Mercedes-Benz E-class W124
Mercedes-Benz W124 — family of the West German/German cars of a segment E on the European classification (business class), was made in 1984 — 1996. The W124 family succeeded in 1984 to the classical W123 model. In 1995 cars with a body the W124 sedan gave way in a model range of Mercedes-Benz to the E-class W210 family, cars with a body the S124 station wagon remained on a konveer till April, 1996.The W124 family debuted at the Motor show in Seville on November 5, 1984 of engines, sedan with seven types, with indexes, respectively: 200, 230E, 260E, 300E, 200D, 250D, 300D. In this model of Mercedes the most advanced developments of the time were introduced. Bodies of W124 differed in the most perfect aerodynamics thanks to a plastic molding for the direction of air under the car, fuel consumption and noise level from a counter air flow was cut. On a windshield only one janitor whose mechanism was designed for coverage of the maximum area of glass was established. Back head restraints leaned back one pressing of a key on the forward console for the purpose of improvement of the review through back glass.
In the version the versatile person cars were delivered in 5 and 7-seater options. In seven-seater option of a chair developed so that the luggage compartment had a flat surface. Both models also had the developing second row of chairs which increased a luggage compartment to 2 meters. W124 in the version the versatile person continued to be made after the end of production of the sedan and the beginning of W210. The version the versatile person in a body of W210 appeared in 1996.
The Korean company SsangYong Motor Company according to the license created own Chairman model of the first generation bearing to the S-class W140 externally a strong resemblance on a W124 model platform. Larger car had 2,9-meter wheel base and the 3,2 liters engine of production Mercedes-Benz.
Today W124 a series is recognized as one of the most reliable series of bodies Mercedes-Benz. Later, W210 was the first product of the mode Mercedes which stopped high costs of development, designed to cut down expenses. The W124 500E model was developed in close cooperation with Porsche. It is possible to carry rather high back part of a roof (that allowed to feel comfortably to back passengers) and the wide moldings painted in contrast to the basic color to features of a compartment. In September at the Frankfurt motor show the turbodiesel Turbo 4MATIC models 300D Turbo and 300D, very rare model. Externally the model with a turbodiesel could be distinguished on a number of narrow cracks on a forward right wing (for the air intake).
A year later, in 1988, two more models — 200E and 250D of Turbo were presented. The two-liter injector engine on 200E was already installed earlier on similar model of the W201 series for the Italian market, and the turbodiesel option really became a novelty. Same year, since September, ABS and the warmed right mirror of an exterior pass into the category of the serial equipment. A series also receives same, as on a S-class, system of washing of glasses: heating of a tank with liquid and heating snuffled sprayers.
In 1989 the Diesel-89 program took effect. Within this programs since February of the 89th year on all diesel models of all series began to be installed considerably modifed diesel engines with new precameras and improved by TNVD. All these measures allowed to reduce smoke of an exhaust by 40% and to put on the market the USA (where the most strict norms worked at that moment) engines without soot filters. Power and the moment of engines even slightly increased. As an additional tool for decrease in emission of harmful substances of diesel engines since 1990 specially developed very effective catalyst (Oxidationskatalysator) began to be offered.
In September, 1989 large modernization of all series followed. First of all it concerned appearance. All models received wide moldings (as earlier — a compartment) in which upper edge thin decorative overlays of the polished steel appeared. Cases of external mirrors began to be painted in color of a body. Also there were chromeplated slips on handles of doors and on front and back glasses. The salon was also updated: there were new seats, it is more than wooden details in finishing.
All models, except for "firmatik", received a Sportline-package as an additional option. It included more rigid "sports" couple the shock-absorber spring, wide low-profile rubber 205/60 R15 on light-alloy or steel wheels, lower landing, a wheel and the handle of the check point with leather finishing and the changed seats in front and behind.
Also the new 3,0-liter petrol M104 engine with four valves on the cylinder was presented. Earlier it was tested on the SL R129 roadster, and now was offered for all three main types of bodies in the W124 series: 300E-24, 300CE-24 and 300TE-24. The compartment with this engine became the top model and received as the serial equipment power windows, finishing of a wheel and the lever of the check point skin, light-alloy wheels, wooden inserts and panels from a nut root, and also illumination of doors at their opening.
The fourth was added to three types of bodies — the extended sedan. This option of a body developed in close cooperation with Binz from Lorkh received the base increased by 800 mm. At a motor show two extended models — 260E of Lang and 250D of Lang were presented. They had six doors and an additional full-size row of seats that allowed to place without effort in salon of 8 people. These models intended, generally for work as hotel cars and a taxi and in mass production appeared since May, 1990. In addition limited editions bodies for a special purpose were issued (catafalques, ambulance cars and so forth). They also had the extended versions of the chassis.
