<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hi Crew</FONT></P>


I live in Australia and I'm thinking of buying a second-hand mercedes w124. Should i get a 230, 260 or 300e? What should i look out for?</P>


Eric</P>

 

The 124 is probably the best car Mercedes has made. I personally prefer the diesel or turbo-diesel versions, for torque, reliability and economy. What size engine depe4nds on your needs - for towing, touring or high altitude the 6-cylinder 300 turbodiesel is the best. For town use, a smaller engine would be adequate, but they are sluggish... </P>


Good luck with it. </P>


Erik in France (Merc 3)</P>


http://www.mercedes-benz-owners.com </P>

 

Thanks Erik</P>


I've heard that the 300e can have problems with the head gasket and oilleaking into the cooling system. The website http://www.mercedesproblems.comlists lots of unhappy 300e owners who have had to replacemajor parts becasue of this seemingly common problem. </P>


I've also heard that the 260e is not a bad option - not as underpowered as the 230 but doesn't seem to suffer like the 300e does. Here in Australia the 260e is a bit cheaper as well.</P>


Eric</P>

 

Eric, thanks for your link to "mercedesproblems.com" Perhaps the 260E is a good choice for you, I wouldn't know. The models I recommended are diesels, it is not the E-model, but the 300 D and 300 TD,these superbly reliable and cause very few problems - but as anything mechanicalthey need to be properly maintained. I suppose diesel is not everyone'd taste, the old ones being fairly sluggish,and I don't know how common they are Downunder. Here i Europeit is the favoured choice for taxis and should easily do 500,000kms or more. I should mention I have no experience with petrol cars, but I havehad several diesels. I currently have 3 Mercs, one is a 1988 300TD which I have owned for 15 years,the second is my favourite a 300D Turbo from 1993 and the newest is a 220 E CDI, which is too complicated and has proven less reliable than the older models. In between I have had new cars of other makes, but I always return to the old300for reliability.</P>


Best regards, </P>


Erik in the Pyrenees. (Merc3)<IMG src=smileys/smiley1.gif border="0"></P>


http://www.mercedes-benz-owners.com(our club)</P>


</P>