All,

need your advise..

Want to get a (obviously) 2nd or 3rd hand either BMW e34 or Merc W124

Objective to achive..

1. Continental Classic which can daily driven
2. Still heaps of potong kereta spare part source
3. not expecting cheap Saga maintenance but also not make me bengkrapt
4. Car will be a 2nd car only use to office (20km one way) but very2 jam situation.. so an Auto is a must.
5. Still worth going for Valet parking (just pushing my luck)..

Variant to look at:

1. Must be 6 cylinder (If can)
2. Auto
3. Cheaper body repair/remake.

So what it will be?

This post has been edited by ajaibman: Jan 12 2018, 03:36 PM

W124, coz it's more highly regarded as a classic and seems to be more bullet proof. Personally I think it looks better too, more muscular and autocratic!
Best is to go for the 300CE or 300E but expensive road tax unless you can get classic car status.

definitely MB124 ......
much reliable car and bullet proof engine compare with e34.
go for masterpiece version, it come with some extra features.

This one seems nice and cheap if really 300E:
https://www.mudah.my/1995+Mercedes+Benz+300...A+-62383555.htm

This one says got classic car status but price is damn high!
https://www.mudah.my/1995+Or+older+Mercedes...A+-60623556.htm

Thanks for the all feedback, not so much about Benz dude.. but willing to learn haha..

W124 230E is the most common, any issues with the L4 engine?
W124 260/280E a bit rare, but good condition to start with abit difficult to find.
W124 300E/CE couln't be bother as most of the car in the market expensive to start with..

How to apply classic road tax status ya?

e35 obviously, cuz its super rare & never before seen


ok, but seriously the bimmer cuz ultimate driving machine & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wo99w9UlS8

merc are more on the comfort side, while bmw's more of a drivers car/harsher ride. Drove E30,E34,E36.. all other benz I sat in i feel disconnected. IMO

230E is L4, you said you want L6. Anyway it's underpowered.
260E is actually a lot on sale, a lot more than 300E/CE. 280E maybe a bit rare.
300E/300CE or even E320 Masterpiece are the best! Here in MY got no E320 MP but in Indonesia got many and they are damn nice! If Malaysia road tax is not this dumb, I would have gotten myself either a 300CE 24v or the E320 MP for my daily driver.

No idea how to apply classic car status, you need to check in JPJ website I guess.

Having owned both the W124 (E220) and E32 (735i, which is closely related to the E34 build quality wise, except for the the engine) For durability wise, definitely the W124 is the more superior car, as the components of the W124 are more solid and the plastics hold together much better than the BMW's.

Engine wise, if you're looking for a reliable model, I would say the 260E is the engine to go for as, it's more mechanically sound compared to the later muti-valve E220 and E280, as they have those bio degradable engine harnesses, which is super expensive to repair, same goes for the throttle body wire which is wrapped in the same material.

Spares for the 124 can be sourced easily as well since, they still have support for 3rd party parts shop, around KL and PJ. If you need a specific part, halfcuts can be sourced easily from Hong Kong or Japan. BMW is a little harder unless you're talking about the 3 series.

Driving wise the W124 is a big old school cruiser, whereas the BMW's driving dynamics is just a class above it, in every area. Comfort wise the W124 is definitely more comfortable than the BMW, but older german cars still ride better than most new cars today.

To apply classic, firstly the car must be 25 years old, then you must first have 2 cars registered under your name, excluding the 3rd car. The engine, chassis and interior must be original in order to qualify for classic and get that 80% road tax. Every 3 years the car must be sent back to JPJ and do inspection.

Hope this helps!

This post has been edited by kingston5: Jan 12 2018, 04:05 PM

So if you refurbish the interior, for example rewrap the seats, door panels, and steering with new materials then cannot qualify anymore? Coz most of the time the original leather has all gone bad already by now.

Thank you for the enlightment.

I am biased towards Merc now actually based on you guys input, already had 2 Beemer @ my carpark one is 2015 born and the other one is motorrad..

For the 2 car registered as per above, the car need to be 25 years or any car will do?

This post has been edited by ajaibman: Jan 12 2018, 04:51 PM

https://www.mudah.my/1995+or+older+Mercedes...A+-60845853.htm

I seen this, E260 but from 2nd hand car dealer.. will check it out during weekend.

Any idea what to take note during check? aside from accident related issue or engine leaks?

Looks really nice. Please update us once u have seen the car.

Get the w124, you won't regret it. My dad gifted me one and been using it more then my myvi. Thinking of converting into a 2jz in the very future.

Anyway if you're around kl area I recommend going to the workshop called Merz. Prices might not be the lowest but totally worth it.

Edit. Left you a photo to appreciate the beauty of it

This post has been edited by xUngrateful: Jan 12 2018, 10:12 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

Original as in you can rewrap, but make sure it looks factory. You can modify, but make sure it's period correct. No 3rd party sport rims, wide body kits, spoilers, bucket seats, flashy colours on the upholstery and stitching.

Notes to add on the 124, if possible try and get a imported unit, as the body is more solid compared to the locally assembled cars. The imported, 230E, 260E and 300E are less prone to rust than the local cars. Some electronic components like the seats and blind for the later masterpiece variants, make sure they work. Parts for those are pricey and hard to find.

The car you want to apply classic must be 25 years old. But the 2 other cars can be new or old. Motorcycle Im not sure though.

Looks pretty good.

The black engine known as the M103 I6 is a very reliable unit but also prone to oil leaks around the gasket area. Oil, plugs and coil make sure it's been changed, service records, the usual stuff.

Check make sure it doesn't leak. One unique thing about the 124 is that the carpet which comes with a sponge like material underneath can be removed on the driver and passenger side. Make sure those aren't wet as, some cars tend to rust near battery tray area (due to lead acid batteries) or the drains tend to get close to clogged by leaves, thus causing the water to enter the cabin and cause rust.

Interior build quality is really solid for a 25 year old car. But do check if the electronics are working, lights, air con, tyre wear, exhaust leaks, cold and warm startups.

Good luck hunting for the last great Benz!

bro the first link is custom CE with 4 door extra door cheaper

yup this is what i hate abt bmw, poor material use, till today,i still not found any none broken arm rest, cup holder, ashtray e38 ...... 4 year ......

Hahaha yeah, some people just don't know what they're thinking when posting ads. That's why I said if it's a genuine 300E, not 300CE.

Don't change it to 2JZ la, still maintain using Merc engine but change to the 3.0ltr 24v and keep it as original as possible.

Maybe get this 260E then bore it to 3.0ltr coz they share the same block already, possible? This gets me also thinking now...

true, i hate those idiot everyday asking change 1jz, 2jz, rb, sr and bla bla ........ if wanna change, change same manufacturer .....
me still looking K8 engine from mazda for my miata

Well I won't go so far as calling them idiot la! For cars that have not much classic/collector value, then probably still ok but for this W124, I feel should try retain the classical feel and originality of it hence retain using the same brand engine is the best.

i see way too many noobs aka myword idiot, everything change engine and bla bla, they don't even know what they talking, second blame engine part but they don't even understand changing engine doesnt means BETTER and used chop part is not equal with NEW part ......

i saw a few nice e30, volvo 122, jag with new engine retro, seriously sick of it.

btw i saw one Merc w108 with retro with modern S-class engine n interior in thai, which make me fall in love instantly ....