What Is An AMG ‘Hammer’?

In this video, I go over the Mercedes W124 AMG Hammer which was available in the late 1980s. I briefly cover the performance, changes, and unique AMG production of the 'Hammer' over the years. Then, I look at some of the m119 powered successors.
The 500E: Mercedes & Porsche • Why The Mercedes W124 ...
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[@Driver20418]

The AMG Hammer was basically a glimpse of the future of performance cars when it was released back in the 80s. The Engineering that was spent to build the AMG Hammer deserves respect for life. To this day i still say that the AMG Hammer was Mercedes AMG's Halo Icon. But obviously the Red Pig was also a legend as well.

[@twilson1973]

I agree

[@ctr289]

I wouldn't price it at more than $150k. Diablos are selling for $200-300k, which is strange to my, they deserve the $600 price tag of the Hammer.

[@maxgr7723]

@@ctr289 diablos were pure massproduction compared to those cars...you can drive the Hammer all day if youd want...it is the better package in my eyes.

[@TuNnL]

​@@ctr289Your comment makes no sense. The Lamborghini Diablo is NOT a rare vehicle. 2,884 Diablos were produced during its production run. Compare that to the AMG Hammer, of which at most, 57 examples exist worldwide. 🌎

[@ctr289]

@@TuNnL The AMG is not a masterpiece, like the Diablo. Being rare doesn't mean anything by itself

[@rix7947]

Damn I own a 33 year old w124 and even my low powered version with just 134 hp (compared to the hammer) just drives wonderfull

[@MDDeGrande1994]

Which one do you own? 200E? 230E? 300D?

[@advancedwindowandguttercle685]

In probably 1986/1987 my dad collected a Hammer for his boss (a frozen food store chain owner) which was the UK demo through Stratton in Wilmslow Manchester. I was probably 11/12 and I can remember it being the 4door, in black or very dark blue, and the reg number was either 1AMG or AMG1. It was definitely a Hammer (as known now). We travelled maybe 40 miles from Manchester to the office in North Wales, there are photos somewhere! We did same journey from the same garage around the same time in a Testarossa and a couple of Bentleys 🙂. Just thought I'd contribute to the comments 👍

[@Jefe4x4]

Sitting in a hammer is better than sitting on Santa’s lap

[@shamil808]

An absolutely incredible presentation by AMGmeister yet again. Everything from the origin of the 'Hammer' title to its ownership experience, no detail has been left out. 👏🙇‍♂ The Top Speed section of the Car And Driver stats puts into perspective how astounding this 4-door family sedan's performance was. And also, I never knew that a TE 'Hammer' existed. 😮

[@maxgr7723]

Actually you can find a video of it in KZbin. Searxh hammerwagon

[@amgonegaming9515]

Patina Collective has the most iconic 80s n 90's MB. Great collection 👌

[@batuhan4002]

There is 1 more collection that one has 800+ MB

[@AMGmeister]

For sure, I'll have to visit when they open their museum.

[@twilson1973]

Excellent video. The AMG Hammer is what made me a fan of Mercedes Benz. I was so impressed on how AMG transformed the 300 E into a high performance sedan. I use to get all of the automotive magazines when I was young and I remember one of the magazine’s captions. It read… speaking softly while carrying a big stick, lol.

[@krh007]

Excellent video and well presented. Some more technical facts when the M119-960 KE-Jetronic 5ltre was introduced. The block design was taken from the M117 and improved to the create a 6litre version AMG used the stroker crank & conrods from the M117-968 engine as the crank bearings were same spec bui it did require clearancing of the block lower section so the conrod bolt heads did not interfere with the block during rotation. The closed deck block was bored out to 100mm and custom 100mm pistons were sourced and the M117 timing cover swapped in as you mentioned. The same fuel distributor was retained as used on both the M117-968 300hp version and the M119-960 5ltre, but custom tuning was done along with custom AMG headers & exhaust. The later M119 engines from 1994 onwards went to open deck block design and they could not be bored out to 100mm as cylinder walls were not thick enough to be bored out. Also their crankshaft design went to narrower big end bearings and thus could not accept an M117-968 stroker crank with the wider bearings In 1988 AMG also produced a rare 400hp motronic 6ltr M117 engine with custom twin plenum chambers above the custom intake runners fed by twin throttle bodies which was supposed to be introduced into the Hammer cars late 88/early 89 but only ended up in an offshore AMG racing boat. We can only assume with the release of the M119-960 engine in 1989 was the reason it was shelved

[@wcsoblake85]

I never knew there was a Hammer Wagon. I would LOVE to see that. I love me a fast wagon!

