Mercedes 124 - 13 years on the assembly line

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The Mercedes 124 mid-size sedan was first introduced to the general public in 1984 as a replacement for the outgoing W123. And if the predecessor was the result of a deep modernization of the 114th, then the novelty was developed completely from scratch. The 124th model received a new, more streamlined and dynamic appearance, redesigned deformation zones, ABS and an airbag for the driver. Interesting "bells and whistles" were the following: a single wiper, which, thanks to a cunning design, swept almost the entire windshield, as well as folding rear head restraints that increase the visibility of the central mirror. According to the established tradition, fans of the brand ambiguously perceived the fresh body and did not immediately get used to it. However, after grumbling and tasting, they confidently said: “Das ist gut.”

Initially, the Mercedes 124 sedan provided a choice of 7 different engines - 4 petrol (two 4-cylinder and two 6-cylinder) and 3 diesel (4, 5 and 6 “boilers”, respectively).

In 1985, station wagons with the factory index S124 appeared on the market. The cars had only five engines, but the trunk volume was a record in the class - 2200 liters. In the same year they mastered the issueall-wheel drive Mercedes 124 with the designation "4matic" and the injection version of the weakest engine in the range M102, which was inherited from one hundred and twenty-third. All-wheel drive vehicles were distinguished by an overcomplicated design, so they did not gain much popularity.

1986 marked the birth of the 300D Turbo six-cylinder turbodiesel, as well as the introduction of catalytic converters on some gasoline versions.

Mercedes w124 coupe was presented in 1987. Two doors, index C124, three petrol engines and new moldings - that's all the features of the kupeshka. At the same time, towards the end of the year, ABS and one more “gadget” appeared in the basic configuration of all models - washer reservoir heating. A boiler from the engine cooling system was tritely inserted there.

In 1989, the Mercedes 124 survived the first restyling, received a new "heart" by converting the six-cylinder M104 into a 24-valve and a new body - a six-door limousine with the V124 index, little known in our country, which was intended in the first taxi queue.

1990 gave connoisseurs of the brand the most "evil" 124th - Mercedes-Benz 500E. A 32-valve V8 with a power of 330 hp was hiding under the hood, accelerating the car to hundreds in 6 seconds, and the maximum speed was electronically limited to 250 km / h. In the CIS countries, this car received the capacious nickname "Wolf", and in Europe it became the most stolen car.

In 1991, the A124 cabriolet appeared, which was offered in only onemodels - 300CE-24. A year later, the entire range of gasoline engines underwent a deep modernization, and then diesel engines arrived in time for them.

As a result of the rebranding of the brand in 1993, the Mercedes 124 became the first mid-size E-class sedan, but by that time it was completely morally and technically obsolete. The cessation of production took place in several stages, and the last A124 rolled off the stocks in 1997. In just 13 years of production, more than 2.5 million vehicles were produced. In general, the car performed very well. It was the last model with the legendary Mercedes reliability, since later the company's management decided to reduce the cost of production. Today it is one of the most popular Mercedes in the secondary market.