Mercedes-Benz 300 CE C124
Year of manufacture: 1988
Power: 180 hp
Displacement: 2,962 cm3
Number of cylinders/valves: 6/2
Weight: 1,340 kg
Condition: perfect
Catalogue number: 18
Introduction
Considered by many to be the last classic Mercedes-Benz, the W124 model directly follows the now legendary “piano” W123 and remained in production for a remarkable thirteen years.
Development
Several body variants were created. Besides the sedan and the traditional estate called the T-Model, the early 1990s saw the arrival of an elegant coupe, from which a four-seat convertible was derived. The production program started with petrol variants 200, 230 E, 260 E, and 300 E, while diesel versions included 200 D, 250 D, and 300 D. The early 1990s brought the pinnacle of the line, the 500 E (later E 500) with 356 hp, with the most powerful version being the later E 60 AMG, offering 380 hp. Both variants are highly prized youngtimers today.
Technical specifications
The design of the W124 was led by Bruno Sacco, Joseph Gallitzendörfer, and Peter Pfeiffer. For example, the characteristic rear section, tapering towards the back and strongly rounded along the upper edges of the sides, had a particularly favorable effect on wind resistance and resulted from aerodynamic tunnel testing. These aerodynamic improvements significantly reduced fuel consumption compared to the previous model. Two other typical design features are the trapezoidal trunk lid with its rear edge pulled to the right and the slanted inner edges of the nearly square rear lights. This allowed for a particularly low loading sill for the large trunk space.
Most engines were completely new. For example, the six-cylinder M 103: the weaker 260 E delivered 125 kW (170 hp) from 2.6 liters, while the stronger 3.0-liter 300 E offered 140 kW (190 hp). The same applied to the diesel units, although the weakest non-turbocharged 2.0-liter OM 602 with 53 kW (72 hp) had already appeared in the small 190 D of the W201 series. The new 2.5-liter five-cylinder 250 D, without a turbocharger, designated OM 602, offered 66 kW (90 hp). The 3.0-liter OM 603, again without turbo and badged 300 D on the car’s rear, offered 80 kW (109 hp). The carbureted petrol 4-cylinder 200 with 80 kW (109 hp) and the 2.3-liter injected version with 100 kW originated from the “piano,” as did the 200 E versions of the M 102 series.
In September 1989, the revised W124 range premiered at the Frankfurt IAA. Both exterior and interior were updated, though stylistic changes were subtle, as befits Mercedes-Benz. The most noticeable were the large plastic strips on the sides, which the coupe had received two and a half years earlier. In Central Europe, these cars are nicknamed “plasťák” (plastic one) because of them, while the older version is called “lišťák” (strip one). Above these strips was a new narrow chrome band, appearing also inside on door handles and on wheel covers bearing the company emblem. The exterior mirrors were enlarged and painted in body color. New front and rear seats were installed inside. All W124 models except the 4Matic four-wheel drives offered a Sportline package with sport suspension featuring stiffer springs and dampers, lowering the ride height. The car wore 205/60 R 15 tires on 7 J x 15 alloy or steel wheels. The steering wheel and gear lever received leather upholstery, and sportier-shaped seats with better lateral support became standard.
The 1989 Frankfurt show also introduced the fourth body variant – a long-wheelbase limousine, missing for four years in this series. Mercedes cooperated closely with the coachbuilder Binz for its development. The wheelbase increased by a full 80 cm to 3.60 meters, with overall length growing accordingly. The “Dachshund” based on the W124 had six doors for the first time and was available with a 2.5-liter turbo diesel and a 2.6-liter petrol engine. While the four-door predecessors had only emergency middle seats, the limousine based on the later E-Class featured a full-size middle seat with a cushion and backrest comparable to the rear third-row seat. Serial production of this variant began in May 1990.
June 1993 marked a crucial milestone for the W124 series. The second facelift featured a slightly revised grille to resemble the current S-Class – especially the chrome strips were narrowed. Facelifted models can be distinguished by their front and rear turn signals, which now had clear (white) lenses instead of orange, and smoked rear lenses.
Standard steel wheels were redesigned with six openings. A more important novelty was the change in nomenclature, aligning with the new W202 C-Class launched in spring 1993. The W124 became the E-Class. This designation always included a three-digit number approximating engine displacement but was moved after the letter, not before. Mercedes-Benz still uses this system today. The letter E originally stood for fuel injection and was chosen because carbureted engines no longer appeared under the W124’s hood. The automaker also abandoned body variant letters (C for coupe, T for estate) externally, though internal coding remained. For naturally aspirated and turbocharged diesels, the letter D replaced the word Diesel, so 300 D became E 300 Diesel. The manufacturer accommodated customer wishes, so badges could be omitted entirely if desired.
In total, 2,213,167 sedans, 340,503 estates, 141,498 coupes, 33,952 convertibles, 2,342 long-wheelbase sedans, 6,398 partially coachbuilt bodies, and 73 large chassis for special purposes were produced.
