Like many enthusiasts, the number of cars I’d like to own far outstrips what my bank account will allow. I count myself fortunate to be able to own the two classic cars in my collection. Of course, I’m always window-shopping for another special vehicle. The most elusive and desirable of these special cars, for me, are European police cars like today’s Good Find Friday Mercedes-Benz w124 police car.

Styled by the legendary Bruno Sacco, the W124-generation Mercedes-Benz was produced from 1985 to 1997, and is celebrated for its advanced engineering and cutting-edge technology for the time. It introduced innovations like multi-link rear suspension, enhancing ride comfort and handling, while its low drag coefficient of 0.28 was a milestone in automotive aerodynamics. The W124 came in various body styles, including sedan, coupe, wagon, and even a convertible.

The W124 offered a diverse engine lineup, ranging from highly efficient four-cylinder and robust diesel options to smooth inline-six and powerful V8 variants, catering to different driving preferences. Renowned for its durability and reliability, the W124’s driving experience was smooth, refined, and built to handle high mileage with ease. The interior offered a spacious, well-crafted cabin with high-quality materials, ergonomic design, and advanced safety features like airbags and ABS.

European car manufacturers, just like in the United States, created special police variants of their vehicles for use by civilian service agencies. One of those cars is the W124 Mercedes-Benz. A period advertisement describes the car thusly:

“This is a basic police authority vehicle which has been developed for special applications as a CID car, as an escort vehicle, for traffic duties when an unmarked car is needed, as an official car for senior officers, etc.

The special police equipment is disguised to ensure that the car is neutral in appearance both inside and out. All the controls are designed and arranged to be easily operated with no risk of confusion. 

Reportedly an example of a factory-modified civilian service patrol car, this 1992 Mercedes-Benz W124 sedan is being sold on the German classifieds site kleinanzeigen.

Painted in the rare color of Carrera Gray, this W124 Mercedes is said to be offered from the first owner with an odometer reading of 194,000 kilometers or about 120,000 miles. In regard to condition, the car is said to be solid with its original paint intact. Light rust bubbles are noted on the antenna but that area is not shown. Some chips are visible on the front of the car, and at least two decent-sized dings appear on the passenger side rear flank.

The only exterior police package equipment noted is a roof mounting point for the rotating blue beacon, but this isn’t clearly shown. One photo may show the “hatch” where the light would be plugged in. If anyone knows for certain, please share!

The interior is one of my favorite aspects of this car, second only to its police specification. Cloth seats are my definite preference in any automobile for its cooler temperatures and better breathability in hot climates. This car has cloth seating, presumably specified for accounting reasons, and it’s in remarkably good condition considering the car’s age and mileage. Some wear is just visible on the driver’s side left upper bolster, but again it’s not clearly shown.

Aside from the cloth material, the interior is pure Mercedes of the period, with elegant wood trim being the only real nod to luxury, aside from the excellent build quality and ergonomic layout.

Police spec items revealed in interior photos include hookups for radios in the glove box and trunk, zippered access to wiring for the roof beacon, and a center arm rest door concealing switchgear and a microphone (though those are not shown).

Other options included extended seat belts to accommodate utility belts and such, rubber mats for the floorboards, and reinforced seats.

Engine-wise, it’s a little hard to discern what’s mounted under the hood of this car. Based on the horsepower rating it must be the 2.0L inline-4, which means it’s slow and likely more for basic duty than any kind of pursuit role.

Innovations for the W124 included a low coefficient of drag, a single windscreen wiper that used a unique linkage to reach nearly the entire window, and Mercedes’ ingenious multi-link rear axle design that is commonly found on modern vehicles today.

One of the things that holds me back from purchasing a police car is the legalities of driving one on the road and the attention I might get outside of a show setting. Sometimes, you just want to fly under the radar. Something like this might be perfect, as you still have all the uniqueness of a cop-spec vehicle for shows (including the siren) without the law enforcement-attracting livery.

Aside from its rare color and distinction as a police vehicle, is this a good buy at €6500 or $7200? Well, the W124 has so many options and variations in addition to its condition that influence value. One of the most desirable cars is the 500E, which was the joint Porsche-Mercedes variant of the W124. Those command prices in the $50,000 range for low-miles cars. This, being probably the lowest spec model available aside from its police package, is probably a fair ask. The price has come down by €1,000 already, but I’d have no qualms about offering a little less due to the cost of shipping and importation.

Comparables for a unique car like this are hard to find, but perhaps serendipitously a 1994 Mercedes W124 Hearse has just hit Bring a Trailer. It will be interesting to see how much it brings, as it’s also lacking a a hot-rod spec like the 500E and is similarly quirky.

I really wish I could spring for today’s car, as I always regret missing out on an undercover-spec E39 BMW 5-series I once found. That car had a really slick mounting pocket in the door for the roof light.

Sadly the shipping probably makes this a no-go for me. If one of you picks it up, let me know!

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!