What should I watch out for on a Mercedes-Benz E 200?

What should I watch out for on a 1990 Mercedes-Benz E 200 (W124)?

Darragh McKenna (Dublin)

Jul 2013 Filed under: reliability

---

Expert answer

Hi Darragh,

Well, there's both good news and bad news. The good news is that the W124 is from an era when Merc built its cars properly, so they're as rugged as the day is long. 

The downside is that this is now a very old car so literally anything can be wrong with it. Ignore any sewing-machine noises coming from the engine - that's just a classic Merc trait and nothing to worry about. Blue smoke from the exhaust is bad news though and could be the piston rings on the way out. If it's an auto then check to make sure there's no hesitation selecting a gear or kicking down. The cabin should stand up to wear and tear pretty well, and there's not much in the way of complex electronics to go wrong but check all the internal systems, like dials, air conditioning and electric windows, to make sure they're in good health. 

With an older car like this, it's always a good idea to get in touch with the owners' club who will be a font of advice and help.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe