Don’t buy an SUV! Buy a Modern Classic Mercedes-Benz W124 Instead | Full Review & Buying Guide

The term 'legendary' gets used a lot in the classic car world, but the Mercedes Benz W124 Estate has earned legendary status. Loved by middle- class families and taxi drivers alike, the W124 is capable of mega miles and many have lived a very hard life. This modern classic is finally enjoying its time in the spotlight and now could be the time to buy one before prices increase.
It's a combination of incredible build quality and fantastic practicality, plus you can still pick up a good one for a bargain price. Join me as I take this beautiful 1996 W124 Estate out for a drive and give you a full run-down of what it's like to drive and live with. Of course, we will also discuss what to look out for when buying and what to pay as well.
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[@friskid]

I've been driving a Mercedes W124 station wagon (300 TD) for 19 years and I now have 3 of them: two are registered and ready to drive, the third is my spare parts donor. My everyday vehicle now has 740,000 km on the clock, of which I drove 500,000 km myself.

[@gordonfischer8484]

IMO every German wagon is cooler than any SUV or crossover, especially old wagons. That is a gorgeous W124, those where really made to last a lifetime.

[@dinispaulino7512]

My daily driver is a 300D sedan with manual transmission, it was my first car and I've had it for almost 3 years now. It's an absolute marvel of engineering, great to work on, smooth, solid, reliable and beautiful. The perfect practical classic car in my opinion!

[@fuelupclassic]

Absolutely! I hope you continue to enjoy your 300D for many more years.

[@dinispaulino7512]

@@fuelupclassic Thank you!

[@Comradpetito]

@@fuelupclassic i miss my old diesel clater

[@brahand]

What production year & month is it?

[@azhaganvivekanandhan2089]

Thinking of buying a 300d automatic, how's the mileage like?

[@timcarpenter2441]

I still have my 1992 280TE. 100k miles. I have owned it 22 years and except for a lambda sensor, mostly fuel, tyres, brakes.

[@insertnamehere5146]

I was driven around a Greek island by a taxi driver back in the late 1990s. I had never been in a car so comfortable. its a fine automobile.

[@dw8477]

The first time I drove one of these was in a 95 300 diesel (OM606 engine) that had done over 227k miles and I was an absolute revelation. Tight, smooth, quiet. Quite astonishing how well it was made. I was told by an ex MBZ tech that in the day they were built to MBZ truck standards with an expectation to last 500k miles and that makes sense.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

You should always budget for a head gasket replacement around 25 years old . They all go !

[@joshqunismayilov1996]

I have 1985 productionn W124 with manual transmission, still running and good condition because these cars are the best in the world. Made for people and repairable not like scrap which produces now. Old but gold.

[@jonathanellway2673]

I own a 1992 300D manual and have owned it for 24 years. She is magnificent and i will have her for many years to come. Thank you Mercedes Benz!

[@jamesclaydon3226]

You’re a great presenter. Get ready for a big career.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you, that's very kind of you to say. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@napke8571]

My first car was a S124 230TE sportline, I still miss that Benz every single day of my life. But I switched to Volvo Estates: for me the best cars looked to price/value/quality/high mile age that can battle against Mercedes-Benz, especially my 850 Estate 2.5 10V ( 1993 ) + V70 2.5D ( 1999 ), what a great cars they where, build around the same period as the later 124 series but admit: Volvo did a wonderful job. Little bit more modern, more torque/power on those 5-cilinders ( thank you AUDI in the first place! ) , better fuel economy, safety and around the same cargo space. So very difficult it was to switch back to Benz, but 3 years ago I bought a 280TE from 1993, did some work on it but sold it after 1 year :( Great engine, great ride but fuel economy and some MOT fails.....well not so nice here in the Netherlands. You want to live in a expensive country? Come here, come to Holland, yes!!! Than my previous car was a V70N D5 ( 2006 ), what a giant leap forward in time and now a V70 D5 ( 2011 ), very happy whit this one as this V70 can easily compare to more modern cars from today. The seats, the engine, the durability of interior parts, space well you get the point. But to all good things come an end......maybe after my current Volvo a S212 350 diesel Benz ( another dream car ) but than EU politics will kill me/you.....the age of fuel driven cars is over, the last battle has begun. And I admit, EV's like Skoda Enyaq, E-tron, Tesla model-S and lots more....well you cannot deny, another giant leap forward to planet Mars. Take care my fellow car lovers, we are the last of the Mohicans these days!

[@ryanmundt9628]

I own and love my 1994 S124 here in Tokyo. There’s a great passionate community of owners here and it’s quite common to see four or five 124s (in excellent condition) everyday here.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for sharing. I can imagine a S124 fits in so well in Tokyo. They are unfortunately a rare sight in the UK now.

