Engineered Like No Other Car in the World
That was Mercedes-Benz’s proud slogan from the ’80s, and still kept using it until 2010. But right when that tagline appeared, Mercedes-Benz really meant it. The ’80s saw some of the greatest cars the company had ever built. From the entry-level 190E, all the way to the G-Wagen and SL, these really were engineered like no other cars in the world.
But perhaps the most shining example of the mantra was the W124. Known as the S124 in wagon form, C124 as a coupe, and A124 as a convertible, this series blended robustness, reliability, and quality in a luxurious, highly desirable package.
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The Backstory
The W124 isn’t a rare car. Estimates say Mercedes-Benz built over 2.7 million of these in over a decade. But despite being common, these cars have a strong ‘must-have’ factor, whether as a sedan, wagon, coupe, or convertible. Many of these have mega mileage on the clock, and seeing these with over a million miles isn’t a shocker. That’s great and all, although low-mileage, well-kept examples are getting harder and harder to find in the buyer’s market.
Among the first W124S to arrive in America was the 300E, which Classic.com currently lists at just over $10,100. That’s for a clean and pristine example, of course, and prices can go higher the more interesting the spec and body style. We found one such example on Bring a Trailer. This 1991 300E has a little under 45,000 miles on its odometer and has spent nearly its entire life in California. While it isn’t free from imperfections, this is a preserved car, not a restored one.
It recently had a fresh flush of fluids, plus a new set of tires and tie rods, and the air-con has also been serviced. The car also has some interesting options, namely the polished alloys that probably won’t suit everyone’s taste but offer a very in-period aesthetic. It even still has a Motorola car phone installed, ideal for the high-ranking ’80s executive. Best of all, it’s a one-owner car.
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The Car
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | 300E (W124) |
| Year | 1991 |
| Mileage | 44,902 miles shown |
| Engine | 3.0-liter M103 inline-six |
| Power | 177 horsepower |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Smoke Silver Metallic |
| Interior color | Beige |
| Wheels | 15-inch |
| Suspension | MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear |
| Brakes | Vented disc front, disc rear |
| Steering | Hydraulic recirculating ball steering |
| Current bid | $6,500 |
Interested in this car? View the listing here.
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Why it’s Special
There will never be another car like the Mercedes-Benz W124. It was eventually called the E-Class in 1993, and ever since, Mercedes has tried to replicate that formula in succeeding generations. Obviously, it hasn’t been easy, especially now with the pressure to develop cars as quickly as possible while saving money. The W124 resulted from a long, meticulous development program that ensured a great driving and riding experience, plus longevity, durability, and reliability.
The 300E may be a ‘regular’ W124, but it’s dripping with engineering excellence that makes people say ‘they don’t make ’em as they used to.’ Back then, these cars were expensive for a reason. It was the engineering, quality, and robustness that you were paying for here, not toys, tech, or gimmicks.
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
PrivateCollectionMotors/Bring a Trailer
About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor