I was curious about the W124 (E300 in particular), and being new to Mercedes cars was wondering when they first started putting overdrives in their cars. I understand some of the later 80s SE's had 3 speed transmissions....these couldn't have been overdrive right? Was just curious because I REALLY REALLY like the looks and what I read about the late 80s to early 90s E300, but can't stand to be without that extra gear (for interstate travel). I also was noticing Mercs don't have rack and pinion steering.....are there any issues with long trip steering fatigue, play, or lack of response? Thanks!

I don't know anything about the overdrive issue (I always though all the gas engine S-Classes from the 80s were 4 speeds), but the lack of rack and pinion steering was a bonus in my estimation. The new ones have it and I think the only reason they do is because those hacks who write for car mags kept referring to MB as being in the dark ages with the old recirc ball streering.

I have never owned or driven a car that was easier to steer than my old 420SEL and it did not have rack and pinion. I drove that car on about 20 long trips (4 days retrun trip averageing 12-16 hours a day) and it was the most comfortable car to drive you could imagine. You get out of that car after 5 hours of non-stop highway driving to get lunch or fill up and feel like you hadn't been driving at all. In parking lots I found the steering to be effortless as well. The size of steering wheel might have had something to do with that, but the control and precision it offered was something I have never found on any other make of car.

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

All W124s automatics in the early eighties were 4-speed + reverse (no overdrive). Five speed autos were installed in some models (300E/CE/TE-24s and E280/320s) as an additional option over the 4-speeds (which were also available in most markets until the end of production of the series).

Recirculation ball steering is a much better and definitely a MORE expensive system that rack and pinion. Mercedes used recirc ball steering because it isolates road vibration much better. Also, it provides a more relaxed (and luxurious?) feeling to steering response. Finally, recirc ball steering systems are more durable.

Mercedes switched to rack and pinion plainly as a cost saving measure. Now they say that rack an pinion is more accurate, but they are just excusing themselves for being cheap.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

Thanks for the responses and info guys!