Used Mercedes E Class W124, buy used Mercedes, MBCCR 2024

The W124 E-Class, which has long been discontinued, is one of the most beautiful and successful models from Mercedes-Benz with its understated appearance, first-class construction and impeccable handling. About a decade and a half ago, a used W124 series E 220 was available for less than Rs 4 lakh. Currently, prices range from around Rs 5 lakh for an example requiring restoration and can go up to Rs 15 lakh to Rs 18 lakh for a fully restored car by an authorized service centre. Here is an article from the April 2009 issue of Autocar India that explored why “the E 220 could be the best used car in the world”. This was the first story of Perseus Bandrawalla, the curator of the Mercedes-Benz classic car rallyfor the print edition of Autocar India:

If wishes were horses, everyone would own a Mercedes-Benz. But with an entry-level C-Class selling for a whopping Rs 30 lakh, only a few privileged motorists have been able to afford these prestigious cars. Here comes the best part though. You can now buy a highly sought-after used Mercedes E 220 (W124 series) for less than Rs 4 lakh.

The Mercedes-Benz W124 series of E-Class was one of the best cars ever built and is considered by many enthusiasts to be one of the last Mercedes-Benz models built and developed regardless of cost. The W124 exemplifies Mercedes-Benz’s legacy of high standards in build quality.

Like all Mercs, the E-Class has an understated appearance and fits neatly into the cliché of Teutonic design. India received the revised version of the W124 introduced in Europe in 1993. Although the original design is now 25 years old, the car’s safety and technical features are comparable to most modern contemporary equivalents.

The quality of the materials used in the construction of this generation E-Class was top class, something you notice as soon as you get behind the wheel of this German business car.

Step into a 13 year old ‘E’ and you’re ushered into a world of exuberance as you’re greeted by the orange needles of the instrument cluster that transport you back to an ’80s sports car. Even the speedometer has shift points marked, which speaks volumes speaks about the character of this car. The W124 has impeccable driving characteristics. The ride is smooth and the seats are soft and comfortable, as you would expect from a Mercedes. After all these years, the rear-wheel drive, front-engine layout remains fun to drive.

The E-Class also features dual-zone climatronic air conditioning, with the driver and passenger able to set different temperature settings.

The doors close with a vault-like thud only found on older, over-engineered Mercs. The manual central locking system works with the key. The vacuum mechanism still manages to impress when the stoppers are in operation. The switchgear and controls feel solid, which is lacking in newer models.

Safety features such as airbags and ABS were standard, and even the body panels were made of high-strength steel, which was generations ahead of its time in the 1990s. When the last models rolled off the assembly line almost twelve years ago, it is not easy to come across an example that can be described as ‘fresh’.

Most of the cars we saw had high mileage. Scuffs and dents abound on these cars, which have suffered from the rough conditions of Indian roads. However, it is advisable to look for a car that is mechanically sound, rather than one that is cosmetically ‘bling’.

The interior tends to show signs of wear and age and its age becomes apparent, especially when it comes to the carpet, steering wheel, gear lever, dashboard and seats. However, a thorough cleaning and polishing should sort things out. As expected with used cars, electrical gremlins are common and sometimes very expensive to repair. The fuel pump, headlight switch and power window switches are the W124’s Achilles heels. On most of the cars we drove, the parking brakes didn’t work properly, which was very annoying when parking on slopes. The foot-operated parking brake takes some getting used to, especially on the manual versions, which made up the bulk of car sales in India. Both the diesel and petrol engines came optionally with an automatic transmission that was considered one of the best in the world at the time.

The petrol engine in the E 220 is very refined and bulletproof. It produces a respectable 143bhp, but can feel a bit sluggish at low revs and is more suited to long-distance cruising than pure performance. Five-cylinder E 250Ds with diesel engines are also available.

Like most Mercedes-Benzes, the E 220 has a well-appointed, ergonomically designed dashboard. The first impression when driving an E 220 is how well put together the car is. However, on older cars we noticed that engine performance had decreased by an average of 10-15 percent compared to when the car was new. The brakes also seemed a bit faded. On some cars it felt like the gear shift bushing needed to be replaced. Radiator hoses can also fail, and cars with six-figure mileages may need a suspension overhaul.

