Crappy build quality of cars from the 00s

[oldel]

No, they were all of them after ~1993. soy based insulation (rather than plastic) designed to break down to be more environmentally friendly when you threw them away after 7 years (that's what they think of their more modern cars, expensive disposable toys).

I was really considering a w124 or w210 or even w202 but was warned away from later production 124s and all 210s/202s because of this issue, so I got old BMWs instead.
Still would like an engine swapped 190e though.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by oldel

No, they were all of them after ~1993. soy based insulation (rather than plastic) designed to break down to be more environmentally friendly when you threw them away after 7 years (that's what they think of their more modern cars, expensive disposable toys).

I was really considering a w124 or w210 or even w202 but was warned away from later production 124s and all 210s/202s because of this issue, so I got old BMWs instead.
Still would like an engine swapped 190e though.

You shouldn’t have to worry about the w210. By 1996 MB had changed the harnesses to suit OBD2 and coil on plug/motronic, and at the same time changed the insulation so it wouldn’t fall apart within five years.
In saying the W210 are 25 years old now so any original harness probably won’t be too flash especially if it has spent its life in urban conditions.

While MB had harness issues at the same time BMW used plastic in the cooling system on the M42/50/60 which never stood the test of time - water pump imperllers, t stat housings, pipes, fittings, T pieces etc.