W124 queries

[docgorio]

Had a look at the other thread and here are me thoughts:

So if one has a budget of about 400-500T, add 10% for "immediate repairs", can one get a nice, well maintained S124 (300 TD/TE matic)????

[lowslowbenz]

Stewardesses??...

I like stewardesses...

anong airline??... anong airline??.... dali... atin atin lang to..

[Benzmizer]

hi,sorry for posting in this thread. Newbie here. Me question lang po ako regarding the membership in MBCP, is it necessary that you must own a benz before you can join the forum? thanks

Joining the forum would not require you to have an MB.... yet. You just need to visit our website (www.mbclub.ph) and register. Unlike other forums thou, approval of registration won't be quick. It will be reviewed by the officer-in-charge and will send you an email (to give USERNAME and PASSWORD) if board access is granted.

Had a look at the other thread and here are me thoughts:

So if one has a budget of about 400-500T, add 10% for "immediate repairs", can one get a nice, well maintained S124 (300 TD/TE matic)????

Likely so, Doc. Then again, a "well-maintained" 124 estate hast it's premiums. (specially turbo diesel variants) Price would vary depending on how "pampered" the vehicle is. Not to mention the extra factory features it has. But with the help of the club, we'll try our best to help you make your 1st MB experience a pleasant one.

[docgorio]

Stewardesses??...

I like stewardesses...

anong airline??... anong airline??.... dali... atin atin lang to..

:evillaugh

Sige ba!!!! Let's check out the local fauna when I get back!!!! Hehehehe....

[Benzmizer]

:evillaugh

Sige ba!!!! Let's check out the local fauna when I get back!!!! Hehehehe....

Este, SAUNA ba kamo?

[BJ71]

Thanks benzimer, ok i will join MBCP so that you guys can help me out finding my first MB. Sad to say that my first experienced with german car was very TRAUMATIC!! tinamaan talaga ako ng KIDLAT sa gastos sa parts and repair.( i wont mention the car brand) Thats why im taking my time to learn more about benz so that it will be a pleasant one.

[docgorio]

Thanks benzimer, ok i will join MBCP so that you guys can help me out finding my first MB. Sad to say that my first experienced with german car was very TRAUMATIC!! tinamaan talaga ako ng KIDLAT sa gastos sa parts and repair.( i wont mention the car brand) Thats why im taking my time to learn more about benz so that it will be a pleasant one.

Kilala ko yang brand na yan!!!! Meron di ako niyan eh!!! Kindly read the very first post of this thread... Hehehehe...

As in any used car or even a brand new unit for that matter, it's a matter of hit and miss. You might have a unit of the "KIDLAT" brand (or any brand for that matter) but it's built like a safe but the one your neighbor got is made of paste... It will all depend on how you took care of the car. If it's bordering on obsessive/compulsive it will reward you with decades of enjoyment. Treat it like trash and it will likewise treat you like one.

Now that both of us have some experience with our first German car (remember that tagline??) we are now more aware on what to look out for...

BJ71, I do hope you and I find the "right" German car for us!!!!!!

[Benzmizer]

BJ71, I do hope you and I find the "right" German car for us!!!!!!

You guys will.... you are already in the right car thread.

Next step is getting the right car/model. Just holler and let us see what we could do to help find that right car.

[BJ71]

thanks docgorio and benzimer. I've learned a lot from my past experienced with used car, buy now and ask later. With the help of you guys im sure im on the right track this time. Right now im torn between 124 model and 190e. Kaka tingin ko ng picture mas gusto ko 190e

[Benzmizer]

thanks docgorio and benzimer. I've learned a lot from my past experienced with used car, buy now and ask later. With the help of you guys im sure im on the right track this time. Right now im torn between 124 model and 190e. Kaka tingin ko ng picture mas gusto ko 190e

The 190e is like a "small version" of the 124. But these are 2 different MB classes. The 190e (C-Class) and the 124 (E-Class)... so expect that a 124 be more spacious and would (likely) have more comfort options.

