Hello Pelicans! Widely recognized as building the first automobile, Mercedes has always been a brand based on innovation and progression. We've put together a list (in no particular order) of what we think to be their "best" and most iconic cars.


Please share your thoughts and own lists with us below.


1. 1954-1963 300SL (W198)
2. 190E 2.5 16 Evolution II
3. SSK (1928-1932)
4. CLK GTR
5. SLR McLaren
6. 190SL (W121) - our own pictured below
7. Benz Patent-Motorwagen (1886-1893)
8. 540K (1936-1940)
9. 500E (1991-1994)
10. SL65

1983 240D.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

2. Seems odd. Yes, it's a good car. But they aren't the holy grail or driving or anything. It's a W201.

10. Is a good choice if you bought one new. Now they are maintenance and repair nightmare.

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'80 300SD - '83 240D - '00 E55 AMG - '02 G500

You missed the 6.3.

t walgamuth - a classic for sure. Great addition.

HarvAMG - you're correct, but the Evo II is considered by many as a "beast" of a car; esp with Cosworth getting involved. I've driven an SL55 and can only imagine what the SL65 must feel like.

tyl604 - also a great, luxury choice to add.


Thanks guys!

The W110/111 Fintails. No other Benz has the vertical speedometer!

W196 - with or without fenders
W100 - LWB laundaulet
W188 - under appreciated

And how long was the R107 in production?

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

What... no article to make the case for any of these?

Agreed, but I'm biased.


1971-1989 if I recall correctly.

W126. It's a 40+ year old design that's aged well and still a common sight.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

No W113?

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1978 300D, 373,000km 617.912, 711.113 5 speed, 7.5mm superpump, HX30W turbo...many, many years in the making....
1977 280> 300D - 500,000km+ (to be sold...)
1984 240TD>300TD 121,000 miles, *gone*
1977 250 parts car
1988 Toyota Corona 2.0D *gone*
1975 FJ45>HJ45
1981 200>240D (to be sold...)
1999 Hyundai Lantra 1.6 *gone*
1980s Lansing Bagnall FOER 5.2 Forklift (the Mk2 engine hoist)
2001 Holden Rodeo 4JB1T 2WD

w115 220D, for the win. An incredibly revolutionary car in terms of bringing MB quality and safety to the "masses". The w115 was a huge leap from what came before it, whereas the w123 was only incrementally different. The fact that nobody cares about the w115 today is icing on the cake, because great cars can be purchased for next to nothing.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

The fintails seemed to be quality built at the time and where technically good compared to the competition overall in their time as well.


I too liked the somewhat unique vertical speedometer and the instrument cluster. Unforunatly they were also rust prone to some degree.


Also at the time there were many service facilities for the brand that were fair in costs. Or at least I used a couple that where.


Mercedes also made sure the mechanics where really up to speed on their products back then as well. Actually if I found a good one today I would probably buy it.


For those that have one or may have one someday. Front tire choice was a large factor in handling I found. Only car I ever owned that was hugely sensitive to it.

pre 1996 W124

minimal electronics BS, classic styling was the MacDaddy in its day.

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1995 E300 diesel

500E's just a W124, W201 has much more importance in terms of technology, racing, and the direction of the company than many of the other listed cars.

Personally, I'd have the 300SEL 6.3 or the 450SEL 6.9 on there over the E500 or the SL65.

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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

As mentioned W123 240D or W115 220D. Simple, solid useful and beautiful.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?