1994 Mercedes-Benz W124 Coupe from UK and Ireland - Comments

When I bought the car the air-con only blew hot. Cost £170 for a new heater valve (Unlike the US, Mercedes don't sell a repair kit for UK models). The car has an uneven idle which may be caused by a wiring fault. The electric front headrests weren't working.

The coupe's are terrific looking and there are very few around due to the high price when new (£45,000!). However, the back seats are a little tight and there is a slight wind noise from the pillarless windows. These are problems you can overlook if you like the coupe shape.

Harder to live with, though, is the reliability of these later models. Between 1993 & 95 Mercedes used wire with insulation that disintegrates when heated. This means you have to replace the whole wiring loom under the bonnet. Ouch!

The auto box has a slight slip between 2nd and 3rd which I'll have to keep an eye on.

The 320 (and 280) engines have variable camshafts which means you get a surge of power after 4,000 rpm. I prefer the more progressive power delivery of the older engines.

The seats feel less comfortable than earlier cars and are covered with leather rather than MB-Tex. The leather is more luxurious, but doesn't last as well.

Parts are also a problem post 1993 as many parts differ slightly from earlier models and are only available though MB dealers. Earlier W124 parts are cheap and easy to get.

On the plus side the E320 Coupe is a rare and gorgeous car. Less wide-boy-drug-dealer than a BMW M3. Altogether more sophisticated. I love the electric seats and the seat belts that come to you when you close the doors.

My advice to anyone looking to buy a W124 Coupe though is buy a 300E-24 non-cat between 1990 & 1993. The engine is more powerful and you'll avoid the wiring loom problems. They're also a LOT cheaper. NEVER buy a Merc without a full service history.

Regarding advice to go for a 300E-24v.

This is just a 300E-12v with a re-worked head.

You are better off going for a 300E-12v pre-cat.

Sorry, disagree. Go for the 300E-24 every time. Fuel injection, 231 bhp, 0-62mph=7.8 seconds, top speed-146mph!! And all this from a car weighing 1500kgs! Comfortable and quiet, just don't ask about the fuel consumption!

Guys, I am looking forward of owning an early 90's 230CE. What comments can you give on this model? thanks.

Please see my comments for a 1991 230CE. I think this is the model you're looking at. Feel free to email me at izainalabidin@yahoo.co.uk for any questions.

Imran.

Recently bought a e220 coupe I love these engines the four cylinders are often overlooked they cruise just as silently at speed and cover huge mileages one I've owned I sold with 160,000 mls which is still very smooth.

Recently purchased an E320 coupe, with 156k (FSH). What can I say??... fantastic in every way... fast, classy and solid. Just don't thrash them too much, they are old cars don't forget!... (I thrashed an E280 a few years ago and blew the gearbox)

I own a E220 coupe and an E300 24v saloon, both these cars run beautifully. The 6 cylinder model is smoother, but at speed not much difference between them, and the four cylinder has far better fuel consumption. Either way, buy one, you won't regret it.

I've had 4 of these cars over the years. I had a basic E200 with no extras, did 169,000 miles, it still drove like new. Everyone who ever traveled in it commented on the smoothness. I always claimed they all drive like this (and they mostly do). Great cars .

I used to have a Mercedes-Benz 260E made in 1992 until last year. It was built like a tank as well as sophisticatedly engineered. Its 6-cylinder 2599cc engine yielded 166bhp (124kW) @5800rpm and took this car (weighs 1450kg) up to 210km/h (manufacturer data). In fact, I once recorded maximum speed of 224km/h at 6200rpm, the beginning of redline. Along with it, she reached 241km/h (150mph)!!! on chassis dyno. My 260E was totally original. Her times of SS1/4miles was 16.8sec with 4passengers aboard. This data is far superior to those of the Peugeot607 SV3.0 and the Renault Safrane V6 of same era. Namely, it's above average for a 2.6liter engined touring car.

Its fuel consumption was about 8.7km/l, which is below par according to today's standard, but in early 1990s this data was commendable.

Her defects were somewhat dull steering and noisiness.

As a whole, the W124/C124 series is beautifully-engineered neo classic as well as one of masterpieces throughout Mercedes-Benz's long history.

I own a e220 coupe 1995 late model, it runs smoothly with good consumption rates even when cruising at 140 km/h. It also offers that pillar-less beautiful ride!

My advice when buying such models is to look for full service history, it will save you some money in the near future and also offer you a more reliable future.

FSH is important since these cars were expensive to maintain, so a FSH shows that previous owners had the car in top condition. Also it's a big plus when one day you sell your car to have a booklet with FSH due to their age and costs, it makes buyer make an easier choice over your car!

Also besides FSH, check the car's worn areas like interior seats, steering wheel, plastics, outside panels for rust etc. The more original the car looks, the better it would be because it means previous owners loved the car! The more aftermarket non original parts, the more it indicates that the car was probably abused. Most of the times that is the case. See you around.

Michael k.