Mercedes-Benz , W124 , who can I trust in Durban?

[zippy320]

Hi Guys

Well now that my E30s up and running , and only has some minor cosmetic stuff left to fix , Im looking at starting work on my W124 E320 Automatic.... This car I must admit scares me a little , as I have never worked on a Benz before.
It seems a lot more complicated then that of the E30 , but im sure it cant really be that bad .
Sadly there are things on the car that I have to have a professional garage mechanic fix .
But as we all know , A benz is kind of an expensive car to work on , no matter how old it is.

Can anyone recommend a reliable good Mercedes Benz garage, or mechanic in Durban that I can take this car to? Someone who knows these cars , who has worked on a W124 E320 , pref an ex Merc technician.


It needs a lot of work done . Its also not going into reverse . Engine may need a new head gasket (I think) as its really rough when started , ( This car does start LoL )
I want to have the suspension refurbished as well , It also needs its exhaust repaired. this cars been parked off ( Next to the E30) in the garage for over 7 years now . So im going to probably have to do the same things I did with the E30 on it , minus the big bits.

Thankfully there are no issues with the self leveling suspension hydro pieces at the back , those were replaced by Mercedes just before the car was parked off. But I may need to replace the front shocks.

Its been in the family since new , 100% dealer serviced up until parked off , due to the reverse issue and is completely unmodified and stock.

Any help would be appreciated , Also is there a forum like this I could visit for help and info? Cant seem to find any local forums , most are Internationally based.

 

[samman325]

Well done for preserving one of my all time favourites. Is it a sportline?

I don't know of any good mechanics in Durbs unfortunately. But i would hazard a guess that the car probably requires a gearbox service. What's the mileage by the way?

These cars still have 100% mechanical boxes with vacuum control. Also check the vacuum lines running throughout the car. The gearbox service can be done in one of two ways:
1) straight forward drain oil and replace filter and oil, or
2) connected up to a special machine which also drains oil from the torque converter and then refills will fresh oil.

All of this can be done in-situ. Obviously (2) will require someone with knowledge and the machine.

I don't think the work required to be done is that complex. I've done a fair bit on my dad's 124 E220.

Parts are also not as pricey as one might have expected. I was often pleasantly surprised by the pricing at the dealer. Quality aftermarket parts are also to be found in abundance.

Good luck.

Post some pics of the car.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

 

[Budleigh]

W124 parts will likely be cheaper than E30 parts! That's a great engine, but it does like to blow a gasket - there's lots of online info about these cars and their faults, so I'd start there as that will give you some sense of what you need to do.

 

[ChefDJ]

But as we all know , A benz is kind of an expensive car to work on , no matter how old it is.

I quite disagree.

Mercedes at the moment is one of the cheapest vehicles to maintain and repair. Parts from the dealers are cheaper in comparison to most other dealers for the same items.

 

[DROP IT - ZN]

M&H Auto, They in Jacobs/Bluff area

 

[Dbn540i]

M&H Auto, They in Jacobs/Bluff area

Hi there Zippy320.

You will never go wrong with M&H Auto. Scotty is the owner. He's a good oke. Tel: 031467888

My wife's and my moms Mercedes only goes to M&H for any maintenance. (W204 C 220CDI & W203 C270 CDI) I've been dealing with them for over 10 years and never had a days issue at all.

I have and will never send my car to Mercedes Benz again for any work as they are the biggest a&*holes.

Fyi, Mercedes calls M&H (Scotty) if they cant fix anything esp on the older cars.

With the service I get from M&H I am not interested in buying a newer Mercedes as I would then have to service it at Mercedes and that my friend is trouble. :crazylaugh:

Try them and give us some feedback.

Cheers

 

[335i MTX]

Ranken Auto in Rossburgh. They only work on Mercedes and nothing else. My Dad and just about all Mercedes drivers that I know with cars out of warranty go there.

 

[zippy320]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate all the help! This just seems so daunting for me , Vacuums for the doorlock and transmission , Hydrolic suspension ,Vacumes for the headlamp level sensors, Ball steering etc etc Everythings so different from that of my E30 and E46.

@ Samman325 , Yip I love this car , its such a lovely sold well built and comfortable car , the styling to me is timeless , its so elegant , its old but not to old in technology and really makes you feel safe and secure while driving it. I could not let it go .I was told that Its actually one of the first introduced in the face lift model as it still has the rear boot lid of the older cars and not the chrome boot lid handle, no passenger airbag , no external temp sensor on the speedo (I think). But im not to sure about all of that. I know we got the car as soon as it was launched .

Will look into the gearbox oil change and vacuum control , Not even sure where to start with those vacuum items. Where are they on the car?? Mileage is 234 000 kms

@ChefDJ@TheFanatics Are they really much cheaper then E30 parts? Merc scared the life out of me when they quoted me R400 for 1 sun visor clip!

@Budleigh .. I do feel as if the head gasket is blown , there's no oil mixing but it just seems very rough on idle.

@DROP IT Yip Thanks for the tip on M&H ! I will visit him and ask for some advice. Regarding Mercedes Benz, We had good service from the dealership in pine-town , and from Durban South Motors, Back before the car was parked off, Car was purchased from Durban South Motors , NMR Avenue not so much , but I do find the Merc dealerships to be a bit to snobbish , not that interested. Especially when coming in with an older car , not a vintage but an older merc. Whats up with that?

Will post up a few pictures of the car below,and take a picture of the engine bay soon. Its been in the garage for so long so like the E30 (was) its now covered in a layer of dust . These pictures were taken a long time ago , but nothing has changed .

