My cousin touched base with me yesterday and wanted my advice on mid-sized SUVs with a 3rd row seat. While I’m a car enthusiast, I’ll admit, SUVs are never on the radar for me. I’m a sports car person. I’m not really sure what that Overland trim package on your Jeep nets you over the regular version for the proletariat. Nor do I really care. Interestingly enough, we both agreed that the Volvo XC90 is probably the best of the lot, but for me, it’s akin to choosing which communicable disease I’d prefer.
Ever the helpful relative, I offered up the “what would Paul drive” scenario. And guess what? It’s this car. The Mercedes-Benz W124 E class estate with the third row seat option. OK, so some people might be a bit nervous strapping their kids into a rear-facing seat, but there is no mid-sized SUV these days which can match this car’s durability and sheer class. More than likely, it’s a lot more efficient than most SUVs these days and you could even opt for 4matic all-wheel drive in this model from 1990 to 1993. This example for sale in Southern California is a final year 1995 model with 81,000 miles, which represents a barely broken in car when it comes to the W124.
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Estate on eBay
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320W Wagon. 6 cyl 3.2 liter, automatic transmission, traction control, climate control air cond, power windows, power locks, cruise control, beautiful non-smoker interior, factory sunroof, factory AM/FM stereo cassette and CD changer. Beautiful body and paint, always garaged. This vehicle runs and drives very strong and very smooth. All factory books, factory alloy wheels, roof rack, factory mats. This was grandma and grandpas car and they dont drive anymore. Zero rust one-owner Malibu California car, real buyers know how nice these wagons are. 3rd seat package, loaded.
At almost $11,000, I think this Benz is a bit overvalued. If it has a complete service history available and presents as well as the pictures, $6,000 to $8,000 tops would be more like it. Anything over $10,000 these days should be reserved for near mint examples with under 50,000 miles. Still, there’s not many of these with under 100,000 miles left, as the estate variants are often the ones employed to the greatest degree.
-Paul
I like it. If I had more free time and they were asking less money, I’d buy it and drive it across the country with the family.
I enjoy this blog but saying this car is “barely broken in” overlooks the fact that the M104s are notorious for HG failures around this age, the self level rear LAD shocks will need to be changed soon if they haven’t already, and the wiring harness upate should have been performed. Those three items at a good Mercedes shop will likely cost you about $5k give or take. So while it is fair to say the chassis of a W124 will last, there’s a lot on the car besides the basic chassis that will require updating and repair. Thus, this car is not a good value at this price point, and unless the purchaser is extremely handy, not a good choice generally. Finally, while the 124 is a solid chassis, this car gives away a great deal to the more modern Benz wagons, and all newer cars in general, when it comes to side impact and frontal impacts. That is a particularly important issue if you are regularly transporting kids. I love the 124 too, but reality is reality.
Paul, I agree with your assessment about three row wagons – I have a years of history with A6 Avants with a third row seat.
Perfect if your kids are in the right age range, and the rear-facing third row is much more accessible than most SUV third rows.
From a purely selfish perspective, a German wagon is much nicer to drive than a typical SUV or minivan. If most of your driving time is without rear seat passengers, then a wagon is the answer.
However appealing this W124 is, it’s way-overpriced. As Raymond correctly pointed out, while the chassis and engine might last forever, there are plenty of costly components that will require maintenance and repair.