What budget Merc?

[Pentoman]

I replaced my old but nice condition 190E 2.0 auto with a Peugeot 206 6 months ago. However the 206 had its cambelt change this week so I'm back in the 190E for a few days as my daily driver. I never realised just how smooth it was, it's like being massaged to work and massaged home. The suspension is so quiet and works out so much of the bumps I really can't believe it's such an old car. It's not even heavy so doesn't have weight on its side.

So I'm now thinking in the next couple of years I might have to acquire another Merc just for these qualities. Any suggestions? My criteria are:

useable fuel consumption above 28mpg commuting
sensible running/repair costs
a bit of shove
auto preferred
reliability
very good ride but also an ability to turn corners
and an acceptable level of perceived quality and luxury - for example I don't believe the '90s C class would cut it here from my small experience, but most other models in an acceptable spec would.

Merc alternatives with a little bit of class might even be welcome!

[phumy]

Pentoman said:

sensible running/repair costs
a bit of shove
auto preferred
reliability
very good ride but also an ability to turn corners
and an acceptable level of perceived quality and luxury - for example I don't believe my small experience would.

Sounds just like you need a good woman too, only joking

Edited by phumy on Friday 8th February 08:02

[Pentoman]

phumy said:

Pentoman said:

sensible running/repair costs
a bit of shove
auto preferred
reliability
very good ride but also an ability to turn corners
and an acceptable level of perceived quality and luxury - for example I don't believe my small experience would.

Sounds just like you need a good woman too, only joking

Edited by phumy on Friday 8th February 08:02

I have no idea what you mean by this but I'll take the and raise you a

Small experience wood? Small wood?

[niva441]

Pentoman said:

So I'm now thinking in the next couple of years I might have to acquire another Merc just for these qualities. Any suggestions? My criteria are:

useable fuel consumption above 28mpg commuting
sensible running/repair costs
a bit of shove
auto preferred
reliability
very good ride but also an ability to turn corners
and an acceptable level of perceived quality and luxury - for example I don't believe the '90s C class would cut it here from my small experience, but most other models in an acceptable spec would.

I found the W202 C class fitted all these criteria, although as mine was a diesel it got approx 40mpg, whilst still having a good turn of speed. Although the ability to turn corners wasn't pin sharp, but certainly more than adequate/acceptable. I use to make good time with it cross country. I'm so impressed with them that I'm looking at getting another one, but an estate this time.

[iluvmercs]

Hi Pento! It's been a while since I've seen ya about on here. How are things? Is this Cossie running well?
I've not managed a proper test against my friend's 350Z yet, but have a slight tussle....it's amazing how fast it is vs. my E320

But to your query.....how's about a late reg. '124 series? Either diesel or low-litre petrol for the desired MPG figure. They aren't too much bigger than a 190E.

Darren

[Pentoman]

Hello! Oh yes I have just noticed how the later 124 E-classes had a newer 16 valve four cylinder. What are these cars/engines like? I wouldn't have another car with the old 8 valve four cylinder because it wouldn't feel like much of a 'step up'. Likewise I'd like to move away from the four-speed auto which is great but I want a step up to a more modern electronic box or a five-speed. I drove a '93 C180 1.8 16v which had a decent enough engine, is that the same basic engine as in the late E220, E200 (and E230 16v??)?

Are these facelift 124 E-classes different in other ways? I've only driven old banger '80s 124 estates and a 230 coupe. I do like the interior and improved refinement but wonder if it's enough of a step up from a 190? It'd have to be a very late model in nice spec/colour for me to go with it and to outweigh the datedness (prefer the look of the late model saloon to coupe too, which is a bonus price-wise). Can late saloons in nice nice condition be had at a nice price (say £1500)? An E46 3-series is cheap now and I bet would be very nice, you see... Likewise I did a long round trip in a VW Bora yesterday and it did everything beautfully plus averaged 41 MPG (it was a 1.6 100bhp) driven fairly slowly though.

Do any of the 124s have a 5-speed auto?

What about the replacement ugly E-class, how's the E300 Turbodiesel (not CDi)?

Are the just-replaced C-classes cheap yet?

Sorry for the badly formed post with many questions.

P.S. Hmm sounds like that 350 might have you shafted! The cossie is running happily. I had a friendly few acceleration runs up the dual carriageway following a new Mini Cooper S. It was very fast for only 175bhp, I could just about keep up but its low down pull was very good. Maybe our extremely old Mercs just don't have "it" any more? :lol: