Mercedes-Benz W124 (Redirected from Mercedes-Benz V124)

Mercedes-Benz W124
1988 Mercedes-Benz W 124
Overview
ManufacturerDaimler-Benz
Production
  • November 1984–August 1995 (sedan)
  • October 1985–June 1996 (estate)
  • April 1987–late 1996 (coupé)
  • March 1992–July 1997 (convertible)
Model years
  • 1986–1995 (saloon)
  • 1987–1996 (coupé/convertible)
  • 2,562,143 built
Assembly
Designer
  • Joseph Gallitzendörfer and Peter Pfeiffer (initial design)
  • Bruno Sacco (final design)
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car/Grand tourer (E/S)
Body style
LayoutFront engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
RelatedMercedes-Benz E-Class
Ssangyong Chairman
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • saloon/estate: 110.2 in (2,799 mm)
  • coupé/convertible: 106.9 in (2,715 mm)
  • limousine: 141.7 in (3,599 mm)
Length
  • saloon: 187.2 in (4,755 mm)
  • estate: 188.2 in (4,780 mm)
  • coupé: 183.9 in (4,671 mm)
  • limo: 218.1 in (5,540 mm)
Width
  • 68.5 in (1,740 mm)
  • 500 E saloon: 70.7 in (1,796 mm)
Height
  • estate: 59.8 in (1,519 mm)
  • saloon: 56.3 in (1,430 mm)
  • 500 E saloon: 55.4 in (1,407 mm)
  • coupé: 55.5 in (1,410 mm)
  • convertible: 54.8 in (1,392 mm)
  • limo: 58.3 in (1,481 mm)
Curb weight
  • 3,826 lb (1,735 kg) (400 E)
  • 3,927 lb (1,781 kg) (500 E)
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz W123
Successor

The Mercedes-Benz W124 is a range of executive cars made by Daimler-Benz from 1984 to 1997. The range included numerous body configurations, and though collectively referred to as the W-124, official internal chassis designations varied by body style: saloon (W 124); estate (S 124); coupé (C 124); cabriolet (A 124); limousine (V 124); rolling chassis (F 124); and long-wheelbase rolling chassis (VF 124).

From 1993, the 124 series was officially marketed as the E-Class. The W 124 followed the 123 series from 1984 and was succeeded by the W 210 E-Class (saloons, estates, rolling chassis) after 1995, and the C 208 CLK-Class (coupés, and cabriolets) in 1997.

In North America, the W124 was launched in early November 1985 as a 1986 model and marketed through the 1995 model year. Series production began at the beginning of November 1984, with press presentation on Monday, 26 November 1984 in Seville, Spain, and customer deliveries and European market launch starting in January 1985.

History

The 1984 W 124 has no "Sacco planks" on its doors, instead, it has protective bumper strips
The 1989 W 124 retains the front portion of the 1984 model, but has the "Sacco planks" on its doors, and painted mirrors
The 1993 W 124 has a different front design, retains the "Sacco planks", and has an extended rear bumper

The W124 was a mid-sized vehicle platform, which entered planning in the autumn of 1976 under development Hans Scherenberg. In July 1977, the W124 program officially began, with R&D commencing work under newly appointed Werner Breitschwerdt. In April 1978, decisions were made to base it on the Mercedes-Benz W201 model program. By April 1979, a package plan was completed for the program, laying out the guidelines of the project. During the winter of 1980–1981, the final exterior for the W124 program was completed, chosen as the leading proposal by design director Bruno Sacco, and approved by the board of management in early 1981. By mid-1982, the first prototypes reflective of the production design, were assembled and sent to testing. In March 1984, pilot production commenced and development of the sedan concluded with engineering sign-off.

Front suspension used a separate spring and damper with a rubber top mount. The rear suspension of the W124 featured the Mercedes multi-link axle introduced in 1982 with the Mercedes W201 and which is now standard on many modern cars. Estate cars (and optionally, saloons and coupés) had Citroën-like rear self-leveling suspension with suspension struts rather than shock absorbers, gas-filled suspension spheres to provide damping and an under bonnet pressurizing pump. Unlike the traditional Citroën application, the Mercedes suspension system had a fixed ride height and employed rear coil springs to maintain the static ride height when parked.

