wut is this on the W124???
 

Plz observe the picture below...you can see the entire rear bumper has been removed...you see on the side, there is this black plastic vent-like thingy...what is it?
http://mb124.de/bilder/79_Gal36.jpg

OK...but what DOES it vent!?!? I mean, it is covered by the bumper...

When you shut the trunk lid it allows the air to escape and the lid to shut easy.:D When you put the bumper back on it makes it easier if the vent is pushed into the car to allow the bumper to clear. After the bumper is on, the vent snaps into place. There is one on each side I believe.;)

I think it is the outlet for air coming in from the climate control system. It has to go somewhere ...

Seems a little elaborate to just facilitate trunk closing (and besides, there are already small drains at the bottom of each side well in your trunk which are open to the atmosphere to serve as water drains if your trunk gets wet.)

All it does is allow air to escape when running the climate control, changes in altitudes, slamming doors and trunks and such. It also allows a certian amount flow through for air exchange.


Joe

Thanx everybody for the information! how odd...I have never noticed the same thing on other cars before...oh well

I was told that it is the outlet for the climate control. It allows
the trunk to be heated or cooled just like the rest of the car.
That way your stuff in the trunk won't roast or freeze like it
would in some other cars.