[@glock2429]

RS6 Avant is a dream car

[@TheBaldMiddleAgedMetalHead]

My ex-boss had a hammer 🔨 Also a 190E 2.5 16v, 560 SEC, 500E and E60. Some cool cars to be fair, I'd driven a few of them around the yard when moving them around. Albeit not my personal favourite era of AMG they're historically significant and cool cars.

[@doggSMK]

He knew what to drive

[@peppapewds]

Differnce between a e60 and a hammer ?

[@kubapuch4591]

Dude yes! I'm so happy you made this video. This car is my wet dream. I'm going to buy a 300E and get a period correct body kit just because I love the look so much.

[@xro1589]

Even today, as of 2023 mid summer - it is still one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. All that plus the insane power for it's time! My dream car.

[@ferrariscuderia4290]

I really learned a lot, again, by watching AMGmeister. I am personally more of an S-Class addict, however, whenever I see any version of a Mercedes W124 my heart rate goes up. So, after watching this video talking about the history of my all-time favorite AMG I can only say, thank you and I look forward to watching your next video! Keep it up!

[@tramptruck4859]

Well out of my reach financially. I do however have a very cheap R129 SL 500 with the M119 and the power/price ratio is unbeatable 🙂 The estate/wagon cars are beautiful 😍

[@c_lo01]

The 560 SEC will always be a classic. AMG just made it that much better.

[@AutobahnVault]

I do not know if people understand the amount of research that takes to make a video like this one. Thank you @AMGmeister for it.

[@KD-mm3li]

So much rich amg history. Damn incredible work finding and sharing all these details for the masses

[@zali9657]

Been waiting for AMG Meister Video 🥶

[@randomrawrecords6727]

Awesome watch with my steak dinner! Released just in time dude! Cheers …

[@ANDERZENAMG]

Those 4 valve cylinder heads on the M117 are an absolute thing of beauty. Everyone I have talked to that has driven one these cars says the same thing, they drive just as good and are just as responsive as any modern car... that says a lot for a 30+ year old design. Great Vid as always!

[@Goku13_7]

As always..... your videos are very well put together 💪 Greetings from Germany

[@19chucki74]

I remember reading about the Mercedes AMG Hammer in copies of Road & Track and Motor Trend in the 80s when I was a kid. I was fascinated by it's style and performance, which got me heavy into cars in general. This was mind blowing for my 13 year old skull, still is now nearing 50.

[@jgonzalesm6]

Car and Driver featured on the cover a Hammer that was Renntech modified back in the 90's.....that 4 door sedan was wicked fast back then.

[@joshsos5541]

I love your videos and research of these amazing vehicles. I may only own a CDI for now but I dream to own an E55

[@campingkillen]

Have a bunch of original press photos that i picked up at the AMG stand at the "Auto messe" in Frankfurt in the late 80´s, those cars were really out of this world back then....

[@PixelPusher1]

The music choice of Saki Kaskas is so fitting. Love that '90s NFS showcase vibe!

[@markm0000]

I remember an old video of a guy talking about swapping a LS into his blown up Hammer that looked half decent. I bet he’s kicking rocks now.

[@abishek4300]

My dream car litreally! i want a HAMMER and a 500E side by side.

[@Docdog-dd1MB]

In my Childhood, I learn something that becomes to be my guideline for life. I ask my Unkle, who use to have a Mercedes Benz W100, We call that one the Horse Head model cause the front lights were positioned vertically one over the other. I ask him Question, what car brand is the best in the World? He answered:" There are two brands in the World, Mercedes Benz and everything else"! I will probably never have one like that, but I pile some good examples proven through time. I have included my collection. 2x W124 E300D, 1994 and 1995, 2xML 500 W163 2004 and 2005, two W140 500SEL 1993 and W140 300SD 1993,one W126 with 420SL with implanted 5l, V8 engine from W140, from 1989, I am immensely happy despite, some friends asking me, why I need so many Mercedeses? I answer the following way: " Some people like alcohol, some drugs, some clothes, some shoes, I like Mercedes cars and Motorcycles. Es ist ein verrücktes Auto.

