Segment: Medium Premium
Production years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Mercedes-Benz had to replace the successful W123 series, and work on the new model started in 1976, the same year its predecessor entered the market.
It was not usual for an automaker to develop a new product in such a long time. But the German automaker didn't rush. It took its time and took things slowly. And it did that well. The W123 proved a stunning success, with over two million units produced in its ten-year lifespan.
With a design signed by Bruno Sacco, the W124 showed a clear departure from the rest of the range. It looked more like a larger 190 than a shrunk S-Class (W126). But it didn't need any badge to recognize the car's brand. Its rectangular, slightly tilted headlights featured corner-mounted orange turn signals. The hood featured a slight V-shaped bulge, continued by a raked windshield. From its profile, the angular shapes were softened by curved door panels, while at the back, the raked-forward rear windscreen. Finally, at the back, the taillights flanked the V-shaped trunk opening.
Inside, the cabin was fitted with two bucket seats at the front and a bench in the rear. Sacco also created the angular-looking dashboard, with a trapezoidal shape for the instrument cluster, with a sloped area in front of the side passenger. A massive center stack hosted the tape player and the HVAC controls, extending between the front seats with a center console. There was enough room for three passengers in the rear, although the transmission tunnel was quite tall.
Under the hood, the German automaker installed a choice of gasoline engines ranging from 2.0 to 3.0-liter, offered either with a carburetor or fuel-injection system. Similar displacements were available for the diesel powerplants. A four-speed manual was fitted on the lower trim levels, while a four-speed automatic was on the options list. Power went to the rear wheels. Later on, an all-wheel drive system named 4Matic was added for selected engines.
ENGINE SPECS - 200 4MT RWD (105 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1977 cm3 |
Power: | 77 KW @ 5500 RPM 105 HP @ 5500 RPM 103 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 125 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 169 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/65 R15H |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.6 mpg US (11.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 33.6 mpg US (7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 217 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 200 E 4MT RWD (124 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 91 KW @ 5100 RPM 124 HP @ 5100 RPM 122 BHP @ 5100 RPM |
Torque: | 131 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 178 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 12.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/65 R15T |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
ENGINE SPECS - 230 E 5MT RWD (132 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2299 cm3 |
Power: | 97 KW @ 5100 RPM 132 HP @ 5100 RPM 130 BHP @ 5100 RPM |
Torque: | 146 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 198 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/65 R15H |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.6 mpg US (11.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.7 mpg US (7.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25.6 mpg US (9.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 218 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 260 E (G-Kat) 5MT RWD (160 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2597 cm3 |
Power: | 118 KW @ 5800 RPM 160 HP @ 5800 RPM 158 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 168 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM 228 Nm @ 4600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 143 mph (230 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/65 R15V |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 16.1 mpg US (14.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.8 mpg US (7.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 254 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 260 E 5MT RWD (166 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2597 cm3 |
Power: | 122 KW @ 5800 RPM 166 HP @ 5800 RPM 164 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 162 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM 220 Nm @ 4600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 134 mph (216 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/65 R15V |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 16.2 mpg US (14.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.4 mpg US (8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 23.3 mpg US (10.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 238 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 300 E (G-Kat) 5MT RWD (179 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2962 cm3 |
Power: | 132 KW @ 5700 RPM 179 HP @ 5700 RPM 177 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 166 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM 225 Nm @ 4400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 137 mph (220 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/65 R15Z |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.5 mpg US (15.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 28.7 mpg US (8.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.1 mpg US (11.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 265 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 300 E 24V 5MT RWD (234 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2962 cm3 |
Power: | 172 KW @ 6300 RPM 234 HP @ 6300 RPM 231 BHP @ 6300 RPM |
Torque: | 201 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM 273 Nm @ 4600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 149 mph (240 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/65 R15V |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.9 mpg US (14.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29 mpg US (8.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.4 mpg US (11 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 262 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 300 E 5MT RWD (188 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2962 cm3 |
Power: | 138 KW @ 5700 RPM 188 HP @ 5700 RPM 185 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 191 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM 259 Nm @ 4400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/65 R15V |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 16.1 mpg US (14.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.4 mpg US (8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.6 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 259 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 200 D 4MT RWD (75 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 55 KW @ 4600 RPM 75 HP @ 4600 RPM 74 BHP @ 4600 RPM |
Torque: | 93 lb-ft @ 2700 RPM 126 Nm @ 2700 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 99 mph (159 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 19.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/65 R15T |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 29.8 mpg US (7.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 44.4 mpg US (5.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 35.1 mpg US (6.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 178 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 250 D 5MT RWD (95 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2497 cm3 |
Power: | 70 KW @ 4600 RPM 95 HP @ 4600 RPM 94 BHP @ 4600 RPM |
Torque: | 117 lb-ft @ 2600 RPM 159 Nm @ 2600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 109 mph (175 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/65 R15T |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.6 in (4740 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59/58.7 in (1,499/1,491 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.2 in (2799 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.4 cuFT (521 L) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 26.4 mpg US (8.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 43.6 mpg US (5.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 33.1 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 188 g/km |