IMO every German wagon is cooler than any SUV or crossover, especially old wagons. That is a gorgeous W124, those where really made to last a lifetime.

My daily driver is a 300D sedan with manual transmission, it was my first car and I've had it for almost 3 years now. It's an absolute marvel of engineering, great to work on, smooth, solid, reliable and beautiful. The perfect practical classic car in my opinion!

I still have my 1992 280TE. 100k miles. I have owned it 22 years and except for a lambda sensor, mostly fuel, tyres, brakes.

I was driven around a Greek island by a taxi driver back in the late 1990s. I had never been in a car so comfortable. its a fine automobile.

I have 1985 productionn W124 with manual transmission, still running and good condition because these cars are the best in the world. Made for people and repairable not like scrap which produces now. Old but gold.

The first time I drove one of these was in a 95 300 diesel (OM606 engine) that had done over 227k miles and I was an absolute revelation. Tight, smooth, quiet. Quite astonishing how well it was made. I was told by an ex MBZ tech that in the day they were built to MBZ truck standards with an expectation to last 500k miles and that makes sense.

Enjoyed w124,Estate meandering in Brittany. I concur with you my friend. If I don't sound poetic, w124,T, Estate, adorns the porch,warms the heart of owner and commands respect on the Highway.

I bought one from one of the famous Hollywood Directors Back in 2003. I still driving it once in a while. I can not bring myself to sell it. It’s an E300 TE 4MATIC 7 pass and was built in September of 1990. Cheers from Toronto ❤

You should always budget for a head gasket replacement around 25 years old . They all go !

I live in the US and own a 1995 s124 Estate with 170k miles and has been in the family since 2000. In the past I've owned a w163 and a Pick Up but find that the s124 and my Pick Up are a better compliment to each other. If I'm going to keep the Estate then there is no reason to buy an SUV, just buy a bigger and better Pick Up truck. Thanks for posting!

I remember my father had an N registration E220 saloon in blue it was about 4 years old at the time. It was a marvellous car so refined and such a fantastically built vehicle.

At a car show in 1990 I asked the MB stand for literature about this model. They gave me a ton of glossy brochures. About 10 years ago my parents junked all the brochures I'd amassed. It was the right thing to do for them. But I guess there are a lot of owners of these machines that would have loved those as-new brochures

I own and love my 1994 S124 here in Tokyo. There’s a great passionate community of owners here and it’s quite common to see four or five 124s (in excellent condition) everyday here.

I daily drive a W124 C320 and its the most solid and reliable car ive ever owned.

The older MB's are all wonderful cars. After owning 6 MB's in NZ between 1978 and 2011, I now live in Colombia and recently bought a 1993 300E and it would be the epitome for me, even after the earlier great cars. The added attraction is that the 124's were the last of the non computer MB's and their build quality is of coyrse

I own a 1992 300D manual and have owned it for 24 years. She is magnificent and i will have her for many years to come. Thank you Mercedes Benz!

I used to own an s124 E300D with the OM606 engine. Not very fast, but built like a tank. It was bought at 170k miles and at 255k miles it got written off by the wife. She was unhurt but the other car was history. I miss that car. I'd have bought another one, but pollution regulations put paid to that plan in London.

My first car was a S124 230TE sportline, I still miss that Benz every single day of my life. But I switched to Volvo Estates: for me the best cars looked to price/value/quality/high mile age that can battle against Mercedes-Benz, especially my 850 Estate 2.5 10V ( 1993 ) + V70 2.5D ( 1999 ), what a great cars they where, build around the same period as the later 124 series but admit: Volvo did a wonderful job. Little bit more modern, more torque/power on those 5-cilinders ( thank you AUDI in the first place! ) , better fuel economy, safety and around the same cargo space. So very difficult it was to switch back to Benz, but 3 years ago I bought a 280TE from 1993, did some work on it but sold it after 1 year :( Great engine, great ride but fuel economy and some MOT fails.....well not so nice here in the Netherlands. You want to live in a expensive country? Come here, come to Holland, yes!!! Than my previous car was a V70N D5 ( 2006 ), what a giant leap forward in time and now a V70 D5 ( 2011 ), very happy whit this one as this V70 can easily compare to more modern cars from today. The seats, the engine, the durability of interior parts, space well you get the point. But to all good things come an end......maybe after my current Volvo a S212 350 diesel Benz ( another dream car ) but than EU politics will kill me/you.....the age of fuel driven cars is over, the last battle has begun. And I admit, EV's like Skoda Enyaq, E-tron, Tesla model-S and lots more....well you cannot deny, another giant leap forward to planet Mars. Take care my fellow car lovers, we are the last of the Mohicans these days!