---

Not heard about them , Will give them a shout as well . Thanks!

Ranken Auto in Rossburgh. They only work on Mercedes and nothing else. My Dad and just about all Mercedes drivers that I know with cars out of warranty go there.

 

[Budleigh]

Start with a change of all fluids and check all the vacuum hoses, before you pull the head. That car looks great and should definitely be saved.

 

[zippy320]

Where are the vacume hoses?

Start with a change of all fluids and check all the vacuum hoses, before you pull the head. That car looks great and should definitely be saved.

 

[Budleigh]

Google "M104 engine vacuum leak" and you'll get a useful diagram. If you haven't renewed those, it would be a good idea to do so.

 

[zippy320]

Thanks! I honestly don't know if any pipes have been renewed or replaced on this car, it seems to still have most if, not all of its original factory parts, unless pieces were replaced by merc when it was under its motoplan.

The problem with the gearbox is , when put in reverse , it Won't go back or forward, even if you try and push the car while in reverse it stays put . I think it also does that in neutral as well. In drive the car moves forward. Could this be caused by a vacume leak as well?

Google "M104 engine vacuum leak" and you'll get a useful diagram. If you haven't renewed those, it would be a good idea to do so.

 

[Budleigh]

Thanks! I honestly don't know if any pipes have been renewed or replaced on this car, it seems to still have most if, not all of its original factory parts, unless pieces were replaced by merc when it was under its motoplan.

The problem with the gearbox is , when put in reverse , it Won't go back or forward, even if you try and push the car while in reverse it stays put . I think it also does that in neutral as well. In drive the car moves forward. Could this be caused by a vacume leak as well?

Google "M104 engine vacuum leak" and you'll get a useful diagram. If you haven't renewed those, it would be a good idea to do so.

Check the fluid level in the gearbox, do an oil and filter change on the box first and see if that makes a difference. It won't be a filter issue, but you might get away with an oil change.

 

[zippy320]

Does this car use any specific oil or can I use normal casterol atf fluid?
What fluid does the power steering use? I know my bmws use atf , is this car the same?

Where are the safe jack stand points? Directly under the jack holes?

Thanks! I honestly don't know if any pipes have been renewed or replaced on this car, it seems to still have most if, not all of its original factory parts, unless pieces were replaced by merc when it was under its motoplan.

The problem with the gearbox is , when put in reverse , it Won't go back or forward, even if you try and push the car while in reverse it stays put . I think it also does that in neutral as well. In drive the car moves forward. Could this be caused by a vacume leak as well?

Google "M104 engine vacuum leak" and you'll get a useful diagram. If you haven't renewed those, it would be a good idea to do so.

Check the fluid level in the gearbox, do an oil and filter change on the box first and see if that makes a difference. It won't be a filter issue, but you might get away with an oil change.

 

[Budleigh]

I'd check with a proper Merc specialist - don't just throw any old ATF in there. Jacking points should also be available on the net.

 

[samman325]

The merc uses conventional ATF (both gearbox and PS)

Yes, jacking points are located directly under jack holes. You will see small round rubber pads.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

 

[Rotinaj]

Wow that engine bay is miraculously unmolested.

Be weary of the old rust monster. Also note 7 years of standing might have wrecked the new SLS system. You mention it won't move when in N or R. Do you mean even with a solid push it refuses to move, possible the gearbox is locked into Park untill you select drive?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MBZ_Tech_Index-W124.htm

Should serve as a great DIY place.

The rough idle can have many many many possible culprits. You can of course try and find some of the easy ones. Pull the coils and test to see if the car runs as rough or worse. That can at least eliminate spark issues.

I will start my hunt for a decent early 90's benz in the coming year. Lovely era of sofas.

 

[wikked]

Ranken Auto in Rossburgh. They only work on Mercedes and nothing else. My Dad and just about all Mercedes drivers that I know with cars out of warranty go there.

Do you mean Franken Auto? German guy? If so he knows his way around Mercs pretty well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[335i MTX]

Ranken Auto in Rossburgh. They only work on Mercedes and nothing else. My Dad and just about all Mercedes drivers that I know with cars out of warranty go there.

Do you mean Franken Auto? German guy? If so he knows his way around Mercs pretty well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oops! Yup that's the one!

 

[zippy320]

How would it look molested? Lol are these cars commonly modified or damaged?

What would happen to the SLS system if standing for to long?

Yup car seems stuck in park, even when given a strong push, it wouldn't budge. It's like locked in parked when I put it into reverse or neutral. What's worst, it's parked in the garage , I have no way of getting it out .

Thanks for the link! What a lot of good information!

What would cause the gearbox to be locked in this position? Are there linkages or vacume tubes that control it? When I move it from park to reverse there's a big thud , and it goes nowhere, even when pressing the acc, the rev will go up but there's no movement.

Wow that engine bay is miraculously unmolested.

Be weary of the old rust monster. Also note 7 years of standing might have wrecked the new SLS system. You mention it won't move when in N or R. Do you mean even with a solid push it refuses to move, possible the gearbox is locked into Park untill you select drive?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MBZ_Tech_Index-W124.htm

Should serve as a great DIY place.

The rough idle can have many many many possible culprits. You can of course try and find some of the easy ones. Pull the coils and test to see if the car runs as rough or worse. That can at least eliminate spark issues.

I will start my hunt for a decent early 90's benz in the coming year. Lovely era of sofas.