Armand Mariano’s journey into the world of automotive repair and modification is a classic tale of childhood fascination blossoming into a lifelong career. Like many who find themselves captivated by cars, Armand’s story began with the simple joy of taking apart and rebuilding Matchbox cars. This early tinkering ignited a passion that led him to fill his high school schedule with shop classes, eagerly absorbing the skills and knowledge needed to work on real machines. As soon as he got his driver’s license, Armand eagerly embarked on his own automotive projects. His automotive exploration spanned various makes, including Toyotas, a Lexus, and Hondas. However, it wasn’t until he encountered Mercedes-Benz that Armand truly found his automotive soulmate. For an impressive 23 years, Armand has dedicated his career to the Mercedes-Benz brand, initially at an independent specialist shop and now directly with Mercedes-Benz USA. This deep-rooted expertise and passion for the marque are evident in his personal collection, and especially in his featured vehicle today: a breathtaking 1995 Mercedes Benz S124 E320 wagon.
Side profile of Armand Mariano’s black Mercedes Benz S124 wagon, showcasing its sleek lines and lowered stance.
When discussing which Mercedes from Armand’s collection to feature, the choices were plentiful and impressive. Options included a bagged vintage 1972 W114 250 sedan and a W201 190E 16v Cosworth – notably the first of its kind imported to the United States and used by Car & Driver for its initial road test. Even his daily driver Benzes were contenders. Despite this impressive stable, Armand chose to showcase his 1995 S124 E320 wagon, a decision that perfectly highlights the appeal and enduring style of the Mercedes Benz S124.
Front view of the Mercedes Benz S124 wagon, emphasizing its classic Mercedes grille and headlight design, and the aggressive stance achieved through modifications.
From Daily Driver to Showstopper: The Evolution of Armand’s S124 Wagon
Armand acquired this Mercedes Benz S124 approximately three years ago with the practical intention of using it as a reliable daily vehicle for commuting and errands. However, as is often the case with passionate car enthusiasts, the allure of modification and personalization proved irresistible. Before long, his functional daily driver began its transformation into something far more exceptional. Armand’s rationale is easy to understand: the S124 wagon, with its inherent rarity and timeless design, is a vehicle that deserves to be noticed and appreciated. After a year of regular use, Armand embarked on a journey to elevate his S124 beyond its daily driver status.
Close-up of the custom BBS RS wheels on Armand’s Mercedes Benz S124 wagon, showcasing the classic mesh design and perfect fitment within the wheel arches.
Resprayed Perfection and Custom Air Suspension
The first step in Armand’s ambitious project was a complete respray. He aimed to create the perfect canvas for the modifications to come, ensuring the car’s foundation was flawless. Michael’s Body and Paint undertook the meticulous task, refinishing the S124 in its original and rare factory color, paint code 199 – Black Pearl Metallic. This deep, lustrous black was famously used on the high-performance AMG Hammer models, adding a subtle nod to Mercedes-Benz’s performance heritage.
The iconic Mercedes-Benz три pointed star logo, symbolizing the brand’s heritage of engineering excellence and luxury.
While the S124 was undergoing its repaint, Armand collaborated with CommonWealth Motoring in Canada to address the suspension. Knowing he wanted to achieve an extremely low ride height with air suspension, the factory components were insufficient. CommonWealth Motoring fabricated a range of custom suspension parts, including rear control arms, front and rear bracketry, and front and rear bag cups designed to accommodate the new air springs. Silver Project adjustable rear camber arms were also installed to fine-tune the alignment and ensure the desired “laid out” stance was achievable. For seamless control and reliable performance, Armand opted for Air Lift Performance’s 3P management system. This system provides effortless adjustment of ride height and quality from the driver’s seat, offering the perfect blend of user-friendliness and dependable operation.
A close-up of the StanceWorks license plate frame on the rear of the Mercedes Benz S124 wagon, subtly branding the vehicle and its enthusiast owner.
Stance Perfected: BBS RS Wheels and Refined Details
Armand noted the challenges involved in fitting air suspension to the S124 chassis. With no readily available bolt-on kits, custom fabrication was necessary, making it a more complex undertaking. However, the result clearly justified the effort. The air suspension not only enhanced the wagon’s visual appeal but also improved its everyday usability. To complete the aesthetic transformation, Armand enlisted Jason Mendieta to create a bespoke set of BBS RS wheels. Sized at 17×8.5 inches in the front and 17×9.5 inches in the rear, these iconic wheels perfectly fill the wheel arches and enhance the car’s 1990s styling. Subtle finishing touches, such as the meticulously tuned M104 inline-six engine and the classic Nardi steering wheel in the interior, complete the build, keeping the focus on clean execution and timeless style.
Another side view of Armand’s Mercedes Benz S124 wagon, highlighting the low ride height achieved with air suspension and the overall stance of the vehicle.
Armand Mariano’s Mercedes Benz S124 wagon is more than just a modified car; it’s a rolling testament to passion, expertise, and dedication to the Mercedes-Benz marque. It’s a vehicle that effortlessly blends classic elegance with modern modifications, creating a truly unique and desirable Mercedes Benz S124. And if you admire this wagon as much as we do, you’ll be excited to see what Armand has in store for his next projects.
