The W124 generation is now firmly established as one of the definitive engineering statements of the late analogue era, and the S124 T-Modell estate is its most practical expression. Norev's 1:18 scale model in factory Black reproduces the 1990 pre-facelift car — a moment in the model's eleven-year production run when the original design language was at its purest, before the restyled bumpers and revised lamps of the 1993 update arrived.
The S124 T-Modell: Bremen's Estate Benchmark
Built at Mercedes-Benz's Bremen plant from 1985 to 1996, the S124 T-Modell shared its floorpan and wheelbase with the W124 saloon but introduced a longer roofline and a distinctive raked tailgate. The 300 TD was the turbodiesel variant of the pre-facelift range, a position it held until the model's eventual succession when Mercedes also adopted the E-Class marketing name officially in 1993. Total S124 production across all engine variants reached approximately 213,000 units over the model's eleven-year lifespan.
The OM603 Turbodiesel and the 300 TD's Place in the W124 Family
Under the bonnet of every 300 TD sat the OM603 turbodiesel inline-six: a 3.0-litre, single-overhead-camshaft turbocharged diesel unit. The S124 was positioned as a premium family and professional transport, and the 300 TD was its turbodiesel configuration before the facelift.
Norev Die-Cast at 1:18: Material and Execution
Norev produces this 1:18 scale model in die-cast metal, a construction that delivers the weight and surface fidelity expected at this scale. The Black livery corresponds to the factory Schwarz colour (paint code 040), one of the most frequently specified executive tones on W124 estates and a shade well documented in period press photography. The 1990 build date is significant for collectors: it fixes the model firmly in the pre-facelift S124 series, preserving the original tail-lamp cluster and roofline profile that distinguish it from the post-1993 E 300 T.
In the Display Cabinet: Building a W124 Collection
The 300 TD in Black pairs naturally with the W124 300 E saloon and the C124 300 CE coupé — the three body styles that defined the W124 family in 1990. Together they form a coherent single-marque diorama representing Mercedes-Benz's mid-range at its pre-unification peak. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive estate variant and the post-facelift E 300 T offer further depth for dedicated S124 collections, while the contrast between the understated Black estate and a lighter-coloured saloon counterpart makes for a visually precise shelf grouping.
Frequently asked questions
What is the real car this model is based on?
It represents the Mercedes-Benz 300 TD (S124) T-Modell estate produced at the Bremen plant from 1985 to 1996. The 1990 car is a pre-facelift example, sold under the '300 TD' name in all markets — Mercedes adopted the E-Class designation officially only in 1993.
Which engine does the 300 TD use?
The OM603 turbodiesel inline-six: a 3.0-litre, single overhead camshaft turbocharged diesel engine.
Who made this 1:18 scale model and what material is it?
The model is made by Norev in die-cast metal at 1:18 scale.
Why does the 1990 build date matter for collectors?
The 1990 car sits in the original pre-facelift S124 series, which retained the first-generation roofline and tail-lamp design. Mercedes restyle the W124 range in 1993, at which point the estate was renamed E 300 T. The pre-facelift proportions are visually distinct from later variants.
