Mercedes-Benz E60 AMG (W124) '1994-1995

'The Four-Door Porsche'

It's claimed that once a upon time there was era when German engineers were aloud to build cars as strong as possible they could without worrying the manufacturing costs. They also say that Mercedes W124 is one of the purest examples of that time. People talk a lot and someone even said that another well-known Stuttgart based car manufacturer called Porsche builds the most quality cars on the planet. Who knows, but it’s evident that something special there is in Stuttgart. Even Porsches share is more in sports cars they have designed and build cars also for other brands (e.g. Zafira, RS2). Porsche has been interested of having four-door car in their feet already in the 80's that headed to this coincident that delights all cars enthusiastic.

Let's go back to the beginning of the 90's. Porsche was developing type 989, a stretched chassis from 911 with V8 and 4 doors and at the same time M-B decided to develop high performance version from their 300E. Not so pretty 989-concept was buried and M-B's production lines and design departments were working in full steam, so contract was made with a Porsche AG to take care the designing and production of the beast called 500E. Bodies were produced in M-B factory and send across the town for Porsche for assembly and then back to M-B towers for quality control. It took 18 days to built one car!

The pre-facelifted 500E. Source: www.classicandperformancecar.com

The reason for building this beautiful machine came of course from the markets. That time people were desiring the Bimmers "ultimate driving machine", E34 M5 pushing 315hp from it's straight six through rear wheels and Audi was just entering on the power sedan markets with its S4 (C4) with charged straight five blasting 230hp through 4WD. The M5 was more like a track capable hooligan and S4 fast every weather car, so M-B decided to create king of the autobahn. Basic concept of the 500E was smooth and endless power in a chassis that transports comfortably four people with their luggage from Germany to South Italy.

In my opinion the best colour option. Source: www.e500.org

Exterior of the 500E was tweaked only little from it's little sister 300E. Basically just wider wheel arches, wider front skirt and bigger wheels. But those tiny tweaks with lowered suspension transformed the grandpa W124 into a bad muthafucka that you want to watch out when appearing on the rear mirror. Also the interior was almost similar with the 300E Sportsline with Recaros and factory fitted fire extinguisher at driver’s foot –how race is that! For some vibe check out chapters from Taxi 1.

It was time for a facelift in 1993 and name was changed to E500 to suit the fleet. Among facelift hood, trunk and lights was updated and steering wheel was changed to smaller. Technical specifications remained exactly the same. Some limited editions were produced in the end of total production of approx. 10,249 super cars: E500 limited with Evo II -17” wheels and two-tone interior and E60 AMG.

E60 AMG with the facelifted lights and hood. Source: www.e500.org

E60 AMG with facelifted trunk and lights. Source: www.benzworld.org

E60 AMG was the very limited series of E500's built between 1994 and 1995 that had an AMG tweaked suspension and engine. It had a 2^nd generation of the M119 engine (originally from SL500) that had a capacity of 5956cc (4793cc in E500) and power increase of 55hp and 100Nm. Base engine was also used in CLK GTR. Sprint time from 0 to 100km/h was dropped 0,5 seconds and top speed limited 30km/h higher. Huge numbers if you consider that this was happening middle of the 90’s! Bodywork and interior remained the same and only wheels were changed to 3-piece 17” AMG ones. Very little information and pictures can be found about the E60 AMG, but there’s even some up for sale in Mobile.de. Check this nice walk around.. 
In my opinion it’s better that Porsche stops trying to fit those rear doors into their design language –just doesn’t work! Have a look of 989-concept, Cayanne and Panamera they all look somewhat strained –like you try to squeeze more capacity inside the ball, but just extend it into one direction. Just doesn’t feel right. Guess it’s the strong semiotics of the 911, but can you point out any saloon that looks cool with the all-spherical lines? I like it this way that if Porsche wants to build family cars they should put their effort into cars that are born to saloons. Can wait to get my hands dirty with the RS2

In details

M119.974 with AMG stams. Source: www.benzworld.org

Engine

V8, 5956cc, 32 -valve, Bosch L-Jetronic (M119.974  6.0)

AMG exhaust (with twin tip outlet)

Numbers

376hp/5500rpm

580Nm/3750rpm

Top speed: 280km/h (delimited approx. 300km/h)

0-100km/h: 5.2s

0-200km/h: 19.8s

0-1km: 24.5s

Transmission

4 -speed auto, RWD

2.56:1 (German version) or 2.82 (Swiss version) gearing ratio

Chassis

AMG suspension (9-10" lower than standard W124)

Brakes front: 320x30mm, 4-pot calibers / rear: 300x34mm, 2-pot calibers

EVO II 17" or AMG (3-piece) 8.5J x 17" ET30  alloys with 245/45ZR17 tyres

Exterior (similar to E500/500E)

Wider front and rear wheel arches

Wider/deeper front valance

Facelift hood, trunk and lights

E60/AMG model badges

Interior (similar to E500/500E)

Sportsline leather interior (two-tone and limited are common)

Recaro -seats

390mm Sportsline steering wheel

Some with birds-eye maple dark trim

Rear wood console between rear seats

Fire extinguisher in driver’s foot space

Battery placed in trunk for better weight distribution

Other

AMG have produced very limited version with 399hp/5750rpm and 615Nm

AMG stamps in air box

957 "AMG Technology Package" in VIN number

Might be that there was even T-version (estate) made!

Brabus, Kleeman and RENNtech have tuned some really cool versions, like: 6.5L version, 6-speed manual version and 475hp version. 
Alltogether 149 made (including the limited versions)