Mercedes-Benz W124

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Mercedes-Benz W124
Updated Mercedes-Benz W124
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz
Parent company Daimler-Benz
Production 1984–1995
Assembly Bremen, Germany
Sindelfingen, Germany
Predecessor Mercedes-Benz W123
Successor Mercedes-Benz W210
Class Executive car
Engine(s) Petrol/Gasoline engines

2.0L I4 M102
2.0L I4 M111
2.2L I4 M102
2.3L I4 M102
2.6L I6 M103
2.8L I6 M104
3.0L I6 M103
3.0L I6 M104
3.2L I6 M104
3.4L I6 M104
3.6L I6 M104
4.2L V8 M119
5.0L V8 M119

Diesel engines
2.0L I4 OM601
2.5L I5 OM602
2.5L I5 OM605
3.0L I6 OM603

3.0L I6 OM606
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
4-speed manual
5-speed manual
Wheelbase Saloon & Estate: 110.2 in (2799 mm)
Coupe: 106.9 in (2715 mm)
Length Estate: 188.2 in (4780 mm)
Saloon: 187.2 in (4755 mm)
Coupe: 183.9 in (4671 mm)
Width 68.5 in (1740 mm)
E500 Saloon: 70.7 in (1796 mm)
Height Estate: 59.8 in (1519 mm)
Saloon: 56.3 in (1430 mm)
Coupe: 55.5 in (1410 mm)
Convertible: 54.8 in (1392 mm)
E500 Saloon: 55.4 in (1407 mm)
1988-1990 Saloon: 56.9 in (1445 mm)
4Matic Saloon: 57.1 in (1450 mm)
4Matic Estate: 60.2 in (1529 mm)
Vehicles Mercedes-Benz E-Class

W124 is the Mercedes-Benz internal chassis-designation for the 1984 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 The W124 models replaced the W123 models after 1985 and were superseded by the W210 E-Class after 1995.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

[edit] Model range

The W124 is a mid-sized luxury vehicle platform. Considered by some as one of the last "no expense spared" over engineered mercedes-benz models with a solid construction and the use of quality materials, it remains one mercedes-benz's best selling models of all time.[citation needed]

Estate cars (and optionally, saloons) had self-leveling rear suspension with one central gas-pressurised strut acting on the rear axle and an underbonnet pressurising pump. Unlike some Citroën applications, Mercedes used rear coil springs as well as struts. Front suspension was a modified McPherson strut where coil spring was separated from the strut. The standard rear suspension of the saloons, coupes and convertibles featured the Mercedes multi-link axle without self-leveling mechanism, introduced in 1982 with the Mercedes 190 and today standard on many modern cars.

Should be noted the R 129 (1988-2000 Mercedes SL) is equally based upon the mid-size W 124 platform and not, as it is often falsely assumed, upon the layout of the much larger W 140 S-class model.

Much of its engineering and many of its features were advanced automotive technology at its introduction, incorporating innovations that have been adopted throughout the industry.[citation needed] It had one of the lowest coefficient of drag (Cd) of any vehicle of the time (0.28 for the 200/200D model for European market with 195/65 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 had rear headrests that would fold down remotely to improve rearward visibility when required. This feature however was not available for the T-model because of its specific layout (no space to store the retractable headrests), but the station-wagon serially came with a "neighbour-friendly" rear door that was pulled in the shut-position silently and automatically by a sensor-controled servomotor. With the exception of the 200, which was equipped with a Stromberg carburetor but was not available to the United States, fuel injection was standard, and the engines incorporated features[clarify] that maximised performance. Mercedes-Benz's four-wheel drive system, the 4Matic was first introduced on the W124 in 1986.

