Let's dream! What are your favourite Mercedes?

[Greg]

OK. Time for some dreaming and a bit of fun. Which Mercedes-Benz models are your dream cars (or even just something interesting to own) and why? I'm sure we can all say things like any new one or anything with "AMG" after the model number but I'm thinking of trying to keep it to more specific models and perhaps those no longer available. I'll start with some of my favourites and you will notice several very specific ones that share "genes" with what I already own.

W124 500E (or E500):
Why? Because I love the W124 and this was the ultimate. Whilst it probably does not do everything quite as well as say a later model E55 AMG, it was the the "wolf in sheep's clothing" that inspired Daimler-Chrysler to buy AMG and produce a range of performance cars including sedans. Only a keen eye can pick the external cues that distinguish the 500E and give it a subtle menacing stance. The fact the 500E was a combined effort between Mercedes and Porsche makes it interesting too. A rare dream car.
Why not? They not only never came to Australia, but were only ever produced in left-hand-drive. As they fall into the wrong hands the numbers of good original ones will diminish and those will become sought after and expensive.

W124 E36 AMG coupe or wagon:
Why? Because these were the ultimate 124 series coupes and wagons produced in small numbers by AMG (the 500E was not available as a coupe or wagon).
Why not? Whilst these were produced in right-hand-drive (with even a few rhd sedans due to the unavailability of a rhd 500E/E500), again none came to Oz and comments re availability and values as for the 500E would apply.

Other performance versions of the W124 including other AMGs, "Hammers", etc:
Why? The performance and rarity.
Why not? As for those above and difficulty obtaining and cost of parts unique to these models.

W124 Sportline coupe or wagon:
Why? Now I am coming back down closer to earth! All the good points of a 124 with better handling, steering, steering wheel and seating, and a nicer stance with lower suspension and wider wheels and tyres.
Why not? I doubt I could find a wagon version here and certainly not in the condition of our current 300TE. For a family wagon the standard version still offers good handling and the ride comfort is probably more suited to its normal uses as well. Coupe versions can be found in Oz but all had the M104 (24-valve) engine which performed well, but somehow I don't find it as sweet as the M103 (12-valve).

W201 190E-2.6 Sportline 5-speed manual:
Why? Affordable fun. With its 2.6-litre M103 it would also be a great candidate to drop the 3-litre M103 into to make it really perform.
Why not? Only a handful came here and I believe all were automatic. Given that choice, I prefer my 190E-2.3 Sportline 5-speed manual (especially considering it is supposed to be the only one here). Unfortunately, mine having the M102 means it would not make a candidate for a 3-litre M103 swap. The W201 also handles better with the four than with the heavier six out front.

W201 190E-2.3-16 or 190E-2.5-16 (especially a 2.5 Evolution version):
Why? All the good points of my 190E Sportline with extra performance and a "history". Would have to be a 5-speed manual though.
Why not? Evo versions are left-hand-drive only, rare, expensive and had over-the-top body kits. Standard 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 would probably not be quite as practical for everyday use as my 8-valve and would be fussier and more costly to maintain. Whilst they can be found here, they were not sold here new, so country of origin needs to be considered regarding rust. Most have fallen into the wrong hands and good ones are hard to find.

W107 500SLC or 450SLC-5.0:
Why? I still love the SLC and this was the last and fastest with the 5-litre alloy V8. A limited production model that also gained some successful results in rallying in the late 1970s.
Why not? Again, none came here. Good ones would be hard to find and expensive for an SLC. What a shame that the lovely W107 series are also so prone to water leaks and rust.

W111 280SE-3.5 coupe:
Why? A classic shape I have always admired and the 3.5 gave it the performance it deserved together with the slightly lower grill unique to this, the last of the W111 coupe/cabriolet.
Why not? Difficulty of finding good ones and the cost of the good ones. Cabriolet version is very expensive due to rarity and I actually prefer the appearance of the coupe. Cost of parts unique to these 2-door models. They do not offer the driving behaviour and now feel old whereas the W107 and everything else that followed still gives a modern feel.

I could list more but let's hear about some of yours.

