70's Merc

mondeo

I have never owned a classic car before, last year I toyed about with getting an 80's Escort xr3 but I scrapped that idea quickly.
I have 2.5k floating about and would not mind getting an old 70's Merc up the North and bringing her down here as a weekend cruiser. Is it possible for me to get one on this budget or am I just being silly? Car would have to qualify for classic tax/VRT etc. Oh and I would not have to worry about Nct either right?

Thanks

macroman

mondeo wrote: »

I have never owned a classic car before, last year I toyed about with getting an 80's Escort xr3 but I scrapped that idea quickly.
I have 2.5k floating about and would not mind getting an old 70's Merc up the North and bringing her down here as a weekend cruiser. Is it possible for me to get one on this budget or am I just being silly? Car would have to qualify for classic tax/VRT etc. Oh and I would not have to worry about Nct either right?

Thanks

No NCT once it's a classic. You'd get yourself a nice W123 for that money.

Hifive

They need to be over 30 years old to qualify for the €48.00 tax and be exempt from NCT. also, If your importing, again over 30 yrs qualifies for the reduced 50.00 VRT payment
Not much online in the north, but plenty in the uk.
From Car & Classic, (UK) all these would be within (negotiable for cash) budget but, be prepared for a similar outlay in parts and maintenance within the first year or two of ownership.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C124628/
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C124590/
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C121742/
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C119691/

603304529

Dang, how many extra mirrors and lights can you fit on one Merc!

3ps

I wouldn't get and SL or SLC on that money.
To get a decent car for that money you need to stick to a W123.

I ran an W114/5 and am running a W123. No problems with them as daily drivers but I spend a bit more on them. But if you are not fussy and they are a second car then 2.5k is fine.

Bearcat

Hifive wrote: »

They need to be over 30 years old to qualify for the €48.00 tax and be exempt from NCT. also, If your importing, again over 30 yrs qualifies for the reduced 50.00 VRT payment
Not much online in the north, but plenty in the uk.
From Car & Classic, (UK) all these would be within (negotiable for cash) budget but, be prepared for a similar outlay in parts and maintenance within the first year or two of ownership.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C124628/
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C124590/
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C121742/
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C119691/

of all those cars, 2nd one down is a useable classic, rest are muck....that 280SLC looks as if its water logged. Not having a go at you high5 but i think the lad wants a car to go not a car to pour more money into...rgds

mondeo

w123 as a daily driver? What do you reckon? What type of maintenance am I looking at? Are these cars converted to run on unleaded fuel or am I going to be sticking in expensive add in's in the tank everytime i fill her up?


Thanks

mike65

Every Mercedes engine since about the dawn of time runs on unleaded without any chemical assistance. Mechancial maintanence is spanner era, tin worm is the only significant issue as even w123s will rust eventually if not cared for.

Cecil Mor

Similar considerations here, but can anyone tell me 'bout diesel options please?

8~)

I've run W123s as a daily driver, on and off, for a few years

They're a fine old daily driver - reasonable performance (apart from 200D), economy and most have power steering. Maintenance - normal servicing only in general.

Diesel options: 200D, too slow, 240D, just about okay and 300D, adaquate. But a world away from a modern diesel. 35mpg is about as good fuel consumption you're likely to get.

Best all-rounder for performance and economy is said to be the 230e petrol. I'm inclined to agree; it'll keep up with traffic easily and do about 27-30mpg average.

(BTW, at the dawn of time petrol was unleaded. Lead was introduced to petrol, in the 1920s I think, to aid valve lubrication.)

RobAMerc

I think the biggest issue you'll have is finding something thats not a knackered auld dog for 2.5k to be honest - you'll end up spending the rest keeping it going.

I found that while they are reliable and easy to get parts for, mechanics seem to thing $$$$$ here comes a tool with more money than sense when you turn up and will invariably try rip you off.

BTW - I can see the appeal ( I had a w114 for 2 yrs ) but does it have to be a Merc ?

Seweryn

Cecil Mor wrote: »

Similar considerations here, but can anyone tell me 'bout diesel options please?

The 123-series Diesel engined Mercedes-Benz is a nice option as an everyday classic. I drive the 123T 300TD Station Wagon with manual 5-speed transmission and self-leveling rear axle. Very usable car, spacious (you can transport huge amount of stuff), very easy to maintain, cheap to run as well - I get about 40 mpg on average. Since we have the car (45k km covered) nothing went wrong, I only replaced the tyres once and the usual servicing bits (oils, filters, plugs).

mondeo

RobAMerc wrote: »

I think the biggest issue you'll have is finding something thats not a knackered auld dog for 2.5k to be honest - you'll end up spending the rest keeping it going.

