked scary af) until she got rid of it.

My 300E had some rusty exhaust issues, but I cut out and replaced some piping and got that taken care of. I didn't put an insane amount of miles on either car, but they weren't low-mileage when I got them, and throughout the time I had them, nothing ever broke on either of them.

In my opinion, they're a good experience and I recommend it!

In reply to Indy-Guy:

I like the red interior!

Edit: guy sold it already, bummer.

I was offered a real nice wagon recently. A wealthy fella bought it, brought it to the dealer and had everything brought up to snuff. It is straight and clean. $3500 was the ask, he likely still has it.

On a side not is this the model that starts off in second gear unless you select 1st? Or did it just feel like it.

Well, you all have done a great job to convince me I want one of these in my driveway. Initial contact with the seller seems promising. I wouldn't be able to check it out til next week so we'll see. I guess I have until then to convince my wife that we need an old Benz in our life

Specifically on the wiring: the engine loom is one big section and easily replaced in under 2 hours. Harness should be ~$800-$1000. Peel some of the harness wrap back - you'll see crumbling insulation immediately if it hasn't been replaced. A 1995 is DEFINITELY subject to this issue.

The M104 engine is really super. It had a head gasket issue where oil could leak into the coolant. If there is any oil in the coolant (or evidence in the past), it is really easy to see in the white coolant reservoir. Mine had this leak for about 4 years before finally letting go, so this doesn't have to be a deal breaker.

My W124 has been one of the better cars I've ever owned. There have been a few minor things that have needed service, but every job is doable on this car. Lots of support, and (almost) every part is available from Mercedes. Keep in mind this example is 22 years old now, and any car that age will have some foibles.

Is the car 4-Matic?

My dad still maintains that his 93 300E was the best car he's ever owned.

A couple I used to caddy for at a very wealthy type golf club had a 95 wagon. They kept it until 2014 or 2015 when they "finally found a car that was as good as it was". I forget what THAT car was, I want to say they ended up in a Tesla, but it may have been a Lexus.

akylekoz wrote: On a side not is this the model that starts off in second gear unless you select 1st? Or did it just feel like it.

I think all the Benz 4 speed autos do that, it will only use 1st if you select it or stand on the pedal from a stop.

I have nothing to add except that i am always in the lookout for a good 300e around me

In reply to Indy-Guy:

I was looking for an old Mercedes for a while, my observation was that all the cars that were still in good shape were the high mile cars.

I find it interesting that at the time when these were new cars, I did not recognize them for being the harbinger of future styling trends that they ended up being. Not many cars from the mid 80's and early 90's have held up as well as these in terms of styling. These still look like fairly modern cars even though some are 30 years old.