W124 (300 E)

The W124 launched in 1984 as the Mercedes-Benz medium class sedan, only receiving the "E-Class" name with the 1993 facelift. Bruno Sacco oversaw a design that prioritized durability above all else.

The body panels were zinc-coated on both sides. The gaps between panels were measured to 3mm tolerances. The doors closed with a precision that became Mercedes-Benz's acoustic signature. The paint process included cathodic dip coating, primer, basecoat, and clearcoat, then baked at temperatures that would warp modern water-based paints.

The multi-link rear suspension was a Mercedes-Benz innovation using five separate arms per wheel, each controlling a different axis of movement. This gave the W124 handling precision that contradicted its executive-car weight.

The M103 inline-six and M104 that followed were designed for 300,000+ km service lives. The OM603 inline-six diesel was even more durable. The W124 was also available as sedan, coupe (C124), estate (S124), convertible (A124), and long-wheelbase.

The W124's successor, the W210 E-Class, launched in 1995 with early rust problems. Mercedes had begun cutting costs. The contrast with the W124 was stark. Today, clean W124s are appreciating. Standard sedans in good condition sell for EUR 15,000 to EUR 30,000.