Mercedes E320 Cabriolet A124

Mercedes-Benz A124 Cabriolet Facts and Figures (1991-1997)

Classic Trim Parts - Vintage Mercedes Benz A124 Cabriolet

The Mercedes-Benz A124 Cabriolet is over 30 years old now and is one of the rarer E-Class Mercedes that exists today. The vehicles' production period was from 1991 to 1997. We are lucky enough to have a 1994 European spec model and a 1995 US spec model here at Classic Trim Parts.

The all-encompassing designation from Mercedes is W124, which is then split into other codes based on the body style of the vehicle. The A124 is the convertible body style under that W124 designation.

A124 Production Numbers

Mercedes has published the production figures for the A124 Cabriolet, debuting with the 300 CE-24 Cabriolet in 1991. Following the debut of the A124, the E320 and E220 Cabriolets came shortly after in 1992, and finally the E200 and ultra rare E36 AMG Cabriolets in 1993.

Model Designation Years Units
300 CE-24 Cabriolet A124 E30/2 1991-1993 6,343
E200 Cabriolet A124 E20/2 1993-1997 6,922
E220 Cabriolet A124 E22 1992-1997 8,458
E320 Cabriolet A124 E32 1992-1997 12,229
E36 AMG Cabriolet A124 E36 1993-1997 *
Total Worldwide Sales 33,952

*Not separately documented.

Of the 33,952 A124 Cabriolets produced, 15,380 of them contained a four-cylinder engine, while the other 18,572 had six-cylinder engines. The E200 and E220 carried the four-cylinder engines, while the 300 CE-24, E320 and E36 AMG carried six-cylinder engines.

A124 Pricing Details

Here's a breakdown of the US market:

Year US Sales US Retail Price
1993 766 $76,500
1994 1,698 $77,300
1995 3,676 $79,000

These vehicles were over $153,000 in 2022 inflation adjusted dollars!

With just under 34,000 vehicles produced and sold worldwide, some may wonder how many are still in existence. In the United States, only 6,140 were sold here. The vehicle continues to become more rare as the number of good condition models dwindle.

Based on A124 Cabriolets sold on Bring a Trailer, prices can range quite a bit depending on the mileage and different packages fitted onto the vehicle. Higher mileage, decent condition vehicles range between $15,000 and $25,000, while the lower mileage and pristine condition vehicles can sell for over $40,000! As the number of available cabriolets drop, these prices are expected to rise each year.

First Generation Cabriolets (1991-1993)

The first generation of the A124 Cabriolet began with the 300CE-24, debuting 20 years after the previous Mercedes cabriolet. This fell under the second generation of the Mercedes W124 series, as the 124 series underwent its first facelift in 1989. The Cabriolet debuted halfway through the second generation of the W124 series in 1991 with the 300CE-24.

With the 300CE-24 being the first cabriolet since the W111 Series cabriolet in 1971, Mercedes underwent an immense amount of redesigning to make it work. Not only to meet the high standard they are held to, but also to make the cabriolet strong enough without having a solid roof.

300CE-24 Engine Specifications

From 1991-1993, the 300CE-24 had an M104 E30 engine, similar to the R129 SL-Class models from the same time period.

Fuel type Gasoline
Fuel system Bosch KE-Jetronic
Bore and stroke 3.539 in. x 2.893 in.
Capacity 3 liter
Valve count 24 valves
Cylinders Inline 6
Maximum power 217 HP @ 6400 RPM
Maximum torque 195 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM

 

Second Generation Cabriolets (1993-1997)

The second generation of A124 Cabriolets saw production from 1993 to 1997, which was also the third generation of the W124 series as a whole. The second generation offered a wider range of models and engines alike.

With the second generation of the A124 Cabriolets also came the high standard these vehicles are held to today. Different engine options and higher productions numbers brought the E200, E220, E320, and E36 AMG to wider markets.

E200 Cabriolet Engine Specifications

The E200 Cabriolet was a unique version of the A124, as it was not sold to the US market. These vehicles are all right-hand drive, and only had a slightly larger number of vehicles produced compared to the 300CE-24 Cabriolet.

The engine for the E200 Cabriolet was an M111 E20. This was a smaller engine for the limited production of the E200, used from 1993-1997.

