Mercedes-Benz W124

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 The W124 models replaced the W123 models after 1985 and were superseded by the W210 E-Class after 1995.

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-leveling rear suspension very similar to that of a Citroen BX; with gas-pressurized spheres, leveling suspension struts and an under bonnet pressurizing 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 meters 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, created in close cooperation with Porsche. Called the 500E through model year 1993, in 1994, the 500E was face-lifted and re-badged the E500 (at which time Mercedes also brought assembly back in house). The 500E had a 32-valve V8 engine delivering 322 hp (240 kW) and 354 ft·lb (480 N·m), with the engine being derived from the R129 500SL roadster. Sports car braking performance also came SL components. Front SL500 300mm disks with 4-piston calipers came installed on the 1992 and early 1993 cars. The later 1993, and all 1994 cars came with the upgraded 320mm set taken from the 600SL. Rear brakes on all years were 277mm brakes from the 500SL.

In the USA, the 500E came fully-loaded, with the only options available to the buyer being a dealer-installed CD changer, or an integrated telephone. The 500E was only available as a four-seater, with the four leather seats supplied by Recaro. 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. The 500E came in a number of colors, with the special-order, "040" cars (black on black), widely considered the most desirable. With its aggressive stance: 1.5 inches wider track, 0.9 inch lower profile, flared fenders, front air-dam and wide tires, the 500E is easily distinguished from its lesser brethren.

Magazines tests of the day, recorded 0-60 mph (97 km/h) times of 5.5 seconds and acceleration 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.

Models

Engines

• M102 I4
• M103 I6
• M104 I6
• M119 V8
• OM602 Diesel I5
• OM603 Diesel I6
• OM606 Diesel I6

See also

• Mercedes-Benz 300D
• Mercedes-Benz 500E

References

• Arthur St. Antoine. "Magnum Force". Car and Driver (April 1992): 47–56.