Stunning machine, in stunning condition. Love the shape, the design, the elegance, just looks so regal and even when it's stationary you know it's gonna be a sublime wafting experience on the move. My dream car in the perfect colour combination, seems the original owner ticked everything on the options list except for mud flaps. I have the 300TE wagon in the same colour but with red cloth interior and self levelling rear suspension. Seeing that 3 pointed star as you waft along sure makes you feel special. Awesome review in glorious sunshine, thanks guys.
That is a seriously handsome understated automobile. This is the kind of car that almost nobody ever is going to flag you down and ask you about, but those who do are gonna know everything about it. A vehicle from an era that equated the pinnacle of luxury with comfort, build quality and useful technology, instead of trying to be the best and most of everything and ultimately being lesser then the sum of its parts.
This is my favorite Mercedes of all time. Just a perfect sweet spot of elegance, class and just a hint of sportiness. I love italian cars, but this - I would gladly trade many of them for
I bought one of these in college with cash; I drove it till after I graduated and drove it for free since I was able to sell it for more than I bought for. I bought it off a an old guy in IL, and sold it to a young couple (the guy bought it for his finance as a wedding gift; since it was her dream car as child growing up in Ukraine). I never modded it; just basic maintenance and kept it garaged. I really miss the smoothness of the drivetrain and hope it still putting around somewhere in the Midwest.
3:16 that's the parking brake release. The actual parking brake is a pedal by the driver's door (just under that lever). Mercedes did that with their automatic transmission cars for quite a while.
LOL my 2005 CLK uses this same exact parking brake lever and pedal despite it being 12 years newer, same markings and everything! Germany must've had their own Chris Farley keeping open the same parking brake lever factory.
THIS is what we need now. True midsize, comfy, stylish coupes, from midpriced to luxury. Sporty, elegant, comfortable, PERFECT for roadtrips, and coupes are so much easier to get in with better visibility than sedans with smaller doors and pillars in your peripheral... not to mention the cleaner, far better looking lines. Hardtops with rear windows that lower are PEAK styling, from any automaker. Perfect combo fo sleek and "substantial looking". Nothing beats a decent sized luxury coupe for a single guy who doesn't want to drive a lame family wagon or troop carrier. 99% of the time, back seats are empty, so coupes are not only much better looking, but more practical for many , many people. Hopefully we are at the dawn of another age of comfort and sleek elegance, like the 1930s, 50s, 80s, 90s, and 2010s. Ford, make a new Tbird and Mark IX. GM, the time for a new Monte, Riv and Eldo is now. The Roaring Twenties are about to finally begin ! WOOOO!
Hey Zach, true Coupe, with all options, wheels, as i was a high school, my dad drove Daewoo Nexia and i always urged him to buy W124, this never happened.
I still say you need to make your way to Alabama! We’ve got five 80s and 90s Benzes and one 1997 Volvo - all available for review if you’re ever around Birmingham!
Regarding the electrical issues, I would suspect the wiring. M-B was notorious for using "biodegradable" wiring at that time. Unsurprisingly, it tends to degrade as the cars age. It could also be solder joints on the circuit boards.
Major correction, the W124 only applies to the sedan, the coupe would be the C124. The station wagon was called T124, this is a nitpick but for mercedes nerds, it makes a difference
These are fantastic cars ! I have a 1989. Signal red with palomino leather interior. Not many of them still remaining. That don’t have a dowdy color combination. In my opinion. These cars look best in a bold and gleaming color.
Back in 05 I had an 89 300CE only for about a month then I got t boned by a guy in a Crown Vic when he ran a light. I walked away sore but other than that I was good. I’d love to find another one. I see the seat belt presenters still work at least sometimes. My mom has a 2013 E coupe and the driver’s seat presenter stopped working all together recently.
Had the 300E 4 door.. Nice car but here's the Warning.. Mechanics Do Not have the Software for the computers they used back in the early 90s typically, so get ready to whip out some Dollars at the Repair Shop if they will deal with it at all.. Just a friendly warning!! And if you happen to be in Costa Mesa, CA.. There is a Mercedes Mechanic who will RIP YOU OFF down on E. 17th St. in the Business District.. Avoid this place like the Plague!!
So do you know if any shops in the so cal area that are very helpful? I’m from Ventura county and I’m looking to own a w123 diesel sedan and a 560sec one day. Any place to go to youd recommend?
