W124 - Mercedes E220 or E250D? Which would you buy?

GTO · 15th June 2010, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmsc_pat

most of them now are in a bad shape...This was one of the last good ones

I have to agree. The supply quality of W124s in the used market has seriously deteriorated in the last 5 years. Not that surprising though, as the older a car is, the more it switches hands. On a 10+ year old car, owners do tend to skimp on maintenance. After all, who will spend Rs. 50,000 on properly repairing an air-conditioning unit, when the car's book value is Rs. 2.25 lakhs?

Machdar · 15th June 2010, 10:58

GTO a slightly off topic question!

What would you choose between a 1996 E220 (indian made) vs 1986 E230 (German Make)

My observation Indian make does not seem to have the build quality the 86 german car has! Secondly the german comes fully loaded, auto transmission, sun roof, etc while indian seems very plain in comparison!

What's your thoughts??

GTO · 16th June 2010, 09:51

Machdar, I'd definitely choose the '96 (Indian) E220. Whatever difference in build quality is more than made up by the fact that its 10 years newer! All things being equal, a 10 year newer car has that much more life left in her. Plus, the '96 Benz would have visited an authorised workshop for a good part of its life, while the '86 had its first diaper change at an after-market independent workshop.

The Tata-Benz hardly had any Indian components anyways (save for tyres, battery and IIRC seats).

Viraat13 · 22nd July 2010, 22:44

I am so tempted to buy one right now. So is my dad. Just one tiny problem. The mercs post 96 had become localised so I am on the lookout for a pre 95 model. Anyone know of a decent pre-95 E220 or E250 for sale in Delhi/NCR? Also I voted for the diesel. Once you're inside you really can't tell the difference in the engine. Its so silent even after all those years! (From the passenger point of view)

GTO · 23rd July 2010, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viraat13

Anyone know of a decent pre-95 E220 or E250 for sale in Delhi/NCR?

I would recommend you to a '96 onward "Indian" 124. There actually is nothing Indian about the car, save for tyres, battery and seat upholstery.

As mentioned earlier on this thread, clean W124s are a rare breed now. If you find one, great. If not, be open to getting a cheap example and then refurb'ing it entirely.

Quote:

Once you're inside you really can't tell the difference in the engine. Its so silent even after all those years! (From the passenger point of view)

It's silent, but terribly slow. The E220 is 5 seconds faster to the 100.

Viraat13 · 23rd July 2010, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

I would recommend you to a '96 onward "Indian" 124. There actually is nothing Indian about the car, save for tyres, battery and seat upholstery.

As mentioned earlier on this thread, clean W124s are a rare breed now. If you find one, great. If not, be open to getting a cheap example and then refurb'ing it entirely.

It's silent, but terribly slow. The E220 is 5 seconds faster to the 100.

Whew. That's awesome!
I know EXACTLY what you mean when you say a clean W124 is a rare breed.
I've decided to go in for any W124 I can find. In the long run it works out pretty similar to maintain and spend on. Petrol is cheaper to buy, more expensive to feed, cheaper to maintain, faster. Diesel is expensive to buy, cheaper to feed, more expensive to maintain and WAY slower. To recover my savings on the diesel it would take me atleast 4 years. Not worth it in my opinion. I plan to keep it for many many years. A well maintained Benz can outlast the owner. I plan to try and do that!

Viraat13 · 24th August 2010, 15:31

Updating a dead thread seems pretty pointless to me but I would just like to say that just last night my dear father closed a deal on a E220!
It's a 1996 model, 84K KMS, it's one of those that was sold by TATA which means no dashboard and an extra airbag (and well assembled by German hands?). It's a clean car with the past owners being polished MD's/GM's of respected companies. Just the kind of background I was looking for. I am the 3rd owner. I will post pics and give further details once the deal is completed and I take delivery of the car.
I have some nice plans for this stately looking car.

Live To Jive · 15th November 2010, 12:56

Voted for the E220 for one simple reason. You're more likely to find a petrol in good condition as they tend to be used sparingly.

Viraat13 · 22nd November 2010, 15:49

Live To Jive - That is true. A good W124 D hardly ever comes to the market because the owners are so happy, they won't sell it.

GTO · 23rd November 2010, 10:52

A fellow Moderator just picked up a single owner, '96 E220 with 1.3 lakh kms on it. Drove it on sunday and man, it's amazing how well these cars age. No squeaks or rattles, the seats were comfy, body felt tight and the steering a typical 124 lazy unit (though not "loose). Body line was clean with only some traces of rust around glass areas. Engine bay was really clean.

I'll leave it to him to announce his ownership with a detailed review thread.

Viraat13 · 23rd November 2010, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

...the steering a typical 124 lazy unit...

That doesn't paint a clear picture. Did you mean something along the lines of unhurried and surefooted? I haven't driven my W124 because my dad won't let me so I can't exactly know what it's like.

Vibhanshu · 23rd November 2010, 16:06

Only a real enthusiast can afford it (patience & money). Restoring such cars can blast the pocket :S

yogeshnaik · 23rd November 2010, 16:12

Mercedes 250D would be a better choice price wise approximately a couple of lakhs differ, power & torque taking into consideration. Fuel economy with respect to the E220 looks better on India roads.

