Mercedes-Benz W124

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Mercedes-Benz W124

Manufacturer:	Daimler-Benz
Production:	1984–1995
Predecessor:	Mercedes-Benz W123
Successor:	Mercedes-Benz W210
Class:	Mid-size luxury car / Executive car (UK)
Body style:	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Engine:	2.3 L M102 I4 3.0 L M103 I6 3.0 L M104 I6(1990-1992 300CE) 3.2 L M104 I6 4.2 L M119 V8 5.0 L M119 V8 OM602 Diesel I5 OM603 Diesel I6 OM606 Diesel I6
Wheelbase:	110.2 in (2800 mm)
Length:	187.2 in (4755 mm)
Width:	70.7 in (1796 mm)
Height:	56.3 in (1430 mm)
Curb weight:	3927 lb (500E) 3826 lb (400E)
Similar:	Acura Legend Audi 100 BMW 5-Series Volvo 700

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 The W124 models replaced the W123 models after 1985 and were superseded by the W210 E-Class after 1995.

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

[edit] History

Pre-update Mercedes-Benz W124

The W124 was a substantial, 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 Citroën BX; with gas-pressurised spheres, levelling suspension struts and an underbonnet pressurising pump. Unlike Citroën, Mercedes used rear springs as well as struts. Front suspension was more conventional.

It represented the pinnacle of road-going automotive technology at its introduction, incorporating innovations that were praised by the entire motoring press. It had the lowest coefficient of drag (CD) of any vehicle of the time (.30) due to its aerodynamic body (and set off a styling trend that was consequently copied by the entire industry) including plastic molding for the undercarriage to streamline airflow beneath the car, reducing fuel consumption and wind noise. It had the first multi-link suspension to be found in a mass-produced vehicle, reducing the compromise between ride comfort and handling. It had a single windscreen wiper that extended and contracted in a synchronized manner to cover more surface area (by use of a motorized mechanism at its base). It even had rear headrests that would recede at the touch of a button on the dash to improve rearward visibility when appropriate. Fuel injection was standard, and the engine incorporated various other features that resulted in performance figures that rivaled the sports cars of the time (within reason). It set the benchmark for passenger vehicles for the next decade or so.

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.

[edit] 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.

The 500E had a 32-valve V8 engine delivering 322 hp (240 kW) and 354 ft·lbf (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 and an integrated telephone. The 500E was only available as a four-seater, with the four leather seats supplied by Recaro (the fronts heated).

Called the "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.

500E -group

[edit] Models

Chassis code	Years	Model	Engine	Body style
124.026	1987–1989	260E	2.6 L M103 I6	sedan
124.026	1990–1992	300E 2.6	2.6 L M103 I6	sedan
124.028	1993	300E 2.8	2.8 L M104 I6	sedan
124.023	1984-1992	230E 2.3	2.3 L M102 I4	sedan
124.030	1986–1992	300E	3.0 L M103 I6	sedan
124.032	1993–1995	300E	3.2 L M104 I6	sedan
124.032	1993–1995	E320	3.2 L M104 I6	sedan
124.034	1992–1995	400E	4.2 L M119 V8	sedan
124.034	1992–1995	E420	4.2 L M119 V8	sedan
124.036	1992–1993	500E	5.0 L M119 V8	sedan
124.036	1994–1995	E500	5.0 L M119 V8	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	1994-1995	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	3.0 L OM603 turbo-Diesel I6	station wagon
124.230	1990–1993	300E 4MATIC	3.0 L M103 I6	sedan
124.290	1990–1993	300TE 4MATIC	3.0 L M103 I6	station wagon