Below is my former 1984 190e 2.3 USV:



I was nice, compact MB to use. Ride was pretty much like a 1600 Japanese car only better. Talagang medyo masikip lang sa loob particularly the back seat of the driver.

[busdriver]

* Darren: When you start attending club meets, make sure you bring AT LEAST ONE stewardess with you to introduce to the gang....

*Bob, * Francis,*Docgorio stewardess? ahh... sa ibang airline na lang. Masisira image ko dyan... he he... Binuking mo pangalan ko dito Bob eh paano pa tayo mag-ooperate under cover nyan? Better yet kuha na lang tayo sa Airforce 1. Madami daw dun, naka uniform pa ng mg airline... your choice, Cathay, PAL, Emirates...he he...

Back to the topic, docgorio, your 400K-500K is good enough.
As a matter of fact, I was in the hunt for the S124 the other day. Saw one from this site. I brought a Benz mechanic with me. The S124 was nice on the outside, some minor things on the paint. Interior was ok, but not perfect, some missing items, some switches not working.
I took the car for a spin. Walang kalampag, ride is still nice. The acceleration, very poor! I compared it to driving a 1.3 Corolla (no offense to Corolla owners). The engine, is in need of big repairs... but repairable. The mechanic's recommendation "pwede na" but "madami gagawin sa makina". Estimated cost for engine repair: 40K- 80K.
The car can be haggled down to P260,000 from P333,000.
Infairness to the owner, he's very accomodating & honest.
Lesson: Mura but madami papagawa. How much premium are you putting into the time & headaches & the search for parts vs a car na sasakyan na lang?
Based on my experience, I'd say: just go for the ride & drive.
I have leads for a good 300TD & 300TE & 230TE. PM me if you are interested. The 300TE might be gone this Saturday & I am the second option of the seller, I can pass it to you. Nice car, I just dont like the color (Red on black-gray interior). Not my cup of tea.
ps: I can give you my mechanics number if you're into your search you'll need one.

Cheers everyone!

[docgorio]

Naku, I really hope they're still around when I get back...

Sa mga "FA" na lang muna tayo!!! Hehehehehehehe........

[lowslowbenz]

Kilala ko yang brand na yan!!!! Meron di ako niyan eh!!! Kindly read the very first post of this thread... Hehehehe...

As in any used car or even a brand new unit for that matter, it's a matter of hit and miss. You might have a unit of the "KIDLAT" brand (or any brand for that matter) but it's built like a safe but the one your neighbor got is made of paste... It will all depend on how you took care of the car. If it's bordering on obsessive/compulsive it will reward you with decades of enjoyment. Treat it like trash and it will likewise treat you like one.

Now that both of us have some experience with our first German car (remember that tagline??) we are now more aware on what to look out for...

BJ71, I do hope you and I find the "right" German car for us!!!!!!

uh... that other "german" car brand you guys are referring to isnt exactly "german" anymore in the present world... (after being owned by a very large automotive conglomerate that was famous for re-badging models to suit different markets)... although .... with due respect to the brand... it was a steadfast and "solid-german" brand decades ago... and that is what the present day cars are capitalizing upon...

[orly_andico]

I suddenly got interested in the W124 due to "hard-up days in Singapore."

As everyone knows, cars are extremely expensive in SG (example: Mazda3 1.6L $68000 SGD). You actually end up spending the same monthly amortization there and here, but only because 10-year term ang loan nila! (and mababa interest)

Anyway one can get a 1989 - 1990 200E W124 for about $11000 SGD with 2-3 years left on the COE. That's very important because a 10-year COE is about $16000 SGD today.

So.. good idea or bad idea?

One can also get a 1992 BMW E36 for a bit more (say $14000 SGD). Of course these being ancient cars I have the feeling the W124 is more DIY-friendly / easier to repair / more durable..