[@jamesrockford6416]

I bought one from one of the famous Hollywood Directors Back in 2003. I still driving it once in a while. I can not bring myself to sell it. It’s an E300 TE 4MATIC 7 pass and was built in September of 1990. Cheers from Toronto ❤

[@cw3728]

Just don’t buy a W210, worst car merc ever made. Couldn’t keep mine in the road and everyone else said the same!

[@lukeace347]

In Poland we call it "gammon" :) Still quite few of them on the roads. Usually in very good or tragic condition.

[@zsoltsu]

After 1992 Mercedes changed to water based paintwork to its cars and the result is RUST. I would never buy it with the Petrol engine in it!

[@rondetorres3842]

I live in the US and own a 1995 s124 Estate with 170k miles and has been in the family since 2000. In the past I've owned a w163 and a Pick Up but find that the s124 and my Pick Up are a better compliment to each other. If I'm going to keep the Estate then there is no reason to buy an SUV, just buy a bigger and better Pick Up truck. Thanks for posting!

[@fuelupclassic]

Thanks for sharing

[@Czechbound]

At a car show in 1990 I asked the MB stand for literature about this model. They gave me a ton of glossy brochures. About 10 years ago my parents junked all the brochures I'd amassed. It was the right thing to do for them. But I guess there are a lot of owners of these machines that would have loved those as-new brochures

[@kevinhowlett4097]

I daily drive a W124 C320 and its the most solid and reliable car ive ever owned.

[@fuelupclassic]

They really are in a league of their own.

[@inspireaspire278]

Enjoyed w124,Estate meandering in Brittany. I concur with you my friend. If I don't sound poetic, w124,T, Estate, adorns the porch,warms the heart of owner and commands respect on the Highway.

[@jamesdonald7485]

The older MB's are all wonderful cars. After owning 6 MB's in NZ between 1978 and 2011, I now live in Colombia and recently bought a 1993 300E and it would be the epitome for me, even after the earlier great cars. The added attraction is that the 124's were the last of the non computer MB's and their build quality is of coyrse

[@lukeace347]

Owning MB on the other side of the world have to been some chelenge

[@BobyourUncle]

Merc definitely lost their way after the 124, they tried to compete with Audi and BMW on the wizz-bang gimmick front and lost their soul in the process. I spent 2 days in a rental C class last week and was totally underwhelmed - all bright lights and bells but no substance. It's actually quite sad as they really did make the greatest cars on earth in the 80s and 90s. :(

[@arbrimehdija5821]

​@@BobyourUncle true, these old cars had caracter, had soul, meanwhile the new ones are just cheap plastics made to last 5-10 years and than thrown away. I am a huge fan of Mercedes but until 2008 models. For me the last good Mercedes was the W211 facelift. After that the French came and ruined everything, first the diesel injecotion and than the engine. We used to have a w124 in our family for 14 years straight, made 350k km with it and never let us down. Finally sold it with 560k on the clock. The engine, gearbox and clutch were still the original ones and they were running like a Swiss watch! I used to have a w210 1999. Sold it last year with 405k, everything was still original and running perfectly. Now my father has a w203 2006 wagon and I have a w168 1.7 cdi 2002. Both are good cars and without problems. At least these have still that soul and feeling of the old ones

[@benfel9403]

Great video, mega spec'd car but with steel wheels, maybe alloys getting a refurb? As a long term owner of these, would advise avoiding the 5 speed auto as if that fails unlikely to be an option to buy used and will need to be new from MB around £5,000.00, also watch for the ignition barrel failing. If it fails and collapses there is a whole heap of bother in your future. If you feel it begin to fall apart and become loose, buy a new one, not too much money and with a coat hanger and a youtube video you can replace it yourself. Miss our E320 massively.

[@Dungshoveleux]

I used to own an s124 E300D with the OM606 engine. Not very fast, but built like a tank. It was bought at 170k miles and at 255k miles it got written off by the wife. She was unhurt but the other car was history. I miss that car. I'd have bought another one, but pollution regulations put paid to that plan in London.

[@miseryparty3726]

People will never listen because they are stupid. This Mercedes will outlive any new car

[@Rimrock300]

Most people are not so tehcnical and into cars, they just feel safer with something newer, and many want fancy LEDs and buttons to push, but care less of durability. Younger generation people are more and more into 'buy, use it, throw it and by a new'

[@christophertate5494]

I remember my father had an N registration E220 saloon in blue it was about 4 years old at the time. It was a marvellous car so refined and such a fantastically built vehicle.

