Hi folks, great to be here! This would refer to the detailed differences between W124 chassis #s: 124.051 ('90-'93), 124.052 ('94-'95), and 124.066 ('93-'95). I'm trying to figure out what it is about the 'facelift' that turns me off, but I can't get the specifics anywhere. Anyone know what these are, or a source where they're listed? Is it true that the real facelift really took place with 124.066 (the E320)? Are the differences between 124.051 and 124.052 really negligible?

.051 was not made in 93..the 93 version would be .052
Both would be pre face-lift.

Same goes for .066 in 93..that is pre face-lift. 066 and 052 can be preface OR face . depending on the year as they have the same chassis #.
All those chassis w/face lift were 94/95 year models only. [ E320 in this case]
And I can not see what would turn someone off about the face lifted 124..
It is the other way around..the face-lift was an improvement by most opionions. From 93 , they shared the same HFM system engine, but it is the aero body style and Euro style lighting that seperates the face-lifted 94/95 [ and final production years of 124]. The most notable feature difference is Pre-face lift had flat faced ,square nosed front ends, which dates them back to the original 124 style bodies.
If the model starts with E instead of ending in E, it is face-lift. [ ie, a 93 300CE is pre-face, a 94 E320 Cab is Face-lift. Notice they are BOTH 124.066 chassis numbered and both have the same engine, but the 93 is not face, but the 94/95 is]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-300-CE-1993-Mercedes-300CE-Convertible-Serviced-Records-Clean_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6335QQihZ012QQitemZ220217811813QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-E320-Conv-EXCELLENT-RARE-1995-E320-Cabriolet-FLA-61K-miles_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6335QQihZ003QQitemZ130213979165QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

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A Dalton

All 1994-95 E-class cars had air intake system "dust" filters. Earlier e-class cars didn't have that.

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In terms of styling, the 94-95 cars adopted a hood into which the grille was integrated; also, the headlamps are larger, euro-style one-piece glass lens units. Look far better in my opinion. At the rear, there is a chrome piece over the license plate area, and of course the turn signal lenses front and rear were made clear with orange bulbs inside. The wheels change to the 15 inch 8-hole design.

The attached pic shows a 94 in front, with an older 92 124 parked behind fitted with euro lights, then an 86 124 fitted with stock US headlamps, showing the front-end differences. Of course, since the forum allows only tiny image files, it is hard to see...

Attached Thumbnails

 

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94 E320
71 350SL

Yes, and one of the special standard features that one does not see ..
Another noticable, at a glance thing, is the face-lift chassis have the Benz Star on the hood , rather than on top of the grill surround...much prettier.

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A Dalton