51
When Mercedes rejigged all its model designations in 1994 the
six-cylinder cabrio acquired the E320 badge.
The M104 is a durable engine that can achieve a high mileage
before a rebuild is required. Cylinder-head gaskets often start to
give trouble around 100,000 miles, so check for signs of coolant
leaks or water in the oil. Water pumps can fail and cost around
£750 to fix. Electrical faults can occur as engine wiring harnesses
get tired; fitting a new loom costs about £1500. Most cars are
automatics, and the transmissions are usually trouble-free.
Suspension ball joints fail and though parts are cheap, some need
special tools to remove. Rust isn’t the problem it can be on other
classics but the W124s can rot out their wheelarches and floors.
It pays to buy the best you can find, because restoration costs
will quickly exceed the car’s value. Cabrios are worth more than
W124 saloons or coupés but even so good six-cylinder cars can
be found for £4500 and even the best struggle to get far beyond
£15,000. That’s a lot of elegance and smoothness for your money.
‘It’s a car for wafting effortlesslyalong while a gentle breezeeddies around the cabin’Owning a Mercedes-Benz W124 E320
Mel Percival is a serial Mercedes enthusiast- he also has two SLs, an R107 and an R129.
‘Cars are not interesting to me if they’re not
convertibles,’ he says. He went looking for an
E320 Cabriolet a year ago, and found exactly
the car he was after. ‘It’s an immaculate
example with a full service history, in the colours I was
looking for. It’s all original and a really nice car, and has
needed no major attention since I bought it.’
Mel confirms that the W124s are strong cars and last well,
provided they are cared for. ‘When they’re not looked after
they often have some rust issues around the wings,’ he says.
‘For me the appeal of the W124 cabriolet is a combination of
its elegant design, quirky features like the robotic seatbelt
arms, and performance that makes it exceptionally usable. It
has no trouble keeping up with modern traffic.’
1993 Mercedes-Benz E320 cabriolet
Engine Iron block/alloy head 3199cc in-line six cylinder, 24-valve,
fuel injection Power and torque 231bhp @ 5500rpm; 2259b ft @
3750rpm Transmission Four-speed automatic (five-speed manual
and automatic also available), rear-wheel drive Suspension Front:
independent, wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar. Rear: multi-link,
coil springs Steering Recirculating ball, power-assisted Brakes
Disc front and rear, servo-assisted Weight 1710kg approx (3770lb)
Performance Top speed: 140mph; 0-60mph: 8.5sec Cost new
£30,950 Classic Cars Price Guide £4500-£14,000The Mercedes has a particular
gait that it doesn’t appreciate
being hurried out of