I'm looking at E420s - 94 and 95 models. I've seen several advertised as "Special Edition". What options comprise the special edition feature? How about Sportline? Can I tell by looking at a car that it's a sportline?

Thanks in advance. I hope to soon join your ranks as a proud mercedes owner. I'm defecting from BMW. Once you drive a W124, everything else feels flimsy!

Troy K.

Sportlines had badges, and heavily bolstered seats plus a few other goodies like 8 hole wheels.
I have never heard of or seen a "special edition" E-class.
could have been something a dealer modified.
DR.D

the 94 and 95 124s had 8-hole wheels, whether SportLine or not.

the most distinguishable features of SportLine cars are the side badges on the front fender plastic guards.

the car also sits lower, due to shorter springs.

another SportLine feature is the SportLine steering wheel, which I believe is smaller in diameter.

i've never heard of E420 SportLine models though ...

Sportline badging on the front fenders and shift knob. As mentioned in an earlier post, I don't think they offered a Sportline package with the V-8.

My understanding is that Special Edition W124s were produced in 1995 only (the last model year for the 124). Special wheels and paint and interior color combinations were offered, I believe.

MB did the same "Special Edition" offerings with the W202 C-Class and the W210 E-Class in their last years of production.

I've heard the last 124s called "Special Editions" but they (to my knowledge) were never officially marketed as such? Special metallic paint with period E420 rims. I want to know if a "special" 123 was ever offered!

I've seen 1995 W124's called special edition models.

1995 8 hole wheels are polished. All other years (1992-1994 are painted silver).

I've never seen an E420 Sportline model. I don't think they made one. E320 only.

Sportline models have thicker swaybars, shorter springs, and Sportline Bilstein shocks and struts. They also have a smaller diameter steering wheel, and a back seat like the E320 coupes and 560 SEC's - two separate bucket seats, separated by a center wooden console.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Hmm, I wonder if they ever made a Sportline W124 wagon...

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

Sportline was available on the 124 wagons in Europe at least. I'll try to find the article, but I remember reading one a few years back that described it in detail.

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

I have driven last year in a later w124 sportsline wagon taxi in black. neat car

I was just running down the replies thinking that people should realise that Mercedes marketed in many different ways depending on the local trends
Regards, Chris. and Snibble hits it straight away.
In the UK Sportline was offered on the 190E as well as the E Class even on the convertible. It consisted of lowered suspension and wheels similar to those found on a 1985 500SEC, (I just checked by looking out of my window).