Mercedes-Benz W124 (1984–1997)

The Mercedes-Benz W124 is widely regarded as the last Mercedes built to the traditional standard of over-engineering that defined the brand for decades. Produced from 1984 to 1997 in saloon, estate, coupe and cabriolet forms, the W124 encompasses an extraordinary range of engines — from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder through to the hand-assembled 5.0-litre V8 500E produced in collaboration with Porsche. The straight-six M103 and M104 engines are the sweet spot of the range, offering refinement and durability in equal measure. The diesel models, particularly the six-cylinder OM603, are renowned for extraordinary longevity. The W124 estate is one of the most practical and capable load-luggers in the classic car world. Front subframe mount wear and rear subframe rust are the primary mechanical concerns.

Available body styles: Saloon, Estate, Coupe, Cabriolet. Produced from 1984 to 1997.

Which variant to buy?

The W124 was produced in 5 main variants. The most powerful option is the 500E/E500 (M119) with 326 hp (M119.974 engine). When buying, always verify the engine code matches the claimed variant — swapped engines are common on classic cars of this era.

What to check before buying

Based on 5 reported fault cases, the most important pre-purchase checks for the W124 are:

• W124 M103 rough idle and stalling — idle control valve ✅ Known fix available
• W124 automatic gearbox kickdown cable wear ✅ Known fix available
• W124 E320 M104 head gasket failure at high mileage ✅ Known fix available
• W124 front subframe rubber mount collapse ✅ Known fix available
• W124 OM603 diesel injection pump timing drift ✅ Known fix available

Is the W124 reliable?

Of the 5 fault cases recorded for the Mercedes-Benz W124 on MyCarFault, 100% have a verified fix. Regular maintenance, correct service intervals and addressing known weak points early significantly extends the life of these vehicles.