450th post: Mercedes S124 E-class wagon (Videos++ review)

THIS IS THE 450th post of my blog.  Presenting Videos++ review of Mercedes E-class wagon (S124).

I compiled a WHOOPING 8 videos.  Here are the videos:

S124 Video 1: Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W124 Faszination.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrs7sWviGW8


S124 video 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvmmRHnYXrQ


S124 video 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=517IIbrnsR4


S124 video 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4HRBm429uQ


S124 video 5:
1994 Mercedes E320 Wagon Alex the Auto Sales Diva
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYfTbZRcv7Q


S124 video 6:
4-matic likes more snow...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWAX3FXdg_o


S124 video 7:
1993 300TE 4MATIC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJvhmlTj6dQ



S124 video 8:
 Fifth gear TV show killing a NICE Mercedes!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saV3hUUry-4


Video 8, Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8eXlJKR5gk

End of videos...

BRIEF WRITE UP: The Saloon’s big brother: the Estate

The eccentric-sweep panoramic windscreen wiper made its debut in the W 124. This cleaned 86 percent of the windscreen – the largest swept area for any passenger car worldwide at the time of the launch of the W 124. Outstanding ride characteristics, on the other hand, were supplied by the tried-and-tested front and rear axle design from the compact class. This incorporated a shock absorber strut independent front suspension with anti-dive control and an independent multi-link rear suspension.

The history of the 124 series is characterised by a previously unrivalled diversity of models, body styles and innovations. The presentation of the Estate (S 124 series) in September 1985 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main represented an important step towards the assured style of the extended 124 family.

The Estate was largely identical to the Saloons in terms of technological and stylistic design. Apart from modifications to the rear, the raised roof and other concomitant changes, there were no differences to the body. The only alterations to the major assemblies, braking system and chassis were to adapt them to the increased payload; otherwise they were taken from the Saloons virtually unmodified. Depending on engine type, the drag coefficient of the Estate model ranged from cd=0.34 to 0.35.

Where possible the designers also incorporated into the Estate the safety standards achieved in the Saloons. In particular, they introduced the latest findings from safety research into the development of the rear body overhang, a critical area for estate car rear ends. One example of this was the fuel tank, which featured slanting abutting surfaces. This ensured that in the event of a rear-end collision involving deformation of the longitudinal members, the tank would be displaced downwards and held in check by arrester cables to avoid the possibility of contact with the road surface.

The close relationship between Saloon and Estate was evident in the engines with which they were equipped. The original Estate range consisted of eight models, which – with one exception – used engines that also featured in the Saloons. The 105 kW 3-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel used in the 300 TD TURBO was developed by the Mercedes-Benz engineers from the naturally-aspirated Saloon unit. In this modified form, the turbocharged compression-ignition engine was used in the export version of the 300 SDL from the S-Class.

1 AND ONLY USEFUL LINK:   The GREAT Mercedes Benz W124 Buyers Guide.  ENJOY:
http://www.germancarforum.com/older-mbs-vintage/18355-great-mercedes-benz-w124-buyers-guide.html

Here's a well written blog review sourced from "justacargeek.com".  Enjoy:

1990 Mercedes 300TE 4Matic - The Perfect Beater

I've been shopping around for a beater lately. I've seen a bunch, all pretty good cars, but can't decide on which one would be right for me.

This one caught my attention, big time.

This is a 1990 Mercedes Benz 300TE. (The Craigslist listing says it's a 1989, but when I checked it on several different title search sites, it came up as a 1990.)

Based on the Mercedes Benz W124 platform, these might be some of the most durable Mercedes Benz cars ever built. I may get some arguments from MB fans here, but in my opinion this line of cars was the last of the "over-engineered" Mercedes Benz cars.

The W124 design was introduced in 1984. In its day it was an incredibly advanced car. The front suspension was a simple modified McPherson strut set up, but the rear a sophisticated multilink system. This model also introduced the really fun to watch single wiper arm system. While it may look angular and disproportionate (as a friend said) it had one of the lowest Cd numbers of any non- sports car vehicle of its time, 0.29. (To put that in perspective, a 2005 Audi A4 is less slippery at 0.31).

The 3.0 liter engine in this car very reliable. I couldn't find 0-60 times for the station wagon, but a 300E (sedan) with 4Matic got to 60 MPH in 9.2 seconds. The time for the station wagon should be similar. It's not "oh-my-god-we're-going-to-die" fast, but certainly quick enough for a large car.

This car has Mercedes 4Matic AWD system. This may be the one case where MB's "over engineering" made things a little too complex.

From "Mercedes-Benz E-Class Owners Bible 1986-1995":

The first generation 4Matic system was originally a complex electronically controlled system with automatically engaging four-wheel drive (4WD), the system employs locking central and rear differentials to provide additional traction in slippery conditions. The center differential, also known as the transfer case, contains two clutches. Each hydraulically enabled clutch is controlled separately to allow for three modes of operation: 2WD (mode 0) where 100% of available torque is available to the rear axle while the front axle is disconnected, and two 4WD modes which allow for 35/65 front/rear axle torque split (mode 1) or 50/50 front/rear axle torque split (mode 2). 

The rear differential lock, previously known as ASD on Mercedes-Benz models, can also be locked (mode 3) if rear wheel slip is still present when the transfer case 50/50 4WD mode 2 is engaged. Due to safety and stability concerns there is no front differential lock. The 4Matic system uses inputs from the three channel ABS system and a steering wheel angle sensor to decide when to intervene. 4WD is disengaged automatically if the ABS service brakes are applied. Engine throttle control is not inherent in the W124 system. 

Two W124 variants of the 4Matic system were produced: the first system (1986-1991) used a mechanical pressure test lever to disable the system hydraulically while the second system variant (1992/1993) used an electrical test switch to break power to the system. The latter system variant when in test mode allows for continued operation of the rear shock self-levelling system (SLS) when installed.

Whew. Got all that? The bottom line is that while complex, it's no more effective than Audi's simpler Quattro system.

Problems with older MBs include automatic transmission failure and annoying, but usually not disabling, electrical failures. (Window motors, that type of stuff.)

This car has an amazing 240,000+ miles on it. It looks great. It has obviously been well taken care of. Here in New England, where rust is the big enemy, you don't often see a car this old, with this type of mileage on it, in this type of condition.

The 3.0 liter engine is almost indestructible and good for another 50,000 miles, if treated properly. The transmission and 4Matic system, having lasted this long, will probably last that long, too.

This is a great "winter beater" car. Good for many more miles, it's priced so cheap ($1200.00) that when something expensive does fail on it, you can junk it and still feel like you got your money's worth.

Located in Quincy, MA, click here to see the Craigslist listing. (Be aware that if you do call, as I did, English is the second language of the owner. Chinese is most likely the first. He's friendly and helpful, but it takes some time to get all your questions answered.)

END OF A WELL WRITTEN REVIEW...

 

 

Comfort

Space

Overall marks (average of all marks)    7.3 / 10


CENSORED by Car survey.  Copyrighted by them. But...

For more of Paul Lincoln's Bertha Ownership experience, visit His blog: http://sgmercedesestate.blogspot.com/

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this lengthy blog entry.  I create this ULTRA LONG Entry as it marks the 450th post of this OTOREVIEW Blog.