@@plissken94th57 I am sorry, but I don't. I had 2 Mercedes but the 300E, because the previous owner had done a bunch of Mods, was the only one I had real trouble with. I wish I could give you something but I had more Beemers in the past and my Beemer Guy, who was honest and awesome, didn't do Mercedes and gave me a loose referral to the Mercedes guy who turned out to be bad. Wish you the best.. I got so sick of the problems that I went back to Japanese, Hondas and was able to smile again!
I think you're right, when I first saw the arches when the car was originally released to the market, I felt they were too square too, but over time I've kind of got used to them and now find them unique and feel they add character to the design. Typical Mercedes, we're gonna do it our way, not follow the crowd, a little pompous and arrogant.
W124 Mercedes-Benz was the last real Mercedes-Benz, by that I mean a Mercedes-Benz that would be trouble free and last well past warranty. Modern Merc' are throw away lease specials.
Zack is pretty awesome! Thank you for taking the time to review my car. I couldn’t wait to get my first F! (Big freaken bottle)
Stunning machine, in stunning condition. Love the shape, the design, the elegance, just looks so regal and even when it's stationary you know it's gonna be a sublime wafting experience on the move. My dream car in the perfect colour combination, seems the original owner ticked everything on the options list except for mud flaps. I have the 300TE wagon in the same colour but with red cloth interior and self levelling rear suspension. Seeing that 3 pointed star as you waft along sure makes you feel special. Awesome review in glorious sunshine, thanks guys.
That is a seriously handsome understated automobile. This is the kind of car that almost nobody ever is going to flag you down and ask you about, but those who do are gonna know everything about it. A vehicle from an era that equated the pinnacle of luxury with comfort, build quality and useful technology, instead of trying to be the best and most of everything and ultimately being lesser then the sum of its parts.
Back when buying a Mercedes-Benz meant you bought a car for the engineering and solid driving experience, not gadgets and bling.
You are 100% correct!
My 88 300CE daily driver turned 209,000 miles today on a 125 mile trip. So lovely to drive - and to look at!
Mercedes-Benz peaked in the late 80s-early 90s. Solid, functional cars that were understated and comfortable. This car is mint.
Always been a fan of the w124. Knew these existed but this feels like the first time spending any time around a coupe. Thanks Zack.
My high school girlfriend had this in hunter green (this was back in ‘96). Not sure if I miss the girl or the car more.
The car.
Its the car, the car, the car! Can't believe I let it go.
Car
A true automotive work of art, ESPECIALLY with all the windows down!!!
This is my favorite Mercedes of all time. Just a perfect sweet spot of elegance, class and just a hint of sportiness. I love italian cars, but this - I would gladly trade many of them for
You said it, not too sporty; can't believe I let it go, the anthracite grey beauty.
One of the most classy and beautiful cars ever made in my opinion.
I bought one of these in college with cash; I drove it till after I graduated and drove it for free since I was able to sell it for more than I bought for. I bought it off a an old guy in IL, and sold it to a young couple (the guy bought it for his finance as a wedding gift; since it was her dream car as child growing up in Ukraine). I never modded it; just basic maintenance and kept it garaged. I really miss the smoothness of the drivetrain and hope it still putting around somewhere in the Midwest.
3:16 that's the parking brake release. The actual parking brake is a pedal by the driver's door (just under that lever). Mercedes did that with their automatic transmission cars for quite a while.
LOL my 2005 CLK uses this same exact parking brake lever and pedal despite it being 12 years newer, same markings and everything! Germany must've had their own Chris Farley keeping open the same parking brake lever factory.
THIS is what we need now.
True midsize, comfy, stylish coupes, from midpriced to luxury.
Sporty, elegant, comfortable, PERFECT for roadtrips, and coupes are so much easier to get in with better visibility than sedans with smaller doors and pillars in your peripheral... not to mention the cleaner, far better looking lines.
Hardtops with rear windows that lower are PEAK styling, from any automaker.
Perfect combo fo sleek and "substantial looking".
Nothing beats a decent sized luxury coupe for a single guy who doesn't want to drive a lame family wagon or troop carrier. 99% of the time, back seats are empty, so coupes are not only much better looking, but more practical for many , many people.
Hopefully we are at the dawn of another age of comfort and sleek elegance, like the 1930s, 50s, 80s, 90s, and 2010s.
Ford, make a new Tbird and Mark IX.
GM, the time for a new Monte, Riv and Eldo is now.
The Roaring Twenties are about to finally begin ! WOOOO!
I love these big coupes! When cars had more class.
I had a 300CE X Japanese grey import LHD here in Western Australia, loved driving it around , I wish I never sold it .
