What car comes to mind when you think of the best Mercedes-Benz? If you were born before the turn of the millennium, chances are the mid 80’s to 90’s Mercedes-Benz E-Class - fondly known as the W124, comes to mind.

Having owned a 300CE-24 and driven plenty of newer generation Benzes, it's hard to not agree with the Internet's common consensus that they just don't make cars like this anymore.

Of course, the newer Benzes are more powerful and definitely a lot more agile, but that’s just about it. The newer models are mostly all about flexing their tech.

They lack character and finesse. There’s a sense of power and security when you are in an older Benz. 

While the design isn’t something to shout about (save for the 500E and the AMG Hammer), we can all agree that it is timeless. 

Bruno Sacco, the man behind the design, has created an iconic image that is unmistakably Mercedes-Benz, which has since aged well. The W124’s clean lines and solid, boxy looks are still well appreciated to this day. 

Back then, Mercedes-Benz's definition of luxury wasn’t really about how much of the latest tech they can fit it the car. Instead, they focused on overengineering the cars with no expense spared and the W124 is a prime example of it.

Also read: 10 cars sold in Malaysia that simply refuse to die

Step inside one and hear the solid, vault-like thud as you shut the door close. All of a sudden you’re separated from the outside world.

All the noises, gone. It’s so quiet in here. Take a whiff of the air... oh that distinctive scent of wood and leather. You know you’re in a comfortable tank that is a Mercedes-Benz. 

As you drive along Malaysia’s top quality roads, you realize something: “Did the road just get fixed?” No, it wasn’t. It was never fixed. It was the W124’s suspension and its bouncy, cushiony seats that have been soaking up all the road’s imperfections all along.

The engine, whichever one it may be, is smooth albeit slightly lazy - you have to bury your foot into the throttle in order to wake it up.

Chuck the W124 into a corner and you’ll be greeted with an immense amount of body roll; yet, the car feels nowhere near nervous. 

Simply put, the W124 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a confident car, no matter what your driving style is. 

The W124 is now three decades old, yet despite its age, you can still spot plenty of them on the road. Some of them are even still used as taxis.

These machines were built to last, and they sure do. Yes, it may not be as reliable as its Japanese counterparts, and its overengineering can bite you in the back. I mean, there are four (yes, four) rear control arms on one side alone.

Also read: RM 5k for a used W124 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Masterpiece. Common problems? Here are some

But that’s not to say the W124 isn’t hard to maintain. It’s quite the opposite, in fact. Parts are aplenty and are easy to source (save for the interior bits) and if you like to do things yourself, it’s an easy car to work on. There’s plenty of room in the engine bay and most of the parts are well within reach. 

You can easily find yourself a community of W124 E-Class owners everywhere on Facebook and in forums; and if you ask any of them, I can assure you that all, if not most of them, are proud of their W124 and love their bulletproof machines.

Also read: Owner Review: 1989 Mercedes-Benz W124 300E-24: A Rare Version of a Common Model