Description
Future classic now?
W124 a Real MERCEDES built to last
Rare opportunity to own a scarce and desirable Mercedes Estate, with a very very low mileage, this is a very late E300 DIESEL formerly known pre “face lift“as a 300TD (300 = 3 litre T= estate D= Diesel) or E300D, it has the fantastic six cylinder non turbo 3 litre engine coupled to a world renowned ZF auto gearbox. With a shark’s gill air intake in the o/ s wing to let those in anoraks know what a discerning automotive choice you have made
It is a seven seater, in a most regal (best colour combination) of dark metallic green with a tan cloth interior with climate control..... in winter mode at the moment (it’s a heater!) air/ con will need recharging if you want ice cold air in the car
Two previous owners , and in our custodianship for over 11 years, during which time we have only pushed the odometer up to 110K which as they say “for these cars is hardly run in”.
Well that’s enough salesman’s smulch ........ truth is the car is past its best and we have moved on and the kids have grown up so a new smaller car suitable for young novice drivers has replaced the family flag ship.
The car is 15 years old and is need of a thorough deep clean, evidence of family life and other life-forms are present. The seats and carpets do clean up surprisingly well, there are no bad rips tears or evidence of wear, though the drivers seat is now a little low/ saggy. Body work is now a plethora of scratches especially along one side en route to the cycle bay, some green Tcut will help disguise those, there is a bit of rust on one wheel arch as I recall and the back bumper plastic over cover is missing (thanks CamBus!)
The Engine is sweet as a nut , it has always had 100% synthetic oil and changed at less than recommended mileage, result good oil pressure, no smoke! LOW EMISSIONS .... MOT pass every time!!!! Glow plugs are all good and it starts with ease but the car is not running as smoothly on first start up as it used to be, a bit of throttle required to rev cleanly, I expect some injector cleaner in the fuel tank will sort that out, or you could push out the boat and have the injectors overhauled/ replaced, they have lasted 110K un-touched
The gearbox is good and without fault or falter but the transmission drive train, (slack in center prop bearing and the rear subframe bushes needing replacement ) let down the smooth ride.
Suspension wise the self leveling works fine, though the rear spheres have possibly lost some softness, these are 3 years old and are the third set fitted.
Tyres are all reasonable, apparently we are going for the gangster look with no hub cap on one corner, also for the street cred in a retro post beastie boy look there is no star
Dash lights are inoperative currently (no pun intended) but I think every thing else works OK apart from the drivers window which needs manual encouragement to close the last 2 inches, have been informed by rear of car users this problem has manifested to the rear too!
So in conclusion a rare car with low miles in usable condition which needs a little improvement to bring back to former glory from its presently weathered cosmetically and minor mechanically challenged condition