[@be5952]

_"...and there's a great reason that there's so many of these '124' Estates left on the road...."_ Canada would like a word. Solid? Well built? Well designed? Practical? Safe? Better in almost every way than a so-called S.U.V.? *All yes* ---with bells on. But even here in British Columbia, arguably the province with the best chance of any older car 'making it' this long, *we barely see even the more common sedan versions of this generation of Mercedes.* I don't believe I've seen more than one or two 'W124' estate wagons here in the south over the last five years. A big problem with any European / British older car now, and increasingly as the next few years go by, is *the availability of parts.* You mention parts are still relatively accessible. But for how long? I (sadly) suggest it won't be long before there just won't be any parts left / made to maintain and fix these lovely, now older, cars.

[@fuelupclassic]

We can only continue to support those who produce the spares for classic cars and hope long may a steady supply continue to be manufactured to help keep cars of this age on the road. For a car like the W124, which enjoyed a long production run and sold incredibly well, it is likely spares support will continue for some considerable time. In Europe, for the time being at least, spares for most classics are easily obtainable through the standard online routes or through enthusiastic owners clubs etc.

[@tgb-vf4es]

@@fuelupclassic These are very common in Eastern Europe, particularly ex Yugo and Albania, Africa, and some part of Asia -- as in they are literally everywhere -- there will continue to be parts for these for at least 2 decades I'm pretty sure (those Albanians are not planning on quitting their addiction to ancient Mercedes anytime soon!).

[@Rimrock300]

Mercedes is well known for their ability to stock parts for all their models, including decades old. Parts for these older models are no problem in Europe at least, both new original, new from 3'rd party, and used. As years go by on might are pushed more and more towards going for orginal Mercedes parts, and higher costs, as 3'rd party suppliers possible will produce fewer and fewer parts for the older models

[@jamesrebbechi5247]

Slowly and sadly becoming that way here in Australia too. However nothing will dislodge the affection and proper maintenance our ‘89 M103 sedan now 335km will receive for the next 25 years of ownership. I still get the same buzz every time I take her out for a run as the first time.

[@martinneumann7783]

In comparison to Volkswagen parts the Mercedes parts are a bargain (in Germany). I had a S124 E 200 T 16 valves. Work horse, welded on every corner, 305,000 km (190,000 miles) on the clock. Did many transport jobs with her. I do agree with the things you said about these cars. There are still many of them on the road here…

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for watching.

[@jamesdonald7485]

Course legendry. There is nothing better considering that they are now all around 30 years old.

[@richcopping8466]

This same car (95' 280 wagon) has been my daily driver for the last 5 year. 2 schools runs everyday, weekly trips to my local surf break. The mpg sometimes stings but I could never replace it with anything as cool for the same price.

[@fuelupclassic]

Brilliant! It's always great to hear from owners who have lived with them on a daily basis for several years.

[@BomberFletch31]

While I agree that these are preferable to SUVs, one advantage SUVs have is ground clearance. Modern cars have become lower and lower over the years. The approach angle of the W206 C-class, for example - especially with the AMG Line pack - is dismal, and I would be too scared of scraping the front splitter on a dirt road. Manufacturers ought to redesign their front bumpers to be more like those on older cars.

[@ashokdeb8365]

Thirsty on fuel, but extremely reliable. I do love old classics. Better workmanship back then and took pride in what they made.

[@francmouwen450]

I owned a E220C (coupe) from 1995 in green with the smallest economical 220 engine. I liked the optics of the much larger doors of the coupe and the lack of B pillar. Unfortunately doors and front wheel arches rost away rapidly despite Dinitrol treatment and care. The “Grand Old Lady” we called her 😊

[@Kong101_]

Mashallah brother just bought a 220ce last year love it so far hoffe der rostet nicht so schnell weg

[@1234-y2v]

I like these mercedes. A well maintained one (also the b5 vw passats) run easy 1 mill km.

[@mc1251]

I daily drive a W124 200d with a fresh 341000 km on the clock and there is one thing I recommend to do - change the engine mounts (even if they don´t seem that bad at first glance), it will make the car feel like brand new!

[@fuelupclassic]

Great advice!

[@alexandermills382]

Spot on, I have a 1991 model, 305K km and imported to Norway in 1996. It is still my 2x per month commuter 400 km round trip from farm to city. 😊

[@fritzfrank6437]

The self levelling suspension on the back was always (in every T-model) standard, it never was an option!

[@keithrimmer3]

I can't find one that is rust free the rear arches all rot out, I've been looking for years

[@fuelupclassic]

They are out there but increasingly hard to find. This one had no rust but took a lot of searching for. The main problem is that most people who have a very good one are reluctant to part with it. Prices for the very best have shifted upwards too!

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Coming from Australia the biggest issues with these cars are the horrible bio degradable wiring loom which cause all manor of electrical gremlins & the biggest problem of them all is Rust!! These things rust at an alarming rate.

