Best MB of the last two decades

[mooney]

Things seem slow and quite. So lets get some debates and conversion going. what is the best MB of the last two decades?
Going back to 1984. For looks,style and collector value.
Here are my choices.

1989 560SL
1994 E500
1995 E320 cabriolet- My favorite being an owner of one. 61k
2003 500Sl- The retractable hard top is great. Thinking of trading my 85-380SL for one.

So lets hear it MB guys and gals. What's the best!
Happy driving.

Joe Moon

[Tom Hanson]

Any 560.. SL, SEL, SEC. Simply a legend. Any AMG model. 600SL. Don't forget the 500E/E500. Don't get one if you have teen drivers in your household. The 400E/E420 was another outstanding car. So was the 190E 2.3-16. In Europe, there was another version of this car, the 2.5-16 Evolution II. Real hotrod. There are too many others to discuss, but these are truly outstanding models. Destined to become classics.

[Suginami]

Depends on how you define classic.

For collectibility, there are only two choices (the only 4 star cars in the last 2 decades according to Frank Barrett in his book):

The W124 chassis 500E / E500 and the W124 chassis 300E (3.2) / E320 covertible.

For a "classic" that would be a pleasure to own and has a good reputation for performance and reliability, I'd looooove to own:

1. W126 chassis 560 SEC

2. W107 chassis 450 SL (1972-1973 or 1979-1980) or 560 SEL (1989)

3. W126 chassis 560 SEL

[Dean Yelenik]

My definition of "best" would focus on the practical - durable, reliable, serviceable, tight/rattle free - and for this I think the answer is 124 body, two of which stand out - 1) anything with a 3.0 liter 103 motor, because they are quite easy to work on for a do-it-yourselfer, and 2) E420s, not as easy to work on but extremely durable, long lasting and well balanced, I think considerably easy to keep up than a 320, nearly the performance of a 500 without the hassles / rare parts, etc.

[560 SEC]

560 SEC . Here`s mine at the June Jamborre at MBUSA

John

[Tom Hanson]

let's go back a little further.. the 300SEL 6.3 .

[Harshman]

Tom Hanson loves the 6.3 SELs, but I personally believe the best car for the dollar is a 560 SEL - a limosine for the price of a used Camry. Unfortunately, I totalled mine and my wife won't let me buy another. She doesn't like the stares that always follow a really first rate SEL.

[badali]

1973 280 SE 4.5 is the best!!! Mine was just out of storage last week and driven nearly 600 trouble free miles after 2 1/2 years of storage. I miss it already. I'll see it again in a year and a half and we shouldn't be separated again.
Brad

[mooney]

Badali

Very nice. How many miles?
Happy driving.

Joe Moon

[badali]

It has 76,000 miles on it and has not been restored. New leather on the seats is about all it needs.
Brad

Can you guess what the car next to it in the garage is?

[mooney]

Badali

Just guessing. A 1965 230S?
Can"t see the whole car in the photo, but it sure looks nice.
Happy driving.

Joe Moon

85-380SL
95-E320 Cabriolet

[badali]

Not a bad guess. It is a 1961 220S.

[zak]

Hello gentlemen. I have a 113 and a 107, plus a 123 and a 124(Hike !), and have driven numerous MB's, but the best I have ever drove and continue to drive every summer because I oversee the maintenance for my neighbor of his 1971 280se 3.5 convertable. The speed , the power, the handling, the rock solid, rattle free ride is beyond my kin for a 30 year old car.
Also, how come the conac leather seats remain perfect after all these years ???

[mooney]

Zak

What model 107 and 124 do you have?
I have a 107 and 124.
My old girl is a 85-380 SL with 87k a wonderful driver and great body style. My show off girl is a 95-E320 Cabriolet with 62k. In my opnion the best car MB made since the 70-71-280SE. 3.5 Cabriolet or coupe. Happy driving.

Joe Moon

[badali]

My front seats are in rough shape on the lower half. Has anyone replaced theirs recently? How much $?

[Conrad]

Originally posted by mooney
Things seem slow and quite. So lets get some debates and conversion going. what is the best MB of the last two decades?
Going back to 1984. For looks,style and collector value.
Here are my choices.