Greg

[MR028]

Greg,

I have to agree that an C124 E500 Coupe is top of the list of my great Mercedes that never were - combining the menace of the E500 with elegance of the 124 coupe shape. A bit of a missed opportunity for M-B which has now been filled with the CLK500.

The 280SE 3.5 Coupe is another favourite of Mercedes that do exist - a beautiful and timeless classic!

One model that I initially didn't warm to but which I think has matured nicely is the C140 Coupe from 1992 - 1999. Its a bit overlooked nowadays but its rarity and sheer size in coupe format make it attractive. I'd like one as a "Big Brother" to my coupe :wink:

[Greg]

Yes, it was interesting that only the sedan version of the W124 got either of the M119 V8 engines, and then only in left-hand-drive. I could understand Porsche perhaps not wanting to be involved in a coupe version of the 500E/E500, possibly seeing it as being just a bit too similar to their own 2-door cars. The sedan was probably seen as being sufficiently different. This still does not explain why there was never a 400CE or E420 coupe.

No one else have any dream Mercedes? I would have at least expected some replies suggesting maybe one of the M100 powered cars, a 300SEL-6.3, 450SEL-6.9, or possibly even a 600. How about the popular W113 series SL? Lots have dreamed of owning one of them, or how about the famous 300SL "gullwing" coupe (or the roadster which those who know them argue is really the nicer car)?

[Peter]

<<a 300SEL-6.3, 450SEL-6.9, or possibly even a 600. >>

Ah yes, I remember when a small country NSW town solicitor traded his 280SE for a 300SEL 6.3. At the time it was the fastest production car in the world, and here it was, brand new, in a small outback town.

I still remember the ride in it. He stopped on a deserted stretch of road, then floored the accelerator. Not a chirp, just an incredible surge forward that did not end. In the days when doing the same thing in a Holden would have caused a 360º spin.

That was in 1970 and he used to drive a regular 100 mile run, most of it at a legal (then) 100 miles per hour.

That was my dream car....

Peter

[Agent 1]

Nice memories Peter,

Welcome to the forum, it's good to see our forum is reaching out into the country and interstate.

Agent 1  

[oz coz]

I have at this stage 4 favorites, a mix of race and road.

The all time favorite is the W196 streamliner driven by the World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio. 2.5 litre, straight 8( or 2x 4), desmodromic valves, inclined at 70 degrees from vertical, inboard drum brakes etc etc. Whilst the open wheel version was more successful, the streamliner was the first choice.

Second choice was its sports car version , the 300SLR, especially the Le Mans version with the air brake. I guess that the one-off 300SLR Gullwing built especially for racing engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut has to be the ultimate Mercedes road car. I have had the opportunity of inspecting a 300SLR at the Schlumpf Museum in Mulhouse, France and it is very very special.

Third choice is the 190E 2.5-16 Evo 2. This is the ultimate road going version of this model. The 190E was basically a new direction for Mercedes and it introduced the now famous 5-link rear suspension which is still with us. Unfortunately all 190E Evo models were LHD and too young to drive as LHD on our roads.

Fourth choice again is one that we cannot have, the W124 500E. Again all were LHD. A genuine wolf in sheep's clothing and super quick. What would you give to have one of these?

If anyone wishes to convince me that I should add an E55 AMG to the list, I am happy to undertake a solo test drive.

[Schled]

I know we are not meant to be saying we prefer AMG but I can not deny my interest in AMG cars produced before AMG were taken over by Mercedes-Benz.

I appreciate the fact that AMG were a relatively small outside company pushing the bounds of what the cars were capable of and introducing them to activities the original cars would probably have never experienced. I like both the asthetic and performance/handling modifications they were providing, especially to other W116 like mine.

I often wonder how far my 450 could be pushed by way of performance and handling as it always feels it has so much in reserve and untapped.

In the same way, I appreciate the other companies doing similar things today like Rentech and Brabus, but generally prefer the older cars.

[Johnno]

I would love to locate my Grandfathers old white W114.... it was around a 74 to 76 model with a four speed manual.I was too young to remember if it was a 250 or a 280. Strange thing is I do remember he bought it new from BEA in Adelaide.