In Poland we call it "gammon" :) Still quite few of them on the roads. Usually in very good or tragic condition.

I've been driving a Mercedes W124 station wagon (300 TD) for 19 years and I now have 3 of them: two are registered and ready to drive, the third is my spare parts donor. My everyday vehicle now has 740,000 km on the clock, of which I drove 500,000 km myself.

Thirsty on fuel, but extremely reliable. I do love old classics. Better workmanship back then and took pride in what they made.

Great video! Thank you

My first Benz! Back in 2005 I bought a 1990 W124 E300D estate, OM606. Damn thing was so beautifully engineered it was beyond belief. I do a lot of miles as a touring musician, bought it at 220k and sold it (at a profit!) at 370k. Only failed to complete a journey once, and that was due to a radiator that was clogged due to the PO using the wrong coolant in it. New rad and she was golden. Slow as cheese but so smooth that I never cared how long it took me to get anywhere. More leather than a dairy farm! Turned me into a Benz fan for life. Have only run Mercs and Volvos since then. Have subsequently had a W210, W201, W202, W203 and now daily a W209, all diesels bar the 190. Magnificent cars!

I have two of the 124te estate cars, 1990 and 1992 ,i am in my late 80s and will not part with them ,they are exactly as you say [ FANTASTIC] But i do have a garage full of tools at my bungalow, many + my daughters and wife seem to think it is time i got a newer vehicle BLESS THEM !!

Really great review! Congratulations

The argumentation in this is very reasonable

This same car (95' 280 wagon) has been my daily driver for the last 5 year. 2 schools runs everyday, weekly trips to my local surf break. The mpg sometimes stings but I could never replace it with anything as cool for the same price.

Thank You!!!! Excellent!!!! ❤❤❤

Great Video! You have absoulutly right! I drive a w124 e280 6 Ziilynder, 1996 the best Statiionwagen in de world! Greatings from Switzerland. Christian Keller

I used mercedes many model I used 2000 T430E it's great car for family and long distance. I drive it 5000km in very hot weather in Arab gulf more than 45°+

Very Nice! Great Vid! Cheers from L.A. California Wagon fans here.

Just found and watched this. Great video, subbed. 👍

I can remember travelling to and from town in these as taxis when I was stationed in Germany in the mid 90s they'd be alot of w210s about but these were my favourite, they were so spacious you'd literally fall into them after to many beers 🍻 great times..

I brought one of these to do a charity road trip earlier this year going from the UK to The Gambia where the car was auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to local children's charities. The car had only done 83,000 miles and drove like new. 4,500miles later after taking in the worst roads Africa has including 2 days off road driving through the Sahara Desert all she needed was a wash and vacuum and was once again as new. No rattles, squeaks or issues. She raised the third highest price in the auction and will by now have been resprayed yellow and green and plying her trade as a taxi. Loved her so much I'm actively looking for another but this time to keep.

You’re a great presenter. Get ready for a big career.

Good video. Well presented and edited.

Years ago we used to nick these estates to ram raid shops etc great strength!

I had a silver 1993 300 TD saloon fully equipped from 1995 til 1999. It was a fantastic car with great comfort for long trips. I regret I did not keep it.

I owned a E220C (coupe) from 1995 in green with the smallest economical 220 engine. I liked the optics of the much larger doors of the coupe and the lack of B pillar. Unfortunately doors and front wheel arches rost away rapidly despite Dinitrol treatment and care. The “Grand Old Lady” we called her 😊

I once saw Paul McCartney at the wheel of one of these as I was crossing the road at some traffic lights when I was at university in London in the early 90s, his wife Linda was in the passenger seat. The windows were all up but you could see they were obviously singing along enthusiastically to some music they were listening to in the car.