This was peak Mercedes. After 1996 quality went way down. These were about $60k back in the early 90's!
Hey Zach, true Coupe, with all options, wheels, as i was a high school, my dad drove Daewoo Nexia and i always urged him to buy W124, this never happened.
0:41 there were wagons available as well, some of them with Mercedes first implementation of 4matic AWD. Those are quite rare as well, I imagine.
This would look so great in my garage, next to my (also) smoke silver 380SL.
I saw one of these pop up on marketplace a few months ago and was very tempted. These look great and I love the way 80s/90s Mercedes drive.
The radio isn't working under 40, because it has dying capacitors inside it
7:28 I guarantee there is some analog component in that radio that starts acting squirrelly below that specific ambient temperature
I still say you need to make your way to Alabama! We’ve got five 80s and 90s Benzes and one 1997 Volvo - all available for review if you’re ever around Birmingham!
Coupe is the most beautiful 124, I had one over not long ago and did a video on it as well. Timeless design.
Regarding the electrical issues, I would suspect the wiring. M-B was notorious for using "biodegradable" wiring at that time. Unsurprisingly, it tends to degrade as the cars age. It could also be solder joints on the circuit boards.
I like the EU spec - speedometer, only with km/h. 03:00 Easy to read in 0.0001 seconds. Mercedes and BMW had nice instruments in this era
Major correction, the W124 only applies to the sedan, the coupe would be the C124. The station wagon was called T124, this is a nitpick but for mercedes nerds, it makes a difference
and the convertible is the A124
The station wagon was S124.
@@wobllle6526 its actually both s124 and t124
@@discozula4469 I would actually love a source on that.
@@wobllle6526 my source is google shows them with both codes
wooo! that’s my dads car 🥳
The C123, C124 and the C126 are gorgeous.
we call this C124
These are fantastic cars ! I have a 1989. Signal red with palomino leather interior. Not many of them still remaining. That don’t have a dowdy color combination. In my opinion. These cars look best in a bold and gleaming color.
Pls do a 500SL review next
Very well kept car!
Salt n Pepa used to work the CE into a couple of their songs.
Back in 05 I had an 89 300CE only for about a month then I got t boned by a guy in a Crown Vic when he ran a light. I walked away sore but other than that I was good. I’d love to find another one. I see the seat belt presenters still work at least sometimes. My mom has a 2013 E coupe and the driver’s seat presenter stopped working all together recently.
I always wanted one of these.
Genius review!
❤❤❤ your car and thanks for keeping so cool
That was scary! Prime example, if you are reviewing a classy car dress the part and perhaps bathe.
Had the 300E 4 door.. Nice car but here's the Warning.. Mechanics Do Not have the Software for the computers they used back in the early 90s typically, so get ready to whip out some Dollars at the Repair Shop if they will deal with it at all.. Just a friendly warning!! And if you happen to be in Costa Mesa, CA.. There is a Mercedes Mechanic who will RIP YOU OFF down on E. 17th St. in the Business District.. Avoid this place like the Plague!!
So do you know if any shops in the so cal area that are very helpful? I’m from Ventura county and I’m looking to own a w123 diesel sedan and a 560sec one day. Any place to go to youd recommend?
@@plissken94th57 I am sorry, but I don't. I had 2 Mercedes but the 300E, because the previous owner had done a bunch of Mods, was the only one I had real trouble with. I wish I could give you something but I had more Beemers in the past and my Beemer Guy, who was honest and awesome, didn't do Mercedes and gave me a loose referral to the Mercedes guy who turned out to be bad. Wish you the best.. I got so sick of the problems that I went back to Japanese, Hondas and was able to smile again!
The side mirrors are not symmetrical, an annoying thing of German automakers in the 1990's.
Would this be in the conversation of the newest car to not get a cup holder?
I've always kinda liked the looks of these cars...but there's just something about the wheel arches...too square maybe...I don't know.
I think you're right, when I first saw the arches when the car was originally released to the market, I felt they were too square too, but over time I've kind of got used to them and now find them unique and feel they add character to the design. Typical Mercedes, we're gonna do it our way, not follow the crowd, a little pompous and arrogant.
😭Pleaseee I'm trying my best to buy one soon... don't jack up the prices
Nice 😊
W124 Mercedes-Benz was the last real Mercedes-Benz, by that I mean a Mercedes-Benz that would be trouble free and last well past warranty. Modern Merc' are throw away lease specials.
my car 🥹
Something about the big coupe just gets me all hot and bothered.
😂today just like my comment zack
Bump