Model 500E equipped with V-shaped "eight" with four valves on the cylinder, of 5,0 l and 326 h.p. became the main novelty of 1990. Equipped with the 4-staged automatic transmission, the model gathered the speed of 250 km/h and dispersed to 100 km/h for 6,1 pages E500 was equipped with the engine from model 500SL of the R129 series and had considerable constructive differences from other W124. For prevention of a provorachivaniye of wheels the ASR system (protivobuksovochny system) was standardly installed, the back suspension bracket received hydropneumatic adjustment of level, the catalyst was increased almost twice, and the system of injection KE-Jetronic was replaced with the electronic LH-Jetronic system.
Model 500E was developed in cooperation with Porsche. Cars were produced at the Porsche plants in Tsuffenkhauzena (the district of Stuttgart), and then were delivered to the plants Mercedes Benz in Zindelfingena for painting and final pre-sale preparation. Thus, the car was considered made Mercedes Benz, Mercedes Benz and "native" identification numbers had all symbolics. Externally this model could be distinguished on expanded wheel arches, wide low-profile tires 255/55 ZR16 on light-alloy wheels with eight openings ("camomile") and to the additional fog lights which are built in the lower part of a front bumper.
In September, 1991 at a motor show in Frankfurt the fifth type of a body of the W124 series — a cabriolet, model 300CE-24 was presented. The twenty-year break in release of four-seater cabriolets, at last, was overcome.
In June, 1992 the two-million car of the W124 series was released, and in September there was almost full change of engines of all models. All engines began to have four valves on the cylinder, old systems of injectors were replaced by new systems of electronic injection. New engines differed in the increased power, the maximum torque also increased and was displaced to lower turns. Consumption of fuel decreased. Regular installation of the catalyst promoted reduction of emission of harmful substances in the atmosphere. From old engines for this moment only 3,0-liter M103 remained on the corresponding models of a cabriolet and "firmatik".
In addition, the big list of options passed into the category of the regular equipment: the safety cushion of the driver, the central lock, electrically adjustable rear-view mirrors at the left and on the right, and also was cancelled a margin on five-step MKPP for younger models.
Same year there was also new model 400E (which, to be fair, was issued year for the USA and Japan). On it the 4,2-liter V8 engine from the corresponding model of a S-class 400SE of the Mercedes-Benz W140 series was installed. This model fell short, of course, of indicators 500E, however possessed good characteristics (280 h.p., 7,2 with to 100 km/h, 250 km/h the maximum speed with the limiter). Externally the model did not differ from others in any way, however, a forward part was processed under such big engine, and a part of the chassis and brake system removed with R129. The catalyst was taken from model 500E. The model was offered for much smaller sum — 85 thousand brands against 135 thousand for 500E.
Since the end of 1992 on the middle of 1993 also diesel engines were upgraded. To five - and six-cylinder engines also passed to four valves on the cylinder, and four-cylinder and turbocharged remained with two valves on the cylinder. In new four-valve models air inlets were located in the form of narrow cracks on the right forward wing as earlier and on turbodiesels. New engines had bigger torque and power, and consumption of fuel at full loading was reduced by 8%. Besides, the level of emission of harmful substances was reduced by 30%. For further decrease in level of emissions on all diesel models catalysts began to be installed.
In 1993 there is a change of designations of classes, all W124 series belongs to the E-class now. As carburetor engines were not issued any more, the letter "E" at the end of an index designating difference of injector models was cancelled now. All models received now a letter "E" (as a class sign) at the beginning of the name of model. Further there was a habitual index of engine displacement. Is also decided to refuse letters "C" and "T" of body designation, and at diesel models the letter "D" was cancelled. Diesel models received the DIESEL and TURBODIESEL prefix on the right side of a trunk lid. However, on a trunk lid it was possible to refuse any inscriptions, having chosen the corresponding free option at the order of the car.
Change of system of classification coincided with the next large updating of appearance of a series. It was caused by the general stylistic changes in all classes at the same time. The front grille was integrated into a cowl cover as on C-and S-classes, also the star on a cowl was also changed. Indexes of turns in front of and behind steel colourless (white), the bulb in them became yellow-orange. The form of forward headlights slightly changed. The trunk lid received other form. Protective overlays of bumpers began to be painted in color of a body, and on a rear bumper the slip reached wheel arches now. Wheels received light-alloy wheels with the new drawing: instead of eight openings — five spokes.
After that the W124 series was issued two more years and in June, 1995 began to be replaced with the new W210 series gradually. Production of a part of models was phased down in 1995, and other part — in 1996. Two models (E220 and E250 Diesel) were transferred for further production to the plant to the Indian city of Poona (according to some data, there was only an assembly). In 1996 assembly of the W124 series continued also at the Mercedes-Benz plant in the Republic of South Africa. According to some data, by special orders a small amount of cabriolets was made in 1997 for the market of the USA.