1996 Mercedes-Benz W124 E250D 2.5 diesel from India

Summary:

Best car I have ever had

Faults:

Wiring harness changed. Common problem with all post 1994 W124's.

Alternator pulley uprated to that of the W210. Runs smoother.

General Comments:

A civilised tank on 4 wheels.

Bullet proof engine and relaxed highway cruiser.

Interiors are fresh after 13 years.

Car is tight after 120k of the most deplorable Indian roads.

This is the best car for long distance runs. The seats are firm and supportive. You can drive down 8 hours from Mumbai to Goa and go party the rest of the night away. You just don't feel tired in this car.

Sticks to the road like glue with Michelin tyres. The biggest problem will be when the time comes to upgrade, because there will be no Mercedes newer model to upgrade to. Will probably end up having to buy another older model Mercedes, maybe the W126 or W140.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th November, 2009

16th Aug 2014, 07:43

I have a Merc Benz E 250D 1996 model and the wiring harness needs renewal. I want to know from where did the owner of the above car buy the new harness, or did he have to rebuild the old one?

My e-mail is jsg@selandia-group.com.

Thanks and best regards, Grewal.

1996 Mercedes-Benz W124 200E 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A reliable refined estate

Faults:

Auto aerial failure.

Drivers window stuck in up position.

Screen cracked to be replaced next month.

General Comments:

Very reliable & roomy (7 seater).

Fuel consumption is high, but my heavy right foot doesn't help; 23/24 mpg, 90 miles a day, 50 of them on the motorway.

Interior sparse but functional (Avantgarde model).

Relaxing and refined to drive, a great motorway cruiser.

Running costs are cheap so long as main dealers are not involved.

Cannot fault the car for the price paid; 2.5K, full Mercedes service history, and I would recommend to all.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th August, 2007

1996 Mercedes-Benz W124 320 Coupe 3.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Born to be a classic!!

Faults:

Loose connection on ECU ended up a simple repair, but took ages to diagnose.

Rear windscreen has started to go milky around the bottom edges, this is a common complaint with coupes.

Other than those two issues nothing on the vehicle has gone wrong and it feels like it was hewn from a single piece of the finest metal.

General Comments:

With classic understated Mercedes Coupe lines this car was always destined to be a classic, much like those it followed.

I don't know what it is about the mid range Mercedes coupes they have a presence and unparalelled style and grace which other manufacturers can't match.

Everything else that's of a similar type from other makers seems to be overly loud and much too conspicuous.

Then there's the quailty and feel of the car, it s exceptional.

I put this down to not implementing too much technology into the car, unlike newer cars of such ilk the W124 coupes are not swamped with adaptive this and reative that, they have a great chassis to work from and exemplary standards of engineering and build quality mated to that great chassis ends up as a great car.

Some may say they are little old fashioned, but I reckon in some ways that's better, I mean would you sooner have a girl friend who looked great, but couldn't hold a conversation to save her life or a timeless beauty with whom you debate the intricacies of life.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th December, 2005

27th Aug 2010, 02:37

Re the milky rear windscreen; my mechanic said the reason for this is because the laminate is beginning to come apart. This can't be fixed, so a replacement is the only cure.

1996 Mercedes-Benz W124 320CE 3.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

V Cool appreciating classic Benz!!

Faults:

Only problems so far have been replacing the fuel pump relay and another relay for the over supply and a small wiring fault.

General Comments:

I love the looks of these coupes, they have a timeless appeal and are sure to become an appreciating classic.

The build quality of the the car in general is excellent.

The all round performance is very good, not setting the world on fire although the car enables you to cover a lot of ground at an acceptable pace with good all round levels of comfort.

The coupe still seats four in comfort and load holding is good because of big boot.

The straight six 3200CC engine pulls like a possessed maniac and sounds great when on sound.

All told I love this car, it still looks really cool (more so than current models) and is built like a Mercedes should be (not like current models).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th October, 2004

1996 Mercedes-Benz W124 E220 2.2 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Water pump replaced at 102,000

Head gasket blew at 127,00 miles

£1400 to put right!

General Comments:

The car, a 7 seater estate, has been generally reliable and is always a pleasure to drive. Like most Mercedes it inherits a turning circle which impresses most passengers!. The ride is so relaxing and I would have no hesitation in driving it to and from Tuscany, when time allows. The head gasket blowing was a bolt out of the blue and at one stage put continued ownership in to question. However I was assured by the repairing garage a non franchised garage, that the engine was barely worn and so I have shelled out and will carry on with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 29th May, 2004