1989 560SL
1994 E500
1995 E320 cabriolet- My favorite being an owner of one. 61k
2003 500Sl- The retractable hard top is great. Thinking of trading my 85-380SL for one.

So lets hear it MB guys and gals. What's the best!
Happy driving.

Joe Moon

I don't know if its the "best", but the 600 SEL should be high on the "best" list. It has its issues, but overall its presence and performance is magnificant.

[dolebludger]

For what it may be worth, it is my opinion that the best CAR (not limited to MB) that I have driven in the last 20 years is the current C 32 AMG four door sedan. Certainly, no collectors value, as it was introduced in 2001. But when performance, comfort, and general use are taken into consideration, this car will do whatever you want of it. Press the accelerator genlty, and it could be a ride for the Queen of England. Hit it hard, and goodbye, Corvettes!

Do I own one? No. Here's why. My wife (who picks out all the sedans in our family, while I choose the sports cars) couldn't stand for that aluminum stuff on the dash, doors, and console, instead of the wood. (I really don't blame her, as I think it is ugly also.) I called all over (even to Germany) to see if I could get a C 32 AMG with the wood that comes on the C 320. NINE! So, we got a C 320 for our sedan.

But the current C 32 AMG still gets my vote as the best all around car (not just MB) of the last 20 years.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[archiele]

I've had the 116(280s), and now a 124(300e) and like certain aspects of both.
I really liked the lines of the 116, it is the shape that I think of first when I hear the words 'old mercedes'. The 116 was also a much quieter car than my 124. The 116 had a Swiss catalytic converter, and you could barely tell inside the car. My 124 on the other hand, reverbs with a magnitude of road noise.
What I like about the 124, is the power that the 3.0l puts out and all the nice convieniences; like the 10 way adjustable seats with memory. :)

[Lynda J]

I agree with Tom. The 300 6.3 is a really sweet car. But if you are looking for a dependable car with minimum maintance it has to be 81-84 123 300D Turbo. This is what I always recommend for women when they ask. Once it is running you can actually take the battery out and still drive. Had a customer drove in to Ft. Worth from Houston with the alternator out.
If you want a gas then it has to be the 450 series especially 75-80. Had one customer with a 77 450SEL that had over 800,000 miles on his car. Was working on the million when it got totaled.
Thought he was going to kill the guy that hit him.
Lynda

[superwidesec]

the sec coupe are the best, at lease in my mind anyway ! (smile) but a 1986 190-16v street fighter isn't a joke either. had a new 2008 amg s-63 i owed to many hospital bills so i had to get rid of it. high tech not as fun as the old cars.

[stricht8]

Not surprised about the 800,000 mile 450SEL. That car has a rock solid engine. I grew up with one and it had 330,000 miles on its original untouched (except for prophylactic timing chain replacement) engine until it caught fire from a transmission oil leak. Not much can destroy this car except for major accident or rust. No car can survive a fire!


I agree with Tom. The 300 6.3 is a really sweet car. But if you are looking for a dependable car with minimum maintance it has to be 81-84 123 300D Turbo. This is what I always recommend for women when they ask. Once it is running you can actually take the battery out and still drive. Had a customer drove in to Ft. Worth from Houston with the alternator out.
If you want a gas then it has to be the 450 series especially 75-80. Had one customer with a 77 450SEL that had over 800,000 miles on his car. Was working on the million when it got totaled.
Thought he was going to kill the guy that hit him.
Lynda

[pch2021]

last two decades, to get technical- 300D 2.5 turbo or 350SD/SDL. or the 300TE. 0r the 1989 107 chassis 300SL for the euro market.

[bill streep]

Look, I'm sorry...

I LOVE my old W124. We've had or have everything from my '57 onward. 9 in all. But, let's get serious.

My E500 puts them ALL to shame. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my 190SL - and it's just plain fun to drive. My wife's CLK is just a great ride, and my daughter's SLK puts a grin on your face. But for an all 'round performer, you just can't beat the modern technology of a loaded E Class.