Are you serious?
Isn't the self leveling suspension troublesome? Does it do anything for the car's handling? How does it affect the ride? Is it more comfortable?

Not true - didn't get the self-leveling suspension, didn't include heated seats, didn't include rear sun-shade.

Self-leveling system in the '94 and '95 cars was pretty good actually (I think) no problem in mine with 265,000 miles outside of a ruptured hose from the tandem pump. Quite a mess too.

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

Strange. I have a friend, who has posted under the name "Hi-Power" here, who has a '95 E420 Special Edition, and his came with heated seats, power rear sun screen and self-leveling rear suspension.

I was under the impression that regular E420's in any year couldn't even have been ordered with the self leveling rear suspension.

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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".

Self leveling potentially means more repairs over the years but I can assure you that working correctly it is superb. Our 300TE has it (was standard on 124 wagons) and apart from the convenience of correct ride height regardless of load, it offers great ride comfort with perfect damping. Interesting to note that the performnce versions of the W201, the 190E 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 had it as standard and that the evolution versions also ran it on the front suspension.

Back to the topic of "special editions", this seems to be a local thing within a particular market. Here in Oz, the last of our W124 sedans were E220 special editions. Typically the 220E and E220 were fairly basic but those special editions came with leather, walnut, alloys and power everything. Special editions were not badged as such, it was simply a marketing term. Likewise, the last of our W201s were budget versions (all options deleted) of the 190E 1.8 which were uniquely badged "180E" here. Strangely, these too were often called special edition.

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

Yeah, I think given the choice, I would prefer to own a W124 with self leveling rear suspension.

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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".

I've seen magazines where they have "Masterpiece" w124s

it is badged as such, the word "masterpiece" is in script, i believe they have a 2 tone interior...

don't think it was released in the continental US though

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project

I have a 1995 E420 SE.. Did'nt know what made it special but now I know..
I have the phone (useless now) the chrome door sills are nice and the heated seats are great.. I don;t know if it's got the self leveling system or not.
I'll have to check..

Overall the car is great.. I put a new ECU chip and K&N filters.
runs like a scalded dog.. (No I would not scald a dog)..
but my car is tops.. not much on the road that will hang with it or get the MPG's for a V8..

Just wanted to add my 2cent worth..

I didn't know my E420 was an "SE" until I got my insurance papers where the vin is listed as being a special edition. if does have a phone (even a panel above the rear view mirror), heated seats. never particularly noticed the sill plates and I'm sure is does not have load leveling. My 95 E320 wagon does obviously.