[@colinhutchinson5282]

My 320 coupe does 33-35 mpg easily on a motorway/A road journey

[@jdmguy44]

The crap MB churn out today is nowhere near models like this from a quality perspective. The sad thing is many (ill-informed) people buy their products today thinking they are buying into this quality.

[@kahunamatata5721]

I want it, but pretty expensive in my country. this car is collectable items! The sedan version is very affordable price, the only choice I had.

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

Great video, as a classic Mercedes owner (SL320) I would definitely concur that parts are not only very available but very affordable but it is very helpful if you are handy being able to do jobs yourself as many garages simply don't have any experience or knowledge of cars of this age. I've considered a few S124's and whilst I love the E320 I think the 6 cylinder turbo diesel is the most attractive proposition overall. If you consider that car ownership is heavily impacted by depreciation then buying the very best one of these you can get your hands is a wise move because once you've paid for it the value is unlikely to change so you're just left with the running costs. If someone can afford £15-20K I would strongly recommend looking at Japanese domestic market imports (JDM) as the mileages are usually low (often under 30000 miles at this price) and they don't use salt on the roads so the bodywork is also immaculate and unaffected by rust and of course they also drive on the left so the steering wheel is in the right place! I've subscribed so now looking forward to your other content.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for subscribing and I hope you continue to enjoy the videos on the channel. Completely agree regarding seeking out a very good S124. A strong six-cylinder turbo diesel is a great choice.

[@MmNn-mp3lh]

I used mercedes many model I used 2000 T430E it's great car for family and long distance. I drive it 5000km in very hot weather in Arab gulf more than 45°+

[@janjson435]

I had a silver 1993 300 TD saloon fully equipped from 1995 til 1999. It was a fantastic car with great comfort for long trips. I regret I did not keep it.

[@WhitexFeatherx]

Don't buy an suv? Buy an S124 instead? ✅️Subscribed

[@JinderSongs]

My first Benz! Back in 2005 I bought a 1990 W124 E300D estate, OM606. Damn thing was so beautifully engineered it was beyond belief. I do a lot of miles as a touring musician, bought it at 220k and sold it (at a profit!) at 370k. Only failed to complete a journey once, and that was due to a radiator that was clogged due to the PO using the wrong coolant in it. New rad and she was golden. Slow as cheese but so smooth that I never cared how long it took me to get anywhere. More leather than a dairy farm! Turned me into a Benz fan for life. Have only run Mercs and Volvos since then. Have subsequently had a W210, W201, W202, W203 and now daily a W209, all diesels bar the 190. Magnificent cars!

[@fuelupclassic]

Great to hear!

[@anonimushbosh]

Looking at estates now and I think prices must have doubled in the month since this went up!

[@adrianwerner8704]

Agreed! A quick look on Autotrader shows decent examples being advertised at around £14k now! 😯

[@guysubmarinerguy9387]

Fabulous video - just what I was looking for! Matt, you didn’t mention manual transmission on the W124, is the manual box worth considering and also does the fuel consumption improve any? Good work and Im looking forward to more of your videos now I’ve subscribed.

[@fuelupclassic]

It's great to hear you enjoyed the video and thank you for subscribing. Personally I think an Auto box suits the car very well, especially if you go for a 6 cylinder engined one. Here in the UK a manual option is also quite rare. You will likely get slightly better fuel consumption from a manual, however from memory ,and this was quite a few years ago, the last manual transmission W124 I drove was a bit clunky and not all that pleasant to use.

[@guysubmarinerguy9387]

Thank you for your reply. Notes taken!

[@o0julek0o]

At the end of the production run they also made a version with the famous OM606 ;)

[@Buppasiri1]

The only issues is the cylinder head on MB. Our w124 also suffered from corrosion.

[@MB-mx1wu]

These cars are great but to be honest: rust is really a problem. The best ones have been made 1989-1990 - from 1991 on you can see and feel the "economic focus" (shareholder value replaced the best technical solution). The parts are less quality each year (e.g. window lifters - those are very sensitive (esp. Coupé and Convertibles) and the originial parts are very expensive and hard to get). The prices mentioned seem to reflect a british special situation. In Germany you won´t get a 1-owner car in good condition below 10k EUR.

[@lewisbrown51]

Love the video, and absolutely love the car...!!!! Don't get me wrong though, in the event of the worst happening, i can't help but think it would be safer and a better chance of making it out ok with a modern shit box than any 90's barge... Any thoughts?

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for watching. It's a fair point that a modern car will likely be safer should the worse happen. Advancements in safety technology in recent years has been huge, however i'd still say a W124 is a pretty solid place to be and they are built to a standard unlike almost any other modern car.

