1989 Mercedes-Benz 300CE Coupe

Description

Mercedes-Benz announced a stylish coupe version of the well-regarded W124 E-Class range at the Geneva Motor Show of 1987, with a lower roofline and more steeply raked windscreen, along with pillarless side treatment in the best Stuttgart coupe tradition.  The wheelbase was slightly shorter, the interior redesigned to accommodate four adults with individual rear seats and novel touches – like the automatic arm that offered front seat passengers the seat belts – set the coupes apart from their four-door cousins.  The flagship of the W124 range was the 300CE, powered by a smooth six-cylinder engine with Bosch fuel injection, double overhead camshafts and developing 190 bhp at 5600 rpm. The 300CE was a strong performer and could top 135 mp/h on the unrestricted autobahns of Germany thanks to its aerodynamic shape.  Underneath, the W124 coupe was typically well-engineered with independent front suspension via MacPherson struts and wishbones and five-link independent rear suspension, with coil springs and anti-roll bars front/rear.  The 300CE was always an exclusive package and high prices when new have made them a rare sight on Australian roads, although the superb build quality - at a time when Mercedes-Benz were rightly considered the world leaders - have ensured those that do survive are in remarkably good condition when compared to most 25 year old cars.  Today, the 300CE is certainly much more affordable, offering remarkable value for money when one considers how sophisticated the car really is, offering levels of performance and luxury features well above many newer, much more expensive cars.