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Differences between 200E,230E,300E and 500E

22K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  Yal  
#1 ·
Hi all... [:)]

I'm wondering the differences between these models. Of course, their main difference is in terms of performance. What I'm a bit confused is with the exterior/body of the car.

Can anybody help me? [8)]

Is there differences in the fender trim? Bonet? Everything...

Appreciate your reply...thank you.
 
#3 ·
In short...

The 500 W124 and the 400 W124 (maybe the 4matics also in a little way) are the only W124 sedan cars that have a little something different thats sets them apart. Apart from the obvious engine displacement that is...

The 500 has a larger drive train tunnel, structural integrity in the engine bay and frame to hold the engine and drive train. The front and rear fenders are flared to accomodate the wider stance brought on by the change in brakes and suspension components (500 wheels and suspension will not fit the other W124's although its sway bars will). Driving lights instead of fog lights. Some of the changes were made by Porsche (Yeah you heard right...Porsche!).

The 400 I think has a slightly larger drive train tunnel and again there is some structrul changes made in the engine bay to accomodate the V8. The changes were made in-house by Mercedes.

Every other W124 model and everything else is basically the same and most of it interchangeable. The W124 was very consistent through out its model range and years. Things were upgraded and changed as the years went by but they kept it simple. Also things were changed depending on engine power but the basic strcuture on the 200-300 models stayed the same. You can match and swap parts till your hearts content. You just have to do the research. For example swapping brakes may be more than just swapping calipers and rotors, I mean they will fit but you may need control arms also. You can take the hood of the 500 and plop it on a 200 and nobody could tell. Same goes for the doors, windows, trunk and lights. Its what makes the 500 such a sleeping killer you can't really tell what it is unless you are a mercedes nut.
 
#4 ·
Yeah, w124 500E was build by Porsche, and the Technic is not usual w124, it use SL Technics!
500`s are build in same time an Manufacture with Porsche 928 GTS, correct me if i`m wrong!

Yal has discribe the differents between these models right!



[:D] also differents were cylinders and performance
 
#5 ·
the 500E is a very different car compared to all the other W124's.

- The car was build it conjection with Porsche and built in thier factory in Stuttgard
- Its got flared wheel arches
- Its got a 5.0L V8 engine shoehorned into the engine bay.
- The car is longer and wider than a normal W124
- The rear seats have a wood console dividing them due to the large transmission tunnel (Only a 4 seater)
- The 500E only comes in LHD
- The 500E has the battery in trunk to
1) Either have a weigh balanced correctly (50:50?) or
2) It couldn't fit in the engine bay due to the large engine stuffed under there

thats all I can think of for now - if anything is not correct, please someone let me know so I can stand corrected.

Regards
Mo
 
#6 ·
The 400 also has its battery in the back.
The 400 also has a shoe horned V8.
The 500 is not longer than the others.
The 500 is wider not because the frame or body is wider but because the fenders are flared to accomodate the SL like suspension which give it a wider stance.
The wood console in between the rear seats isn't because of the wider tunnel, it was put there because the 500 was built to carry 2 passengers back there instead of three like the other cars. So both passengers have a "captains" chair to hold them in when you're flying around those corners.

Trust me they tried to keep the car as close to the other W124's as possible. The hood, trunk, roof and lights (front and back) can be put on a 200-400E with no modifications. What they did to accomplish this is amazing considering how different the car is underneath.
 
#9 ·
Thanks a lot guys....

The look of 500E really inspired me to upgrade the body of my 230E. Really love the smoothness of the curve and able to put wider tyre as well....[:D]

What do I need for these conversion?

I've been looking for any posts on this conversion but found none in the forum.

Anybody mind to share?

Appreciate your responses. Thank you...[:)]