Would love to get my hands on one of these wagon if I the money would definitely still buy one it’s worth every dime 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

Great video, as a classic Mercedes owner (SL320) I would definitely concur that parts are not only very available but very affordable but it is very helpful if you are handy being able to do jobs yourself as many garages simply don't have any experience or knowledge of cars of this age. I've considered a few S124's and whilst I love the E320 I think the 6 cylinder turbo diesel is the most attractive proposition overall. If you consider that car ownership is heavily impacted by depreciation then buying the very best one of these you can get your hands is a wise move because once you've paid for it the value is unlikely to change so you're just left with the running costs. If someone can afford £15-20K I would strongly recommend looking at Japanese domestic market imports (JDM) as the mileages are usually low (often under 30000 miles at this price) and they don't use salt on the roads so the bodywork is also immaculate and unaffected by rust and of course they also drive on the left so the steering wheel is in the right place! I've subscribed so now looking forward to your other content.

Course legendry. There is nothing better considering that they are now all around 30 years old.

Good job to rew ;)

Great cars, had three in a row when the family were young, went anywhere and carried all we/they ever needed

At the end of the production run they also made a version with the famous OM606 ;)

I want it, but pretty expensive in my country. this car is collectable items! The sedan version is very affordable price, the only choice I had.

I’m the second owner of a ‘94 E-320 (w124) wagon with 220.7k miles and absolutely original! Driven regularly and it draws raves!

I am driving an e320 estate in Korea. Here, there is s124 in about 10 or less, and due to its scarcity, the price is at least 30 million won. I bought this car in 1996 and when my daughter was born in 2018, she took me home in the car. It's a car I'll probably own and keep for the rest of my life.

Coming from Australia the biggest issues with these cars are the horrible bio degradable wiring loom which cause all manor of electrical gremlins & the biggest problem of them all is Rust!! These things rust at an alarming rate.

Where do I even start when it comes to the Mercedes-Benz W124? This iconic automobile stands as a testament to automotive excellence, craftsmanship, and innovation. Born in the mid-1980s, the W124 series quickly earned a reputation for its unparalleled blend of luxury, performance, and reliability. At its core lies a timeless design that has withstood the test of time, captivating enthusiasts and earning a place in automotive history. The W124, available in various body styles, including sedan, coupe, and convertible, truly shines in its wagon variant. Wagons, often overlooked in favor of their sedan counterparts, offer a unique combination of practicality, versatility, and style. And in the case of the W124 wagon, these qualities are elevated to a whole new level. First and foremost, the W124 wagon embodies the ethos of Mercedes-Benz engineering. Built to exacting standards, it exudes quality from every angle. Its robust construction, coupled with advanced suspension technology, ensures a smooth and comfortable ride, whether cruising down the highway or tackling winding mountain roads. But perhaps what truly sets the W124 wagon apart is its exceptional reliability. Engineered to last, these vehicles have been known to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal issues, a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that went into their production. But the greatness of the W124 wagon extends beyond its mechanical prowess. Inside, occupants are treated to a luxurious and spacious cabin, adorned with premium materials and cutting-edge amenities. From plush leather seats to a state-of-the-art sound system, every detail is meticulously crafted to enhance the driving experience. And with ample cargo space in the rear, the W124 wagon proves to be as practical as it is elegant, making it the perfect companion for everything from grocery runs to cross-country road trips. Yet, the appeal of the W124 wagon goes beyond its individual merits. It represents a bygone era of automotive design, a time when cars were built to last and driving was seen as an experience to be savored rather than merely endured. In a world increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers, the W124 wagon serves as a reminder of the beauty and elegance of the traditional station wagon. In conclusion, the Mercedes-Benz W124 wagon is a true automotive icon, embodying the best of what a wagon can offer. Its blend of luxury, performance, and practicality is unmatched, making it a favorite among enthusiasts and discerning drivers alike. As we look to the future of transportation, let us not forget the greatness of vehicles like the W124 wagon and the role they play in shaping our automotive heritage.

Couldnt agree more!

