[stormsearcher]

I ran into this merc. Looks interesting and in decent shape. What do you guys think? Its a 1987 w124 300D (6cyl)
The car doesnt show its age, no squeaks and groans on breakers or pot holes. Engine is smooth, only makes a niggling squeakish sound when idling.

The interior is by and large clean, small things need to be fixed though like broken ac vent, fading of pillar arm padding etc.,

Found rust in only 3 places. Not that much either.

Merc gurus.. your thoughts on this welcome.

[stormsearcher]

Am going to get a mechanic to evaluate the car. He is known to my friend and has been looking after his merc for many years, so is a trust worthy guy. Since i have never done this before, how much does this actually cost?

[infotech58]

Originally Posted by stormsearcher

Am going to get a mechanic to evaluate the car. He is known to my friend and has been looking after his merc for many years, so is a trust worthy guy. Since i have never done this before, how much does this actually cost?

mechanic should cost you around 2k or more depending upon what all is inspected.
what is the asking price for this car; i see some rust, please make sure there is no rust on the running board, check the spare wheel area and that shall give you fair idea of how much rust you can expect to find.
check the suspension, gearbox, engine in detail. it is likely that you'd have to change the wiring kit (if not changed already) and that typically is expensive.

Good Luck!

[zulfi hansi]

Originally Posted by stormsearcher

Am going to get a mechanic to evaluate the car. He is known to my friend and has been looking after his merc for many years, so is a trust worthy guy.

Even I have been toying with this idea for some time now. One thing I was surprised to see was it does not have power windows, the rear door has a winder. And please note, when it comes to rust, what you see is only the tip of the iceberg. Get it checked inside out.

[stormsearcher]

@infotec-- thanks sumeet. I couldnt lift the carpets as they were sealed to the floor, so couldnt check the floor board. Otherwise the 3 pics showing the rust is all there was. Even the wheel wells were clean.
I have heard about the wiring issues with the old mercs, so i checked. Guy says the wiring harness was changed a year and half back. Guess a thorough check by the mech will reveal everything, if anything.

@Zulfi-- This seems like the base model 300D as it doesnt even have the passenger side, side view mirror. So i wasnt surprised about no power windows. Its actually something i can live with having had a bucket of problems with the power windows of my old esteem.
Am hoping the rust that i spotted is all there is. Fingers crossed on the inspection.

I dont like it that the original turn indicators and rear light assembly has been changed to the newer gen w124s. I prefer the amber coloured indicator lights.

[anoop.mathew]

Originally Posted by stormsearcher

Fingers crossed on the inspection.

How did the inspection go? Have you found your W124 yet?

I am considering buying a W124 as well and would be grateful if you could PM me the Merc mechanic's contact details.

[stormsearcher]

Originally Posted by anoop.mathew

How did the inspection go? Have you found your W124 yet?

I am considering buying a W124 as well and would be grateful if you could PM me the Merc mechanic's contact details.

Hi Anoop. The search is long and difficult. Have checked out several cars over the last few months, but yet to find one that is sound both mechanically as well as technically, and by that i mean the papers. Besides, the diesel is difficult to find. Petrol there are a plenty, infact there is one i really like. Condition is superb, but there is something amiss regarding the papers. Owner seems to be a decent straight forward chap, so if i decide to pursue it, i will get it checked.

The inspecition of this one, was fine for most counts, but the mech said u can expect the head gaskets to pop sometime soon, and that there might be an issue with the box. Besides this, the papers are a bit dodgy, so i stayed away.

As for the mechanic, i dont know what the policy of the forum is on using names publicly. Will PM you the details.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by stormsearcher;2830169.

As for the mechanic, i dont know what the policy of the forum is on using names publicly. Will PM you the details.

You are most welcome to provide names and details of mechanics

[toms_2191]

I am considering buying a W124 as well and would be grateful if you could PM me the Merc mechanic's contact details.

Where are you based at anoop ? Kochi? If yes, check my PM.