[@doggSMK]

Nice collection. I have 3x W124 2L manual petrol, one W140 3.2L M104 and 3x W210 - 2.8L M104 with manual, 3L OM606 automatic and 2.1L manual CDI that is trash actually.

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I LOVE AMG AND I I LOVE THE HAMMERS. GREAT VIDEO AND EDUCATION. THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@YegaSRT]

I had those wheels on my MK5 Golf like 15 yrs ago when I was going through the "dub phase"

[@santosrodriguez8907]

Nice video plus the NFS menu theme songs it's a great touch

[@Lidzsvars]

I love that silent 90's NFS soundtrack in the background.

[@RayyMalifalitiko]

Perfect video, perfect detailed documentary. Reminded me the 500 Sec we had for 12 years which was mind blowing. As a young guy at my early 20s I was moving around like I am Darth Vader.

[@PixelPusher1]

I'll finally be able to afford one of these... When Hot Wheels release their first edition later this year

[@talent177]

5.34 that pick up F’king insane 🤍🎧

[@cherifmihoub1515]

Adding the old Need for Speed Music to the video is a good choice, AMG Hammer really means: Mercedes 300 E is: "need for speed". Thanks for the video 👍

[@naoufelkourdellah3704]

Very good and pure Documentery. Well done Gentlemen.

[@4syth]

Years ago, I read an article in a magazine which stated that AMG has kept a complete, but in parts, 300E 6.0 Hammer. All the parts are kept in storage and could be assembled into a complete car.

[@xXAlmdudlerXx]

What is an AMG Hammer? Well one of the sexiest looking cars Mercedes ever built

[@windowsdown3684]

thanks for documenting AMG so well

[@johnm1008]

The Lamborghini dealership in Columbus Ohio had a Hammer sedan for sale around 2007 for *$19,500* I used to regret not buying it but if I had bought it I would have put a lot of miles on it assuming that I could have afforded to keep it maintained and running properly. Used good to know that the car ended up somewhere else with someone who (probably) treated it better than I would have.

[@jyy9624]

The underlying car is overbuilt like few in history and the two gentlemen are genius

[@cornishrider]

Thank you for such an in-depth and interesting video, this series is my absolute favourite Mercedes, closest I've got was a E280!

[@quazznorm1777]

Man AMG is on the next level. 355hp and 5s 0-60 was crazy then. It's even crazier to see how they progressed, though. It took a 5.6l v8 to get 355hp and 5s. And nowadays, my cla45 does 355hp and just over 4s 0-60 and all that out a 2l 4cyl turbo. They were pushing the boundaries then and still going at it. Even though i still prefer the old-school AMGs

[@maxgr7723]

Well actually you can't compare that. The 380hp or what ever figure they released with the hammer is just something other then the 355hp in the a45 which even has awd. The gearbox,driven wheels and the traction control honestly are somewhat key factors for good 0-60 launch time. Give it a modern zf8 or 722.9 and a modern traction control and you will see even better numbers for sure. I'd say the 5s 0-60 of the hammer is the most impressive thing considering it has an old 4speed slushbox (no torque converter lockup) and no real traction control.

[@SomethingAboutCars]

One of my favourite cars of all time! Also, I love that you keep including music from NFS High Stakes in your videos :)

[@acadm]

So glad I have this (as a 1 to 18 scale model courtesy of Ottomobile, which is the best purveyor of 1 to 18 diecast scale vehicles, along with GT Spirit, Autoart and to a lesser extent Kyosho, Norev, Maisto and Bburago)

[@BrentoBenz]

At 2 minutes that photo is actually the engine bay in my 300E!

[@MP-Fin]

Awesome video, thanks. Hello from Finland! 😊

[@LawrenceMarkFearon]

Thoroughly comprehensive AMG Hammer history.

[@vldsrb4131]

Proud to say ,drove it in 2001,381hp version,about 15 minutes ride.

[@gijsv8419]

Mosselman Turbosystems had a 300e in 85 tuned with twinturbo. In black, with rearspoiler.

