Mercedes-Benz W124 (1985 - 1995)
300E
Best car EVER built
This is my second W124 the first being a bullet proof 1988 and the engineers did superlative work on the car in the five years between my two cars. The earlier one was rear ended and totalled in the crash but it saved my Wife's and my neck as it took the impact progressively and we did not have a mark on us. The new to us car was a virtual barn find with only 57,000 miles on the clock after 21 years of age. The rear end is moved from 2.65 down to 3.07 saving fuel and cutting engine RPM and wear at 100 kph from 3000 down to 2200. The interior became massively refined, HP is up to 221 from 188 and my 88 was a QUICK car, the 93 is about the same in acceleration showing the higher HP but taller rear gear and ultimately a much higher top speed. The M104 engine has weak spots in the engine wiring harness and the potential for oil leaks but is basically the same in terms of durability. The brakes are now 4 piston callipers up forward. The radio is complex and because my car was stored with a dead battery it needed expensive refurbishment at Becker. To keep the car original and avoid anyone butchering the wiring I had them do the repair. The durability of this car is legend and mine looks like a brand new car. It was never on salt covered roads and stays in the garage under a cover all winter. The structure of the car is unchanged from the original, the handling is superlative, trunk space is generous, rear seat room is perfect, seats are amazing, weak spots are the sun roof - this one is fine but it must be properly maintained. The fit and finish of the car progressed during the build cycle. The 93 has dual air bags, no passenger side glove box but a small centre mount storage compartment. The later cars had dual electric side mirror adjustments. Handling is incredible particularly if you fit good tires on the car which make an incredible difference. I said with the 88 that if anything ever happened to it I would find and buy another one in a heart beat. Inside 24 hours from the crash I found and purchased the 93 and when my mechanic saw the car for mechanical inspection he was dumbfounded at the quality of this car. Value for money nothing I have ever seen comes close to what this car represents. Would I recommend this car to a friend? I would recommend this car to my family!