Best series of W124?

[astroe]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on the ‘best’ series? Apparently early ones are more favoured, according to this book.
I do know generally it’s cabriolets > coupes / wagons tied > sedans. Thoughts?

I personally actually like the final series / 3rd facelift from 1994 onwards, when it was called an E class. Dual airbags, darker tail lights and some models came with an awesome two tone paint job.

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[MMWA]

I thought I liked the 3rd version front end till i saw one in person - I now dont like it. I like the rear end of the 3rd version though.

Middle version is my favourite, first version looks a little too dated these days.


3rd version is also likley to have crappy wiring harness issues and falconesque peeling down roof linings.

[Ivanerrol]

I.M.H.O.

Series III. Facelift.

Double overhead engines.
Start in first gear.
The front update is less dated than the earlier versions.
No KE jet issues
The last of them had many W210 underpinnings.

Issues with them.
Wiring harnesses.
Head gaskets

I don't know whether or not the Series III W124's started with water paint - maybe the very last of them.
My 1996 W202 still used enamel. Those W202's with 722.6's with metallics started with water paint.

[ngruzevs]

Guys, I just purchased a 1990 300E-24, was manufactured Aug 1990. I picked it up for a song, but keen to know if it's impacted by dreaded bio degradable wiring?

[Christo C]

I think ‘93-‘96 were the troublesome years for “eco” wiring.

[John Green]

Guys, I just purchased a 1990 300E-24, was manufactured Aug 1990. I picked it up for a song, but keen to know if it's impacted by dreaded bio degradable wiring?

No, the wiring loom drama's were with the 220E/E220, E280 and 320E/E320.

As for what is the best I likes the 1993 model year cars. Still had the traditional grille, but also had the updated M111,104 engines. I have a W124 E220 cabriolet, but would kill to have a 320CE cab, not a E320 cab.

[ngruzevs]

John, couple of questions

- Did the W124 ever come out with a 5 speed auto?
- What's the difference between E320 cab/320CE?
- What's the best engine combo, comparing large sixes, e.g. M103, M104.980, M104.992?

[John Green]

John, couple of questions

- Did the W124 ever come out with a 5 speed auto?
- What's the difference between E320 cab/320CE?
- What's the best engine combo, comparing large sixes, e.g. M103, M104.980, M104.992?

- Yes. 300CE-24 had a 5 speed auto as standard. 300E-24 had it as an option. 320CE/E320 had it as standard

- The grille and the indicators. 320CE is traditional grille and amber indicators. E320 is the grille inset to the radiator and clear indicators

- OM606 Turbo, but we never got them here.

[brette013]

In terms of looks I'd go for the middle update, in any two-tone colour scheme with none of the black bumpers look or chrome wheel arches. Makes it appear slightly fresher than the early models, without looking out of place with the minor curved front headlight design like on the final update.



Coupe/Cabriolet>Wagon>Sedan (do note: Coupe owner here)

But when thinking about mechanically which ones are the best, for me my answers change signficantly based on what you want. Fun/possibly fastest = 3.0 24V (revs to 7000rpm!). Easiest mechanicals/cheapest to run = early 6 cyl's, 4 cyl's, diesels. Overall best of both worlds = late model 3.2

[ngruzevs]

I've been driving a 300e-24 for the past two weeks and although I like the motor at the higher end of the rev range, I'm not sure it provides many real world advantages within the urban commute. The torque characteristics of M103 are more than adequate for myself and has the added advantage of sounding a lot quieter, due to SOHC design.

Anyway just my 2 cents worth, as I own an M103 in an W126 chassis.

[gjlockyer]

Due to an outbreak of people wanting to redesign my car while it's either parked or stopped at traffic lights, I have had 3 W124's over the past 5 years. All have had the 2.6 engine - not out of choice but because each was the best quality car that was available when I was in the market. The first was an 88 Series one car, with 178.000 ks on the clock, blue / green with cream upholstery. The 2nd was a '90 Series 2 car, 184.000 k's, white, grey side panels and grey upholstery and my present car is a 91 Series 2, 156,000 ks, Smoke Silver,with mid brown side panels and cream upholstery. I favour the Series 2 cars and just love the colour and trim combination of my present 91 model but it has some "cost-saving" inferior trim - particularly the head lining and side mirror rubber boots. A definite plus, however, is that this car has a different diff ratio (so I am led to believe) and that would account for a significantly better fuel economy, over the earlier two 2.6 lire cars, of around 80 to 100 k's per tank around town and better on the highway.
Regarding the side mirrors' rubber boots: only cheap Chinese copies are available now (don't bother!) - read on the USA E500 Board that the rubber formulae has been changed over the years; the advice was that if you want a good quality 2nd hand ones, pick the boots off the oldest W201 / 124 you can find in the wreckers. My "spare parts department" bears that out - the 88 rubber boots are still supple with no splits, the 90 boots are a bit stiff, but still no splits, but the 91 car (with the least distance travelled and the most-often garaged) are as hard as rocks and the driver's side one is disintegrating.
My ideal car would be an early Series 2 car with the Update rear end.

[Djenka018]

Damn I still like this style as ever before.
Headlight wipers accentuates the design well.

For some reason the later grille makes the already fat car fatter, in my eyes.