[@brianmorley482]

Very very very well put together video

[@jimmyshane3920]

A friend of mine's dad had a Hammer it was a black market car with the big motor

[@jimmyshane3920]

That man ended up committing suicide in the car ... Fumigated himself supposedly he owed the IRS for $5 mill back in the 80's.

[@DiggingFrance]

I've a c36 four speed from 95. Very fun to drive.

[@ranaehtishammanj3841]

That’s my dream project to build a W124 Hammer Replica

[@crz95]

Excellent video and iconic music ‘, straight from NFS HighStakes on PS1 😂 (Callista - Saki Kaskas)

[@mirceadimian4048]

The Need For Speed High Stakes (Road Challenge) OST clearly made your video the utmost delight ! Fantastic work ! Brilliant info. Thank you !

[@chatwithaninja]

Shout out to Blue Ridge! Jonathan does all my MB work.

[@392nightrunner]

The grandad to my 22 charger scatpack

[@emanuelechiocchio2184]

Saki Kaskas "Callista" is a very fine choice.

[@Fruit_gaming]

holy fu- jesus crist, i see one everyday on the way back home from school

[@freddygoncalves1266]

I REALLY ENJOY YOUR VIDEO THANK YOU VERY MUCH..MORE VIDEOS. PLEASE.....

[@cabl3guy2012]

In the late 80's I built a Mustang GT out to 350hp, there was no car in town that could beat it. One night a Hammer pulled up beside me and smoked my ass.. Love that car..

[@alebask]

Awesome video! In 1986 I was lucky enough to see a mysterious Mercedes at work, I was with my uncle who was driving a Golf GTI and in a short time the Merceds reached us and overtook us very easily on the road. I noted the writing on the back and it was 420E 4 Matic! There wasn't a Mercedes with this wording at the time, aesthetically it was identical to the Hammer Coupè, could you tell me by chance if it could have come from AMG? Were Hammer 4 Matic w124s produced?

[@mohmoudfarah1897]

Informative; thank you!

[@biaritzsiroko6117]

AMG should bring back this classic !!

[@toto-wolff]

Great video. Very informative.

[@michaelorekyeh6431]

Great car, and an excellent tradition. The 124 was the best Mercedes ever,

[@Alecks1990]

what about the 7.0 Hammer?

[@excellere51]

Great content. Please do one for the Merecedes 560sec amg

[@idin1976]

I watched the new Ferrari review, AMG hammer and some F1 technical video. During every single one of them I had this Mazda CX60 ad video that I find less desirable than a thrombosed haemorrhoid. Obviously, Mazda and youtube think, if you are interested in AMG Hammer you are likely to buy a Mazda hybrid soft roader?

[@blue_lancer_es]

A video on the amg mitsubishi galant would be nice.

[@denysnuttall1706]

Friend of mine in Marbella had a white rinspeed edition, originally from Switzerland unfortunately it was reported stolen and burnt

[@Ekoperse]

Could you do a comparison video about this interesting theme: Why JDM AMG:s are like -30% cheaper than other worlds AMG's ( British cars not calculated).

[@Ekoperse]

For example here in Finland there is one white JDM (EU steering) S65 2004 AMG for around 30 000€. It needs little bit of electricty work and new front brakes. But after that, would it raise much value? There is about 100 000 km behind it.

[@rafikuhami9326]

Please make a video about the 09-11 SL63 AMG

[@markoz673bajen8]

The Patina Collection comes in.

[@bernardwarr4187]

Clearly the roots of the 500E, if not officially, but obviously come from here. Personally, I would like to invest in an E60, bulletproof quality and surely investment opportunity

[@AMGmeister]

E60 AMG w124 is my favourite because it’s not as expensive as the Hammers. Sedan with the wide fenders looks good and the quality of the car is top notch.

[@jerryreid813]

Now I know why those style wheels are called "hammers!" Only took 20 years! Lol.

[@iggy_gtr]

One thing I've always tried to understand is the cylinder head and where it came from. Everyone says it was a M119 Cyl head, but it doesnt seem to be a straight bolt up?

[@maxgr7723]

Maybe you are going to make a nice video on the babyhammer aka 3.2 w201 too!

