msm
Well-known member
I've been hiding in the corner admiring other forum members older cars, so think it's time to post up this one :fencelook:
Some random background to this
I've got an admiration for older 90s cars - whether it's the BMW E34, E36, Toyota Corollas or Merc's like this. Maybe it's my age, but these represent my golden era of motoring. I'm also relatively brand independent - for me, it's primarily about condition than any other factor that influences buying a car.
Also, with newish SUV's in the garage that did not need any work, I needed a bit of a project car to tinker with.
Car details
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]She's a 92 230E with just over 170k KM on the clock with full service history -[/font] one owner car from new. Only time registration changed was when the old Transvaal plate was no longer allowed. Had to catch up on some maintenance, but thankfully nothing major and mostly preventative. So far, oil change, oil filter, air filter, coolant flush, brake fluid, power steering flush, some bulbs, fuse refresh - all the essential fluids/bits with the rest planned over the coming months as I get some time. Parts are surprising cheap - an original Merc oil filter (proper metal can version) was around R50 from the dealer! Car takes exactly 5l of oil for an oil change too - perfect for my OCD...
She seems to be completely original, except for radiator which was changed in 2014 with another original Merc/BEHR one and replacement Bosal exhaust. Some sign of body repairs here and there, but nothing serious. In all honesty, for a car 28 years old, this will embarrass some sellers who claim their 5 year old cars are immaculate with only age related wear.
Have some small repair projects to catch up on as well - one of the window regulators has failed and the rear headrests no longer drop. Other than this, everything works, including the original Becker radio with the retracting antenna that still goes up/down.
My future plans
Not sure. Might refresh the original suspension and some rubbers seals. All intact but just looking old with some surface cracks on the rubber bits in some places. Other than this, plan to keep her original.
The drive
[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]W[/font]ithout sounding arrogant, I have a Porsche and Lexus SUV as alternatives - worth much more, but this W124 feels truly majestic to drive compared to those. [/size][/font][/size][/size]It's not like I'm stepping out of a CitiGolf into this, to make it feel better but this car makes me [size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]feel like a dictator of a small country[/font][/size][size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif], whenever I turn the (rather awkwardly positioned) key - it just feels special to be in this car[/font][/size][size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif].[/font][/size]
If I happen to pass you in your newer, more expensive BMW, please excuse me if I call you a peasant - it's just the way this old Merc makes you feel :tiptoe:
And some random pics
View attachment 3
View attachment 1
View attachment 2
Some random background to this
I've got an admiration for older 90s cars - whether it's the BMW E34, E36, Toyota Corollas or Merc's like this. Maybe it's my age, but these represent my golden era of motoring. I'm also relatively brand independent - for me, it's primarily about condition than any other factor that influences buying a car.
Also, with newish SUV's in the garage that did not need any work, I needed a bit of a project car to tinker with.
Car details
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]She's a 92 230E with just over 170k KM on the clock with full service history -[/font] one owner car from new. Only time registration changed was when the old Transvaal plate was no longer allowed. Had to catch up on some maintenance, but thankfully nothing major and mostly preventative. So far, oil change, oil filter, air filter, coolant flush, brake fluid, power steering flush, some bulbs, fuse refresh - all the essential fluids/bits with the rest planned over the coming months as I get some time. Parts are surprising cheap - an original Merc oil filter (proper metal can version) was around R50 from the dealer! Car takes exactly 5l of oil for an oil change too - perfect for my OCD...
She seems to be completely original, except for radiator which was changed in 2014 with another original Merc/BEHR one and replacement Bosal exhaust. Some sign of body repairs here and there, but nothing serious. In all honesty, for a car 28 years old, this will embarrass some sellers who claim their 5 year old cars are immaculate with only age related wear.
Have some small repair projects to catch up on as well - one of the window regulators has failed and the rear headrests no longer drop. Other than this, everything works, including the original Becker radio with the retracting antenna that still goes up/down.
My future plans
Not sure. Might refresh the original suspension and some rubbers seals. All intact but just looking old with some surface cracks on the rubber bits in some places. Other than this, plan to keep her original.
The drive
[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]W[/font]ithout sounding arrogant, I have a Porsche and Lexus SUV as alternatives - worth much more, but this W124 feels truly majestic to drive compared to those. [/size][/font][/size][/size]It's not like I'm stepping out of a CitiGolf into this, to make it feel better but this car makes me [size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]feel like a dictator of a small country[/font][/size][size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif], whenever I turn the (rather awkwardly positioned) key - it just feels special to be in this car[/font][/size][size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif].[/font][/size]
If I happen to pass you in your newer, more expensive BMW, please excuse me if I call you a peasant - it's just the way this old Merc makes you feel :tiptoe:
And some random pics
View attachment 3
View attachment 1
View attachment 2
I know what you mean by your last statement...thats how I feel when I drive past someone in a BMW X1 while in my 540 lol 
