Mercedes-Benz W124

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W124 was the internal chassis-designation for the 1986 to 1995 version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The W124 models replaced the W123 models after 1985 and were superseded by the W210 E-Class after 1995.

Contents

1 History
2 500E
3 Models
4 Engines
5 See also
6 References

History

The W124 was a substantial, sporty mid-sized luxury vehicle platform, the last in a long line of "money-no-object" Mercedes saloons and was the result of extensive development. Estate cars (and optionally, saloons) had self-levelling rear suspension very similar to that of a Citroen BX; with gas-pressurised spheres, levelling suspension struts and an underbonnet pressurising pump. Unlike Citroen, Mercedes used rear springs as well as struts. Front suspension was more conventional.

The estate cars came in 5- or 7-seat models, the 7-seater having a rear-facing bench seat that folded flush into the floor. Both models had a split rear seat which folded flat to give almost 2 metres of load space and a retractable luggage compartment cover and retractable cargo net. The W124 estate continued in production alongside the new W210 until the W210 estate launched more than a year later.

SsangYong Motor Company of Korea licensed the W124 design and continues to produce a stretched version of the W124 as the Chairman, with a Ssangyong badge. It has a 2.9 m wheelbase and 3.2 L Mercedes straight-6 engine.

500E

Mercedes also included a sport version of the W124, the 500E, created in close cooperation with Porsche. Each 500E was hand-built by Porsche, being transported back and forth between the Mercedes plant and Porsche's Rossle-Bau plant in Zuffenhausen during assembly---taking a full 18 days to complete each model. Between 1991 and 1995, Mercedes/Porsche built a total of 10479 500E's. Of these, 1505 of the "super" sports sedans were imported into the USA between 1992-1994, or roughly 500 cars per year of importation. Called the 500E through model year 1993, in 1994, the 500E was face-lifted and re-badged the E500.

500E -front

500E -side

500E -rear

Called the "Velvet Hammer" by Mercedes, and a "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" by the press, performance tests of the day yielded impressive results: 0-60 mph (97 km/h) times of 5.5 seconds and accelerateration through the quarter-mile (0.4 km) in 14.1 seconds at 101 mph (163 km/h). Top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph (251 km/h). It was rated at 14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km) in the city and 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) on the highway.

With its aggressive stance: 1.5 inches wider track, 0.9 inch lower profile, flared fenders, side skirts, front air-dam and wide tires, the 500E is easily distinguished from its lesser brethren. Because of its look, limited numbers, hand-built construction, and unique pedigree, the 500E is already considered a "classic," even within Mercedes-Benz.

Models

Chassis code	Years	Model	Engine	Body style
124.026	1987–1989	260E	2.6 L M103 I6	sedan
1990–1992	300E 2.6	sedan
124.028	1993	300E 2.8	2.8 L M104 I6	sedan
124.030	1986–1992	300E	3.0 L M103 I6	sedan
124.032	1993–1995	300E	3.2 L M104 I6	sedan
1993–1995	E320	sedan
124.034	1992–1995	400E	4.2 L M119 V8	sedan
1992–1995	E420	sedan
124.036	1992–1993	500E	5.0 L M119 V8	sedan
1994–1995	E500	sedan
124.050	1988–1989	300CE	3.0 L M103 I6	coupé
124.051	1990–1993	300CE	3.2 L M104 I6	coupé
124.052	1994–1995	300CE/E320	coupé
124.066	1993–1995	300CE/E320	coupé
124.090	1988–1989	300TE	3.0 L M103 I6	station wagon
124.092	1993	300TE/E320	3.2 L M104 I6	station wagon
124.128	1990–1993	300D 2.5	2.5 L OM602 Diesel I5	sedan
124.131	1995	E300 Diesel	3.0 L OM606 Diesel I6	sedan
124.133	1987	300D	3.0 L OM603 turbo-Diesel I6	sedan
124.193	1987	300TD	station wagon
124.230	1990–1993	300E 4MATIC	3.0 L M103 I6	sedan
124.290	1990–1993	300TE 4MATIC	station wagon

Chassis code

Years

Model

Engine

Body style

124.026

1987–1989

260E

2.6 L M103 I6

sedan

1990–1992

300E 2.6