[@vikos78]

"Buy a Modern Classic Mercedes-Benz W124"... I wish I could. There is currently NOT a single one (SW on gas) on sale in France at the moment!

[@fuelupclassic]

Good luck with your search.

[@bogdanbosoi1483]

There is currently for sale a perfect 124 TE 300 4Matic, gasoline, green with leather tan interior, here in Brasov, Romania, for 12900eur.

[@SeaJayBelfast]

Lovely car. Unfortunately so many for sale are absolute rust buckets and/or their sellers seem to be scumbags.

[@fuelupclassic]

Finding a really good one is the tricky bit!

[@lanctermann7261]

Super easy choice. W124 forever! BTW, I’ve never liked SUVs.

[@christopherjhall]

Can I please buy this one?

[@fuelupclassic]

This car has now sold. The prices of good examples do seem to be shifting upwards, so I would search out a very good one sooner rather than later, if you are considering one.

[@davidyoung9561]

I have always loved the W123 and W124 Mercedes. I never thought much of the model that came after the W124. I never liked the bug eye style headlights and build quality wasn't as good as the W124. I love the brand new S-class though but could never afford the six figure price tag.

[@philliplyn2692]

Would love to get my hands on one of these wagon if I the money would definitely still buy one it’s worth every dime 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@ianbaker3819]

Regretfully selling w124t 300d 😂

[@wernersalzl1650]

250D/8-91 - no stain.

[@allanriches9381]

Should add the W202 in this list. Same as W124 , only newer engines and 5 speed gearbox. No issue with wiring, but same looks.

[@fuelupclassic]

I'd really like to do a review on a W202, especially a C43. They are a very are sight here in the UK.

[@humanistje79]

I have an m340i touring xdrive. Perfect car for just about anyone. I also don't get why everyone is buying clumsy SUVs

[@fuelupclassic]

Pretty much all the car you could ever need :)

[@jamie1128888]

Just bought one, 1992 230TE, 7 seater, 31k 1 previous owner. FSH. mint condition inside. exterior are in good condition. what's it worth?

[@fuelupclassic]

That's a bit of a unicorn and a lovely find! To answer your question - it's worth only what somebody is willing to pay. With that low mileage and 1 previous owner, i'd be looking to put it through a specialist auction and let the market decide what it's worth.

[@jamie1128888]

@@fuelupclassic Start first time after stationary in a barn for nearly three years. no rust around the wheel arch, but there is a little of bit of rust on the driver door and under the windscreen resoviour tank, other than that, its mainly exterior cosmetic. going to garage for a main service today.

[@barrywiseman7012]

Had a 1987 6yl 300D Turbo sedan in Claret red exterior with same colour MB TEX seats. Terrific winter car when equipped with winter tires.Drove like it was on rails-so stable. Contrary to some comments here, it was quick on accelerating to pass with a satisfying engine growl. Cruised quietly, from inside the car no engine clatter, only reminded you it was diesel when starting 1st time in the day in garage. Had some issues with wiring harness that set off the alarm in damp weather when parked. Several attempts to have dealer rectify it were unsuccessful. Trap oxidizer plugged up/on warranty a modification was made by MB to remedy that-it performed even better afterwards. My mileage was 30-35 mpg (city/hwy).After warranty period got a survey from MB to evaluate the owner's experience. I responded main dissatisfaction was inability of their dealer network, including 2 MB owned dealerships to repair the alarm issue-the dealer's response was to disconnect it, which I refused. They weren't happy to hear that, and 2 weeks after that conversation, I received a letter from MB Canada that the owner of their cars should not have had to pay to get this remedied. As well a check for some $2500 was refunded to me for previous attempts to repair it. It was finally repaired at no cost to me and replaced with a wiring harness that was more flexible in cold weather than the original hard plastic harness. Kept the car for 10 yrs- so sorry I sold it; When I saw the new rounded headlight replacement model, the interior quality looked so poor, I cancelled the order. Still miss that car-I'd happily drive it today

[@fuelupclassic]

Great to hear your ownership experience.

[@donquixote3927]

Great report. Thanks.

[@NickForest999]

If we truly buy into making cars being less polluting and reducing our consumption of precious minerals and metals then we should be making cars to last a lot longer such as the old Mercs of the 80’s and 90’s and if we were to keep them for 20-30 years rather than ditched after 5-10 years we’d consume a lot less resources and cars would stop the inexorable move toward becoming white goods and being in the consumer cycle chain for 5-7 years (which is where EV’s will take us)

[@panvomacka9079]

Just bought an s124 with friends to make into a low budget expedition vehicle for a long range mild offroad trip. Price needed to be under 1000eur. Maintenance and repair costs are also limited. It is a work-horse with half a million km on the clock. It checks all the boxes that you mentioned when buying one - all wrong. Worn interior, changed fenders, rust around doors and rear fenders, rattling inside, uneven suspension and play in the steering :-D Still i believe in the Mercedes engineering of the past. Will come back here after the trip and let you know how it unfolded :-)

[@fuelupclassic]

That's brilliant! Best of luck and I look forward to hearing about how you got on.

