W124 is the Mercedes-Benz internal chassis-designation for the 1984/85 to 1995/96 version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as well as the first generation to be officially referred to as E-Class. The W124 models replaced the W123 models after 1985 and were succeeded by the W210 E-Class after 1995.

In North America, the W124 was launched in early November 1985 as a 1986 model and sold through the 1995 model year, through November 7, 1995.

Series production began at the beginning of November 1984.

In march 1987 Mercedes-Benz introduced the coupé version of the  series 124. 

Alike the C123 series, technique and design were very similar with the sedans. Starting with the body of the sedan, wheelbase has been shortened again 85 mm. Thus the coupe was a distinct construction. The front body and the rear lights were the only similarities. The lack of the b-pillar was compensated by heavier and stronger a-pillars , rocker panels and doors and by the use of steel-sheets with high-modulus strength.

A new way was choosen for the roof-finish. The interior of the roof has been pulled backward under the rear window, increasing both safety and comfort for the passengers sitting in the back. In case of emergency there were no piends of steel nor glass near the area of the passengers heads.

Another plus was the increased headspace in the back, than coupéowners were used to. 

Much of the 124's engineering and many of its features were advanced automotive technology at its introduction, incorporating innovations that have been adopted throughout the industry. It had one of the lowest coefficient of drag (Cd) of any vehicle of the time (0.28 for the 200/200D model for the European market with 185/65 R15 tires) due to its aerodynamic body, that included plastic molding for the undercarriage to streamline airflow beneath the car, reducing fuel consumption and wind noise. It had a single windscreen wiper that had an eccentric mechanism at its base that extended the wiper's reach to the top corners of the windscreen (more than if it had traveled in a simple arc). The saloon/sedan, coupés and convertibles had optional rear headrests that would fold down remotely to improve rearward visibility when required.