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!
13 comments
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.
Hi classictrimparts.com owner, You always provide great insights.
I have a 1993 300CE Cabriolet. I believe it was only produced for the US market in 1993. It has the 320 engine but falls between the 300CE-24 and the E320. I would be very interested in the production/import numbers for this model.
I will be ordering a sun visor vanity mirror and other parts soon. I watched your video showing how to slide off the sun visor. Mine would not budge! Suggestions? Thanks!