1985 Mercedes-Benz W124 230E from North America - Comments

The fuel pump got very intermittent. A tow job to the repair garage would usually fix it and then it would be good for another 6 months. It eventually quit in the home garage and I fixed it myself.

This car has bullet proof reliability.

I drive it weekly and it never hesitates.

All the power is at 3000 RPMs or higher and then it scoots.

The original paint is so good that people stop me and want to buy it from me.

The interior MB tex is original and is wearing like iron.

I truly want to by a car like this, but I still hesitate because of the following two reasons: a) safety & b) consumption.

I read the crash tests of the newer C180 & E200 at the ENCAP site,and I wonder if new Mercedes have such bad results,what happens with the old ones??

The mpg factor is also an important one,at least in Greece,since gasoline costs around 1euro per litre!!!

Can anyone enlight me on the above aspects?

I so much hate the "plastic quality" of new cars,and so much like these old Mercedes, but can one ignore the safety and mpg factor?

I wish I had some answers...

Thanks

Harris from Greece.

Hi I'm Mun Chong from Singapore. I drive a 200E 1991 W124 injection model. My consumption is at least 8.5km per litre and about one month after buying this 14 year old car, I had an accident. A Nissan Sunny about 1998 model, beat the traffic lights and flew out right in front of me. I had no time to avoid it, I was going straight at about 80 kph and no seat belts on. The Sunny, on impact flew about 20 metres sideways. My front fender was damaged, bonnet dented. I was unscratched. Consumption? Yes, but it's worth it. Crash test? With all that armour, I can't fault the consumption anyway. If you like it, buy it. It's the cheapest car you can get... as long as you don't keep changing it. Have fun.

Dear friend from Singapore, thank you for your comments,I hope you are well after your accident. I just found an 124 Mercedes,model of year 1987,still from first owner. Automatic,with air condition,ABS, leather upholstery,sun roof...in top condition for the age (still with original factory paint!),and I decided to buy it. In Greece this cars still keep a good value, and this one costs 4.500 Euro which is like 6.000 American Dollars.

The fact is that I like it so much,I just can't resist.

Furthermore yesterday I witnessed a car crash between an old

123 Mercedes and a Skoda Octavia5 (4stars ENCAP).The Skoda (price when new 25.000 euro!) was destroyed while the Mercedes bumper was only moved from original place.

Best Wishes

Harris Liarikos

Athens - Greece.

Issues of the car: new lights switch knob (U$ 3.00), new wiper blade (only rubber U$10), all oils change (engine, gearbox, transmission, U$70)

I live in Colombia (South America) and last week I bought my first Mercedes, 1989 W124 230E. Cost around US dollars $14,000 but found this one on $12,000, a real bargain for this 197,000 km, ABS, A/C, sun roof, but no power windows nor alloy wheels equipped car. It seems fuel consumption must be around 7 km per liter. I own a 2004 Mazda Allegro (so called in Colombia for previous model for 5 door 323 in Europe, or Protege in USA) and a 2005 206 Peugeot. In spite all the electronic fancy stuff of the Peugeot, I prefer the 230E and everybody does.

Does any one knows how much could it cost to find the 4 power windows mechanism (new or used)?

Juan C Garcia.

Hello Mercedes owners, I just bought a 230e w124 and I hope anyone who owns this model will give some advice

Thanks

kanda.

1985 MB 230E W124 102 petrol engine. Transmission (auto) oil leak on left-hand side of transmission housing - seems to be circular shallow dome-shaped cap or similar, near, but not apparently related to the selector. Any ideas what it is? "Technibooks" Workshop manual is very light-on about auto transmission.

Would welcome suggestions.

I'm looking for an w124 230E. I'm from Sweden, and right now I'm living up bu the Artic circle. these merc's up her are in perfect condition, but for one thing. apparently some models, even 1991, can be built on a "early Monday". the mechanics work perfectly find, but theres' always something jerking about. Do by a merc w124 E, and avoid any car with a dark history. does anybody now anything about the 4-speed model?

I am living in Bangkok Thailand. I have a 230E 4 speed manual, I wanted the reliability of the manual gear box. however I found that on highway cruising 5th gear would highly be appreciated. At 120km/h the engine is at a little over 3200 rpm ~ the rising fuel price makes me concious on the high engine rev!!! even with high rev I find that the car is the quietest around 140 km/h. So far my car had clocked only 100,000km with no major mechanical problems - gear box is strong and I am still on the original clutch with BKK famous start & stop traffic jam.

I'm Samdeo from Ethiopia, I own 1987 230E W124. I like the model too much, and liked it since my childhood. After using for 4 years, the head lamp could not provide enough light when I'm driving during night, so I decided to change it. The light I changed is Cristal light made for the same model (w124) look very great. Actually I'm hesitating to bring back the original factory made head lamp. What do you think?

My father has2 Mercedes w123 one is 200d and the other is 230E I would to know it drinks in fuel could any one tell me!

I'm an owner of a great W124 230E Merc and it drives fine, it's a 4 speed transmission recently I'm a bit upset due to the excess fuel consumption, it used to give me 600 kms to the full gas tank, and now I get only 385kms, does any one know of some trick to get me back on track :o)

I have just bought a beautiful W124 230e 1990, for only £425 what bargain. I'm from london and fuel prices are pretty high, that's probably why it was so cheap. But what a car, a real pleasure to drive. I have one question though, if any body could help me? I have been told I will get 5 miles/ 7 kilometre per litre. But I also have an economy switch, and I haven't seen one on any other W124. Can anybody please tell me, will I get anymore miles per litre?

I'm from Malaysia. I bought my 1994 E280 in early Jan 08, and it has its up and down, due to some oil leaks, engine overheating and more.

Anyhow, I spent good money on it and will keep it and not let go. In terms of mileage, I found that the best mileage is based on the speed of 60km/h at 1500 rpm, giving me 12km/lite. If I turn off my air-conditioning, I can go for 14-15km/lite.

The car is good to drive, excellent power. I am looking to upgrade some areas such as AMG wheels, upgrade the leather and likely a more ambitious program of doing it up to look like an E500.