1994 Mercedes-Benz E36 AMG

Mercedes-Benz W124 E36 AMG (Saloon/Estate/Coupe/Cabriolet), 1993-1996

The Mercedes-Benz W124 E36 AMG was in production from 1993 until 1996. Styled in house by Steve Mattin, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating five adults, also available with estate, coupe or convertible body as per other W124 models.

The E36 AMG was based on the standard W124 E-class in six-cylinder form, the E320. It utilised an enlarged version of the six cylinder engine, larger wheels, and lower, stiffer suspension. The first official AMG model to be sold via dealers, it can be seen a precursor to today's hard-hitting AMG supersaloons. When saloon production ended in 1995, the E36 AMG was replaced by a new E36 built into the shell of the new W210 E-class series. This car would eventually be supplanted by the E55 AMG. It's believed that just 57 E36 AMGs made it to the UK - 12 saloons, 24 coupes, 14 cabriolets and 7 estates. Total numbers are vague, as this was prior to the official marriage between Mercedes and AMG.

All E36s use Mercedes' M104 series straight six with four valves per cylinder, in AMG-only 3.6 litre guise. All used Mercedes' in house automatic gearbox, also used in standard W124 models,

Unsurprisingly, the E36 feels like a sharper, stiffer, faster E320 - it still retains the slightly numb yet precise Mercedes steering, and the chassis which is far more precise than rivals at BMW would be comfortable with. Still supple, it feels like an evolution of the standard car rather than the sort of track focused monstrosity which sports saloons have become today. Imagine an E320 Sportline turned up to 11 and you won't be far wide of the mark with this car. Smoother than the 500E, and less flash, courtesy of its narrower arches.

As with all W124 Mercedes, corrosion is the biggest issue you're likely to face - though the flip side is that because these are rare desirable models and will typically have been in the hands of enthusiasts, they're less likely to have been allowed to deteriorate than the average example. Beyond that, check the wiring looms carefully; these cars were built right in the midst of the Mercedes dalliance with biodegradable looms, and while such things can be replaced they can cause a litany of issues until diagnosed.

With just 57 right hand drive examples to choose from, it's not so much a case of buying the best you can find as finding one in the first place. If you have a preference for body style it'll be even harder - especially the estate, with just 7 in existence. While other guides might suggest being canny with spec and colour choices, frankly we'd advise that if you want an E36 AMG you should buy the first one you see subject to an inspection by a Mercedes specialist, and worry about the colour and trim later. Exclusivity and high demand man that a failure to act may mean months of further searching.

Mercedes' in-house 500E could be seen as a serious rival, offering the same basic premise engineered in a different manner. For more exclusivity, the E60 AMG derivative is available to a lucky few. Alternatively you might consider the BMW E34 M5 or Jaguar X300 XJR as serious alternatives, though both were produced in greater numbers and the Mercedes has exclusivity on its side. The Audi 100S4 or first generation Audi S6 both offer five pot fury which might be slower than the Mercedes, but offers the same blend of performance and subtlety. Finally, a budget alternative might be seen in the SAAB 9000 Turbo, or Volvo 850R.