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It feels as if Mercedes-Benz and diesel engines have been inexorably tied together since the Big Bang. In the mid 1930s, Mercedes pioneered this engine in the 260D, one of the world’s first diesel engined passenger cars. Ever since, the company has continued on with the technology, advancing the art of the oil burner. By the time 1995 rolled around, there were few diesels in Mercedes’ US product lineup, the final year W124 E-class being one of them. By the turn of the century, diesels would disappear from these shores until the E320 CDI would appear in 2005. Most of these diesel engined E-classes rack up high mileage, a testament to their durability and comfort for highway motoring. This 1995 E300 Diesel is one of the few good examples left, with just over 70,000 miles on the odometer.
Outside of the AMG tuned model, it’s no longer possible for US customers to spec an E-class sedan with a V8 engine. I was surprised to come across this fact the last time I logged on to Mercedes’ USA website. This might seem rather alarming, however, manufacturers have advanced technology to the point where V6 engines, some with the benefit of turbocharging, can produce V8 levels of power with greater economy. Over 20 years ago, the E-class was graced with its first eight-cylinder powerplant, in the form of the M119, a twin-cam, 32-valve V8. Thus, the 400E was born. While the W124 would bow out of the lineup in 1995, the V8 gave this sedan a shot in the arm it needed to compete with newfound competition from the Asian manufacturers. Unlike the Porsche built, performance minded 500E, it’s rather hard to find a 400E in good shape these days. However, this 400E for sale in Michigan looks sharp with larger 16″ wheels in the stock pattern with its lower body cladding painted to match.
My affection for the original super sleeper is well known but this Anthracite Grey Metallic Mercedes-Benz 500E in Chicago has taken them to a whole new level. This is without a doubt the cleanest 500E I’ve come across and as one would expect, the excellent condition of the vehicle is reflected in the asking price. With a Buy It Now price of $39,800, it certainly represents the high end of the market. If this vehicle is indeed in concours condition, however, I don’t think the price is unreasonable. These cars are very rare. Only 1,528 of them made it to the US and of those, I’d be willing to bet this is among the ten best kept vehicles.
When enthusiasts of Mercedes-Benz and AMG products think the W124, one car that doesn’t readily come to mind is the E36. Right at the end of the W124 production run and beginning of the in-house AMG marriage to Daimler-Benz, a special car was produced – and amazingly, it wasn’t the 500E. The E36 received typical AMG updates like the wheels, suspension and body-kit; a recipe we’re used to. But under the hood was a 24V inline-6 that was shared with the W202 C36 AMG, good for 270-odd horsepower and it could be mated to a manual transmission. It was also available in 4 versions; sedan, coupe, convertible and – you guessed it, Estate wagon form. They’re exceedingly rare to find, and this isn’t one. But it does have some of the key details – and unlike earlier’s AMG imposter, here’s a W124 AMG replica that pulls off the look perfectly:
Potential is something that often goes unrealized. In the car world, that means that even though you select the right ingredients, the potential of a great recipe is sometimes led off track by poor execution. The delicate balance between tasteful and tacky was tread upon far too often in the 1980s, but even today that line continues to be stepped over. It would seem that tuners, as Charlie Murphy once memorably said, are “habitual line steppers”. On paper, a turbocharged W124 with AMG body styling and some wicked AMG OZ wheels would be perfect, even if presented in too-typically 80s “Charlie Sheen White”. But then take a look at this W124, and there are a few details that will probably leave you shaking your head…