[@furzkram]

I bought a used W124 E220T of 1993 in 1997 with 233.000 km and drove it 5 and a half years to 511.000 km. Unfortunately that one was one of the series that got the new water based paint, and they got rust problems on the body because of that. I would have kept it longer but i didn't want to pay the costly body repair. The engine was totally fine still and never gave me a problem. It was a manual 5 speed and consumed about 7.5 to 8.8 litres per 100 km. 150 horsepowers was good enough, i never felt i needed more power. The 280 inline 6 is pretty rough, the 300 inline 6 would be the better option. Consumption is 11-13 with these.

[@roelandzw1846]

Couldnt agree more!

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you, hope you enjoyed the video.

[@micumatrix]

When they came out I still preferred the looks of the W123 or W114 (vertical lights “Strich Acht”), but sitting in them caused quite a schizophrenic feeling due to the smooth luxury feeling inside. My uncle worked in Stuttgart at Mercedes and complained about the phase end 1980’s/start 1990’s? where Mercedes wanted to cut costs by buying steel in China…rusty habits forced them to change this back.

[@granthbush]

I like this car so much I have two and use them as daily drivers. I like the turbo diesel version (300TD) that was only available to the US market in '87.

[@williamblackburn6615]

I had the exact car your driving, same colour..7 seater except mines was a 3.0 ltr diesel... was an absolute tank, i really wish id hung onto it.. green tinted glass, took ages to get up to 100 but would sit there to the moon and back ..

[@fuelupclassic]

Fantastic!

[@Steve_1901]

minute 1:06 to 1:22: in germany this is a "kombi". ..a "wagon" in english speaking countries. but there wouldn't be a misunderstanding if you had the right title of your video. what you're presenting is a s124, not a w124. ;) a w124 would be a limousine / sedan, what you're showing is a s124 = kombi / wagon.

[@Chillednfunked]

Much prefer an estate to an SUV

[@JonathanH658]

Don’t classic policies have mileage limits ?

[@fuelupclassic]

Some may have mileage limits but you can usually go up to at least 10,000 miles per year or more. Some, but not all, insurers may also require it to be a second car. Even on a conventional policy they are likely to be reasonable to insure depending on your circumstances. I personally prefer a specialist policy with something of this age as you can easily set agreed valuations etc.

[@nedcoburn6421]

I once saw Paul McCartney at the wheel of one of these as I was crossing the road at some traffic lights when I was at university in London in the early 90s, his wife Linda was in the passenger seat. The windows were all up but you could see they were obviously singing along enthusiastically to some music they were listening to in the car.

[@fuelupclassic]

Fantastic! I can imagine that was quite the sight.

[@Geitzeist]

124s are pretty solid vehicles, which I know since I own two. I have a sedan and a wagon, both turbodiesels. I'm primarily a VW guy, but the 124 hooked me and I've been obsessed with them since I bought the wagon twenty years ago. The 4Matics are highly problematic, so if someone wants a solid AWD wagon from the era, I highly recommend the Audi 100/A6 Quattros of the C4 chassis. I owned two '94 Avant Quattros and they were magnificent, quite reliable and comfortable. Definitely not 124 level, but they were very very good.

[@MaroonHammonds]

Where do I even start when it comes to the Mercedes-Benz W124? This iconic automobile stands as a testament to automotive excellence, craftsmanship, and innovation. Born in the mid-1980s, the W124 series quickly earned a reputation for its unparalleled blend of luxury, performance, and reliability. At its core lies a timeless design that has withstood the test of time, captivating enthusiasts and earning a place in automotive history. The W124, available in various body styles, including sedan, coupe, and convertible, truly shines in its wagon variant. Wagons, often overlooked in favor of their sedan counterparts, offer a unique combination of practicality, versatility, and style. And in the case of the W124 wagon, these qualities are elevated to a whole new level. First and foremost, the W124 wagon embodies the ethos of Mercedes-Benz engineering. Built to exacting standards, it exudes quality from every angle. Its robust construction, coupled with advanced suspension technology, ensures a smooth and comfortable ride, whether cruising down the highway or tackling winding mountain roads. But perhaps what truly sets the W124 wagon apart is its exceptional reliability. Engineered to last, these vehicles have been known to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal issues, a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that went into their production. But the greatness of the W124 wagon extends beyond its mechanical prowess. Inside, occupants are treated to a luxurious and spacious cabin, adorned with premium materials and cutting-edge amenities. From plush leather seats to a state-of-the-art sound system, every detail is meticulously crafted to enhance the driving experience. And with ample cargo space in the rear, the W124 wagon proves to be as practical as it is elegant, making it the perfect companion for everything from grocery runs to cross-country road trips. Yet, the appeal of the W124 wagon goes beyond its individual merits. It represents a bygone era of automotive design, a time when cars were built to last and driving was seen as an experience to be savored rather than merely endured. In a world increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers, the W124 wagon serves as a reminder of the beauty and elegance of the traditional station wagon. In conclusion, the Mercedes-Benz W124 wagon is a true automotive icon, embodying the best of what a wagon can offer. Its blend of luxury, performance, and practicality is unmatched, making it a favorite among enthusiasts and discerning drivers alike. As we look to the future of transportation, let us not forget the greatness of vehicles like the W124 wagon and the role they play in shaping our automotive heritage.

