Drawing of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

In 2017, the E63 S wagon turned a 7:45.19 Nurburgring lap into a wagon record.1

Researched October 22, 2026 from 40 sources

Also called

  • The HammerUsed for the early W124 AMG V8 cars; the 300 CE 6.0 AMG was the coupe counterpart.23
  • Wolf in sheep's clothingApplied to the 500 E, jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and Porsche to retain familiar W124 looks while delivering much stronger performance.45

At a glance

0400800
120–604 hpPower
0510
3–6.1 s0–60 mph
0150300
204–299 km/hTop speed
05001,000
240–850 N·mTorque
01,5003,000
1,440–2,710 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.8912151617

Engine
Gasoline/diesel I4, I5, I6, V6 and V8; mild and plug-in hybrids911
Layout
Front engine; rear-wheel drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive11
Gearbox
4–9-speed automatics; 4–6-speed manuals, depending on generation91114
Built at
W213 sedan/wagon: Sindelfingen; C238/A238: Bremen, Germany11
Units built
W124: 2,721,817 excl. commercial chassis; W210: 1,653,437; W211: about 1.5m8914

The story

Built to fill Mercedes-Benz's midrange, the E-Class took its name with the 1993 W124 facelift. E had meant fuel injection; this executive family offered sedans, wagons, coupes and convertibles.6

1984: November debut for the W12419841991: Four-seat cabriolet ends a 20-year gap19911993: W124 gets the E-Class name19931995: W210 brings the four-eye face19952002: W211 and the supercharged E55 AMG20022009: W212 arrives; paired headlights bow out20092016: W213 reunites all four body styles20162020: Mercedes-Benz's first MotorTrend COTY20202023: W214 debuts; two-doors move to CLE2023 Mercedes-Benz Ponton (W120 / W121): 1953–1962Mercedes-Benz Fintail (W110): 1961–1968W110Mercedes-Benz Stroke-8 (W114 / W115): 1968–1976Mercedes-Benz W123 (W123 / S123 / C123 / V123): 1975–1986Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124) (W124 / S124 / C124 / A124): 1984–1997Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) (W210 / S210): 1994–2003Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) (W211 / S211): 2002–2009Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) (W212 / S212 / C207 / A207): 2009–2016Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213) (W213 / S213 / C238 / A238): 2016–2023Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W214) (W214): From 2023 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones6891011142526
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1953–1962Mercedes-Benz Ponton (W120 / W121)
1961–1968Mercedes-Benz Fintail (W110)
1968–1976Mercedes-Benz Stroke-8 (W114 / W115)
1975–1986Mercedes-Benz W123 (W123 / S123 / C123 / V123)
1984–1997Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124) (W124 / S124 / C124 / A124)
1994–2003Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) (W210 / S210)
2002–2009Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) (W211 / S211)
2009–2016Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) (W212 / S212 / C207 / A207)
2016–2023Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213) (W213 / S213 / C238 / A238)
From 2023Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W214) (W214)
1984November debut for the W124
1991Four-seat cabriolet ends a 20-year gap
1993W124 gets the E-Class name
1995W210 brings the four-eye face
2002W211 and the supercharged E55 AMG
2009W212 arrives; paired headlights bow out
2016W213 reunites all four body styles
2020Mercedes-Benz's first MotorTrend COTY
2023W214 debuts; two-doors move to CLE
  1. 1984

    November debut for the W124

    The W124 debuted in November 1984. Its sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible carried the W124, S124, C124 and A124 body codes.6

  2. 1991

    Four-seat cabriolet ends a 20-year gap

    The 300 CE-24 Cabriolet needed around 1,000 new body-reinforcement parts. Its four-seat, fabric-roof tradition returned to the E-Class name in 2010.7

  3. 1993

    W124 gets the E-Class name

    With the facelift, 320 E became E 320 and the 124 family became the E-Class. A124 convertible production continued through 1997.6

  4. 1995

    W210 brings the four-eye face

    Four elliptical headlamps marked the W210 sedan and S210 wagon. Market launches came in 1995 and 1996; production spanned 1994–2003.8

  5. 2002

    W211 and the supercharged E55 AMG

    W211 and S211 production ran through 2009. The E55 AMG used a 469-hp supercharged 5.4 L V8; the 2006 update brought the 6.2 L E63 AMG.9

  6. 2009

    W212 arrives; paired headlights bow out

    Built as W212 sedans and S212 wagons through 2016, this generation gained a 2013 facelift that replaced paired headlamps with single housings.10

  7. 2016

    W213 reunites all four body styles

    The 2016–2023 W213 generation put sedans, wagons, C238 coupes and A238 convertibles on one platform, unlike the preceding two-door cars.11

  8. 2020

    Mercedes-Benz's first MotorTrend COTY

    MotorTrend named the updated W213 its 2021 Car of the Year in November 2020, delivering Mercedes-Benz its first win in the award.612

  9. 2023

    W214 debuts; two-doors move to CLE

    Debuting April 25, W214 kept sedans and wagons as two-doors moved to CLE. Optional rear steering turns 4.5 degrees to tighten the turning circle.613

Every generation

Power over the years

From 220 hp to 604 hp in 33 years.

