Miles, mice and rust: My labour of love buying a classic 1990s Mercedes estate

It took seven months and several attempts, but in the end I had my dream car – a 1991 Mercedes 300 TE from the legendary W124 series. Why this classic car?

Quite simply: I wanted something special. It had to have enough power, was practical for everyday use and affordable. Who doesn’t dream of a classic Mercedes, the kind that used to be the car of choice for lawyers and plastic surgeons? And as an estate, the W124 was also rare. And cool.

But I learned my first lesson quickly. An old Mercedes, even one from a time when Mercedes was known for its quality, isn’t just a car – it’s a project. A project that demands a fair amount of patience and even more time. The search for the right vehicle dragged on for months. It wasn’t just a question of price, but also of the car’s condition. Most of these classic cars had been sitting around for years, mistreated, or driven by careless owners. And so my odyssey began.

The first attempt: a drama on wheels

My search suffered its first setback on my very first attempt. I had found a car that looked promising. It was relatively inexpensive, the mileage was over 500,000 , but the car was supposed to have the performance and quality I was looking for. So I contacted the seller – and what followed was an absolute nightmare.

The communication was chaotic. I heard nothing from the seller for three days, and when he finally got back to me, it was almost too late. The car was 450 miles away, far enough to make transporting it a real challenge if I were to buy it. But I was determined. I packed the trailer, drove to my father’s to get a suitable car to tow it, and set off.

When I finally saw the Mercedes in the metal, it quickly became clear: the car looked much worse in reality than in the pictures. The headliner had holes in it, and the car wouldn’t even start. The seller had tried to get it running that morning, but without success. So I drove back with an empty trailer.

The second attempt: A new hope, but also new problems

After that experience, I was pretty frustrated. But I didn’t want to give up. So I contacted a well-known car YouTuber (not Mat Watson!) who was supposed to help me find a suitable W124. He did find something for me, but unfortunately, the car was in such bad condition that I didn’t even want to see it in person. It was another setback.

Months passed, and time and again I found offers that sounded promising, only to discover that the cars were either too expensive or in poor condition. The search for a Mercedes W124 had by now become an absolute marathon.

But then, one Saturday morning when I had almost given up, I suddenly stumbled upon the perfect offer: a Mercedes 300 TE in acceptable condition, at a price that was just within my budget.

This time, the car was even further away – 560 miles! I called immediately, and the seller was available. We negotiated and made an appointment.

A journey to the edge of madness

I went back to my father’s for a tow vehicle, took the trailer, and this time drove straight to the seaside to pick up the car. The car looked like it had a decent history, and the test drive went well. There were a few minor flaws, but nothing that would deter me from buying it.

In the end, we managed to lower the price from €12,990 to €11,500 – a success that, despite the many obstacles, still satisfied me. So we loaded the car onto the trailer and headed home.

I finally had the Mercedes 300 TE I dreamed of.

But the surprises were far from over.

Mice, rust and more: The real nightmare

Barely home, the real work began. The first thing I noticed was a grinding noise from the front right – a clear indication of damage from sitting idle. That was the first problem. But that wasn’t all: the windscreen wipers weren’t working properly, and the central locking system, which was originally pneumatic, also wasn’t functioning.

I thought to myself: no big deal, it can be fixed. But then came the shock: there had been mice in the car. Yes, you read that right – mice! These little rascals had chewed through the hoses of the central locking system and the windscreen washer system, creating quite a mess.

Of course, all of this can be fixed, but it’s further proof that owning a classic car is never simply a “drive and enjoy” experience. It’s a constant battle with repairs, unexpected costs, and problems that just won’t stop.

Conclusion: an expensive hobby that teaches me patience

Ultimately, I can say that simply buying this classic car was an adventure in itself, one that confronted me with numerous challenges and disappointments. But that’s precisely what makes it so appealing. Anyone who decides to buy a classic car must be aware that they’re not just buying a car, but an ongoing project .

And that’s just the beginning, because the Mercedes unfortunately revealed much more serious defects during the inspection. But more on that when we get to the repairs…

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