MODERN CLASSIC: Mercedes-Benz 300CE-24

A pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz A124 is a relatively rare model. In South Africa, a local collector offered us an afternoon sunset drive along one of the most picturesque roads on the continent. 

Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms

It is hard to believe that there was a time when a four-seater Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet was not available. But that was in fact the case throughout the 1970s and the 1980s. At the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1991 that changed for the better when the (code name) A124 300 CE Cabriolet was unveiled.

• Find a classic or new Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet to buy for yourself here.

However, buyers had to be patient as the car only went into series production six months after it was unveiled. This is understandable as Mercedes-Benz had to first put it through its usual rigorous development test procedures to be sure of its dynamism and safety.

Background

Based in the Winelands town of Stellenbosch in South Africa, the owner of this 300 CE-24 Cabriolet has a number of Benzes in his collection. However, I quickly sense that this is one of favourites – for various reasons. 

Back in the '90s, this particular car was imported to South Africa for the German ambassador who resided in the country’s capital. That also explains why it is a left-hand drive unit in a right-hand drive market. 

When the ambassador moved back to Germany, the car was sold and the new owner gave it to his son who lived outside Cape Town. Here it was stored in a garage under blankets for years and was rarely driven. It then found its way into the possession of a Mercedes-Benz specialist. He took it upon himself to recommission the car since it needed some work following so little use.

The current owner saw the car when the specialist attended club meetings and always reminded him that if he ever wanted to sell the car to please keep him in mind. The rest is history.

The W124 Mercedes is one of the earliest Mercedes-Benz models that started the evolution from the very rigid, square design theme we associate with earlier models. Even so, the relatively angled lines of this Blauschwarz exterior colour make it stand out and is unmistakably Mercedes-Benz.

Behind the wheel

There is no better way to end a weekend than with a sunset drive on a pristine piece of tarmac. The R44 runs through the Winelands to and then along the coast. The road is perfectly tarred and that, undoubtedly helps with the smooth nature that the A124 portrays. 

First in the passenger seat and then later behind the wheel I’m first and foremost reminded of how solidly these cars were built. There are no squeaks or rattles in the cabin and overall the car feels remarkably fresh. Even over speed bumps the suspension works perfectly and the car feels sturdy. The fact that the car is fitted with plump 205/60tyres on 15-inch wheels helps with bump absorption.

This road is one of the best and prettiest driving roads on the continent, snaking along the rugged coastline of False Bay. On the opposite side of the bay you have the Southern suburbs of Cape Town. Incidentally, this road also formed part of the route that was used during the international launch of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren back in 2004.

Behind the wheel there are a few elements that immediately remind you of the fact that this is a W124-based Mercedes. This includes the view over the bonnet, the near-square, compact side mirrors and then several aspects of the cabin itself.
Luxury items include heated seats and to the left of the gearlever there is the familiar shift button which you can select between “E” and “S”. I don’t see the point of driving this car in any other setting than Standard though. As I settle behind the wheel and close the door, the quaint little arm behind my left shoulder hands me the seatbelt so it easily falls to hand.

With the roof and windows permanently down for the entire afternoon (except for a single shot before the sun sets) we experience the best the A124 has to offer. There is the option to raise the windows and put the wind deflector in place, but on a perfect afternoon like this some wind entering the cabin is only welcomed. The deflector unfortunately also does the lines on the car no favours, in my opinion.

There are long stretches of open road where the 300 CE is only too happy to stretch its legs. Here I notice how the car will easily cruise at an indicated 160 km/h. Press the throttle pedal past its stop and you activate the kickdown function. From a relaxed 2 500 or 3 000 rpm, the engine jumps around by 1 000 rpm and the car accelerates in a relatively linear fashion, accommodated by a throaty roar from the double exhaust pipes. I’m treated to a more intense 6-cylinder aural symphony as the sound bounces back to us in the car while travelling right next to the vertical rock faces that abound on our route. 

By the time the revs rise to 5 000 rpm, the engine still has another 2 000rpm left. As maximum power is delivered at 6 400 rpm, there is little need in pushing the engine past six grand. However, it is in the middle of the rev range that I find it offers a good level of torque with plenty of shove left in reserve should you want to accelerate.

Through the corners the Mercedes keeps its weight intact, but it is not a car that you necessarily feel like pushing very hard through the corners. It rather wants you to feel comfortable through the corners. It wallows a little, but this rather encourages you to relax behind the wheel and absorb the beautiful scenery as the car wafts along

Even at higher speeds I can still have a decent conversation with my passenger sans shouting, as we make our way past Pringle Bay and Hangklip and through Betty’s Bay.

The next stop before we turn around is Kleinmond where we head to the small launch pad in the harbour. A number of people pay attention to the A124 as it is not a car you see often. If it was the W124 sedan, it's likely no-one would have noticed.

Owner’s thoughts

As we make our way back, the owner and I discuss the car in detail, as he had already acquired it in November 2015. “I’ve done regular trips with the car, usually around 200 to 300 km return journeys to towns in the Boland or Overberg. Of the few cars I own, this will be the absolute last car I’ll sell. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, it is a really affordable car to maintain. You don’t necessarily need a specialist to work on the car. There are tens of thousands of W124s made, so parts are easy to source. Secondly, it drives like a modern car without all the modern technology. Moreover it’s also fairly practical.”

“It is also a solid and safe car. On the open road it really is an exceptionally comfortable grand tourer. Finally, if you want to drive fast you can, although that is not the most important feature of the car for me.”

The owner points out a couple of aspects on the interior that are not standard as well as the grille and bumper which need to receive a correcting layer of paint. Other than that, the car is near perfect.

As the owner says, the car has thankfully never been mistreated, but it has been used with minor stone chips visible if you look closer. That matters little as the car has been maintained properly and the 160 000 km on the odo shows that it has also been used regularly throughout its life. In the pouch containing all the booklets pertaining to this car are found the service book, the owner’s manual and the original warranty document. 

As the sun almost dips behind the horizon, we raise the roof of the A124. It is still the original roof, complete with glass rear window. Having seen the car the entire afternoon with the roof and windows down, it does look momentarily less desirable, but remember, you only need to drive it this way if the weather doesn’t allow you otherwise. For the rest of the time, lower the roof and head for the coastline!

Specifications: 

Model: Mercedes-Benz 300 CE-24 Cabriolet (A124) 

Engine: 3.0-litre, six-cylinder

Power: 162 kW at 6 400 rpm

Torque: 264 N.m at 4 600 rpm

Transmission: 4-speed automatic, RWD

Weight: 1 710 kg

0-100 km/h: 8.8 km/h

Top speed: 230 km/h