Description
Looking for a new home for this daily / trusty old Mercedes estate. She's a 1996 estate so the last of the w124's, it has the legendary OM606 diesel engine so easily one of the most reliable and toughest cars Mercedes ever built. We've used this as a daily driver, and in all the time we've had it she has never left us stranded.
So a few details about the condition of the car... The interior seats are trimmed in a light tan leather with matching door cards, the drivers leather seat cushion is cracking due to age but other than that the interior is very clean for it's age, obviously was never used for the school run like most of these. The rear seats are actually to sportline specification, a nice upgrade to standard. The wood veneer trim on the dashboard is all in good condition except for a few scratches on the electric window switch panel, though I might have a replacement for this I can include with the car. It also has the rare matching wood veneer steering wheel, as opposed to the standard black item these normally have. This car has the optional illuminated vanity mirrors in the sun visors, there are also two sets of floor mats included, one rubber set in the car and the original carpet set in the boot. There is a plastic boot liner in the back along with some spare bits of trim that go with the car.
The sunroof and all the electric windows are in full working condition, the air con works as well. The leather gear lever surround is quite worn so I’ve got a new one it will come in the boot with other bits . The electric mirrors are both working although the passenger one can be a little notchy when it moves, as this is a late car both mirrors are the same size, whereas alot have a larger mirror on the passenger side. It has a modern Kenwood radio fitted, and 4 decent sized JVC speakers in the doors. I should mention the fuel gauge can be a bit erratic when below 1/ 4 of tank, works fine above that though. The electric aerial works perfectly and smoothly, this was replaced about a year ago.
The outside of the car is finished in "Champagne sparkling metallic" or gold as I call it, though the bonnet is suffering from stone chips in the paint quite badly. There are a few knocks and dings around the body as you would expect for a car of this age, but thankfully no rust on it. All the arches are in good condition, and it still has its original front wings. There is a scratch on the edge of the passenger front wheel arch, and another in the drivers side rear door. It has an AMG front bumper with yellow spot lights, these are very bright and a great help at night, the covers are included. The rear bumper is cracked a little on the corners thanks to the local supermarket carpark. The sunroof has a genuine Mercedes wind deflector from the supplying dealer, though this is easily removed if it isnt to your liking. The wheels are 18" Mercedes alloys from a later CLK, these were recently refurbished to a good standard and have new winter tyres fitted all round. The windscreen is a little cloudy in the bottom corners, but not noticeable from inside.
Now on to the mechanical parts... The engine is the legendary OM606 so starts with half a turn every time, it doesn't smoke or use oil. It had a full service last month , all the filters and oil changed. Glow plugs all work, these were replaced a few years ago. It has the rare 5 speed manual gearbox fitted, so feels much better to drive than the sluggish automatic these normally have. As this is an estate model it has self leveling rear suspension, this works as it should and the spheres were replaced around 5 years ago so will be trouble free. The front suspension has been upgraded using Koni shock absorbers, and the springs are genuine Mercedes items from the R129sl. It rides very well, and is as close as you can get to the old AMG suspension these used to have. A little stiffer than factory and it doesn't crash over bumps. The rear exhaust box is a stainless steel item from an AMG e55 modified to fit the w124, it still has the AMG data plate on it for anyone that thinks that cant be done. Recent work along with the service and tyres was a new engine mount, and a drivers side tie rod advised on the mot.
I think that's an honest description of it, just wants a loving owner. it sailed through it's last mot and is due again in mid January 2025, the mileage is 273000 at present but the car is still in occasional use so may go up. If your looking at this car you'll know what it is and what it's worth, so no silly offers please as I'm not going to give it away for peanuts
