2JZ Swapped Wagon: 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300TD

Maybe I'm jaded...or maybe I've seen it all, but when I see a 2JZ swapped Mercedes-Benz wagon, I think to myself -- I've seen this car before...and while we here at DT have published our share (and everybody elses share too) of 2JZ (yo!) equipped Benzes, this particular car appears new to DT..but there must be something in the design of the W124 that lends it to 2JZ swaps, to the point that you can find engine/trans mount kits on on eBay. Find this 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300TD with 2JZ swap offered for $4,500 in East Bay SF, CA via craigslist. Tip from Hugh.

White Whale: 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300TE W124

The Mercedes-Benz W124 generation E-Class was built for the 1985 through 1996 model years on a platform that was engineered to be a cut above the rest.  Compare the build quality of an 80s W124 Benz to a similar era Lexus, Audi, or even BMW...and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the Stuttgart steamer.  Find this 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300TE offered for $3,900 in Edmonds, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

W124 Hammer: 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E

The W124 was arguably last well built and reliable sedan to come from the mad scientists in Stuttgart with classy styling, interiors built to last, and simplicity in function that in future generations was replaced by a dizzying array of electronic gizmos that constantly fail.  The basic W124 was a good fam/lux sedan, but the 500E version turned up the volume with a 5.0 liter DOHC M119 V8 putting out 325 horsepower into a 4 speed automatic transmission.  The chassis tuning and suspension setup was done by Porsche so the car has a sporty feel to it and drives more like a sports car than luxury sedan.  Find this 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E offered for $17,500 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

7-Seater: 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300TE Wagon

The 300 designation was used on a number of Mercedes-Benz cars over the years, probably because it is a good size (in centiliters) for an inline-6 internal combustion engine, but today's example doesn't have gullwing doors or an exclusive pedigree...but what it does have is seating for 7 and a decent price tag for the level of minty-cleaness.  Find this 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300TE Wagon offered for $3,500 in Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Mom's V8 Benz: 1994 Mercedes E420

Finding a well cared for Mercedes W124 sedan is like striking gold.  These era of Mercedes were very rugged and durable cars , but demanded a certain degree of maintenance more than your typical Corolla.  If you followed this regimen and understood how these cars were put together, the reward was a car that drove at least as nice as a Rolls Royce and one that would last hundreds of thousands of miles.  The 400E/E420 came with a 275 hp 4.2 M119 V8 that in the USA was saddled with a super tall 2.24 autobahn gearing.  The only bright spot with the tall gearing is that the V8 actually gets better highway mpg than the 6 cyl cars.  A 3.07 or 2.82 rear end swap really wakes these cars up off the line.  Find this 1994 Mercedes E420 for sale in Maynard, MA for $4,500 via craigslist.

Double You One Two Four- 1991 Mercedes 260E

The Mercedes W124 E class are great bargains for anyone looking for a well engineered retro driver.  The excellent outward visibility, simple interior, compliant suspension, and squared off looks present a great alternative to any similarly priced newer front wheel drive car.  Prices for these models are still relatively affordable and deals like today's 260E still are out there.  The 2.6 engine was the smallest M103 straight six that could be fitted in a North American W124 and was only found on the lowest spec model so this car would be the lightest curb weight of the range.  Today's car has a some subtle modifications along with a rarely seen exterior color.  Find this 1991 Mercedes 260E for sale in Mount Vernon, NY for $2,900 via Cargurus.

Family Machine: 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon

The W124 Mercedes-Benz chassis was the first Benz given the official E-Class nomenclature and one of the finest examples of German engineering & build quality you can find.  These cars are nearing 20 years old, but still feel/drive/look modern, something you wouldn't say of most early '90s American or Japanese luxury cars. Find this 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon offered for $4,450 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck

In Too Deep: 1991 Mercedes 300E

Have you ever been so utterly fed up with a car that you write a Craigslist ad that is full of information that feels good to get off your chest, but does little to actually sell the car?  Today's seller makes the bold claim that his listing is, "the most honest ad ever." Unfortunately, his idea of honesty is a case of what the kids these days call TMI.  The iconic Mercedes W124 E-class is one of the best engineered cars to ever come out of Stuttgart, but can quickly wear out even a ASE certified mechanic who is not all that familiar with these models and their trouble points.  Find this 1991 Mercedes 300E for sale in Medford, NJ for $3,000 via craigslist.

