Bye Bye Bmw, hello Mercedes

[LTX-REAPER]

Hi Guys.



I decided to swop the bmw for a classic that has been well looked after, she has 450 000km on the clocks, full dealer service history untill 300 000km and even all the owners manuals.



As a plus she is more economical than my 525i in town and parts are surprisingly cheap, a bit slow, but very comfy ride



1987 230E





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[MR_Y]

A manual W124 230E - that is a real rarity!
Most W124s were auto.
The diesels were popular in manual format, if I recall correctly.
Is yours the 4-speed manual?
How you do you find hill starts with the foot-operated/hand-release parking brake and the clutch to contend with?
These cars used to push out almost 100kw/200Nm back in the day.

I used to drive a 1993 230E auto (W124 just before the E220 shape came out) back in 2005-2006.
Felt like a tank to drive, but coolant issues were a real problem.

 

[LTX-REAPER]

A manual W124 230E - that is a real rarity!
Most W124s were auto.
The diesels were popular in manual format, if I recall correctly.
Is yours the 4-speed manual?
How you do you find hill starts with the foot-operated/hand-release parking brake and the clutch to contend with?
These cars used to push out almost 100kw/200Nm back in the day.

I used to drive a 1993 230E auto (W124 just before the E220 shape came out) back in 2005-2006.
Felt like a tank to drive, but coolant issues were a real problem.

Hey MR_Y

Yes this is the 4 speed manual
The parking brake takes some getting used to, although i don't use the parking brake for hill starts, luckily i have big feet so i can operate the brake pedal with the one half of my foot and the accelerator with the other half lol

As for the cooling the previous owner replaced cooling reservoir and pipes and had the radiator chem cleaned , have not seen her climb over 80 degrees yet.

She is 33 years old and everything incl aircon and cruise control still works.

 

[TurboLlew]

It is always impressive seeing these old girls with all the electronics in perfect working order and the interiors totally intact! Mercedes from this era were absolute tanks.

 

[Budleigh]

Love the W124! The 230E was very well-regarded and all the contemporary tests praised how refined and torquey it was (at the time). The 124 was such a leap ahead of the 123 in terms of chassis and engineering. They were considered pretty spectacular cars and they're a true modern classic.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Wonga135i]

Used to be called "Envelope"
Nice car
I believe these are bulletproof

 

[maleven-GP]

Old school Merc interior is just too nice.. Made to last! Those "sofas" are just too comfy.. Congratulations

 

[Shaheenem]

Congrats! Very clean example... They don't make them like they use to.

Sent from my Mi 9 SE using Tapatalk

 

[msm]

Congrats. IMHO, the W124 was the last generation of proper well engineered Merc sedans.

And the oddly convenient fact about the 230E is that the M102 motor uses exactly 5l of oil...

 

[Benji]

Love this car I want to get a W124 wagon and do a 500SE engine swap...one day

 

[Malone]

I've been driving my W124 230E manual for over two years. I've managed to get most parts directly from Mercedes and they pretty reasonable. Old cars are always " a work in progress" especially if you drive it often. Having said that, this car is really durable so it probably won't leave you at the side of the road.

All the best and welcome to the club.

 

[individj]

Love this car I want to get a W124 wagon and do a 500SE engine swap...one day

we think alike....7 seater baby

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congrats OP

 

[Faraaz001]

Lovely car, these old mercs are built like tanks. They don't make em like this anymore!

 

[LTX-REAPER]

Thanks Guys

 

[Kavi4GP]

Love these old Merc's especially with the diesel engines

 

[LTX-REAPER]

Hi Guys, So the merc's engine decided to let go, destroyed the camshaft and damaged the head, after getting quotes on part, i have decided to not fix the 2.3 engine and i am instead going to fit a 4.2 v8 merc engine from a w126.

 

[ibs.patel]

Sorry to hear about that. Good luck with the swap. let us know how it goes. Im sure that you will enjoy the monster v8

 

[Captain_Stealth]

Hi Guys, So the merc's engine decided to let go, destroyed the camshaft and damaged the head, after getting quotes on part, i have decided to not fix the 2.3 engine and i am instead going to fit a 4.2 v8 merc engine from a w126.

OMG that is going to be insane

I myself have a 300E W124 but its an Auto. Currently my balie uses it as have no space for her

 

[Rotinaj]

Oh that is a real pity. The 124 is along with the 129 just my all time favorite benz. Good luck with the conversion i presume you are going full fat and swapping out the gearbox etc etc as well.

 

[Benji]

Well, this thread just got interesting