0200400600800 1995200020052010201520202025 hp 1993 · 220 hp · E320, six-cylinder2003 · 469 hp · E55 AMG, supercharged 5.4 L V82006 · 507 hp · M156 E63 AMG, 6.2 L V82011 · 518 hp · M157 E63 AMG twin-turbo2012 · 326 hp · E400 HYBRID, V6 + electric motor2014 · 577 hp · E63 AMG S Model2016 · 191 hp · E220d, 2.0 L diesel2017 · 603 hp · E63 S2019 · 429 hp · US E53 Sedan, EQ Boost2024 · 255 hp · US E350 4MATIC2024 · 375 hp · US E450 4MATIC2026 · 604 hp · US E53 HYBRID Wagon, RACE START 604 hp US E53 HYBRID Wagon, RACE START 220 hp E320, six-cylinder
39101315181920
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1993220E320, six-cylinder
2003469E55 AMG, supercharged 5.4 L V8
2006507M156 E63 AMG, 6.2 L V8
2011518M157 E63 AMG twin-turbo
2012326E400 HYBRID, V6 + electric motor
2014577E63 AMG S Model
2016191E220d, 2.0 L diesel
2017603E63 S
2019429US E53 Sedan, EQ Boost
2024255US E350 4MATIC
2024375US E450 4MATIC
2026604US E53 HYBRID Wagon, RACE START

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Classic / Elegance / Avantgarde / Sport / AMG Line

    Standard

    Classic / Elegance / Avantgarde / Sport / AMG Line

  • All-Terrain wagons

    Standard

    All-Terrain wagons

  • Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan

    Performance

    Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan

    2019

    429 hp
  • E 55 AMG (W211)

    Performance

    E 55 AMG (W211)

    2003–2006

    469 hp
  • E 63 AMG (W212)

    Performance

    E 63 AMG (W212)

    2009–2016

  • E 63 S (W213)

    Performance

    E 63 S (W213)

    2017–2023

    603 hp
  • AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon / Edition 1

    Performance

    AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon / Edition 1

    2026

    577 hp
  • 500 E / E 500

    Performance

    500 E / E 500

    1991–1995

    10,479 built

  • Limited

    E 63 S Final Edition

    2023

    603 hp

    999 built

  • E 500 Limited

    Limited

    E 500 Limited

    1994–1995

How to spot one

Look for

  • W124: a single windshield wiper is a useful clue.14
  • W210: four large oval headlights create the four-eye face.68
  • W211: paired headlights angle slightly rearward.9
  • Early W212: angular bodywork and a pronounced bulge above the rear wheels.10

Year by year

  1. 1989 (W124)

    Plastic side panels gained chrome edging that continued across the bumpers; mirrors became body color.14

  2. 1993 (W124)

    The grille shrinks into the hood; clear indicators, body-color bumpers and E-first model badges mark the facelift.236

  3. 1999 (W210)

    Mirror-mounted LED indicators, body-color door handles and side skirts identify facelifted cars.8

  4. 2006 / 2007 model year

    W211 adopts a more upright grille and a new front bumper.9

  5. 2013 / 2014 model year

    W212 replaces separate twin lamps with single housings; Luxury keeps a hood star, while Sport puts the star in the grille.10

  6. 2020 (W213)

    Reshaped headlights, a new grille and a reprofiled bumper arrive; sedan taillights become wider.619

