suginami

I prefer the W124 over the W210 and W211. The body style looks better today than it did back then.

Much has been said of the lack of quality in the W210's, about how they were engineered to a specific price point, instead of a specific quality standard, like Mercedes' used to be. And it makes sense. Last year, you could buy a brand new 2001 model E320 for about $46k. Right now, they are blowing out 2002 E320's for about $44k.

My 1993 300E 3.2 (correctly rebadged as an E320 in 1994 by Mercedes) was sold for full sticker price in 1993 for $49,600! If you adjust for inflation, that would be $74,400 in today's dollars (assuming a 3% rate of inflation).

The only good thing about the W210's was the beautiful front hood and headlight design, along with the updated center console with the digital radio / HVAC controls.

I sure hope the W211 is a better car. If so, I'll wait about 5 years for them to depreciate to a level where I can afford to pick one up for about $25k.

Until then, I'm going to continue to enjoy driving my '93 E320 with 138,000 miles. It still looks and drives like it came off the showroom floor, and I feel like a million bucks driving it.

suginami

Here is a picture of my W124:

bmms8

it does look luxurious, but todays e-class has to be part sport too....thats why they have it all sleek, and all the other good stuff...but i d prefer the old mbz looks sometimes...but would never get one over the new ones

bmms8

it does look luxurious, but todays e-class has to be part sport too....thats why they have it all sleek, and all the other good stuff...but i d prefer the old mbz looks sometimes...but would never get one over the new ones

rayscar

I think MB has hit a homerun with the 2003 E. I don't think the styling can be beat. As to the quality only time will tell. I also don't think there is any doubt it is safer car than the 1993 version too. To each their own but IMO the 2003 is light years ahead and I think the poll results will show most people feel the same way. At least the ones on this board!

Dema

I also prefer retro style. Maybe, MB will return to 124 design and even earlier sometimes. However, the latest technologies used in the new 211 make me think that the car is better.

Callaway

The W124 was a amazing design for 1986.I still own one and it is hard to believe that it is nearly 17 years old,as it looks as modern today as it did back then.

some of the styling of the 124 is carried on to the 210 and even the 211 such as the design of the door cutouts and sills.

Then I love the 211 and finally the 210 which I hated from the first day I saw it in 1995 on.

Tezta

The W124 truly was a beautiful car, especially with the AMG body kit. But right now, its a no brainer for me. My pick: W211.

suginami

I agree that the W211 is more technically advanced and surely offers better crash protection that either the W124 and the W210.

The discussion is going in a different direction than I thought it would.

I guess I was referring more to the styling.

I, too, like the styling of the W211, much more than the W210.

I am just wondering which body style do you think will hold up the best over the next 20 - 30 years.

I haven't seen a W211 up close, but the pictures in the magazines and on the internet look great. I just hope that it is not too close to the C-class and S-class. They look so much like each other that at first glance it's hard to tell them apart. I've seen them in my rear view mirror on the freeway and couldn't tell if I was looking at an S class or a C class.