Hard to believe this series of extremely popular and well liked Mercedes Middle class cars was introduced to the market in Nov 1984, 35 years ago..........felt like yesterday when I was a kid lol
MERCEDES-BENZ PRESENTED THE 124 SERIES 35 YEARS AGO
As modern as 35 years ago: this is the Mercedes-Benz 124 series. On 26 November 1984, the Stuttgart-based brand will first introduce the new sedans (W 124) in Seville (Spain). In December of the same year they come on the market. Its premiere is a hitherto unprecedented technological leap in engine and body development in the upper middle class of Mercedes-Benz. Later follow also T-model (1985, S 124), Coupé (1987, C 124), sedan with a long wheelbase (1989, V 124), Cabriolet (1991, A 124) and a chassis for special bodies.
Today, the top-of-the-range sedan and coupe and convertible versions of this mid-range Mercedes-Benz generation are among the most attractive collectors' vehicles. This is also reflected in current valuations such as the "Emerging Classics" index within the Mercedes-Benz Classic Index (MBC index) of the Historic Automobile Group International (HAGI). Here, for example, the V8 variant 500 E, the AMG top models and the convertibles and coupes are among the most promising young timers of the brand with the star, explains Dietrich Hatlapa from HAGI. The MBC index has more than doubled since its launch in late 2011 to the end of September 2019
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 124 SERIES IN THE ALL TIME STARS PORTFOLIO
ALL TIME STARS, the brand-name vehicle trade of Mercedes-Benz Classic, is constantly offering such particularly attractive 124 series automobiles. In recent years, for example, this included a copy of the legendary 500 E from 1993 in mother of pearl gray Metallic, which belonged to the "Collectors Edition" of ALL TIME STARS. The Mercedes-Benz Classic vehicle dealership has already given two LX AMG high-performance sedans to new fans: an 1992 Collector's Edition car with a mileage of less than 130,000 kilometers and one of the "Concours Edition" from 1994, which even only Had 63,000 kilometers on the clock.
"In addition to such performance sedans, the highlights of the 124 series include the sporty and elegant two-door models," confirms Patrik Gottwick, responsible for ALL-TIME STARS at Mercedes-Benz Classic, the market development described by the MBC index. As examples from recent years, he mentions a coupe of the type 320 CE with Sportline equipment from 1992 and a 300 CE-24 with four-valve technology from the year 1991. Both coupes belonged to the Collectors Edition of ALL TIME STARS.
But also vehicles of all other types of the 124 series have the potential to become attractive young classics. Automobiles are in very good original condition with low mileage and complete documents. For example, ALL TIME STARS is currently offering a 1995 E 200 sedan in black livery with black trim. The vehicle has three previous owners and a mileage of just 48,800 kilometers ( Mercedes-Benz E 200 (W 124) ).
STATE OF THE ART CONCEPT
Introduced in 1984, the series is the first vehicle family from Mercedes-Benz that will carry the name of the E-Class from 1993 onwards. Consistent lightweight construction and optimized aerodynamics reduce fuel consumption and enable better driving performance. Outstanding driving safety is ensured by the innovative rear-mounted trailing arm. Mercedes-Benz is also playing a pioneering role in pollutant reduction: all models equipped with petrol engines are equipped as standard with emission control via a regulated three-way catalytic converter from autumn 1986 onwards.
As the history of the 124 series at Mercedes -Benz begins, still the "dash eight" sedans series W 114/115 built: It is the end of 1975, when in the company's decision to replace the in January 1976 on the market brought upper middle class of the series 123 falls. The development process is also accompanied by a generational change in leading positions at the former Daimler-Benz AG. There are also much stricter regulations for consumption and emissions, for example in North America. For example, Mercedes-Benz is developing new six-cylinder engines for the 124 series and a whole range of diesel engines with four, five and six cylinders with and without turbocharging.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEW COMPACT CLASS
At the same time, work is being done on the design of the new sedans. The goal is a lighter and significantly aerodynamically optimized vehicle compared to its predecessors with further improved safety. There are parallels between technology and design between the future 124 series and the new compact class W 201, which will be developed in parallel and will be launched two years before the upper middle class. In 1977 the first project descriptions and ten plasticine models of the W 124 are produced on a scale of 1: 5, in the specifications a drag coefficient of c W = 0.32 is aimed for. The board decides the final design in 1981 on the basis of seven clay models in original size.
In order to fully test the new generation of vehicles, Mercedes-Benz launched a series of accident tests in 1982 and undertook extensive driving tests with around 60 vehicles in completely different climates. Among other things, the W 124 in the heat of Africa, on the high-speed course Nardò in Italy, tested on the Spanish high-altitude road Sol y Nieve 3 392 meters above the sea, in Canada and Scandinavia (Arjeplog) and in the Alps.
From 26 November to 8 December 1984, the Stuttgart brand will finally present the new sedans near Seville international journalists. Vehicles from 200 D (
53 kW / 72 hp) to 300 E (
140 kW / 190 hp) are available for test drives . The vehicle concept with the most stable passenger compartment in its class, higher efficiency and impressive c W values of 0.29 to 0.30 depending on the engine and equipment, is very well received by the experts. In the gasoline engine types, the 260 E and 300 E, in particular, are attracting great interest with the new M 103 six-cylinder engines.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT UP TO THE E-CLASS
The saloons of the 124 series start in 1985 with three diesel variants (200 D, 250 D and 300 D), the Mercedes-Benz 200 with 2-liter petrol engine and four gasoline engine types with gasoline injection (200 E, 230 E, 260 E and 300 E) in the market. In the following years, the 124 series will be further developed and the type program extended.
From 1985, the Stuttgart-based brand offers the automatic 4MATIC four-wheel drive for the six-cylinder models. It is part of the Mercedes-Benz vehicle dynamics concept, which also includes automatic limited slip differential (ASD) and traction control (ASR). An exhaust turbocharger in 1987 complements the previous model with pre-chamber diesel engine in the Type 300 D Turbo. From September 1986, all vehicles with gasoline engines receive a regulated catalytic converter as standard.
The 124 series is a highly versatile generation of the upper mid-range from Mercedes-Benz: on the one hand, sedans and T-models prove their worth as taxis; chassis are being built, among other things, for ambulances and funeral vehicles. On the other hand, Coupé and Cabriolet set standards for sporting luxury in this vehicle segment. The V8 versions 400 E (
205 kW / 279 hp) and 500 E (
240 kW / 326 hp) and E 60 AMG (
280 kW / 381 hp) finally position the W 124 in the area of the absolute high-performance sedans of its time.
In June 1993, the class 124 gets the name E-Class in the nomenclature changeover. At the same time, the system of type designation is changing. From the 500 E, for example, the E 500, from the 200 D of the E 200 diesel. In 1995, the production of the sedans in the Sindelfingen plant ends, and in 1996 the production of parts sets also ends (ckd = completely knocked down). In eleven years, 2,213,167 sedans will be built, totaling 2,737,860 Series 124 vehicles - making them the most successful Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Source: Mercedes Passion Blog.