The 4 Matic all-wheel drive system first introduced on the W124

The W124 was the first Mercedes series to be fitted with the iconic 15-hole, flat-faced alloy wheels characteristic of Mercedes-Benz cars of the 1980s and 1990s. The alloy wheels were nicknamed 'gullideckel' or manhole covers, because they resemble manhole or drainage covers in Germany, which are consistently round in shape with a series of 15- or 16-holes around the outer edge, often within a concentric ring. Gullideckel wheels in a variety of diameter and offset specifications were later incorporated into the facelift versions of the W126 S-Class, R107 SL and W201 190E series, and were also the 'non-option' wheel on the R129 SL-Class roadster.

Much of the 124's engineering and many of its features were advanced automotive technology at its introduction, incorporating innovations that have been adopted throughout the industry. It had one of the lowest coefficient of drag (Cd) of any vehicle of the time (0.28 for the 200/200D model for the European market with 185/65 R15 tires) due to its aerodynamic body, that included plastic molding for the undercarriage to streamline airflow beneath the car, reducing fuel consumption and wind noise. It had a single windscreen wiper that had an eccentric mechanism at its base that extended the wiper's reach to the top corners of the windscreen (more than if it had traveled in a simple arc). The saloon/sedan, coupés and convertibles had optional rear headrests that would fold down remotely to improve rearward visibility when required. This feature was not available for the T-model because of its specific layout (no space to store the retractable headrests), but the estate serially came with a "neighbour-friendly" rear door that was pulled in the shut-position silently and automatically by a sensor-controlled servomotor. This allowed the use of a tighter fitting rear gate, minimizing the cabin noise in the T-model - sometimes an area of concern for station wagons.

The estate cars (chassis designation S124) came in 5 or 7-seat models, the 7-seater having a rear-facing bench seat that folded flush luggage compartment cover and an optional (in the US until 1994) retractable cargo net. To provide a flat loading floor with the seat folded down, the T-model's rear seat squab was mounted about 10 cm (3.9 in) higher than in saloons, robbing rear seat passengers of some head room. The S124 estate continued in production alongside the new W210 until the S210 estate launched more than a year later. A two-door coupé version was also built, with the chassis designation C124.

The E 320, E 220, and E 200 cabriolets ceased production in 1997. Indian assembly (in a joint-venture with Telco called Mercedes-Benz India) began in March 1995. Offered with five-cylinder diesel engines built by Mercedes' Indian partner Bajaj Tempo, the W124 was replaced there in December 1997.

Models

The pre-facelift models from 1985 to 1993 used the model designations: 200/200 T (carburettor), 200 E/200 TE (originally intended for Italian market due to Italy's tax rates on cars larger than 2 liters; available in Germany since September 1988), 200 CE, 230 E/230 TE, 230 CE, 260 E (saloon only), 300 E/TE, 300 CE, 300 E-24/300 CE-24/300 TE-24 valve, 400 E (not in the UK), & 500 E (LHD only in the UK). Diesel models consisted of the following designations; the 200 D/200 TD (not in the UK), 250 D/250 TD and the 300 D/300 TD. Facelift models produced from 1993 to 1996 used the following model designations: E 200, E 220, E 280, E 320, E 420 (not in the UK) & E 500 (LHD only in the UK). Both saloon and estate versions of the facelifted model carried the same model designation on their boot lid, i.e. the T was no longer used for estate versions. In the UK post-facelift diesels were E 250 Diesel (saloon only) and E 300 Diesel (saloon & estate) models. The W124 was also offered as a long wheelbase saloon targeted for taxi companies, but the more luxury equipped version was also used as a limousine.

The table gives preproduction to end of production as per Daimler. Daimler lists November 1984 as the start of production for the series but also lists 1985 as part of preproduction for any specific early model. No regular deliveries occurred in 1984.