The cost of rebuilding engines is enormous and one should stay away from very high mileage cars unless they have been refurbished by the previous owner in an authorized workshop or are available at throwaway prices. Avoid cars with a history of mechanical ailments. “Always try to look for a car with the most complete maintenance history,” says Rajesh Sanghi of Carma Born Again Luxury Cars. Many cars, especially those over five years old, are maintained by private garages as owners find it cheaper than going to an authorized workshop. This is a common practice among many Indian customers, says Sanghvi. So it is important to check the car thoroughly before making a deal.

We have noticed that there is a world of difference between the cost of spare parts from authorized workshops and the cost of spare parts available from dealers and independent car parts stores. Although the latter are said to be ‘Mercedes Benz Approved’, one must ensure that the source is reliable. Because the W124 series is a popular choice among taxi drivers in Europe, parts require regular replacement and parts such as the clutch, oil filters and brake pads are reasonably priced (from independent parts stores). This keeps the E 220’s running costs relatively reasonable and comparable to modern luxury cars like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, provided they are maintained by a private garage that specializes in imported cars.

Ajay Parekh, a proud owner of a 1996 E 220 with over 1,00,000 km on the odometer, says his E has never skipped a beat in 13 years. Other than routine services, nothing ever went wrong.

The body panels of the E 220 are made of galvanized steel and do not rust easily, but a thorough inspection is still recommended. Also vigilantly check for damage to the underside of a driveway. ABS and SRS lights illuminated on the dashboard instrument panel causing problems. Wiring harnesses and ECU boxes can fail in older cars and are again expensive to repair. To solve these problems, it is best to visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz workshop.

There are some examples of the E 220 with factory-fitted alloy wheels and leather seats, which were only available as an option. According to Sudhir Damodar, a respected car consultant and ex-Mercedes-Benz dealer, the E 220 may not have the same amount of electronic sophistication as some of today’s modern Mercedes-Benzes, but this only adds to its charm. owning these older cars. , along with the ease with which a car can be maintained in the long term with its relatively simple electronics.

Car collector Gurbaxish Singh has owned five W124 cars so far. “My E 220 was easier to maintain than my Pajero,” he explained.

With an average service at an authorized workshop costing between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000, E 220s are certainly not as friendly to the wallet as the average Japanese sedan. Fuel efficiency isn’t economical either. However, this should not change your mind, as the E 220 is an over-engineered, sturdy, luxury vessel on wheels, built to provide many miles of trouble-free and safe driving. Buying one now could also be your ticket to owning a classic or vintage Mercedes Benz in the future.

If you’re looking for magic carpet-like handling, solid build quality, bombproof safety and impeccable handling in your next car, and you don’t mind paying a premium for these virtues, then the E 220 could be the one for you. can be the best in the world. best used car! The shining three-pointed star on the hood will also boost your ego.

See also: Mercedes-Benz EQC meets E-Class (W124)

History of the Mercedes W124 E-Class in India

Mercedes first introduced the W124 series to the world in 1984, but it was only brought to India in 1995 in the form of the E 220 petrol and E 250D diesel models when Tata Motors and Mercedes-Benz started building and selling them under a joint venture. . During a short production run ending in 1998, only 2,465 of these cars were sold in the domestic market. The W124 series remained in production in India for a while, even after it was replaced by the much unloved E-Class with twin oval lamps (W210 series). The W124 is one of the most successful Mercedes models worldwide in its more than 100-year history. Known for its bombproof build quality and reliability, this generation of E-Class was a favorite among Wall Street executives and Stuttgart taxi drivers alike. In fact, the car was so good that Mercedes sold its platform to SsangYong, and the car was built and sold in Korea as a SsangYong model for several more years.

See also:

Mercedes Benz Classic Car Rally 2024 spectator guide

Forty years later, Merc’s W124 is a true legend

Mercedes India will increase new car prices by 3 percent