When talking import convertibles from the 1990s, the conversation has to start with a Mercedes-Benz. Whether it’s the SL, E-Class, or even the SLK, Mercedes ruled the luxury droptop market from the day MC Hammer told us we couldn’t touch this, to the day we all realized computers could in fact count past 2000. Neither Audi, nor BMW had a competitor for the SL or E-Class, the closest competition came from Sweden in the form of the SAAB 900 convertible. As is usually the case with SAAB, the car was popular within a niche market, whereas Mercedes’ convertibles cemented themselves in pop culture again and again. As wonderful as the R129 SL is, I’ve always favored the W124 cabriolet over it, and I never much cared for the SLK. Among the many great drop tops to come out of Stuttgart, I’d place the ’92-’97 E-Class in the top five. It perfectly embodies what Mercedes was all about when they were at their best, comfort, luxury, understated style. Nothing about the W124 cries out for attention, the design simply draws you in because it’s timeless. Mercedes hadn’t offered such a car since the ’71 280SE, and the return of a two door, four seat convertible was welcomed by consumers with open wallets. Now here we are 20 years later and the W124 cabriolet is still turning heads, still commanding a pretty premium. This Brilliant Emerald over Parchment leather example look to be a very solid example, but is it worth classic 911 money?