But some main innovations of the W 124 series were related to occupant safety. Derived from the Mercedes 190 (W 201),with whom the W 124 shares the basic layout, its likewise edgy body was designed to withstand an offset-crash in a concrete barrier at some 35 mp/h without serious harm to the occupants and a largely undamaged passenger cabin, a windshield that stays in place and doors easily to open without special recovery tools. This crash-test configuration, outstanding in 1984 and developed by Mercedes-Benz[citation needed] from the early 70ies on with on-the-spot research to meet more adequately the requirements of accidents occuring in real traffic, became the base for the Euro-NCAP proceedure currently being the standard crash-test configuration in the EU. Most remarkably: Unlike Euro-NCAP, Mercedes required the body of the W 124 to withstand an offest impact from the front and from the rear. The W 124 also featured a drivers side airbag (option in Europe, standard in the US) from the beginning on, height-adjustable seat belts with electronic-mechanical pre-tensioneers (standard) for both front passengers, rear seat belts which automatically adapted to the seize of the passengers (standard), pedals that were moved inversely in a frontal impact (away from the drivers feet and in the direction of the bulkhead separating the cabin from the engine) and door arm rests with deformable elements designed to reduce abdominal injury risk resulting from a side impact. The dash board made of impact-absorbing, artificial foam was reinforced with a thin aluminium layer which effectively prevented hoses, valves, housings and other components from heating and engine from penetrating through the dash board inside the passenger cabin in a severe impact. Also, the passengers glove box featured a defined point of rupture, which considerably reduced the probability of front passenger injuries. A part from the Mercdedes 190, the W 124 was the first serially manufactured car in history to see widespread use of light-weight high-strength steels,[citation needed] which today are a standard in car design. From late 1988 on, the W 124 was one of the first cars available with a passengers side front-airbag as an option worldwide.

The estate cars (model 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. In the US 7-seat models were standard, 5-seat models were not available. The S124 estate continued in production alongside the new W210 until the S210 estate launched more than a year later. A two-door coupe version was also built, with the model designation C124.

Mercedes launched a cabriolet (convertible) version in Europe in 1991, the 320CE, later re-designated as the E320, later followed by the less powerful, but less expensive E220, and the E 200. Mercedes brought the E320 cabriolet (convertible) to the USA from 1993-1995. There were approximately 7 E36 right-hand drive cabriolets built to compliment the slightly also rare E36 coupe, saloon and estate. The E320 and E220 cabriolets ceased production in 1997. The cabriolets remain sought-after second hand vehicles[citation needed], as one of the few full-size sports convertibles available.

The pre-facelift models from 1986 to 1993 used the model designations: 200/T (carburettor), 200E/TE, 230E/TE, 260E (saloon only), 300-24/TE-24 valve, 300E/TE, 400E (not in the UK), 420E (not in the UK) & 500E (LHD only in the UK). Diesels were the 200D/TD (not in the UK), 250D/TD & the 300D/TD. Facelift models produced from 1993 to 1995/6 used the model designations: E200, E220, E280, E320, E420 (not in the UK) & E500 (LHD only in the UK). In the UK post-facelift diesels were E250 Diesel (saloon only) and E300 Diesel (saloon & estate) models

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 2.9m wheelbase and 3.2L Mercedes straight-6 M104 engine. Chairman currently has 2.3L (M111), 2.8L (M104), and 3.2L(M104) engines in its product line ups. SsangYong Chairman has developed a 3.6L version of M104 engine recently for its high-end Chairman line up. The engine is called XGi360.

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[edit] Sportline option

Mercedes-Benz offered an option called "Sportline" for the W124 and W201 chassis cars. This option was available in the North American market for the 1992-93 model year 190E 2.6, 1992-93 300E/300CE and 1993-95 E320/E320 Coupe. In the European market, however, the "SportLine" option was available for all body styles. The option package included sport seating, wider low-profile wheels and tires, quick ratio steering, "Sportline" badges on the fender (front wing) molding and transmission shifter, lowered ride height and a specially tuned suspension including specific springs, struts, swaybars (anti-roll bars), and bushings.

[edit] 500 E

Mercedes also included a sport version of the W124, the 500 E, created in close cooperation and assembled by Porsche. It used the 5.0L 32-valve V8 M119 Engine based upon the 500 SL (R129) roadster, and Porsche engineered the suspension and chassis design with a performance bias.