My first bought german car is W124 E220 AT. Feels like a tank and still comfortable

I have one, too now. Was looking for one for quite a while. 30 years old, perfect fit for me. Almost no corrosion, only few ssimple repairs, spent its lifetime somehwere in south france. Runs like a sewing machine with its 6 cylinders 300qqm.

I had 20 years ago two 300E T as company cars. If needed i could transport a palette of 1t weight in the trunk. Simply put it in with the forklift and the car would pump itself up at the back when it started. The V6 is a bit thirsty, so i think the E250-300 turbo-Diesel is today the one to go for

I've had my '95 wagon for a little over a year, and I love it. Replaced a stupid large Chevy pickup with it, and it's been perfect for my uses (daily driver, occasional car part hauling). It has 230k miles and runs flawlessly.

Fabulous video - just what I was looking for! Matt, you didn’t mention manual transmission on the W124, is the manual box worth considering and also does the fuel consumption improve any? Good work and Im looking forward to more of your videos now I’ve subscribed.

I like these mercedes. A well maintained one (also the b5 vw passats) run easy 1 mill km.

Had a 1987 6yl 300D Turbo sedan in Claret red exterior with same colour MB TEX seats. Terrific winter car when equipped with winter tires.Drove like it was on rails-so stable. Contrary to some comments here, it was quick on accelerating to pass with a satisfying engine growl. Cruised quietly, from inside the car no engine clatter, only reminded you it was diesel when starting 1st time in the day in garage. Had some issues with wiring harness that set off the alarm in damp weather when parked. Several attempts to have dealer rectify it were unsuccessful. Trap oxidizer plugged up/on warranty a modification was made by MB to remedy that-it performed even better afterwards. My mileage was 30-35 mpg (city/hwy).After warranty period got a survey from MB to evaluate the owner's experience. I responded main dissatisfaction was inability of their dealer network, including 2 MB owned dealerships to repair the alarm issue-the dealer's response was to disconnect it, which I refused. They weren't happy to hear that, and 2 weeks after that conversation, I received a letter from MB Canada that the owner of their cars should not have had to pay to get this remedied. As well a check for some $2500 was refunded to me for previous attempts to repair it. It was finally repaired at no cost to me and replaced with a wiring harness that was more flexible in cold weather than the original hard plastic harness. Kept the car for 10 yrs- so sorry I sold it; When I saw the new rounded headlight replacement model, the interior quality looked so poor, I cancelled the order. Still miss that car-I'd happily drive it today

I daily drive a W124 200d with a fresh 341000 km on the clock and there is one thing I recommend to do - change the engine mounts (even if they don´t seem that bad at first glance), it will make the car feel like brand new!

Good Rewiev 🎉thanks. Notice : self levelling is fitted on ALL T-model its not optional

Love 124s, currently have 2 E320.

great video, I had a 250d W124 in 1990, it was a just a superb motor, economical , reliable and felt so stable and connected on the road. THERE IS A 300D ESTATE on Mathewsons auction this week.

I daily a 91 TE and I surely won't be going back to modern cars.... Lovely ride😊

Just bought an s124 with friends to make into a low budget expedition vehicle for a long range mild offroad trip. Price needed to be under 1000eur. Maintenance and repair costs are also limited. It is a work-horse with half a million km on the clock. It checks all the boxes that you mentioned when buying one - all wrong. Worn interior, changed fenders, rust around doors and rear fenders, rattling inside, uneven suspension and play in the steering :-D Still i believe in the Mercedes engineering of the past. Will come back here after the trip and let you know how it unfolded :-)

The self levelling suspension on the back was always (in every T-model) standard, it never was an option!

124s are pretty solid vehicles, which I know since I own two. I have a sedan and a wagon, both turbodiesels. I'm primarily a VW guy, but the 124 hooked me and I've been obsessed with them since I bought the wagon twenty years ago. The 4Matics are highly problematic, so if someone wants a solid AWD wagon from the era, I highly recommend the Audi 100/A6 Quattros of the C4 chassis. I owned two '94 Avant Quattros and they were magnificent, quite reliable and comfortable. Definitely not 124 level, but they were very very good.