Chassis code Years Model Engine Body style
124.019 1993–1994 200 E 2.0 L M111.940 I4 Sedan/Saloon
1994–1996 E 200
124.020 1985–1990 200 2.0 L M102.922 I4 Sedan/Saloon
124.021 1985–1992 200 E 2.0 L M102.963 I4 Sedan/Saloon
124.022 1992–1994 220 E 2.2 L M111.960 I4 Sedan/Saloon
1994–1996 E 220
124.023 1985–1992 230 E 2.3 L M102.982 I4 Sedan/Saloon
124.026 1985–1992 260 E 2.6 L M103.940 I6 Sedan/Saloon
1990–1992 300 E 2.6
124.028 1992–1993 280 E, 300 E 2.8 2.8 L M104.942 I6 Sedan/Saloon
1994–1996 E 280
124.030 1985–1992 300 E 3.0 L M103.983 I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.031 1989–1992 300 E-24 3.0 L M104.980 I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.032 1992–1995 300 E, 320 E 3.2 L M104.992 I6 Sedan/Saloon
1994–1996 E 320
124.034 1992–1993 400 E 4.2 L M119.975 V8 Sedan/Saloon
1994–1996 E 420
124.036 1991–1993 500 E 5.0 L M119.974 V8 Sedan/Saloon
1994 E 500
124.036 (options 957, 958) 1993–1994 E 60 AMG 6.0 L M119 E60 V8 Sedan/Saloon
124.120 1986–1989 200 D 2.0 L OM601.912 Diesel I4 Sedan/Saloon
124.125 1986–1989 250 D 2.5 L OM602.912 Diesel I5 Sedan/Saloon
124.126 1993–1996 E 250 Diesel 2.5 L OM605.911 Diesel I5 Sedan/Saloon
124.128 1990–1993 250 D Turbo, 300 D 2.5 Turbo 2.5 L OM602.962 Turbo Diesel I5 Sedan/Saloon
124.130 1985–1993 300 D 3.0 L OM603.912 Diesel I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.131 1994–1996 E 300 Diesel 3.0 L OM606.910 Diesel I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.133 1987–1993 300 D Turbo 3.0 L OM603.960 Turbo Diesel I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.226 1986–1993 260 E, 300 E 2.6 4Matic 2.6 L M103.943 I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.230 1986–1993 300 E 4Matic 3.0 L M103.985 I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.330 1986–1993 300 D 4Matic 3.0 L OM603.913 I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.333 1988–1993 300 D Turbo 4Matic 3.0 L OM603.963 I6 Sedan/Saloon
124.040 1992–1993 200 CE-16 2.0 L M111.940 I4 Coupé
1993–1996 E 200
124.042 1993–1994 220 CE 2.2 L M111.960 I4 Coupé
1994–1996 E 220
124.043 1987–1992 230 CE 2.3 L M102.982 I4 Coupé
124.050 1988–1992 300 CE 3.0 L M103.983 I6 Coupé
124.051 1990–1993 300 CE-24 3.0 L M104.980 I6 Coupé
124.052 1993–1994 300 CE, 320 CE 3.2 L M104.992 I6 Coupé
1994–1996 E 320
124.060 1993–1994 200 CE 2.0 L M111.940 I4 Cabriolet
1994–1996 E 200
124.061 1990–1993 300 CE-24 3.0 L M104.980 I6 Cabriolet
124.062 1993–1994 220 CE 2.2 L M111.960 I4 Cabriolet
1994–1996 E 220
124.066 1993–1994 300 CE, 320 CE 3.2 L M104.992 I6 Cabriolet
1994–1996 E 320
124.079 1993–1994 200 TE 2.0 L M111.940 I4 Estate
1994–1996 E 200
124.080 1985–1993 200 T 2.0 L M102.922 I4 Estate
124.081 1986–1993 200 TE 2.0 L M102.963 I4 Estate
124.082 1993–1996 E 220 2.2 L M111.960 I4 Estate
124.083 1985–1992 230 TE 2.3 L M102.982 I4 Estate
124.088 1992–1993 280 TE, 300 TE 2.8 2.8 L M104.942 I6 Estate
1994–1996 E 280
124.090 1988–1991 300 TE 3.0 L M103.983 I6 Estate
124.091 1989–1992 300 TE-24 3.0 L M104.980 I6 Estate
124.290 1986–1993 300 TE 4Matic 3.0 L M103.985 I6 Estate
124.092 1993–1994 300 TE, 320 TE 3.2 L M104.992 I6 Estate
1994–1996 E 320
124.180 1986–1989 200 TD 2.0 L OM601.912 Diesel I4 Estate
124.185 1986–1989 250 TD 2.5 L OM602.912 Diesel I5 Estate
124.393 1986–1993 300 TD Turbo 4Matic 3.0 L OM603.963 I6 Estate