Pre-update Mercedes-Benz W124 Saloon
Pre-update Mercedes-Benz W124 Saloon
Pre-update Mercedes-Benz S124 300TE estate
Pre-update Mercedes-Benz S124 300TE estate
Post-update Mercedes-Benz S124 E320 estate (front)
Post-update Mercedes-Benz S124 E320 estate (front)
Post-update Mercedes-Benz S124 E320 estate (rear)
Post-update Mercedes-Benz S124 E320 estate (rear)

[edit] Models

Chassis code Years Model Engine Body style
124.026 1987–1989 260 E 2.6 L M103 I6 Saloon
1990–1992 300 E 2.6 Saloon
124.022 1993-1995 E 220/220 E 2.2 L M111 I4 Saloon
124.023 1984-1992 230 E 2.3 2.3 L M102 I4 Saloon
124.023 1984-1992 230 CE 2.3 2.3 L M102 I4 Coupé
124.023 1984-1992 230 TE 2.3 2.3 L M102 I4 Station Estate
124.028 1984-1992 300 E 2.8 2.8 L M104 I6 Saloon
124.028 1993-1995 E 280 2.8 L M104 I6 Saloon
124.030 1986–1992 300 E 3.0 L M103 I6 Saloon
124.032 1993–1995 300 E 3.2 L M104 I6 Saloon
1993–1995 E 320 Saloon
124.034 1992–1993 400 E 4.2 L M119 V8 Saloon
1994–1995 E 420 Saloon
124.036 1992–1993 500 E 5.0 L M119 V8 Saloon
1994–1995 E 500 Saloon
124.050 1988–1989 300 CE 3.0 L M103 I6 Coupé
124.051 1990–1993 300 CE 3.0 L M104 I6 Coupé
124.052 1994–1995 300 CE/E 320 3.2 L M104 I6 Coupé
124.066 1993–1995 300 CE/E 320 Coupé
124.082 1993–1995 E 220T 2.2 L M111 I4 Station Estate
124.090 1988–1991 300 TE 3.0 L M103 I6 Station Estate
124.091 1989-1992 300 TE-24V 3.0 L M104 I6 Station Estate
124.092 1993 300 TE/E 320 3.2 L M104 I6 Station Estate
124.120 1986–1989 200 D 2.0 L OM601 Diesel I4 Saloon
124.125 1986–1989 250 D 2.5 L OM602 Diesel I5 Saloon
124.128 1990–1993 300 D 2.5 2.5 L OM602 Diesel I5 Saloon
124.131 1994-1995 E 300 Diesel 3.0 L OM606 Diesel I6 Saloon
124.133 1987 300 D 3.0 L OM603 turbo/NA Diesel I6 Saloon
124.193 1987 300 TD Station Estate
124.230 1990–1993 300 E 4MATIC 3.0 L M103 I6 Saloon
124.290 1990–1993 300 TE 4MATIC Station Estate
124.NA 1993-1994 E 60 AMG 6.0 L M119 E60 V8 Saloon

