1992 sportsline

[M. Hinrichs]

I have a friend of the family who purchase a 92 W-124. He was told that it was an AMG Sportsline. How do we prove it? Motor # or perhaps a distinctive suspension part number He could look up? I have not seen it yet, but can get details.
TIA

[Robert Goodwin]

I'm no expert on the AMG but I will tell you what I know. I could find no listing of an AMG made for the 1992 model year. The 1993 has a 104.XXXX engine. It was apparently used in both the 202 chassis and the C124. The AMG discussion board may turn up some more info if you haven't already been there. Perhaps some other reader has more info?

[MBZ 500E]

AMG models that were made prior to joining Mercedes typically have a tag in the engine bay listing the modifications done at the AMG Factory. In many instances owners purchased components from AMG and had them installed at a local shop, these were not considered true AMG's unless installed by an authorized shop. A true W124 AMG will also have either a hypo 3.6 Liter engine or a combination of the 5.6 Liter V8 with modifications and or bored out to 6.0 Liters. This was also known as the AMG Hammer. This car was capable of 0 - 60 in 5.5 seconds and 186 MPH.

If you do a google search you'll find many websites that discuss this vehicle in combination with the 500E and how both were developed. BTW the AMG Hammer was the inspiration for the 500E.

Apologies for getting off topic a bit.:)

[Tom Hanson]

Sportline models have "Sportline" on the front fender cladding. You can also tell by the VIN with the build codes.

[Chappy]

Originally posted by M. Hinrichs
I have a friend of the family who purchase a 92 W-124. He was told that it was an AMG Sportsline. How do we prove it? Motor # or perhaps a distinctive suspension part number He could look up? I have not seen it yet, but can get details.
TIA

AMG (back in 1992) was a Mercedes-Benz tuner. For the W124 platform, they offered 3.4, 3.6 and V8 configurations. These cars were VERY expensive and full conversions were over $150,000 in the U.S.). They are rare.

'Sportline' has no official affilication with AMG. Period.

'Sportline' referred to a sport-trim level (dampers, sway bars, springs and a few other goodies like a different, quicker ratio steering box, smaller diameter steering wheel, special 7 X 15 8-hole alloy wheels and sport seats).

As Tom Hanson mentioned, they had small 'Sportline' badges on each side on the front quarter panels. According to MB, it was estimated that about 10% of W124 coupes and sedans were ordered with the sportline option.

Can you post any pictures of the car?

[dakota]

It is my understanding, from a person that I consider very knowledgable about all things Mercedes, that the 10% number, which I have heard repeatedly also, is way high. His information is in the 2 to 3% range max. I don't know which number is right, but I see a lot of Model 124s on the road, but I hardly ever see another Sportline.

Anyway, Chappy is correct that it had nothing to do with AMG, although it is interesting that Sportline badge (the blue slashes specifically) are almost identical to the AMG logo slashes.

Also the fact that a car has the Sportline badges on the front fenders may not mean a genuine Sportline. Those badges are available for about $15 apiece and are just afixed with double back tape.

The real test would be the special option codes (see datacard of vehicle)
either code 952 (consisting of codes 653 + 243 + 281)
or code 953 (consisting of codes 653 + 244 + 281)
653 = sports chassis with 8-hole light alloy rims
243 = sports seats, front + rear
244 = sports seats, front
281 = steering wheel with sports design (390 mm diameter) plus leather gear selector (with Sportline logo)

Interestingly, the AMG cars all had the sport chassis items (code 653) as standard, as I believe did the 500E/E500 models.

[Chappy]

Originally posted by dakota
It is my understanding, from a person that I consider very knowledgable about all things Mercedes, that the 10% number, which I have heard repeatedly also, is way high. His information is in the 2 to 3% range max. I don't know which number is right, but I see a lot of Model 124s on the road, but I hardly ever see another Sportline.



Steve,

Thanks for the great information. Do you think there is any way to obtain definitive production numbers about Sportline-optioned W124s?

Glad to see you posting here :)

[dakota]

I've asked the same question before, Chappy, and the answer I get is that MB does not release information on numbers of specific options ordered. I would like to see any definitive information if anyone has it, but so far, I've never run across anything but estimates on this sort of thing.

All together, there was more than 2.7 million 124s produced worldwide. I find it hard to imagine that there were close to 300,000 Sportlines produced.

I tend to believe the 2-3% Sportline number, because I like to think of my 1992 car as one of 40 or so, instead of one of 185. (What, me biased?) :cool:

Regards,

[Joe Caruso]

The Sportline option was offered in the U.S. on the 1992-1995 W124's. There were 48,590 vehicles sold here in those four model years (44,593 sedans and 3,997 coupes). If 5% is a reasonable "penetration rate" for Sportline, then less than 2,500 U.S. vehicles were so equipped. M. Hinrichs may want to e-mail the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center with his full VIN and request a "build sheet" for his vehicle with each option delineated. I have found the Classic Center to be incredibly responsive and helpful with these requests. He might also pose the "aggregate" Sportline question to them as well......we all might get lucky and find the answer!

[dakota]

I recently sent a request to get the build sheet, or window sticker, from MBUSA and they replied that it was not available. They didn't give a reason. Perhaps it was because my coupe was a euro delivery?

