Lone Star Estate

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday October 2, 1998

By John Wright.

Mercedes-Benz 230TE wagon

Rating out of 5 * * *

Safety, carved-from-rock sturdiness, secure handling, ride, durability, versatility.

Poor performance - needs a bigger engine. Less luxurious than you might expect.

Safe, robust and versatile, the Benz wagon soldiers on well. Its three-pointed badge

compensates in part for its four-cylinder performance. By John Wright.

When Mercedes-Benz Australia launched the new-look 230TE wagon edition of its vaunted W124 mid-size range in 1986, no other wagon had such a prestigious image.

Firmly attached to the sloping bonnet (and spring-loaded for safety), that three-pointed star badge rode above an unmistakably Mercedes grille. For many buyers, this was the 230TE's single most critical item of equipment.

Mechanically, the wagon was the same as the 230E sedan, meaning it combined a 2.3-litre fuel-injected single overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Steering (power-assisted), handling and braking were all exceptional by mid-'80s standards, while no other wagon on the market could match the Mercedes for ride comfort and the feeling of great solidity and stability. Launched before anti-lock brakes and airbags were widely available, it was probably the safest wagon on the market in 1986 (although Volvo was also a contender for this title).

Air-conditioning and central locking were standard but there were old-fashioned winders for the windows. The standard vinyl trim was euphemistically called MB-Tex, as if it were in fact the skin from some rare animal; some years later Mercedes issued a jocular press release indicating that the MB-Tex creature faced extinction.

Luxury-loving new vehicle buyers might have preferred soft velour or leather, but seasoned Mercedes customers knew the durability and practicality of the vinyl. For the used-car buyer, this is a bonus, as it will still look new after a good scrub. At least 90 per cent of all 230TEs from 1986 to 1989 were equipped with MB-Tex. The optional cloth also lasted quite well but is very difficult and expensive to match if, for example, the cushion or bolsters on the driver's seat are worn or faded. The centre armrest between the front seats can often work loose or sag.

The seats themselves are hard in typically German style but give reasonable support on long trips. Leg room front and rear is good, although three adults across the rear seat will feel a little cramped.

The dashboard does not suffer age kindly. Cracking across the top - often right in the centre and/or around the air-conditioning vents - is common on cars that haven't been garaged.

Buyers could pay extra for a seven-seat option, but the handles for the rear seat mechanism were not very reliable. And if the handles don't come adrift, the odds are there will be broken clips.

The rubber body side mouldings also proved vulnerable because the clips holding them on were too weak for the job. Another common problem is that the rear window de-laminates and becomes "foggy" (and the original equipment screen is a pricey item).

Typically robust Mercedes mechanicals are the rule but a couple of problems have become evident. Commonly, the viscous-coupled cooling fan operates too slowly in traffic, causing the engine to run a little hotter than it should (the temperature gauge sitting close to three-quarters rather than halfway). Sometimes the coupling or the electric switch can fail altogether, leading to engine damage through overheating if the driver fails to act quickly. Fan repairs are in the order of $600, assuming no engine damage.

Almost inevitably once the odometer hits 150,000 km, worn engine mounts produce a "thunk" when drive or reverse are engaged. Expect to pay up to $400 to rectify this.

Durable though the engine is, it was never up to the job of producing adequate performance for a heavyish wagon, especially one packed with a full complement of passengers and gear. Worked hard, it is noisy and in this respect the romance implied by the three-pointed star is illusory.

If you're not in a hurry though, the 230TE does a good job and particularly shines on twisty or rough roads, due to the brilliance of the suspension. A further bonus is a wonderfully tight turning circle.

What to look for

Temperature gauge

If it reads hot in stop-start traffic, repairs to the viscous-coupled fan may be necessary.

Ignition switch

Can require (expensive) replacement.

Dashboard

Prone to cracks. Rubber side mouldings easy to dislodge.

Engine mounts

A thump when selecting gear indicates wear.

VERDICT

Practical and comparatively cheap prestige. Excellent

handling, steering and braking but

marginal

performance around town or on steep hills.

How much you should pay
 Model  '86     '87     '88     '89
 ('000 km)      215     208     193     177
        P  R    P  R    P  R    P  R
 230TE          $26,250  $29,500        $30,000  $32,500        $30,500  $33,000
        $32,750  $35000
 Values are based on vehicles in good condition.  P - Private sale price.  R -
Retail price from franchise dealer, and includes
 warranty. Data supplied by Glass's Guide. Kilometres travelled are typical for
the year and model. For more information on
 vehicle specifications and values, telephone Glass's Guide on 1900 180 486
(calls charged at $3.75 per minute).