Widely regarded by Mercedes enthusiasts as the last of the truly over-engineered W-chassis cars before cost-cutting crept into the lineup — this is as close as this catalogue gets to a genuinely bulletproof classic.
The W124's substantial, over-built body was genuinely engineered to a standard contemporary rivals rarely matched, and the pairing with this inline-six reflects that same philosophy throughout — this is a car built to be driven for decades, not just years.
Values for genuinely clean, well-documented examples have risen steadily as enthusiasts increasingly recognise this generation's engineering significance — worth factoring into your search if you're looking for a daily-usable classic rather than a garage queen.
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
This W124 E320 is a defining application of the legendary M104 inline-six. Full detail on this engine's exceptional reliability reputation lives on the dedicated engine page.
FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNMercedes-Benz M104 Inline-Six — Reliable or Not →Inspect rubber seals, wiring and cooling hoses closely for age-related deterioration, now a bigger factor than the engine's own internals.
Check for rust in common problem areas (sills, wheel arches, trunk floor), a genuine concern at this age regardless of the car's otherwise strong reputation.
On a car this significant to enthusiasts, consider a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar specifically with this generation.