[busdriver]

Given the facts you stated, the answer really is in your hands.
The W124 in Singapore vs a BMW E36 (or any car Jap for that matter) - no doubt, I'd go for the W124 anytime. Yes its a very durable car & DIY friendly. Plus the fact that an ancient car in Singapore is not "laspag" as it should be due to good & clean roads, clean fuels, clean environment & less stop & go traffic.
W124 parts are very much available in Singapore, so another plus.
On the 2-3 years left on the COE... hmmm...? do your Math & see if its worth the remaining years.
So + (plus) on the choice of car,
but - (minus) on the remaining COE.

[mbeige]

Given the facts you stated, the answer really is in your hands.
The W124 in Singapore vs a BMW E36 (or any car Jap for that matter) - no doubt, I'd go for the W124 anytime. Yes its a very durable car & DIY friendly. Plus the fact that an ancient car in Singapore is not "laspag" as it should be due to good & clean roads, clean fuels, clean environment & less stop & go traffic.
W124 parts are very much available in Singapore, so another plus.
On the 2-3 years left on the COE... hmmm...? do your Math & see if its worth the remaining years.
So + (plus) on the choice of car,
but - (minus) on the remaining COE.

And you asked this in the Mercedes section...

Long term ownership as what I've read, Mercedes Benz interiors also last longer and better than BMW interiors especially for the older models.

An E36 is not a direct competitor to the W124, that should be the E34 FWIW. I'm just sayin'

[ronw123w124]

Coming over from an E36 316I before moving over to the Benz camp, I'd say na mas madali ang maintenance ng Benz compared to BMW.

[lowslowbenz]

Coming over from an E36 316I before moving over to the Benz camp, I'd say na mas madali ang maintenance ng Benz compared to BMW.

Galing ka pala ng "dark-side" Ron??...

ooops..... just kidding...

[Benzmizer]

Galing ka pala ng "dark-side" Ron??...

ooops..... just kidding...

Francis, ako din.... my former was a '90 E30 320i A/T.

[pete_o_lim]

*Bob, * Francis,*Docgorio stewardess? ahh... sa ibang airline na lang. Masisira image ko dyan... he he... Binuking mo pangalan ko dito Bob eh paano pa tayo mag-ooperate under cover nyan? Better yet kuha na lang tayo sa Airforce 1. Madami daw dun, naka uniform pa ng mg airline... your choice, Cathay, PAL, Emirates...he he...

Back to the topic, docgorio, your 400K-500K is good enough.
As a matter of fact, I was in the hunt for the S124 the other day. Saw one from this site. I brought a Benz mechanic with me. The S124 was nice on the outside, some minor things on the paint. Interior was ok, but not perfect, some missing items, some switches not working.
I took the car for a spin. Walang kalampag, ride is still nice. The acceleration, very poor! I compared it to driving a 1.3 Corolla (no offense to Corolla owners). The engine, is in need of big repairs... but repairable. The mechanic's recommendation "pwede na" but "madami gagawin sa makina". Estimated cost for engine repair: 40K- 80K.
The car can be haggled down to P260,000 from P333,000.
Infairness to the owner, he's very accomodating & honest.
Lesson: Mura but madami papagawa. How much premium are you putting into the time & headaches & the search for parts vs a car na sasakyan na lang?
Based on my experience, I'd say: just go for the ride & drive.
I have leads for a good 300TD & 300TE & 230TE. PM me if you are interested. The 300TE might be gone this Saturday & I am the second option of the seller, I can pass it to you. Nice car, I just dont like the color (Red on black-gray interior). Not my cup of tea.
ps: I can give you my mechanics number if you're into your search you'll need one.

Cheers everyone!

Sir Darren kindly email me * pete_o_lim*yahoo.com for any leads re: 300TD. Thanks and apreciate it - peter lim pete_o_lim