The seats are rock hard.

Totally agree these are wonderful cars. The potential for clean air zone charges to detract from the ownership experience for some drivers should have been discussed?

I had the exact car your driving, same colour..7 seater except mines was a 3.0 ltr diesel... was an absolute tank, i really wish id hung onto it.. green tinted glass, took ages to get up to 100 but would sit there to the moon and back ..

I bought a used W124 E220T of 1993 in 1997 with 233.000 km and drove it 5 and a half years to 511.000 km. Unfortunately that one was one of the series that got the new water based paint, and they got rust problems on the body because of that. I would have kept it longer but i didn't want to pay the costly body repair. The engine was totally fine still and never gave me a problem. It was a manual 5 speed and consumed about 7.5 to 8.8 litres per 100 km. 150 horsepowers was good enough, i never felt i needed more power. The 280 inline 6 is pretty rough, the 300 inline 6 would be the better option. Consumption is 11-13 with these.

some people used to take of the self leveling suspention adapting the sedan version, so look if there is signs of this like the pipe in the rear wheel arc and stay away form those

Great video, mega spec'd car but with steel wheels, maybe alloys getting a refurb? As a long term owner of these, would advise avoiding the 5 speed auto as if that fails unlikely to be an option to buy used and will need to be new from MB around £5,000.00, also watch for the ignition barrel failing. If it fails and collapses there is a whole heap of bother in your future. If you feel it begin to fall apart and become loose, buy a new one, not too much money and with a coat hanger and a youtube video you can replace it yourself. Miss our E320 massively.

I completely agree to all what you say in the video! I'm since 1997 the 2nd owner of a 1987 230TE estate with only 4 cyl. petrol engine but nice leather interior and electric steel sliding roof being my daily driver during the whole year since than. I bought it for € 12k and they offered me now € 6k more than 200.000km later (325.000 km now). Engine needs 10-11 l gasoline/100km which I deem quiet acceptable. There were some rust repairs, axle overhauling and two cylinder-head gasket changes but alltogether during this 26 years the car cost me including all repairs about € 150 p. month. Very cheap and comfortable driving! I never want to change it!

In comparison to Volkswagen parts the Mercedes parts are a bargain (in Germany). I had a S124 E 200 T 16 valves. Work horse, welded on every corner, 305,000 km (190,000 miles) on the clock. Did many transport jobs with her. I do agree with the things you said about these cars. There are still many of them on the road here…

I have always loved the W123 and W124 Mercedes. I never thought much of the model that came after the W124. I never liked the bug eye style headlights and build quality wasn't as good as the W124. I love the brand new S-class though but could never afford the six figure price tag.

Just got myself A Rover 75 tourer for exactly the reasons you said. Biggish and can carry stuff. (plus gives me content for my channel) 👌

I'm an estate car fan. People buy SUVs because they like the high driving position and they can't think for themselves. they just follow the marketing and their neighbours.

Very interesting - I’ve been seriously considering buying a 190e to use as a daily driver classic - this era of MB were the best engineered cars in my opinion. So much better than a SUV!

I currently own an azurite blue 1996 E220T and an astral silver 1987 230CE, and I love driving them. The only four cylinder engines I really like, as they have a diesel like torque that is maximum already at around 2000 rpm. Remarkable engines. Slow, but also very quiet. At 60km/h, complete silence! I have also had a 1990 230E and a 1992 300E, and I am looking for a six cylinder C124. So a great 124 fan, from Norway. Taxes were so high back then over here, that these were easily twice the price of a UK car, I calculated that my E220T was around £80.000,- new in 1996 with it’s equipment (not even leather), so very expensive indeed. I also have a 1996 Daimler Six LWB, that was around £120.000,- in Norway new… I think only an handful were sold in Norway new of these. And just discovered your channel, great reviews!

That's a nice one. I have one of the last of the E280T cars that I bought in Japan and imported.

While I agree that these are preferable to SUVs, one advantage SUVs have is ground clearance. Modern cars have become lower and lower over the years. The approach angle of the W206 C-class, for example - especially with the AMG Line pack - is dismal, and I would be too scared of scraping the front splitter on a dirt road. Manufacturers ought to redesign their front bumpers to be more like those on older cars.