[Robert Goodwin]

If your car is a Euro car, why would MBUSA have any information on it or obligation to obtain information? MBUSA is the US distributor of MB cars in the US that are built to US safety specs. If your car is not a Euro version, perhaps another reader can suggest a course of action that will result in obtaining the information you want.

[dakota]

Robert, my car is not a euro spec car. It is a US spec that was purchased from a US dealer (Phil Smart, Seattle) and delivered for European pickup at Sindelfingen. I suspect that even though these types of cars are US spec, they may not have been under the auspices of MBNA, but that's just a guess.

[Robert Goodwin]

Dakota,

Information on other boards indicates that MBUSA can fill your request. It is quite possible that your request was handled by someone who was not aware. Another possibility is that MBUSA is no longer providing this service. I am also told that dealers can print out most of the info you seek on a window sticker. It is a matter of finding someone in the dealership who understands your question. On your behalf, I contacted the dealer who sold you the car and they did not even bother to respond. Try the following or another dealer:

SAMPLE LETTER FOR STICKER REQUEST:

Client Assistance Center
Attention: Cynthia
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350

VIN#: WDBXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear Cynthia:

I am writing to request a copy of the original window sticker, otherwise known as the Monroney label, for my (your model here). The VIN number is listed above. You may mail the copy to my address as listed in the header of this letter.

I understand you require proof of ownership, and have enclosed a photocopy of the STATE OF (your State Registration Card) for my vehicle.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely, XXX

[dakota]

Robert,
Thank you for your help. I used the exact wording you supplied (I believe I got them off of the Ritter-Easley list - maybe provided by you there?) and I did send it to Cynthia.

She was the one that responded, saying that they were sorry, but they did not have a copy of the window sticker for this vehicle available in their archives.

She did give a phone number, 800-367-6372, for their Customer Assistance Center. I think I will try calling that next week and see if they have anything.

Thanks again, Robert.

regards

[Robert Goodwin]

Dakota,

You may want to try a letter to Mercedes explaining how and where the car was purchased and delivered. Also explain that the US distributor and dealer are unable to help.

DaimlerChrysler AG
70546 Stuttgart
Germany

[Tom Hanson]

Send your VIN to hanson_anaheim@mbretailer.com and I'll send you the data card on your car. The Classic Center is helpful too, but your car isn't old enough for them yet (20 years). I'll have to send you the info by "snail mail". The Sportline package was just springs, swaybars, shocks, and bushings. And the badges on the front fenders. I think the percentage figures mentioned in the other posts refers to USA models equipped with this option. And I tend to think it's more like 1%. It's a great option. Just enough of a difference to make it handle better. They do pretty well in standard form too.

[dakota]

Thanks, Robert, I'll give that a try. And thank you, Tom, an email is on its way.

Regards,

[kjtar]

On the W124 Sportline cars, was it always a case of having 2 seats in back (like the 500E) rather than the 3 person capacity bench seat? I'll be asking another Sportline question in the next posting, didn't want to mix threads.

Thanks,
Tom Reynolds
Sand Springs, OK

[dakota]

Internationally and originally, for the saloons and the estate wagons, two individually contoured seats were standard in the rear, although the three-seat design was optional. The front seats were a special sport contour design (like the 500E). They were fabric and of black and white checkered design. Leather was available.

For the coupes, only the two-seat rear was available - no 3-seat option. Also, probably due to limited production, the coupe's front seats were not the same special sport contour.

I believe that leather was standard for the USA versions.

[lovesportlines]

If you want to know if the car is indeed a sportline, Drive it!

[mcbear]

If you want to know if the car is indeed a sportline, Drive it!

That is the correct answer. It is a completely different feel. Also, If I remember correctly on the window sticker my was either $2000 or $2600 option. The interior is exactly like that of the 500E down to the two roll top boxes and steering wheel.

Under the car, the 500E is a bit beefier with bigger brakes and suspension pieces and does drive even tighter and firmer.

There are NO AMG marked parts on the Sportline. I have had the entire suspension apart when I replaced the shocks and springs at 150K miles and they were MB parts. The AMG parts on my SEL are listed as such.

[JTomelevage]

i purchased a 1992 300CE which has sportline tags on the front fenders. My VIN is: WDBEA51E6NB697503 Can anyone help my find out more about it?

Thank you,
John

[POS]

John, plug your VIN into here:

http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/index.html?lng=eng

[C.B.]

M.Hinrichs,

As a proud owner of a 1993 300e Sportline, (sold) I can tell you,

Sportline Badges on Fenders
Sportline Shiftknob (blue)
It will have two bucket seats in the back with a wood consule in the middle
Very classy recaro seats....They will look different from other 300e.
The steering wheel will be about half an inch shorter in diameter
The ride will be really firm!.

All the best

[dakota]

The Sportline coupe or the convertible, unfortunately, will not have the special Sportline seats in front.

[Don350SDL]

The information you seek is likely available on the vehicle data card, and anyone with an EPC can get that for you.

It is also possible that no monroney label was generated because it was a european delivery - when it came to the USA it was already a 'used car'.