SOTW: Merc 300e
Mercedes-Benz 300E
‘The last of the true Mercedes’ goes the folk lore, and it’s true that someone high up in Stuttgart around the time of this car decided that the way to make money was not by making cars that lasted a lifetime. Only in the last few years has Mercedes’ reputation for quality – and interiors in particular – begun to recover from that fateful decision.
The W124 E-Class is the kind of car that swallows intergalactic mileages with ease. It decays gently with its surroundings, oblivious to fads, and often in line with its owner - a bit like the family Labrador, and possibly little more energetic in its old age. Interior switch gear may wear smooth with the passing of years like pebbles on the beach, but you’d never expect them to be so vulgar as to snap off.
Why you’d want to spoil all of this admirable restraint with such a truly atrocious steering wheel we simply have no idea, but for us, that’s going to be the first thing to go. The mention of rust has us twitching nervously, and we’re under no illusion that when it does go wrong – it’s going to hurt.
Advert: 1987 E reg, 91,924 miles, The Mercedes can be said to be in nearly showroom condition with only two minor rust spots. The alloy wheels are in excellent condition with two new front tyres and nearly new rear. The interior of the car is in biscuit leather with cherry wood door cappings and steering wheel, again in beautiful condition. There's also a JVC CD player fitted and a full electric pack. There is a very comprehensive service history with all 13 previous MOTs. Presently MOT until October 2007 and taxed until August2007. I would welcome any inspection or trial of the car. £995. ono
Although it was the smaller-engined variant, it still performed adequately and felt very solid and smooth.
The cars still get plenty of respect wherever you take them and have great road presence.
They were definitely built in the era when Mercedes-Benz were building their best cars.
That made me laugh AJAX50. I was a Merc salesman back in the day and fondly remember us saying to punters are you SURE you want a manual- think of the resale! Did you actually manage to get a drive in a manual before ordering? If I remember even MBUK didn't have one available?
Did you perfect the footbrake hillstart- it was easy when you got used to it.
O/T-Actually- just spotted a Cayenne manual in the classifieds- imagine the dealers face with that one!
Did anyone else notice it an early W124? The black ribs on the side, meaning it was the first incarnation, but the interior leather has been ungraded to post 1990 "skirt lift" (as I like to call it, when they added chrome stipes and smooth, plastic lower body panels to the side). They also updated the seats to what you see there
Darren
Sold it to a teacher mate that needed a reliable car. A very solid and quality built vehicle they are.
Those older Mercs are hewn from rock and engineered to perfection. I had the pleasure of running a 190E 2.0 for a couple of years as a daily-driver/barge and I rue the day I sold it.
It was simply perfect for those times when I simply couldn't be bothered to drive quickly.
The W124 estates are particularly desirable too.
Burn Him!!
How can the steering feel artificial? It was light and vague owing to the recirculating ball steering but not artificial.
For artificial steering see Honda Civic Type R
Have a huge passion for these things and seeing that one has made me want one badly. My old man has had a string of them and they are fabulous cars. IMO better still than even the current generation.
It does about 25mpg, can sit all day at illegal speeds without breaking into sweat and will see over 130 on the autobahn. Being the size of a small house and having a couple of scratches means people move out of your way in city traffic and motorways too.
Great cars.
My only stipulations are that it must have a bit of 'go' about it (so not a 518i), leather, bit of class (no V6 Vectra then)...
Where's this one located?
If you are looking for an old barge, I would personally recommend that you go for an E34 5 Series , rather than a 80s E-Class.
Gor for a six-pot, possibly the 525i 24v model or higher (note: the V8s tend to have bore wear issues with some of the engines). It has a sportier feel compared to the E-Class.
I have owned E34s and E-Class Mercs, and can honestly say that the 5 Series is definitely more fun to drive than the E-Class.
Its a lovely car with still only 48 ooo miles on the clock, very few cars ive driven from cheam to stirling have been so relaxed.
As for the artificial steering , well its pretty well weighted , as for the comment on the type r being artificial its not that bad if your careful with your tyre pressures.
I should know.
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