1986 Mercedes Benz 300E 5-spd Test Drive

More civilized than a cafe racer, the 300E was fast (140 mph) and luxurious, with an impressive list of standard equipment. As part of the new W124 series that also included the 300D Turbo, this sleek 4-door was more of what you ‘d expect from Mercedes, understatement.  With its alloy wheels, those slick, Euro-style faired-in headlights (with washers) and 5-speed manual transmission, it was quite a sporty piece. Especially when fitted with the 2962-cc SOHC, 177-bhp inline 6-cylinder that was new to North America.  A new-to-everybody, 2996-cc, SOHC 148-bhp inline-6 turbo diesel with automatic was also available. It wasn’t as hot as the gasoline power plant, but it was torrid enough to make the 127-mph 300D turbo the world’s fastest production diesel sedan at the time.

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