[@MrReese]

2:45 what is an "ECE version"? Did you mean "SEC version"? (which stands for S-Class, Einspritzer (injector), Coupé) 8:32 WTF, I did not know Lewis made a video with a Hammer?! How amazing is that?? Holy moly.

[@ryanjonathanmartin3933]

That video was pretty popular though. I remember the video popping up as an ad multiple times a few years ago.

[@Mrgetdoe777]

Never even seen one of these till Spitta bought one lol

[@warrenmintz5227]

Imagine that car with the 7.3 V12.

[@brianmorley482]

Unreal

[@MrCalverino]

3:00 that music comes from Need for Speed High Stakes

[@bmwcarrmann429]

Hello I have R129 Mercedes-Benz sl500 and I have an extra engine but I'd love to install a M156 or take my engine amd port through heads and get some headers and use a m117 block and build a monster out of it

[@arayflores]

I have a 1990 R129 500SL with a troubled M119.960 engine. Mine is black (040) over a palomino interior and later AMG alloy wheels with the early complete original (Type I) AMG body kit. I have been looking for a new engine and thinking about trying to locate an AMG motor to get the performance to match the look. Are you willing to part with your extra engine? You didnt say the year of your car/engine, so what model is it? I am in the SF Bay Area. The KCRA mention leads me to believe you may be in the Sacramento area.

[@bmwcarrmann429]

A m117 block amd use my DoHC heads on it and make a home made AMG hammer engine for my sl 500 1998 model I bet that will be a monster

[@1974challenger440]

A little correction my dear, the E500 was engineered by porsche and build in their facilities.

[@2phast]

Well done. I should clarify that the 500E's V8, body modifications, suspension modifications and chassis upgrades was done by Porsche and not Mercedes. You made no mention of Porsches involvement at all in the design of the 500E.

[@AMGmeister]

Of course Porsche assisted in designing the 500E and then assisted in building it. But at the end of the day it was a Mercedes-Benz product finished to Mercedes standards. The Porsche stuff is all in my 500E video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmmaf3maqMuEr9E

[@wisama7091]

I love these videos

[@daved9302]

Please do dedicated video for Grand Edition 2011 Ml500 5,5L. @amgmeister

[@Gchang54]

one of the sexiest car ever made

[@senanfoutchedjev2401]

How is the AMG compare to the E500 engine build by Porsche in the same years. Thanks.

[@TheCluelessEnthusiast]

Wow!

[@coconutggwasclose1848]

Amazing video! I will buy one myself in five years. See you guys 2028

[@mubaraqogbara2106]

Does anyone know about the Mercedes Benz 1000SEL (W126) Koenig Widebody Special Edition and how much Dey cost today

[@arayflores]

A couple guys mentioned below that they have R129s, and I have one too. Mine is an all black exterior (no gray cladding) 1990 with an original pre-merger AMG body kit that looks just like the Hammer body kits. Didn't AMG turn around some performance modified R129s before the merger? Could you do a video on some of these AMG R129s, if they exist?

[@2turbo4u]

Checkout the Patina Collective they got a bunch of 129 with the history to back

[@arayflores]

@@2turbo4u thanks for the tip. I will check it out!

[@3_Gold_Coins]

If anyone can please share how to find build numbers on Mercedes AMG,s of various models and years. Thank you

[@G55STEYR]

Two valve 6Liter how much power these have? I noticed the 5L and 4v have max power at 5750rpm but 5.2 at only 5250rpm big difference, wonder the 6L 4v rpm

[@TheBaldMiddleAgedMetalHead]

The final M119 6.0L in the E60 AMG made 382hp, but I strongly suspect that was underrated. The earlier Hammer 🔨M117 6L made 385hp.. they were all similar power. The original 500E made 326hp for comparison.

[@G55STEYR]

@@TheBaldMiddleAgedMetalHead Yes but the simple 2valve 6Liter can't find

[@AMGmeister]

2 valve, 6 litre AMG m117 is 310hp at 5200 rpm. 4 valve, 6 litre m117 is 380hp at 5500rpm

[@G55STEYR]

@@AMGmeister That makes the M159 amazing with extra 250hp from the same almost 6.2L, even the normal M156 have extra 145hp of affordable performance.

[@G55STEYR]

Wonder how fast the W126 and R107 are with any AMG prepped V8

[@onepalproductions]

Car goes broom, broom.