I found that while they are reliable and easy to get parts for, mechanics seem to thing $$$$$ here comes a tool with more money than sense when you turn up and will invariably try rip you off.

BTW - I can see the appeal ( I had a w114 for 2 yrs ) but does it have to be a Merc ?

I'm pretty mechanicaly minded myself so it would be extreme breakdowns that would bring me to a mechanic otherwise rain, hail or snow I would be out with my spanners doing the work myself.
It does not have to be a Merc I suppose, I looked at old Bmw's but they are less appealing to be honest during the pre 80's. 2002's, E21 3 series they just don't do it for me really.
A 70's jag is just too unreliable so thats not an option for me.
What other options do I have? I don't want old Fords/MG's or any of that. I like somthing with abit of upper class, somthing really nice in it's day.

The w123's are nice but on the honest john website they mention that they just never run properly on unleaded without lead boosters.

Cheers

8~)

Rcckon Honest John is wrong about unleaded and W123s - I've ran the 200 and 230e engines on unleaded for years without any issues.

The 300TD is nice - are the oldest of those 30 yet? I think they came out in RHD in 1981.

For an all-round everyday 30+ year old car the Mercedes is hard to beat. The 5 or 6 Series BMWs would be nice, but if they don't do it then that's no use to you. I tried out a 70s Opel Commodore once - that was nice but ultimately I didn't buy, choosing a(nother) Mercedes instead. I think to get anything approaching modern comfort you need a bigger saloon car... smaller 70s cars are great but I think grating on longer drives, but that's just my opinion. Ford Granada maybe?

mondeo

8~) wrote: »

Rcckon Honest John is wrong about unleaded and W123s - I've ran the 200 and 230e engines on unleaded for years without any issues.

The 300TD is nice - are the oldest of those 30 yet? I think they came out in RHD in 1981.

For an all-round everyday 30+ year old car the Mercedes is hard to beat. The 5 or 6 Series BMWs would be nice, but if they don't do it then that's no use to you. I tried out a 70s Opel Commodore once - that was nice but ultimately I didn't buy, choosing a(nother) Mercedes instead. I think to get anything approaching modern comfort you need a bigger saloon car... smaller 70s cars are great but I think grating on longer drives, but that's just my opinion. Ford Granada maybe?

Ford granada are not very classy to be honest lol...look like crap in the day and still do today unless it was an immaculate ghia model but even then I would walk past it.

Maybe I will seek more advice on the w123 and go for it!

shawnee

123 are a lovely driver, comfortable, great heater, power steering and most reliable. Difficult to get a diesel in good nick but a good one would be a bonus as depending on your mileage and driving you would be lucky to get 25 to 30 out of most of them. But then again you can't have it every way, wouldn't be without mine !

Seweryn

shawnee wrote: »

123 are a lovely driver, comfortable, great heater, power steering and most reliable. Difficult to get a diesel in good nick but a good one would be a bonus as depending on your mileage and driving you would be lucky to get 25 to 30 out of most of them.

I drive a 300TD (heavy Station Wagon) and I get on average almost 40 mpg (5-speed manual, that's why) and more than that on a long run. The lowest number I ever recorded between the tank fillings was 35.4 mpg and the highest 43.1 mpg. 25 or even 30 is very pessimistic figure, unless you drive short distances in Dublin city centre.

bijapos

A BMW E12? Drives well, reliable, not a Merc, and classic tax and insurance?

aidhan

mondeo wrote: »

Ford granada are not very classy to be honest lol...look like crap in the day and still do today unless it was an immaculate ghia model but even then I would walk past it.

Maybe I will seek more advice on the w123 and go for it!

I know of an '83 w123 200t for sale in Limerick city. manual, navy blue nct'd very clean and driving well. Owner looking for e3k. p.m. if you want contact details.

RobAMerc

bijapos wrote: »

A BMW E12? Drives well, reliable, not a Merc, and classic tax and insurance?

Weren't they nicknamed the "widowmaker" ?

I was looking at an A reg 230te on Saturday here in Dublin - still beautiful - still classy - saw it about 3 times as it happens he must have been following us about.

w123

aidhan wrote: »

I know of an '83 w123 200t for sale in Limerick city. manual, navy blue nct'd very clean and driving well. Owner looking for e3k. p.m. if you want contact details.

Stop looking, Just get this, They are bullet proof - with these cars if they're straight and don't have too much surface rust chances are that they're solid enough.

The NCT will hopefully have rooted out any structral damage, change the oil and filters regularly and you shouldn't have a problem.

The clutch started slipping on my old 200t and there were too many panels needed to get it right so I replaced it, but I did give it to somebody through this site who is getting it back on the road.

Regarding engines the 230e is the best combination of performance and economy, the 200 is a little underpowered in the estate.

Enjoy it.