Much prefer an estate to an SUV

I'm a brand new viewer, loved the shots and your presenting skills are excellent, only gripe I have is with the piece to camera shot, it's not the best and doesn't go a long way to keep viewer retention.

Back in 1999 I bought a 1992200T, small engine but had enough grunt to take me and 6 others anywhere and smart enough to take me and the wife and her luggage on weekends away. Also as the kids were growing up and we were moving home the car took everything we threw at it. Never let me down over 5 years only sold it once the family grew up and we got the house in order and my mate sold his 300CL Carat Du Chatalet in black and beige interior. Run that for 8 years and should never have sold it - the only cars I regret selling are the 200T and the 300CL. Lovely motors! Wife has a 2007 Ist Generation CLS300 diesel and I have a 1999SL320 - both lovely but.......!

The only issues is the cylinder head on MB. Our w124 also suffered from corrosion.

I owned a 200TE manual 7 seater for 4 years back in the early 00’s - great build quality and able to fit in the 4 children and the dog - just wished I had bought the 300TE auto, with more power and slightly better refinement, merc manual wasn’t the best….😀

Friend of mine had the E230 many years ago that had the older 8 Valve engine, and to be honest I was in many of the 16v E200s and I have to say that the older 8 valve unit was more of a quite engine

Nice car! But I can‘t find anything worse in my S212 E400. For me it is the ideal combination of classic Interieur with modern standards. And the engine is powerful and economic as well.

_"...and there's a great reason that there's so many of these '124' Estates left on the road...."_ Canada would like a word. Solid? Well built? Well designed? Practical? Safe? Better in almost every way than a so-called S.U.V.? *All yes* ---with bells on. But even here in British Columbia, arguably the province with the best chance of any older car 'making it' this long, *we barely see even the more common sedan versions of this generation of Mercedes.* I don't believe I've seen more than one or two 'W124' estate wagons here in the south over the last five years. A big problem with any European / British older car now, and increasingly as the next few years go by, is *the availability of parts.* You mention parts are still relatively accessible. But for how long? I (sadly) suggest it won't be long before there just won't be any parts left / made to maintain and fix these lovely, now older, cars.

I may be buying a S124 soon, lived its life in Spain, immaculate condition in out and under. I shall report back soon

Looking to get a 250d w124 with 92hp N/A diesel. Thesse old mercs are really solid, comfortable and economic!

The wiring problem you mention you can forget if you look for a car produced before mid 1993. (I don’t know the exact month MB started with these enviromental wiring). The same goes for the environmental painting. Try look for a car with ”the old” petroleum based paint. It is much better in quality.

I agree with is idea. I drive a Ford Fairmont Wagon AU 1999 (wagon version of Hubnuts car. It is a 4litre straight six and I wouldn't swap it for an SUV. Its done 375,000k. I had a 116 sedan and like the W124 too.

Love the video, and absolutely love the car...!!!! Don't get me wrong though, in the event of the worst happening, i can't help but think it would be safer and a better chance of making it out ok with a modern shit box than any 90's barge... Any thoughts?

People will never listen because they are stupid. This Mercedes will outlive any new car

Looking at estates now and I think prices must have doubled in the month since this went up!

i had 2 of theme 300 TD V6 and a 250 TD mutiklepper

Should add the W202 in this list. Same as W124 , only newer engines and 5 speed gearbox. No issue with wiring, but same looks.

Having had S123, S124, S210, S211mk 1 and mk2, S212, the pick of the bunch was... S211 mk 2. It simply isn't true that quality dipped and never recovered. Yes S210's water-based paint was problematic but the later diesel engines were remarkable. S211 mk1 had the difficult braking system but the mk 2 320 CDi is astonishingly better than an S124 (particularly the diesels). 7.5s to 60mph, 148mph, 34mph over 30,000 very mixed miles since I last reset it, mine's on 230k miles having had its arse spanked daily. The S124 is OK if you don't ask much of it but you'll be compromising and they last because it's difficult to drive them hard. I returned to the S211 because it was better than the S212 that replaced it but they're getting hard to find.