Dimensions and weight

Body style Wheelbase Length Width Height Curb weight
Sedan/Saloon 2,800 mm (110.2 in) 4,740 mm (186.6 in) 1,740 mm (68.5 in) 1,428 mm (56.2 in)
1,451 mm (57.1 in) (4Matic)
1,390 kg (3,064 lb)
Sedan/Saloon LWB 3,600 mm (141.7 in) 5,540 mm (218.1 in) 1,740 mm (68.5 in) 1,480 mm (58.3 in) 1,635 kg (3,605 lb)
Estate 2,800 mm (110.2 in) 4,765 mm (187.6 in) 1,740 mm (68.5 in) 1,489 mm (58.6 in)
1,498 mm (59.0 in) (4Matic)
1,510 kg (3,329 lb)
Coupé 2,715 mm (106.9 in) 4,655 mm (183.3 in) 1,740 mm (68.5 in) 1,394 mm (54.9 in)
1,391 mm (54.8 in) (convertible)
1,390 kg (3,064 lb)
500 E 2,800 mm (110.2 in) 4,750 mm (187.0 in) 1,796 mm (70.7 in) 1,410 mm (55.5 in) 1,710 kg (3,770 lb)

Gallery (Pre-facelift)

Gallery (Post-facelift)

500 E

1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 E (W124; US)
1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 E (W124; US)

Mercedes-Benz sold a high performance version of the W124, the 500 E, created in close cooperation with and assembled by Porsche. It used the 5.0 L 32-valve V8 M119 Engine based on the engine from the 500 SL (R129) roadster. Porsche engineered the suspension and chassis design with a performance bias. Mercedes entered an agreement with Porsche to assemble the vehicles at their plant in Zuffenhausen, as the automaker was in crisis, and its factory capacity was underutilized. Porsche also constructed the chassis for the 400 E, which was in essence identical to the 500 E's chassis.

Masterpiece

Mercedes-Benz W124 Masterpiece rear label
Mercedes-Benz W124 Masterpiece gear knob

In some countries, the final batch of W124 was sold as the limited edition Masterpiece in 1995. Following the impending release of its successor, the Mercedes-Benz W210, the remaining units of W124 were fitted with additional accessories found in stock models such as walnut wood steering wheel (optional), airbag for front passenger, walnut center console glove box, electric rear blind and rear seat side window sunshade (optional). There were also 4 unique pieces of accessories fitted to Masterpieces which were not available to any other W124 around the world – gear knob engraved with the word Masterpiece, stainless door sills engraved with Mercedes Benz, Masterpiece label on the right side of the boot and the new 6-hole light alloy wheels.

