Mercedes-Benz 300 CE-24 Cabriolet A124 Driving The Classics

As Mercedes-Benz rolls out its new-generation coupe and convertible CLE cars, we were given the opportunity to drive something from the brand’s massive Classic collection – this pristine 124-generation CE-24 Cabriolet.
 

Roof down, shades on, Kenny Loggins on the stereo… let’s get straight to it.
 
At a glance
Pros: Revvy and potent straight-six, ride, build quality
Cons: Relaxed auto, super rare
 
What is it?
The first and only 124-generation convertible before the 1993 facelift brought the E-Class name along with it. The 300 CE-24 was a coupe and convertible pairing that were designed to further expand the choice of body styles the W124 offered and offer something that a bit glam but was a bit more accessible than the grandiose SL. Merc points to this car as a close descendent of its new CLE Cabriolet.
 
The CE-24 Cabriolet followed the coupe, and Mercedes made significant modifications and tweaks to the structure – so much so that 1000 new parts were designed for the Cabrio to help keep it stiff, albeit to the tune of 130 extra kilos. It had a relatively short production run; it was announced at the 1991 Frankfurt motor show, then went on sale between 1992 and 1993 before that E-Class facelift arrived.
 

What are the specs?
These 300 CE-24 models feature a 3.0-litre, naturally-aspirated straight-six developing 217bhp and 196lb ft, good for an 8.8sec 0-62mph sprint and a top speed of 143mph. Depending on the year, you could choose between a five-speed manual, a four-speed auto or a five-speed auto.
 
The one we’re driving is a Sportline model, which includes a slightly sportier bodykit and a 10mm lower ride height, and features the five-speed auto.
 
What about the interior?
Functional, well designed and built to withstand the apocalypse. Everything has a button or switch, and there’s no nonsense to the layout either. Naturally, this is a very well looked after example by Mercedes-Benz Classic but the level of solidity in here is deeply impressive. No wonder the W124-generation of Mercs were so revered for their reliability and build quality.
 
The dials are clear to read, the seats are very well contoured, and this example is fantastically well-equipped. As well as properly strong heated seats, a Becker Mexico 2000 cassette player and thick panels of wood veneer, there’s a perfectly period car phone. Gorgeous.
 
The driving position is quite relaxed, and the steering wheel feels enormous by modern standards, but it’s very easy to adjust yourself to the controls. Dinky door mirrors aren’t particularly helpful, mind.
 
As for the roof mechanism, it’s a work of art. You need to manually pull a pair of levers at the top edge of the windscreen to release it but, after that, the soft-top roof gently contorts itself into a very compact package. So much so that, with it down, the boot area is still massive.
 

How does it drive?
Like something that belongs on the set of Miami Vice, bathed in neon light by the beach at night. It’s cool, relaxed and ever so charismatic you don’t really want to stop cruising around.
 
The steering is heavy but in a way that assures confidence and allows you to take a chill pill on the road. Your pulse slowly calms as you weave from one corner to the next, encouraging you almost not to drive aggressively – just enjoy the cruise.
 
Which is something you really can do given the sumptuous ride quality provided here. The CE-24 feels dense on the road but not leaden and, with the roof down, has as much scuttle shake as a brand-new CLE does – it’s remarkably composed on the road. Lumps and bumps are taken care of, soaked up and smoothed over by the sweetly tuned suspension and the thickly padded seats.
 
What was a surprise was the engine. Despite the relaxed attitude the CE-24 encourages when you’re behind the wheel, the straight-six is welcomely revvy and happy to surge forward quickly, singing a raspy hymn as you whisk yourself across the countryside. It’s slightly bogged by a very traditional and quite ponderous torque converter in this case but, when the transmission has provided you with the right cog, there’s a welcome energy to the way the CE-24 accelerates.
 
Verdict: Mercedes 300 CE-24 Cabriolet
What a gorgeous machine this is. It’s achingly cool and dripping with charisma in a way that only something designed and engineered in the twilight years of the 80s could ever be. The powerplant’s eager and revvy nature is very welcome, sprinkling some energy over a generally relaxed driving experience. It also proves once again how on form Mercedes was at the time with its 124-generation cars. The want is strong.