Against its rivals

  • Audi RS6

    E-Class vs Audi RS6

    0–161 km/h lower is better

    E-Class9.8 s
    Audi RS611 s
    9

Prices

Value today $17.0K–$33.0K3233

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M 20142016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $17,000–$33,000 2014 · $100,695 · US base, E63 S AMG2019 · $65,195 · US base, E450 wagon2019 · $89,175 · US as tested, E450 wagon2021 · $55,300 · US base, E3502024 · $63,350 · US base, E350 4MATIC2024 · $69,150 · US base, E450 4MATIC2024 · $74,700 · US E450 All-Terrain, excl. delivery2026 · $93,350 · US E53 HYBRID wagon, excl. delivery 2023 · $146,069 · 2023 E63 S Final Edition sedan, 46 miles, BaT2025 · $39,500 · 1994 E500, 103k miles shown, BaT2025 · $44,250 · 2021 E450 4MATIC All-Terrain wagon, 48k miles, BaT2025 · $13,750 · 2014 E350 sedan, 42k miles, BaT2025 · $4,700 · 1995 E320 sedan, ~131k miles, BaT2025 · $7,600 · 2001 E55 AMG, 152k miles, BaT2026 · $33,000 · 2005 E55 AMG wagon, 118k miles, BaT2026 · $17,000 · 1994 E320 coupe, 77k miles, BaT2026 · $58,750 · 2018 E63 S 4MATIC wagon, 65k miles, BaT2026 · $10,800 · 2006 E320 CDI, 115k miles, BaT2026 · $10,250 · 2014 E350 sedan, BaT $146.1K BaT, 2023
1213151718222427323334353637383940
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2014Price when new$100,695US base, E63 S AMG
2019Price when new$65,195US base, E450 wagon
2019Price when new$89,175US as tested, E450 wagon
2021Price when new$55,300US base, E350
2024Price when new$63,350US base, E350 4MATIC
2024Price when new$69,150US base, E450 4MATIC
2024Price when new$74,700US E450 All-Terrain, excl. delivery
2026Price when new$93,350US E53 HYBRID wagon, excl. delivery
2023Auction sale$146,0692023 E63 S Final Edition sedan, 46 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$39,5001994 E500, 103k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$44,2502021 E450 4MATIC All-Terrain wagon, 48k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$13,7502014 E350 sedan, 42k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$4,7001995 E320 sedan, ~131k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$7,6002001 E55 AMG, 152k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$33,0002005 E55 AMG wagon, 118k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,0001994 E320 coupe, 77k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$58,7502018 E63 S 4MATIC wagon, 65k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$10,8002006 E320 CDI, 115k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$10,2502014 E350 sedan, BaT
2026Value today$17,000–$33,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters
  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “160,934 km at 224.823 km/h”
    • “7:45.19: the Nordschleife wagon record”
  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 10 generations
  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 40 sources
  1. Mercedes-AMG E63 S Is the Fastest Wagon Ever Around the Nurburgring motortrend.com
  2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124) review - Goodwood Classic Solutions insurance.goodwood.com
  3. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  4. 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 E | St. Moritz 2023 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  5. Tracing the story of the Mercedes-Benz 500 E - Porsche Newsroom USA newsroom.porsche.com
  6. Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  8. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  9. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  10. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  11. Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  12. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Is the 2021 MotorTrend Car of the Year motortrend.com
  13. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  14. Mercedes-Benz W124 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  15. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  16. Used Mercedes-AMG E63 (W213, 2017 - 2023) review – a V8 supersaloon for hot hatch money | evo evo.co.uk
  17. How Reliable Is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-class Wagon? caranddriver.com
  18. 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S vs. BMW M5 Competition Pack - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  19. Used Mercedes E-Class (Mk5, 2016-2023) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  20. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  21. Used Mercedes E-Class W212 buying guide: 2009-2016 (Mk4) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  22. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  23. A fitting finale for the top model of the 124 series: The Mercedes-Benz E 500 Limited, “last off the line” | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  24. 2023 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Sedan Final Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $146,069 on September 15, 2023 (Lot #120,526) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. E wie Erfolgsgeschichte – die Historie der Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  26. Mercedes-Benz W123 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  27. Tested: 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350/E450 Sedans caranddriver.com
  28. Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI: World record holder and fuel miser autointell.com
  29. Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (V8 Supercar) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  30. Mercedes-Benz 2003 E-Class gets starring role in Men in Black II autoweek.com
  31. The Supreme Engineering of German Automotive Shows Up at the Horizon Festival! forza.net
  32. 23-Years-Owned 1994 Mercedes-Benz E320 Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,000 on September 24, 2026 (Lot #264,758) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $33,000 on June 18, 2026 (Lot #248,323) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $58,750 on October 20, 2026 (Lot #269,383) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,800 on April 24, 2026 (Lot #239,384) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 42k-Mile 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,750 on June 19, 2025 (Lot #196,915) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $39,500 on December 20, 2025 (Lot #224,272) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC All-Terrain Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $44,250 on September 25, 2025 (Lot #211,776) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. No Reserve: 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,700 on April 24, 2025 (Lot #188,865) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. No Reserve: 2001 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,600 on February 7, 2025 (Lot #179,687) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • motortrend.com
  • insurance.goodwood.com
  • media.mbusa.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • newsroom.porsche.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • evo.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • media.mercedes-benz.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • autointell.com
  • autoweek.com

Photo credits