Hoodstacked: 1991 Mercedes 300d

The venerable Mercedes W124 is the euro jack of all trades.  The many body styles of this E-class can be found in use as taxis, limos, wagons, convertibles, sporty coupes, and super sedans.  The diesel drivetrains of this era of Mercs have a loyal following because the engines run forever and rack up hundreds of thousands of miles with ease.  Today's diesel W124 takes a page of out the Big Three full size pick up truck playbook and routs it's shorty exhaust pipe up and out of the hood similar to a locomotive.  Find this 1991 Mercedes 300d for sale in Norfolk, MA for $1,500 via craigslist.

Hen's Teeth- 1994 Mercedes E320

The W124 is widely considered the last over engineered Mercedes before accountants took over the reigns in Stuttgart.  The W124 E-class drives like a modern car compared to it's W123 predecessor which has a far more antique look and feel. These E-class cars have a strong following within the USA Benz community, but not so much with enthusiasts due to the lack of a third pedal.  Even the Porsche assembled 500E super sedan made due with a automatic transmission.  In Europe, any six cylinder W124 could be fitted with a manual gearbox.  Find this 1994 Mercedes E320 5 speed for sale in New Milford,CT for $15,000 via craigslist.

W124 Diesel: 1995 Mercedes-Benz E300

The W124 generation Mercedes-Benz was released in 1984 as a replacement for the W123 model that was getting old.  The W124 lasted until it was replaced by the googly-eyed W210 -- but if you ask me, the square styling of the W124 has aged much better. Find this 1995 Mercedes-Benz E300 diesel offered for $4,100 near Roseville, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Row Your Own: 1994 Mercedes E320 Coupe

The facelift (1994-95) Mercedes coupes sold in pretty small numbers so they are a relatively rare find on Craiglist.  Imagine my surprise when cruising the interwebs and this clean example with a proper 5 speed appeared.  I messaged the seller and found out he had in fact done the swap by using a donor 1988 300e 5 speed car.  My buddy is doing a auto to manual swap on a 94 E320 sedan right now and there are a number of small bits that can stop this sort of conversion cold in its tracks.  Find this 1994 Mercedes E320 coupe for sale in Thornton, CO for $4,900 via craigslist.

Car Van: 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300TE Wagon

The Mercedes-Benz W124 generation E-Class was built for the 1985 through 1996 model years on a platform that was engineered to be a cut above the rest.  Compare the build quality of an 80s W124 Benz to a similar era Lexus, Audi, or even BMW...and you'll be pleasantly suprised with the Stuttgart steamer.  Find this 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300TE Wagon offered for $2,650 in Jersey City, NJ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck. 

Middle-Management Gone Corporate: 2005 SsangYong Chairman CM600S

The Chrysler Crossfire is infamous for utilising the earlier SLK platform from Mercedes, but in a distinctly low-rent sort of way. As it turns out, the Crossfire wasn't the only mid-00s 'new' car born from an old Mercedes platform; this was based on an old E-Class. How old you ask? W124-vintage. This is the Korean luxo-barge for the person who thinks the Hyundai Granduer XG is too common, or the Kia Amanti is too obvious. Find this 2005 SsangYong Chairman CM600S for sale in Adelaide, SA for $6,350 AUD ($4,735 USD at the time of writing) via gumtree.

Retro Gangsta: 1988 Mercedes Benz 300E

Normally I steer clear of dealer listed CL ads.  The incompetency of what they are selling and the literary wooing & schmoozing leaves a die-hard car affection-ado with a bad taste in the mouth.  But sometimes...one in a while...I stumble across a vehicle that is worth the attention and a quick rinse with the strongest mouthwash I have on tap.   Find this 1988 Mercedes Benz 300E for sale at a dealer in Seattle, WA for $4,900 via craigslist.

AMG Power- 1995 Mercedes E320 wagon

When presented the choice of repairing a failed head gasket on the stock 3.2 engine or swapping in a C36 AMG engine, I chose the later.  Neo in the Matrix chose the red pill and we have been down similar rabbit holes ever since. The 2.8, 3.2, and 3.6 Mercedes M104 straight six engines all have the same exterior dimensions so it was a straight bolt in swap.  The 3.6 engine is good for approximately sixty horsepower more than the stock 3.2.  For 1995, a small number of factory E36 cars were sold in the United Kingdom.  Find my 1995 Mercedes E320 wagon for sale here on eBay in Norwalk, CT for $10,000.

Keine Slushbox: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E 5-Speed

Tank-like build quality and engineering to avoid or withstand assassination attempts are hallmarks of the W124 generation of Benz. The cost that came nearly always was the mandate for an automatic transmission, especially in the more powerful models. Alas, one can have their bombproof cake and eat it too. Find this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E 5-Speed for sale in Huntington Beach, CA for $2,000 via craigslist.