It was a lovely old thing. It was white with tan MB Tex interior. I remember as a kid playing with all the unusual brightly colured climate control and hazard light knobs, the strange air vent opener and the unusually lettered Becker radio.

He was a farmer in the South East of South Australia and bought one of the first post WW2 roundies in Australia, then a finnie, and then a W108 which he said saved his life in a rather bad accident. I have a photo of him standing in front of the W114 which sits on my shelf. He loved that car.

Anyway, the Mercedes DNA is still in the family. I got arounfd to getting an SLC a couple of years ago which was my dream for some time. A Pagoda may be the next one in the garage or maybe Grandpa's old W114.

[Schled]

I would love to locate my Grandfathers old white W114.... it was around a 74 to 76 model with a four speed manual.I was too young to remember if it was a 250 or a 280. Strange thing is I do remember he bought it new from BEA in Adelaide.

It was a lovely old thing. It was white with tan MB Tex interior. I remember as a kid playing with all the unusual brightly colured climate control and hazard light knobs, the strange air vent opener and the unusually lettered Becker radio.

I am fortunate enough to still have my grandfathers car and also have similar memories of playing in it as well as all the great trips we would take. I probably would never have bought a car like it if it were not for being his. Now, I can't imagine driving anything else!  

[Greg]

Funny how these cars and the passion we have for them is often inherited. I can remember my grandparents owning a couple of W111 fintails during my childhood in the 1960s (one of those eventually became a first car for my brothers in the early 1980s). In the late 1960s my father purchased his first MB, a W114 250 with 4 on the floor manual transmission. This was to be the first car I ever drove, at the age of 12 in the early 1970s, on an isolated country road. I subsequently "officially" learned to drive in the mid to late 1970s in my father's next MB, a 1972 W108 280SE3.5 (after a break from the marque my parents have again been MB owners since the mid 1990s). With this background it comes as no surprise that in 1983 I purchased my first MB which I still own, my 1973 W107 350SLC. I have enjoyed owning several others since then. Does it also not come as a surprise that my young sons already have a passion for the cars with the 3-pointed star.

[Mathew]

I have two dream Benz's firstly the one that will always be a fantasy is a Green Black S65 if money was no object this would be in my garage sadly, money matters and I can't see one coming my way in a hurry. Now the dream that I am very close to acheiving a w124 cabroilet I would prefer the 320 but these are almost impossiable to get your hands on, So I have decided to settle for the 220 model not the fasted benz but these sure have character. When I have one I'll post a picture of her, if anyone knows someone that wants to sell a well looked after one e-mail me I'm looking in the 40-50k range and it must be in excellent condition.
Cheers Mat.

[ADow]

<<a 300SEL-6.3, 450SEL-6.9, or possibly even a 600. >>

Ah yes, I remember when a small country NSW town solicitor traded his 280SE for a 300SEL 6.3. At the time it was the fastest production car in the world, and here it was, brand new, in a small outback town.

I still remember the ride in it. He stopped on a deserted stretch of road, then floored the accelerator. Not a chirp, just an incredible surge forward that did not end. In the days when doing the same thing in a Holden would have caused a 360º spin.

My favourite too Peter - preferably in silver with a sunroof and with some of Karl Middlehauve's improvements to the induction system.  BTW, 6.3s that I have ridden in smoke the rear tyres in first and second and give healthy screech when changing into third at 140kmph. Your solictor must have had a light foot.

At the other end of the spectrum I have a soft spot for the W123 240D (manual).  I regret selling mine.  
Alastair

[mfleming]

Greg,having read your lead article and all replies so far,Iwill select the current model E55 AMG.The reason,four doors and power to burn,plus every gadget known to man.For plain selfish choice I would want a current SL55.The only problem is my hair getting messed up,regards Mike

[Agent 1]

G'day mfleming,

I'll loan you my favourite cap!

Agent 1  

[schwarz]

i'm going to have to go with the benz 600. reason being is that it's technologically advanced for a car during that era. and 30 years on, it still is a very attractive car and has standard equipments that most modern cars doesnt have.