Performance Review: Mercedes E Class 500 W124 - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes E Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes E Class 500 W124 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Mercedes E Class has a 4973cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The E Class shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the E Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1710 kgs (3769 lbs) this makes the Mercedes E Class 500 W124 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes E Class shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4973cc 32V V8 engine produces 322 bhp (240 kW) @ 5700 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 354 lb-ft (479.9 Nm) @ 3900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes E Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (213.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes E Class.

The Mercedes E Class has a Power to weight ratio of 188.3 bhp per ton and 207.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 E Class competing with the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (213.3 bhp per ton) or the 2019 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Turbo (213.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes E Class generating around 207.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Audi R8 Spyder GT 5.2L V10 (232.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1999 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG (232.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Mercedes E Class 500 W124 as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Mercedes E Class 500 W124 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the E Class and the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes E Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.4 secs @ 95.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible (14.33 secs), the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), and the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Mercedes E Class 500 W124 has a maximum speed of 156mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 E Class equals the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Mercedes E Class 500 W124 then how about the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph), the 2001 TVR Chimaera 500 5.0L V8 (167 mph), or the 1993 TVR Griffith 500 (167 mph).

Related Links:

1990 E Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison