Mercedes-Benz W124 facelift 1989 230 E (132 Hp)


Overall Rating

8.5 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 3.5 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 4.0 / 5
Comfort 4.5 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Mercedes-Benz W124:

The Mercedes-Benz W124 is a range of executive cars made by Daimler-Benz from 1984 to 1997. The range included numerous body configurations, and though collectively referred to as the W-124, official internal chassis designations varied by body style: saloon ; estate ; coupé ; cabriolet ; limousine ; rolling chassis ; and long-wheelbase rolling chassis.
From 1993, the 124 series was officially marketed as the E-Class. The W 124 followed the 123 series from 1984 and was succeeded by the W 210 E-Class after 1995, and the C 208 CLK-Class in 1997....(Read more on Wikipedia)

facelift 1989 Overview:

Mercedes-Benz W124 (facelift 1989). With 198 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~11.4 l/100km). With a weight of 1360 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 11.3 s). The top speed reaches 200 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

230 E (132 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

Offers adequate performance for daily driving, providing a balanced experience without being overtly sporty. Acceleration is respectable for its class.

Fuel Economy

Reasonable fuel economy for a petrol engine of its size and era, making it a practical choice for mixed driving.

Best Use Case: Mixed city/highway driving, comfortable daily commuting.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Legendary build quality and robust engineering, built to last.
  • • Exceptional ride comfort and refinement, ideal for long journeys.
  • • Timeless, elegant design that has aged gracefully.
  • • Wide range of engines, from economical diesels to powerful V8s.
  • • Strong safety features for its era, including standard ABS.
  • • High reliability and durability, often reaching very high mileages.

Cons:

  • • Maintenance and parts can be expensive, especially for specialist components.
  • • Some base models (e.g., 200 D) are very slow by modern standards.
  • • Fuel economy on larger petrol engines can be high.
  • • Rust can be an issue on neglected examples, particularly in certain areas.
  • • Interior technology is dated compared to modern cars (expected for its age).

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(W124: September, 1988 - August, 1989).

General:
Brand:Mercedes-Benz
Model:W124
Generation:facelift 1989
Modification (Engine):230 E (132 Hp)
Start of production:September, 1989
End of production:October, 1992
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:132 Hp @ 5100 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:57.4 Hp/l [Same length.]
Torque:198 Nm @ 3500 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:M 102 E 23 / 102.982 More details about the engine M 102 E 23 / 102.982
Engine displacement:2298
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:SOHC
Engine oil capacity:5 l
Coolant:8.5 l
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:95.5 mm mm
Piston Stroke:80.2 mm mm
Compression ratio:9:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:11.4 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:7.2 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:11.3 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:11.3 sec
Maximum speed:200 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:10.3 kg/Hp, 97.1 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:6.9 kg/Nm, 145.6 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:10.7 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1360
Max. weight:1880
Max load:520
Fuel tank capacity:70 l
Size:
Length:4740 mm mm [Same length.]
Width:1740 mm mm [Same width.]
Height:1428 mm mm [3mm less]
Wheelbase:2800 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1501 mm
Rear (Back) track:1491 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDisc
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeCone worm with recirculation balls
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires sizeFront wheel tires: 195/65 R15
Wheel rims sizeFront wheel rims: 6.5J x 15
Front suspensionWishbone
Rear suspensionIndependent multi-link suspension

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