The W124 was Mercedes-Benz’s bread and butter car for a decade, offering a variety of bodystyles and engines to suit just about every need. Aside from the 500E/E500 über sedan, the Cabriolet is one of the most highly prized of the lot. Introduced late into the production cycle, these were the first four seat convertibles in twenty years from Mercedes. Pricey when new, these open roofed tourers command strong money today. They aren’t the flashiest, quickest or most exciting of the four-seat convertible genre, but they offer legendary build quality, smooth power delivery from the inline six and timeless looks that emits an air of old money. This silver E320 Cabriolet comes to us from our reader Allen and is on offer at his dealership, Encore Motors in Macon, Georgia.
Year: 1994
Model: E320 Cabriolet
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 120,000 miles
Price: $10,900
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet at Encore Motors
This is becoming a rare bird. This is a 1994 E320 4 place convertible in Brilliant Silver with black leather and a black soft top with a glass window. There were only a few thousand of these cars imported to the US during 1992 and 1995. They are fast appreciating, and great fun to drive with that huge open interior. These are based on the reliable E320 sedans, but with nicer trim, and of course, that fabulous convertlble top. This car is mostly original, the paint has been color sanded and buffed by our best local shop, and the interior is great in black leather. The only major change from 1994 is a contemporary Pioneer single slot CD radio with a changer in the trunk. I do have the original radio as well. It’s just turned 120k miles. It has a newish convertible top, which looks new (careful, these are VERY expensive, so don’t think you can cheap out on a beater….), and the top hydraulics, over the last three or four years, have all been dealt with by the same shop (again–check this on others!). No issues with that or the AC, which is ice cold, and in the right direction. It has just been inspected by our best indie shop and given his blessing. I also put on a new set of Michelins about 400 miles ago, I have all the books and pouch, two master keys, and some good records over the last 10 years or so. Cars like this are so much fun, and make so much economic sense.
Junkers that are rough and need everything are still $6-7,500, and the absolute garage queens (which you can’t drive and enjoy) are now $18-22,000, so this car is quite reasonably priced. Call me and you’ll soon enjoy those early mornings and nights cruising with the top down! I would challenge you to find a nicer, more unique, and fun convertible in this price range. A very desirable and classy car, for very little money.
Even though it has over 100,000 miles, these are stout machines that can survive for much longer if taken care of properly. I concur with the seller that this example is reasonably priced. I’ve seen a few tired W124 Cabriolets with six figure mileage advertised for less money, but which haven’t been presented as well. As they say, buy the best that you can afford. To fix one of these won’t be cheap and buying a well sorted one like this from a reputable seller is always a wise decision. Those interested in this classic open roofed Benz can contact the seller, Allen at (478) 743-7322 or via email at allenman@earthlink.net. Good luck with the sale, Allen!
-Paul
Where’s the CarFAX? Has the wiring harness been done? How’s the head gasket? How’s the transmission?
Top dollar requires top proof If everything checks out, 10k might be fair for Georgia money but I’d say 9k.
Thanks for looking. If you are genuinely interested, I have details for all the things you have mentioned (and more) and will be happy to pass them on to you. I have both the Carfax and Autocheck reports in hand, and some very deep records over the last 6-8 years, as well as the Mercedes Master Vehicle inquiry. If you will look closely at the photograph of the records, you can see the corner of the Autocheck Report, it has the number 36 on it. Please note that Autocheck’s scale on a car of this age is 23-36–Perhaps that will give you an idea.
Briefly, I would respectfully disagree that this is the “top of the market”. I would encourage you to look around and take a look at the conditiion of cars that are $9k or so, then compare them to this one. Or, pick up a copy of this month’s Hemmings and take a look. This car is super straight and well sorted, not some auction rat or leftover beater.
Thanks again for looking.
Respectfully, you will get, maybe, 1 inquiry for every 100 people who look on your website. Were I to see your ad and there was no VIN I would simply keep moving and wouldn’t waste my time. And I own a W124 and know the model very well.
I honestly don’t know how – if you are in sales – you cannot explain how the wiring harness has been done… when the head gasket was done, etc… That’s a Sales 101 no brainer on that.
People looking at this car are, more than likely, going to be W124 enthusiasts and you have to treat them as educated consumers.
You got the photos right (which is more than most people) but only made it halfway around the bases.
Good luck with the sale.
I have known Allen since the mid 1980s and I am the person who kept pushing him to post some of his cars on this site. In the last 20 years I have personally purchased 7 cars from him.
Off the top of my head I can think of a dozen W124s that he has owned and I am sure I have missed some. He’s owned at least one example of each body style and each engine offered by Mercedes in the W124 chassis. 500E? A couple of them. 300CE Sportline? Yes. ’86 300E with factory manual transmission? That too. He knows these cars inside and out and if there is a failure mode for one, he’s dealt with it at least once.
Anyone who has read my comments on this site will probably know that I have a pretty critical eye when it comes to cars. I have had the opportunity to see, touch and drive this particular car and came away very impressed. It drives and feels like a car with half of its actual mileage. However the fact that it does have over 100k miles means that the next owner can actually enjoy the car rather than worry about losing money due to driving it too much.
As to the price, everyone will have their own opinion. Many of the $9000 cars I’ve seen are in a bad color with a worn out top, cheap worn out tires, curbed wheels and a tired interior. They can’t even come close to the condition and quality of this one. After driving it I told Allen I thought he wasn’t asking enough for the car.
Asking price is about right as this looks to be a clean example. If this car were on the left coast I’d be highly interested and on my way to view car and review records.