[@johnhunt-fi2mt]

I have two of the 124te estate cars, 1990 and 1992 ,i am in my late 80s and will not part with them ,they are exactly as you say [ FANTASTIC] But i do have a garage full of tools at my bungalow, many + my daughters and wife seem to think it is time i got a newer vehicle BLESS THEM !!

[@christiankeller4962]

Great Video! You have absoulutly right! I drive a w124 e280 6 Ziilynder, 1996 the best Statiionwagen in de world! Greatings from Switzerland. Christian Keller

[@saddoncarrs6963]

"Don't buy an SUV" - dream on. Have you not noticed that "ugly" is all the rage these days. Torn jeans, hoodies, tattoos, body piercing, obesity, flat faced dogs, motorhomes, crimson highlights - Nissan Pukes for God's sake. That Mercedes is way too pleasing on the eye - why buy that when you can buy an obnoxious SUV?

[@brahand]

The wiring problem you mention you can forget if you look for a car produced before mid 1993. (I don’t know the exact month MB started with these enviromental wiring). The same goes for the environmental painting. Try look for a car with ”the old” petroleum based paint. It is much better in quality.

[@davidebutler8906]

In response to your request for comments, I have an Interesting counter-intuitive fact: the W124 as shown here was a change of concept for Mercedes and ended the run of W123 which had an exceptional build quality and was a bolted together car, and I heard at the time that German taxi drivers went on strike in protest at Mercedes introducing the W124 which was deemed to be less serviceable by individuals, and a more integrated design that meant normal people would not be able to keep them running up to the 400,000 mile normal life expectancy of the W123. So it is very interesting from a historical perspective, that the W124 is being reveiwed here as better in build quality than the W123. Anyway, my interest is that I bought a C200 petrol from 2015, pretty much on the basis of the reputation of Mercedes.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you for watching and I do hope you enjoyed the video. I'm not stating that the W124 had better build quality than the W123 (both were very good). However, there's plenty of W124 examples out there with incredibly high-mileage and some are still working hard for a living across the world. Perhaps, taxi drivers at the time feared change and were reluctant to give up their undeniably very well built W123. Both were built in an era (70s/80s/ to mid-90s) where Mercedes were highly regarded for great build quality, something that sadly lacked in later models. Having also owned a W123 estate and only selling it last year, I found it to be a beautiful car but in my experience the W124 is all-round a more useable daily modern classic and an excellent successor to the legendary W123, that can still be picked relatively cheaply, and has just the right blend of modern touches mixed with classic Mercedes design.

[@davidebutler8906]

@@fuelupclassic Cool, thanks for the comment - I have travelled in W123s in the late 1989s and the interiors were more like a yatch than a car, the quality difference between Mercedes and everything else was significant and my impression was the W124 was a step toward the levelling it out across all makes to what we have today. Guided mostly by safety and government fuel legislation of course.

[@christianvik3400]

The W124 marked a quality shift, to the worse. The first major feedback came from the taxi drivers. I have also seen a lot of rust beaten Mercedes E-classes from this period.

[@db3501]

The argumentation in this is very reasonable

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Very interesting - I’ve been seriously considering buying a 190e to use as a daily driver classic - this era of MB were the best engineered cars in my opinion. So much better than a SUV!

[@fuelupclassic]

Go for it!

[@JinderSongs]

I had a 190 as a daily a few years back. A manual, carburettor equipped 2.0 model so just a 190 not a 190e. It was a lovely car for a driver who isn’t afraid to spin a spanner or two. Lovely car, I put around 20k on it before I moved it on to buy an ‘88 Volvo 740. Equally lovely and equally bulletproof! With the baby Benz it’s important to look for a garaged one if you can find one. They’re prone to subframe corrosion so have a good poke about underneath and, if you do buy one, get under it with some Lanogard or similar to prevent any further corrosion. Other than that, they’re a turnkey classic. The manual box isn’t as horrid as everyone makes out and they’re much better on fuel than the auto, but if I was buying a 190 now I’d buy a 2.5 diesel auto.

