The W124 + Sportline

The W124

Produced between 1984 and 1997, the W124 E-class was arguably the best engineered and most advanced mass production car of its time. It introduced many of the safety technologies we now take for granted in a surprisingly aerodynamic package built to exacting standards of quality and reliability. It is perhaps not surprising that so many of these cars have been cherished and remain in excellent overall condition.

At launch the W124 range consisted of saloon and estate variants only. A sleek coupe version appeared in 1987, with a revolutionary cabriolet design launching in 1992 – this was the first new four-seater cabriolet in the Mercedes range for over 20 years. Improving aerodynamic efficiency as a means of reducing fuel consumption and thus lowering emissions had become a major preoccupation among motor manufacturers, and the W124’s sleekly refined shape reflected these concerns. Slightly longer but a whole 2” narrower than their predecessors, the W124s had a significantly reduced frontal area and coefficient of drag, which together with reduced weight made for appreciably better performance.

The Mercedes W124 is legendary for its bulletproof engineering, bank-vault construction, and no-nonsense reliability: in standard form, the cars may not be renowned for a sporting drive but in all mechanical iterations they will glide serenely onward for many thousands of miles, requiring little more than regular servicing.

The conservative styling disguises a surprisingly sophisticated chassis: at launch, the W124 was one of the most aerodynamic cars available and the multilink rear suspension is reliable, refined, and gives a better ride and more sporting handling than you might expect. In short, a perfectly sorted W124 is a joy to own and to drive. With significant numbers still on the road and parts readily available from Mercedes-Benz, these cars offer a sensible and highly rewarding classic experience.

Sportline

“Sportiness as a concept and with substance, far removed from exhibitionism – this is the Sportline philosophy”

Over thousands of hours, Mercedes-Benz engineers developed a package of special options, born from their racing heritage, to enhance the performance of these cars. Available at purchase, Sportline enhancements included slightly lower and stiffer suspension, quicker steering (saloons only), beefier roll bars, wider tyres and as additional interior options, a smaller diameter steering wheel and badged gear shifter.

When performing at their best, we appreciate these Sportline equipped cars. The intelligent balancing of suspension, roll bars, wheels and tyres, arrives at a delicious sweet spot between comfort and performance. As a very expensive option, the benefits of these enhancements weren’t widely appreciated back in the day, making Sportline equipped cars something of a rarity. Fortunately, the key suspension components are still available through Mercedes and other specialist manufacturers, allowing us to fine tune and enhance the factory ride.