Fuel type Gasoline
Fuel system Bosch P-Motronic
Bore and stroke 3.539 in. x 3.098 in.
Capacity 2 liter
Valve count 16 valves
Cylinders Inline 4
Maximum power 134 HP @ 5500 RPM
Maximum torque 140 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM

 

E220 Cabriolet Engine Specifications

The E220 Cabriolet was another four cylinder Cabriolet that used an M111 E22 engine. These were the first of what you might consider "popular" cabriolets. Production numbers were higher than previous cabriolets, but still did not see production numbers like the E320 did.

Fuel type Gasoline
Fuel system Bosch HFM
Bore and stroke 3.539 in. x 3.409 in.
Capacity 2.2 liter
Valve count 16 valves
Cylinders Inline 4
Maximum power 148 HP @ 5500 RPM
Maximum torque 155 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM

 

E320 Cabriolet Engine Specifications

The E320 Cabriolet saw the largest production numbers of all cabriolets, and were the best selling of the five different models. With the largest engine yet, the E320 had an M104 E32.

Fuel type Gasoline
Fuel system Bosch HFM
Bore and stroke 3.539 in. x 3.307 in.
Capacity 3.2 liter
Valve count 24 valves
Cylinders Inline 6
Maximum power 217 HP @ 5500 RPM
Maximum torque 229 lb-ft @ 3750 RPM

 

E36 AMG Engine Specifications

Now for what many people know Mercedes by, their AMG models. There was only one variation of the A124 Cabriolet that was an AMG model, the E36 AMG Cabriolet. The engine carried in this vehicle was an alteration of the M104 E32 found on the E320, named the M104 E36AMG.

Fuel type Gasoline
Bore and stroke 3.583 in. x 3.638 in.
Capacity 3.6 liter
Valve count 24 valves
Cylinders Inline 6
Maximum power 268 HP @ 5750 RPM
Maximum torque 284 lb-ft @ 3750 RPM

 

Cabriolet Performance Comparison

Along with the luxury and comfort that these cabriolets bring, also comes performance. Here is a lineup of all of the previously mentioned vehicles with their 0-62 MPH times (equivalent to 0-100 km/h) and maximum speeds.

Model 0-62 MPH (0-100km/h) Max Speed
300 CE-24 Cabriolet 7.8 seconds 144 MPH
E200 Cabriolet 13.3 seconds 124 MPH
E220 Cabriolet 11.9 seconds 130 MPH
E320 Cabriolet 9.2 seconds 146 MPH
E36 AMG Cabriolet 7.2 seconds 155 MPH

Ranked by fastest 0-62 MPH: E36 AMG, 300 CE-24, E320, E220, E200.

Let us know in the comments below, which A124 model do you wish you had? If you already own one, let us know your experience with it!

Back to blog

7 comments

I purchased my RHD 1993 320ce 5 years ago in triple black 040 gloss black. 133k miles. A in between model, classic big grille pre facelift model with 320 engine. I’m also curious to know how many of these preface lift models with facelift engines were made?

Ricky

I bought a 1995 Cab in 2003 love this vehicle, I drive it only when weather permits! Will never sale it!

Charlie Watts Jr.

I have a 300CE A124 with just under 50000 miles in pristine condition. Bought it two years ago with about 47200 miles on it. Three prior owners were all adults and only used the car in “convertible” weather and maintained it very well. Love the car and will never sell it as long as I can drive. This is a keeper, a collector car. Looking for an original equipment used Wind Deflector in good condition for the car and hoping someone can give me a lead on finding one. Before this car I owned a 94 E320 A124 for 10 years which had 118000 miles when I bought it and 190000 miles when I sold it. It was only in good condition and my daily driver in the summer in good weather – fun to drive and made me an A124 fan for life. Love to hear from other A124 owners, best regards.

Al Whiting

Brian Holt, I believe 766 300CEs were imported into the US for the 1993 model year. And yes, these have the styling of the first generation with the engine (6 cylinder) of the second generation.

Scott Werst

I had a 85 300E with a manual transmission. When I wore that out I bought a 94 E320 Cabriolet, and moved all the manual bits over. I wonder how many manual shift Cabs exist, as this was a fairly simple bolt in, with just the driveshaft needing fabrication. There was some small trickery to fool the brain into sensing the crank position, but nothing sketchy nor ‘custom’ is really required. My car certainly drives with more throttle response in the chassis, and better gas mileage with the manual.

Patrick

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.