Mercedes-Benz 300 W124

Photo: OSX / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The Mercedes-Benz 300 W124 (1984–1993): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 27 versions in the United States.

Model codes: W124, S124, C124, A124

Dimensions, weights and capacity

Specification	Europe	North America	Wikipedia
Dimensions
Length	4,390–4,740 mm RDW	–	4,671–5,540 mm
Width	1,740–1,810 mm RDW	–	1,740–1,796 mm
Height	1,390–1,450 mm RDW	–	1,392–1,519 mm
Wheelbase	2,520–2,930 mm RDW	–	2,715–3,599 mm
Weights and towing
Kerb weight	1,338–1,910 kg RDW	–	1,735–1,781 kg
Mass in running order	1,438–2,010 kg RDW	–	–
Gross vehicle weight	1,840–2,220 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, braked trailer	1,500–2,100 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, unbraked trailer	669–750 kg RDW	–	–
Seats and space
Seats	2–5 RDW	–	–
Doors	2–4 RDW	–	–
Luggage space (EPA)	–	170–1,189 L EPA	–
Passenger space (EPA)	–	2,322–3,058 L EPA	–
Performance
Top speed	200–240 km/h RDW	–	145–250 km/h
Torque	–	–	123–580 Nm

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Wikipedia (en, de), US EPA fuel economy data. Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at test	Pass rate	UK average	Tests
13 years and older	79.3% (77.9–80.6)	69.2%	3,607

What the MOT finds

Area	This model	UK average, same ages
Suspension	31.1%	41.6%
Brakes	30.9%	36.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks	21.0%	17.1%
Lights and electrics	16.7%	28.8%
Tyres	16.4%	31.2%
Body, chassis and structure	14.7%	18.6%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

156 complaints for model years 1990–1993. 8 crashes · 13 fires · 9 injuries

Electrical system 84
Engine 35

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 27 versions of the Mercedes-Benz 300 W124

Show all 27 versions

United States 27 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Drive	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
1990–1993(DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT)	2.5 L	Diesel	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	25–26 MPG (9.0–9.4 L/100 km) EPA	243–253 g/km
1993(FFS)	2.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	19 MPG (12.4 L/100 km) EPA	291 g/km
1993(GUZZLER) (FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA	325 g/km
1993(GUZZLER) (FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	16 MPG (14.7 L/100 km) EPA	345 g/km
1993(GUZZLER) (FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA	325 g/km
1992–1993(GUZZLER) (FFS)	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km
1993(FFS)	3.2 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	18–19 MPG (12.4–13.1 L/100 km) EPA	291–307 g/km
1992–1993(DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT)	3.5 L	Diesel	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	19 MPG (12.4 L/100 km) EPA	333 g/km
1990–1992(FFS)	2.6 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	18–20 MPG (11.8–13.1 L/100 km) EPA	276–307 g/km
1988–1992(GUZZLER) (FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	16–17 MPG (13.8–14.7 L/100 km) EPA	325–345 g/km
1990–1992(GUZZLER) (FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	16–17 MPG (13.8–14.7 L/100 km) EPA	325–345 g/km
1990–1992(GUZZLER) (FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA	325 g/km
1990–1992(FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	17–18 MPG (13.1–13.8 L/100 km) EPA	307–325 g/km
1990–1992(GUZZLER) (FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	16–17 MPG (13.8–14.7 L/100 km) EPA	325–345 g/km
1991(GUZZLER) (FFS), EMS · (GUZZLER) FFS MPFI (FFS), EMS 2MODE CLKU	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km
1991(GUZZLER) (FFS), EMS	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km
1991(GUZZLER) (FFS), EMS 2MODE	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km
1986–1989(FFS) (MPFI) · (FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	18 MPG (13.1 L/100 km) EPA	307 g/km
1989(GUZZLER) (FFS), 2MODE CLKUP	3.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km
1988(FFS)	3.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	18 MPG (13.1 L/100 km) EPA	307 g/km
1986–1987(DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT)	3.0 L	Diesel	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	20–24 MPG (9.8–11.8 L/100 km) EPA	264–316 g/km
1986(FFS) (MPFI)	3.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	19 MPG (12.4 L/100 km) EPA	291 g/km
1985(CALIF) (DSL,TRBO)	3.0 L	Diesel	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	19 MPG (12.4 L/100 km) EPA	333 g/km
1985(DSL,TRBO)	3.0 L	Diesel	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	301 g/km
1984(CALIF) · (DSL,TRBO) CA model	3.0 L	Diesel	4-speed automatic	–	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	288 g/km
1984(DSL,TRBO)	3.0 L	Diesel	4-speed automatic	–	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	288 g/km
1984(FFS) · (FFS) CA model	3.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	–	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.