CLASSIC - 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS

This Mercedes-Benz E-320 uses the W124internal chassis-designation used in the 1984 to 1995/96 version of theMercedes-Benz E-Class, as well as the first generation to be officially referred to as E-Class.

In North America, the W124 was sold for the 1985 through to 1996 model years.

The W124 is amid-sizedvehicle platform. Due to the high cost of German engineering and build quality, the W124 was designed to last many miles, with awards actually given and worn by high mileage versions.

Front suspension uses a separate spring and damper with a rubber top mount. The rear suspension of the W124 features the Mercedesmulti-link axleintroduced in 1982 with the Mercedes 190 and which is now standard on many modern cars.

Much of the 124's engineering and many of its features were advanced automotive technology at its introduction, incorporating innovations that have been adopted throughout the industry.It had one of the lowest coefficient of drag (Cd) of any vehicle of the time (0.28 for the 200/200D model for the European market with 185/65 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 singlewindscreen wiperthat 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, coupés and convertibles had optional rear headrests that would fold down remotely to improve rearward visibility when required. Fuel injectionwas standard, and the engines incorporated features that maximised performance. The most notable such feature was the addition of an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system which, in conjunction with a semi-electronic fuel injection system, could make the engine run more efficiently. This improved fuel consumption while simultaneously meeting stricter emission regulations.

The 1992 320CE, and North America, the 300CE, were re-designated as the E 320 in 1993. Local manufacture inIndonesiacontinued production of the W124 until 2000, making it the last country to locally produce the car since its worldwide discontinuation in 1995. At this time, only two variants were offered; the E 220 and E 320 (the other variants were discontinued in 1996).

SsangYong Motor Companyof Korea licensed the W124 design and continues to produce a stretched version of the W124 as theChairman, with a Ssangyong badge. It has a 2.9m (110in) wheelbase and 3.2 L Mercedesinline-sixM104 engine.Chairmancurrently has 2.3 L (M111), 2.8 L (M104), and 3.2 L (M104) engines in its product line-ups.SsangYong Chairmanhas developed a 3.6 L version of M104 engine recently for its high-end Chairman line up. The engine is calledXGi360.

Models produced from 1993 to 1996 used the model designations: E 200, E 220, E 280, E 320, E 420 (not in the UK) & E 500 (LHD only in the UK). The W124 was also offered as a long wheelbase targeted for taxi companies, but more luxury equipped version was also used as a limousine.

After 1993, the four-speed manual was dropped, and five-speed manual became standard. Five- and six-cylinder engines had five-speed manual as standard.

The 4G-Tronic has been used in a plethora of Mercedes-Benz cards. It is considered by enthusiasts to be one of the most reliable transmissions ever build by Mercedes-Benz with some examples exceeding 300,000 miles of service.