Engines

W 124 models with turbocharged OM 602 or OM 603 engines, as well as naturally aspirated OM 605 or OM 606 engines can easily be identified by their air intake slits in the front right wing
Engine Cyl. Power Torque 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph)
(sec.)
Maximum speed Fuel consumption (Euro mix)
Gasoline
2.0 8V (200) I4 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft) 12.6 187 km/h (116 mph)
2.0 8V I4 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) 170 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft)
2.0 8V (E 200) I4 118 PS (87 kW; 116 hp) 172 N⋅m (127 lb⋅ft) 12.0–14.0 175–190 km/h (109–118 mph) 8.6 L/100 km (33 mpg‑imp; 27 mpg‑US)
2.3 8V I4 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) 198 N⋅m (146 lb⋅ft) 10.4 204 km/h (127 mph)
2.0 16V I4 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) 11.5–12.1 183–200 km/h (114–124 mph) 8.7 L/100 km (32 mpg‑imp; 27 mpg‑US)
2.3 8V I4 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) 205 N⋅m (151 lb⋅ft) 11.2–13.5 185–200 km/h (115–124 mph) 9.0 L/100 km (31 mpg‑imp; 26 mpg‑US)
2.2 16V I4 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) 10.6–11.1 193–210 km/h (120–130 mph) 8.8 L/100 km (32 mpg‑imp; 27 mpg‑US)
2.6 12V I6 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) 9.0-11.3 200–215 km/h (124–134 mph)
2.6 12V I6 166 PS (122 kW; 164 hp) 230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) 8.7–10.5 210–218 km/h (130–135 mph) 10.0 L/100 km (28 mpg‑imp; 24 mpg‑US)
2.6 12V I6 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) 8.7 212 km/h (132 mph) 10.5 L/100 km (27 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)
3.0 12V I6 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) 255 N⋅m (188 lb⋅ft) 7.9–9.1 207–225 km/h (129–140 mph) 10.9 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 21.6 mpg‑US)
3.0 12V I6 188 PS (138 kW; 185 hp) 260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) 7.9–9.6 207–228 km/h (129–142 mph) 10.9 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 21.6 mpg‑US)
2.8 24V I6 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp) 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) 8.8-10.2 213–230 km/h (132–143 mph) 10.7 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)
2.8 24V I6 197 PS (145 kW; 194 hp) 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) 8.8–9.1 213–230 km/h (132–143 mph) 10.7 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 22 mpg‑US)
3.0 24V I6 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) 265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) 7.8–8.4 217–237 km/h (135–147 mph) 11.0 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 21.4 mpg‑US)
3.2 24V I6 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) 310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) 7.8–8.3 235–243 km/h (146–151 mph) 10.9 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 21.6 mpg‑US)
3.6 24V AMG I6 272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) 385 N⋅m (284 lb⋅ft) 7.0–7.2 250 km/h (155 mph) 11.0 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 21.4 mpg‑US)
4.2 32V (E 420) V8 279 PS (205 kW; 275 hp) or 286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp) 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) or 410 N⋅m (302 lb⋅ft) 6.8–7.2 250 km/h (155 mph) 11.8 L/100 km (24 mpg‑imp; 19.9 mpg‑US)
4.2 32V (400E 4.2 AMG) V8 312 PS (229 kW; 308 hp) 425 N⋅m (313 lb⋅ft) 250 km/h (155 mph)
5.0 32V (500E) V8 326 PS (240 kW; 322 hp) 480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft) 5.9–6.1 250 km/h (155 mph) 13.5 L/100 km (20.9 mpg‑imp; 17.4 mpg‑US)
5.0 32V (E 500) V8 320 PS (235 kW; 316 hp) 480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft) 5.9–6.1 250 km/h (155 mph)
6.0 32V AMG V8 381 PS (280 kW; 376 hp) 580 N⋅m (428 lb⋅ft) 5.4–5.3 250 km/h (155 mph) 14.5 L/100 km (19.5 mpg‑imp; 16.2 mpg‑US)
Diesel
2.0 8V D (200D) I4 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp) 124 N⋅m (91 lb⋅ft) 18.5 160 km/h (99 mph) 6.7 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US)
2.0 8V D (200D/E 200 DIESEL) I4 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) 126 N⋅m (93 lb⋅ft) 18 160 km/h (99 mph) 6.7 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US)
2.5 10V D (250D) I5 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) 154 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) 16.5 175 km/h (109 mph)
2.5 10V D (E250 DIESEL) I5 94 PS (69 kW; 93 hp) 158 N⋅m (117 lb⋅ft) 16.5–18.5 160–165 km/h (99–103 mph) 7.2 L/100 km (39 mpg‑imp; 33 mpg‑US)
3.0 12V D I6 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) 185 N⋅m (136 lb⋅ft) 13.7 190 km/h (118 mph)
2.5 20V D I5 113 PS (83 kW; 111 hp) 173 N⋅m (128 lb⋅ft) 18.5–20.4 190 km/h (118 mph) 6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US)
3.0 12V D I6 113 PS (83 kW; 111 hp) 191 N⋅m (141 lb⋅ft) 15.0–16.4 175–190 km/h (109–118 mph) 7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp; 30 mpg‑US)
2.5 10V TD I5 122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) 225 N⋅m (166 lb⋅ft) 12.3 195 km/h (121 mph)
2.5 10V TD I5 126 PS (93 kW; 124 hp) 231 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) 12.5–13.0 190–195 km/h (118–121 mph) 7.5 L/100 km (38 mpg‑imp; 31 mpg‑US)
3.0 24V D I6 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) 12.8–13.8 187–200 km/h (116–124 mph) 7.4 L/100 km (38 mpg‑imp; 32 mpg‑US)
3.0 12V TD I6 143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) 267 N⋅m (197 lb⋅ft) 10.9 202 km/h (126 mph)
3.0 12V TD I6 147 PS (108 kW; 145 hp) 273 N⋅m (201 lb⋅ft) 10.9–12.8 186–200 km/h (116–124 mph) 7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp; 30 mpg‑US)

Build quality

Million-mile taxi W124

The W124 gained a good reputation for reliability. In 1995 the diesel engined version topped the "upper middle class" category in a reliability survey of 4–6-year-old cars undertaken by the German Automobile Association (ADAC), with 11.8 recorded breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles for four-year-old cars and 21.6 for six-year-old ones: this compared with 14.6 breakdowns per 1,000 cars for four-year-old Audi 100s and 27.3 for six-year-old big Audis.


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