Viraat13 · 23rd November 2010, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogeshnaik

power & torque taking into consideration. Fuel economy with respect to the E220 looks better on India roads.

Power in E250D = 113 HP
Power in E220 = 148 or 150 HP

Torque in E250D = 173 NM
Torque in E220 = 210 NM

(No I did not mess the figures up)

But the E250D has the advantage of having the torque in the lower ranges while the E220 is absolutely wild above 4000 RPM.

Also, it's a Mercedes. Don't even LOOK at the average. Although I got a surprising 7 in the city and a 11 on the highway. (Quite happy with that, see my signature, never had a car high on FE)

vikramvicky1984 · 1st December 2010, 00:15

I have been frantically searching for a good E220 in mumbai for past 2 months. Have now found one in our classifieds 1.19l run asking price 4.85 lakhs. I will check it out over the weekend. Hope its a good one

View Poll Results: Which W124?
Mercedes E220	77	35.00%
Mercedes E250 D	143	65.00%
Voters: 220. You may not vote on this poll

15th June 2010, 10:58	#62
Machdar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 199 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	GTO a slightly off topic question! What would you choose between a 1996 E220 (indian made) vs 1986 E230 (German Make) My observation Indian make does not seem to have the build quality the 86 german car has! Secondly the german comes fully loaded, auto transmission, sun roof, etc while indian seems very plain in comparison! What's your thoughts??
	() Thanks

16th June 2010, 09:51	#63
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,510 Thanked: 300,654 Times View My Garage	Machdar, I'd definitely choose the '96 (Indian) E220. Whatever difference in build quality is more than made up by the fact that its 10 years newer! All things being equal, a 10 year newer car has that much more life left in her. Plus, the '96 Benz would have visited an authorised workshop for a good part of its life, while the '86 had its first diaper change at an after-market independent workshop. The Tata-Benz hardly had any Indian components anyways (save for tyres, battery and IIRC seats).
	() Thanks

22nd July 2010, 22:44	#64
Viraat13 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 787 Thanked: 3,364 Times View My Garage	I am so tempted to buy one right now. So is my dad. Just one tiny problem. The mercs post 96 had become localised so I am on the lookout for a pre 95 model. Anyone know of a decent pre-95 E220 or E250 for sale in Delhi/NCR? Also I voted for the diesel. Once you're inside you really can't tell the difference in the engine. Its so silent even after all those years! (From the passenger point of view)
	() Thanks

24th August 2010, 15:31	#67
Viraat13 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 787 Thanked: 3,364 Times View My Garage	Updating a dead thread seems pretty pointless to me but I would just like to say that just last night my dear father closed a deal on a E220! It's a 1996 model, 84K KMS, it's one of those that was sold by TATA which means no dashboard and an extra airbag (and well assembled by German hands?). It's a clean car with the past owners being polished MD's/GM's of respected companies. Just the kind of background I was looking for. I am the 3rd owner. I will post pics and give further details once the deal is completed and I take delivery of the car. I have some nice plans for this stately looking car.
	() Thanks

15th November 2010, 12:56	#68
Live To Jive BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 698 Thanked: 89 Times	Voted for the E220 for one simple reason. You're more likely to find a petrol in good condition as they tend to be used sparingly.
	() Thanks

22nd November 2010, 15:49	#69
Viraat13 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 787 Thanked: 3,364 Times View My Garage	Live To Jive - That is true. A good W124 D hardly ever comes to the market because the owners are so happy, they won't sell it.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 10:52	#70
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,510 Thanked: 300,654 Times View My Garage	A fellow Moderator just picked up a single owner, '96 E220 with 1.3 lakh kms on it. Drove it on sunday and man, it's amazing how well these cars age. No squeaks or rattles, the seats were comfy, body felt tight and the steering a typical 124 lazy unit (though not "loose). Body line was clean with only some traces of rust around glass areas. Engine bay was really clean. I'll leave it to him to announce his ownership with a detailed review thread.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 16:06	#72
Vibhanshu BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 242 Thanked: 152 Times	Only a real enthusiast can afford it (patience & money). Restoring such cars can blast the pocket :S
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 16:12	#73
yogeshnaik BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 347 Thanked: 216 Times	Mercedes 250D would be a better choice price wise approximately a couple of lakhs differ, power & torque taking into consideration. Fuel economy with respect to the E220 looks better on India roads. Last edited by yogeshnaik : 23rd November 2010 at 16:14.
	() Thanks

1st December 2010, 00:15	#75
vikramvicky1984 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: jamshedpur Posts: 497 Thanked: 634 Times View My Garage	e220 in mumbaie been frantically searching fr a gd E220 I have been frantically searching for a good E220 in mumbai for past 2 months. Have now found one in our classifieds 1.19l run asking price 4.85 lakhs. I will check it out over the weekend. Hope its a good one Last edited by vikramvicky1984 : 1st December 2010 at 00:16.
	() Thanks