[@michaelweinman9051]

Very Nice! Great Vid! Cheers from L.A. California Wagon fans here.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you, great to hear you enjoyed it.

[@kingfisherphil]

great video, I had a 250d W124 in 1990, it was a just a superb motor, economical , reliable and felt so stable and connected on the road. THERE IS A 300D ESTATE on Mathewsons auction this week.

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you! Great to hear you enjoyed it and thank you for sharing your own experiences with a W124. Ohh you shouldn't have mentioned about the one at Matthewsons, I don't need anymore encouragement to buy one! Haha

[@kingfisherphil]

@@fuelupclassic This is how they critique it in USA, pretty much in accord.kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4CaiKppbapkqtk

[@fuelupclassic]

@@kingfisherphil thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed the video.

[@kingfisherphil]

@@fuelupclassic he is a character! On the W124, the passenger side door mirror is bigger to compensate for futher distance for driver, THAT is attention to detail.

[@carfraec]

You mention it's low road tax? But the e220 I was looking at is £320 for a year? I wish it was ULEZ compliant I would be getting one in a heartbeat

[@fuelupclassic]

Largely depends on what you consider cheap? My more modern large petrol engined Mercedes are all £695 per year to tax, so £320 for a W124 estate doesn't seem too bad. The very earliest W124 estates will be tax, MoT and ULEZ exempt in 2025, so may be worth seeking out on of those. Mostly cheap insurance and little to no depreciation, always help justify things too!

[@carfraec]

@@fuelupclassic agreed! Looks like an early model it is. Thanks so much for the vids, really enjoyed it. You may enjoy a French KZbinr called "gregsway" who does some fun stuff in a diesel w124.

[@fuelupclassic]

@@carfraec Great to hear you enjoyed the videos and best of luck with your search for a W124. I will definitely check out gregsway too! Thank you for watching. Matt

[@laszlovascsinec2106]

Great video! Thank you

[@fuelupclassic]

Glad you liked it!

[@Raycolorido]

some people used to take of the self leveling suspention adapting the sedan version, so look if there is signs of this like the pipe in the rear wheel arc and stay away form those

[@markg7109]

Totally agree these are wonderful cars. The potential for clean air zone charges to detract from the ownership experience for some drivers should have been discussed?

[@ЕвгенийБарахнин-ъ1д]

That is not W. That is S

[@SmashingPistons]

Just got myself A Rover 75 tourer for exactly the reasons you said. Biggish and can carry stuff. (plus gives me content for my channel) 👌

[@fuelupclassic]

Great choice! I'd love to do a video on one at some point. Massively under-appreciated cars in my view and values are starting to creep up. Hope you enjoy it.

[@SmashingPistons]

@@fuelupclassic Very true! Hopefully mine will be finished off this year.

[@jezauty135]

Just found and watched this. Great video, subbed. 👍

[@fuelupclassic]

Thank you. Hope you enjoy the videos.

[@prestigeplays5115]

Love 124s, currently have 2 E320.

[@usurpinesusanti3149]

I have one, too now. Was looking for one for quite a while. 30 years old, perfect fit for me. Almost no corrosion, only few ssimple repairs, spent its lifetime somehwere in south france. Runs like a sewing machine with its 6 cylinders 300qqm.

[@fuelupclassic]

Brilliant!

[@henrykiddie8434]

i had 2 of theme 300 TD V6 and a 250 TD mutiklepper

[@doctortruth4094]

I've had my '95 wagon for a little over a year, and I love it. Replaced a stupid large Chevy pickup with it, and it's been perfect for my uses (daily driver, occasional car part hauling). It has 230k miles and runs flawlessly.

[@fuelupclassic]

That's really great to hear! I'm sure it will give you many more years and miles of great service. Thank you for watching. Matt

[@daysun1506]

I am driving an e320 estate in Korea. Here, there is s124 in about 10 or less, and due to its scarcity, the price is at least 30 million won. I bought this car in 1996 and when my daughter was born in 2018, she took me home in the car. It's a car I'll probably own and keep for the rest of my life.

[@fuelupclassic]

Fantastic to hear that you have kept your S124 for so long and still enjoy it. Thank you for watching.

[@Henry-gl8ud]

My first bought german car is W124 E220 AT. Feels like a tank and still comfortable

[@fuelupclassic]

Enjoy!

[@bertiewooster3326]

Years ago we used to nick these estates to ram raid shops etc great strength!