[torquing_points]

Originally Posted by stormsearcher

I ran into this merc. Looks interesting and in decent shape. What do you guys think? Its a 1987 w124 300D (6cyl)
The car doesnt show its age, no squeaks and groans on breakers or pot holes. Engine is smooth, only makes a niggling squeakish sound when idling.

The interior is by and large clean, small things need to be fixed though like broken ac vent, fading of pillar arm padding etc.,

Found rust in only 3 places. Not that much either.

Merc gurus.. your thoughts on this welcome.

Wow with a good paint job, this car would look fab once again. Talk to a body-shop expert on whether something can be done about the rusting / bubbling. Even if some parts need to be replaced, this thing would look like a beauty in a brand new white paint job.

*drool*

[vikramv007]

Originally Posted by toms_2191

I am considering buying a W124 as well and would be grateful if you could PM me the Merc mechanic's contact details.

Where are you based at anoop ? Kochi? If yes, check my PM.

Hi I know a mechanic who is in Coimbatore, he is 124 specialist and is very trust worthy and he has been taking care of my cars for more than 10years now(2 W124's and a W110). Since Cochin is not very far it might be worth a drive. If anybody need further details please PM me.

[vikramv007]

Originally Posted by stormsearcher

I ran into this merc. Looks interesting and in decent shape. What do you guys think? Its a 1987 w124 300D (6cyl)
The car doesnt show its age, no squeaks and groans on breakers or pot holes. Engine is smooth, only makes a niggling squeakish sound when idling.

The interior is by and large clean, small things need to be fixed though like broken ac vent, fading of pillar arm padding etc.,

Found rust in only 3 places. Not that much either.

Merc gurus.. your thoughts on this welcome.

If you intend to but this and get it painted please strip it off completely and then do a panel to panel checkup for rust before you paint it. Most importantly remove the rear windscreen and check for rust on the edges.

[stormsearcher]

Originally Posted by torquing_points

Wow with a good paint job, this car would look fab once again. Talk to a body-shop expert on whether something can be done about the rusting / bubbling. Even if some parts need to be replaced, this thing would look like a beauty in a brand new white paint job.

*drool*

Hey Torq, have since decided against this car. Showed it to my mechanic who said that the car was heading for a head gasket change and the gear box was extremely notchy. Diagnosis could only come on opening it up. He said it was not a good piece and i should wait for a better piece to show up.
Besides this, the car had some paper issues.

[torquing_points]

Originally Posted by stormsearcher

Hey Torq, have since decided against this car. Showed it to my mechanic who said that the car was heading for a head gasket change and the gear box was extremely notchy. Diagnosis could only come on opening it up. He said it was not a good piece and i should wait for a better piece to show up.
Besides this, the car had some paper issues.

I completely agree with your decision on the basis of the two points, specifically the paper issues.

On a side note, any mechanic who asks you to avoid buying a car because it will give maintenance issues is one that you should nurture and keep. Very hard to find good guys like him who you can trust!!

Good luck in your search for the 124s - hopefully another will come by soon - meanwhile, I'm also keeping my eyes open for a similar car to buy - maybe I'll do it in a year or two if I find a good piece.

+1 on Vikram's point of stripping completely to ensure no rust issues.

[stormsearcher]

Originally Posted by torquing_points

I completely agree with your decision on the basis of the two points, specifically the paper issues.

On a side note, any mechanic who asks you to avoid buying a car because it will give maintenance issues is one that you should nurture and keep. Very hard to find good guys like him who you can trust!!

Good luck in your search for the 124s - hopefully another will come by soon - meanwhile, I'm also keeping my eyes open for a similar car to buy - maybe I'll do it in a year or two if I find a good piece.

+1 on Vikram's point of stripping completely to ensure no rust issues.

Haha.. like the point about trustworthy mechs. Yeah, this guy came recommended by a friend whose merc he has been taking care for a long time now. I like it that he is straight forward and tells u everything on your face. I really wanted that car and was having trouble accepting that it might be a bad piece, but he told me in no uncertain terms that its not worth it even at half the price.
Thanks, The search is for a 123 or a 124. :-) been looking, getting a good example is however quite a task i think.