[edit] Engines

Engine Cyl. Power Torque 0-100 km/h
(sec.)
Maximum speed Fuel consumption (Euro mix)
2.0 8V I4 105 PS (104 hp/77 kW) 160 N·m (118 ft·lbf) 12.6 187 km/h
2.0 8V I4 109 PS (108 hp/80 kW) 170 N·m (125 ft·lbf)
2.0 8V I4 118 PS (116 hp/87 kW) 172 N·m (127 ft·lbf) 12.0-14.0 175-190 km/h 8.6 L/100 km (33 mpg imp/27 mpg US)
2.3 8V I4 132 PS (130 hp/97 kW) 198 N·m (146 ft·lbf) 10.4 204 km/h
2.0 16V I4 136 PS (134 hp/100 kW) 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf) 11.5-12.1 183-200 km/h 8.7 L/100 km (32 mpg imp/27 mpg US)
2.3 8V I4 136 PS (134 hp/100 kW) 205 N·m (151 ft·lbf) 11.2-13.5 185-200 km/h 9.0 L/100 km (31 mpg imp/26 mpg US)
2.2 16V I4 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW) 210 N·m (155 ft·lbf) 10.6-11.1 193-210 km/h 8.8 L/100 km (32 mpg imp/27 mpg US)
2.6 12V I6 160 PS (158 hp/118 kW) 220 N·m (162 ft·lbf) 8.7 218 km/h
2.6 12V I6 166 PS (164 hp/122 kW) 230 N·m (170 ft·lbf) 10.0-10.5 205-215 km/h 10.0 L/100 km (28.2 mpg imp/23.5 mpg US)
3.0 12V I6 180 PS (178 hp/132 kW) 255 N·m (188 ft·lbf) 8.5-9.9 204-225 km/h 10.9 L/100 km (25.9 mpg imp/21.6 mpg US)
3.0 12V I6 188 PS (185 hp/138 kW) 260 N·m (192 ft·lbf)
2.8 24V I6 193 PS (190 hp/142 kW) 270 N·m (199 ft·lbf) 9.1 230 km/h 10.7 L/100 km (26.4 mpg imp/22.0 mpg US)
2.8 24V I6 197 PS (194 hp/145 kW) 270 N·m (199 ft·lbf) 8.8-9.1 213-220 km/h 10.7 L/100 km (26.4 mpg imp/22.0 mpg US)
3.0 24V I6 220 PS (217 hp/162 kW) 265 N·m (195 ft·lbf) 7.8-8.4 217-237 km/h 11.0 L/100 km (25.7 mpg imp/21.4 mpg US)
3.2 24V I6 220 PS (217 hp/162 kW) 310 N·m (229 ft·lbf) 7.8-8.3 220-235 km/h 10.9 L/100 km (25.9 mpg imp/21.6 mpg US)
3.6 24V AMG I6 272 PS (268 hp/200 kW) 385 N·m (284 ft·lbf) 7.0-7.2 250 km/h 11.0 L/100 km (25.7 mpg imp/21.4 mpg US)
4.2 32V V8 279 PS (275 hp/205 kW) 400 N·m (295 ft·lbf) 6.8 250 km/h 11.8 L/100 km (23.9 mpg imp/19.9 mpg US)
5.0 32V V8 320 PS (316 hp/235 kW) 470 N·m (347 ft·lbf) 6.5 250 km/h 13.5 L/100 km (20.9 mpg imp/17.4 mpg US)
5.0 32V V8 326 PS (322 hp/240 kW) 480 N·m (354 ft·lbf) 6.5 250 km/h
6.0 32V V8 381 PS (376 hp/280 kW) 580 N·m (428 ft·lbf) 5.4 250 km/h 14.5 L/100 km (19.5 mpg imp/16.2 mpg US)
2.0 8V D I4 72 PS (71 hp/53 kW) 123 N·m (91 ft·lbf) 18.5 160 km/h
2.0 8V D I4 75 PS (74 hp/55 kW) 126 N·m (93 ft·lbf) 19.5-21.5 145-160 km/h 6.7 L/100 km (42 mpg imp/35 mpg US)
3.0 10V D I5 88 PS (87 hp/65 kW) 172 N·m (127 ft·lbf)
2.5 10V D I5 90 PS (89 hp/66 kW) 154 N·m (114 ft·lbf) 16.5 175 km/h
2.5 10V D I5 94 PS (93 hp/69 kW) 158 N·m (117 ft·lbf) 16.5-18.5 160-165 km/h 7.2 L/100 km (39 mpg imp/33 mpg US)
3.0 12V D I6 109 PS (108 hp/80 kW) 185 N·m (136 ft·lbf) 13.7 190 km/h
2.5 20V D I5 113 PS (111 hp/83 kW) 173 N·m (128 ft·lbf) 18.5-20.4 155-160 km/h 6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg imp/35 mpg US)
3.0 12V D I6 113 PS (111 hp/83 kW) 191 N·m (141 ft·lbf) 15.0-16.4 175-190 km/h 7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg imp/30 mpg US)
2.5 10V TD I5 122 PS (120 hp/90 kW) 225 N·m (166 ft·lbf) 12.3 195 km/h
2.5 10V TD I5 125 PS (123 hp/92 kW) 231 N·m (170 ft·lbf) 12.5-13.0 190-195 km/h 7.5 L/100 km (38 mpg imp/31 mpg US)
3.0 24V D I6 136 PS (134 hp/100 kW) 210 N·m (155 ft·lbf) 12.8-13.8 187-200 km/h 7.4 L/100 km (38 mpg imp/32 mpg US)
3.0 12V TD I6 143 PS (141 hp/105 kW) 267 N·m (197 ft·lbf) 10.9 202 km/h
3.0 12V TD I6 147 PS (145 hp/108 kW) 273 N·m (201 ft·lbf) 10.9-12.8 186-200 km/h 7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg imp/30 mpg US)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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