Model Range
The W124 model range is complex and varies by year, but all had the same standard equipment and options. There is some overlap of the models by registration year - you will find L-registered E Classes, as well as M-registered Facelift models, so treat all dates as a guide

Origins
The W124 was produced between 1986 and 1996 when it was replaced by the new quad-headlight W210. Heavily based on the previous W123 model, the W124 was lighter and more modern than the W123 but carried over the folding rear seats and 7-seat option that define the Mercedes Estate. The W210 introduced turbo diesel engines to the UK - the W124 had to do without turbo engines as the steering box of right-hand-drive W124s sits where the turbo is on LHD cars. The W124 estate model continued in production for some time after the introduction of the W210 saloon until the W210 estate was released

Early cars (1986-1989)
Early cars (1986-1989) are mainly 230 and 300 models, with 300 models tending to have a high specification with leather and airconditioning. Quite a few very high spec 300 4-Matics made their way to the UK. These have an on-demand four wheel drive system and should be treated with caution as they are complex and expensive to repair. Most seem to be doing duty now as tow cars in historic motor racing!

Most 250 and 300 diesels seem to have been built to order - some are in poverty spec (manual windows, cloth trim, etc) but some can be found with cruise control, aircon, leather and other options. Most early W124s came with flat-faced 15-hole alloy wheels, and many had auto boxes which lacked the S / E switch of the later cars. Early cars have the toughest interiors of all W124s

The saloon was offered with a 2.6-litre six-cylinder engine as the 260E but this engine didn't appear in the estates. In general, details here are for estates only

• 200T 2.0-litre, carburetted four-cylinder car
• 200TE 2.0-litre, four-cylinder car
• 230TE 2.3-litre, four-cylinder car
• 300TE 3.0-litre, six-cylinder car
• 300TE 4-Matic 3.0-litre, six-cylinder four-wheel-drive car
• 250TD 2.5-litre, five-cylinder diesel car
• 300TD 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel car

Facelift models (1990-1993)
Facelift models (1990-1993) introduced plastic panels on the lower body. Although purely cosmetic, these panels do lift the appearance of the car and were a popular - though expensive - retrofit for earlier models. This model retains amber indicator lenses and black bumpers within the colour-coded lower panels and bumper surround. A new 8-hole design of alloy wheel was introduced at this time, though many cars came to the UK with steel wheels and wheel trims

Most cars from this period use the 2.3-litre (230TE) or 3.0-litre (300TE) engines, but tax breaks meant that the 2.0-litre engine (200T and 200TE) became more popular. The 200TE is no more economical than a 230TE and the engine struggles to propel the car with any enthusiasm. At some point the carburetted 200T was discontinued

The rare, rip-snorting 3.0-litre 24-valve engine introduced at this time in the 300TE-24 valve gives a useful power and torque boost over the previous 3.0-litre engine and delivers effortless high-speed cruising with acceptable economy

The facelift model introduced a subtle, but noticeable, retuning of spring and damper rates which makes the car more responsive to drive. The 4-speed auto, now with S / E modes as standard, was also tuned to give a sharper step-off from rest and to hold onto gears to higher engine speeds. This had the effect of making the car feel nimbler and more modern. Interior trim was a little more fragile than early cars

A 5-speed automatic gearbox became an option for the six-cylinder petrol-engined cars from early 1992. It's rare but desirable

• 200TE 2.0-litre, four-cylinder car
• 230TE 2.3-litre, four-cylinder car
• 300TE 24-valve 3.0-litre, six-cylinder multivalve-engined car
• 250TD 2.5-litre, five-cylinder diesel car
• 300TD 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel car

E Class models (1994-1996)
The W124 was renamed E-Class in 1994 and a new design of bonnet was introduced with body-colour strips either side of a sleeker inset radiator grille. Colour-coded bumpers and chrome trim strips were also added and new interior wood trim options were introduced. Indicator lenses and side repeaters are in clear plastic rather than amber

New engines arrived around this time too - the old 4-cylinder 8-valve engines (in the 200 and 230) were pensioned off in favour of new 16-valve 2.0- and 2.2-litre engines (E200 and E220) and the 3.0-litre engines (300TE and 300TE-24 valve) disappeared to be replaced by new multi-valve 2.8-litre (E280) and 3.2-litre (E320) engines. Multivalve engines are easily recognised by the black plastic panel hiding the HT leads in the huge cylinder head

A high-tech new multivalve diesel engine was also introduced and cars with these engines can be identified by an air vent in the leading edge of the driver's side front wing. 2.5-litre (saloons) and 3.0-litre (saloons and estates) were produced

• E200 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve car
• E220 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve car
• E280 2.8-litre, six-cylinder, 24-valve car
• E320 3.2-litre, six-cylinder, 24-valve car
• E250 Diesel 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, multivalve diesel car
• E300 Diesel 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, multivalve diesel car