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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 44,275
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94-95 Merc E420
Considering getting one of these for my grandfather, he's 88. He's got a 2005 Buick LeSabre and hates it. Loves my 94 E320 wagon. Wants a sedan.
The ones around here all have 150K+ on the odometer, but still present well. I'd probably do the alternator, starter and pads before giving him the car as preventive measures, but a little concerned about motor and transmission. My straight 6 will run forever. How are these V8s?
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Tru6 Restoration & Design |
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05-26-2011, 04:11 AM
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Team California
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Stick with a 6 cylinder. MB mechanics hate V-8 124 cars, they have serious issues like all other M119 motor cars but there is ZERO access and certain under-hood jobs that would otherwise be simple require extensive disassembly/removal of components, therefore $$$ plus the shop hates the car. Not a good recipe. Lousy fuel mileage (in town) as well.
Get a '94/'95 E320, great power and much better car.
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Denis |
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05-26-2011, 08:31 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 44,275
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Thanks Denis, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I've been looking since Easter for one, they are pretty rare these days, in fact there isn't one on eBay right now in fact. Been cruising New England Craigs List every few days. not much out there. will keep on the hunt, thanks again.
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Tru6 Restoration & Design |
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05-27-2011, 04:13 AM
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Capitalist and Patriot
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Freedomville
Posts: 1,923
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FWIW, my MIL has a 2000/01 E430 with under 80k.
Within the last 2 years it has started to become maintenance intensive with everything from Suspension & ball joint part replacement issues to electrical gremlins (battery and dash lights intermittent), a transmission issue and the list goes on and on. Prior to that it had been bullet proof. I suggested maybe she buy something else but she loves this Merc. Solid as a tank, quiet, comfortable, plenty of power etc. so against my suggestion she went to the dealer for an oil change and ended up buying an extended warranty of some sort....she figured it would cover any upcoming issues... So my only concern would be a earlier car hitting that golden age where things start to wear out or just plain fail. Even with excellent examples these older cars can all of a sudden develop issues out of nowhere... I don't live near my MIL (strategically) so I can't help her through these issues on her Merc, so she is dependent on either independent shops or the dealership... Not the best The saga continues... Nice looking cars though YMMV
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Former Test driver & Production Manager Singer Vehicle Design 2009 Cayenne GTS, '81 911SC RoW Targa (lot's of goodies), '86 535csi, '84 633 csi (turbo charged-sold)  , '68 912 Targa (sold)  , '69 911E (sold) "Dream it, Believe it, Decide it, DO it " |
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05-27-2011, 09:02 AM
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Crusty Conservative
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W124 was develpoed for the 3.2L inline six. They shoehorned the V8 in years later to compete with BMW & Audi.
I bought an early BMW 540, and drove the E430 at the same time. I don't think it a good example of MB at their best. E500, now youre talkin, man... 
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Bill 69 911 T Targa, 2.4E w/carbs (1985-2001) 70 911 S Coupe, 2nd owner (1989- 2015) 73 911 T Targa, 3.2 Motronic (2001- ) |
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05-27-2011, 09:07 AM
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1970 Porsche 911S 2.2l MFI
