Top 10 Greatest Mercedes Ever Built

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

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

[Tomguy]

I'd pull off the CLK GTR and put the 300SEL 6.3 on there instead. And the SL65 is nice and all, but something iconic has to be said about a roadster that spans 2 decades of production (R107).

As for the 190E 2.5 16 Evolution II, it seems to me it'd be more likely to grab a spot on the list for appearances in the GT series than actual "Street cred"... I'd say The Hammer would deserve that spot.

[TZ_280SEL]

If you want to look at innovation, not sure how you can pass up the 600 Grosser. If you look at the features included in this automobile and then realize it was built in 1963. You still don't see all those features on a lot of cars over 50 years later. My 2 cents

[berfinroy]

With due respect to your particular 190 SL, they weren't really held in the highest regard in their day. Looked good, but otherwise unsophisticated and underpowered. Values have recently shyrocketed, to be sure, but that is probably more a reflection of the value and worthiness of the 300SL than the individual merits of the 190SL.

Ditto on including the unparalleled 600 Grosser and 300SEL 6.3 sedans.

[ejboyd5]

1955 300 SL:

[Tomguy]

Originally Posted by berfinroy

With due respect to your particular 190 SL, they weren't really held in the highest regard in their day. Looked good, but otherwise unsophisticated and underpowered. Values have recently shyrocketed, to be sure, but that is probably more a reflection of the value and worthiness of the 300SL than the indicidual merits of the 190SL.

Although you & I agree, the market doesn't, which is why I assumed it was on the list.
By the way, have you seen E500E prices lately? Holy crap, $30k for a 20 year old car? I can buy a newer MB with more power for WAY less, or a newer car with even more power for even less from a *gasp* American maker that is nicer than a 20 y/o MB >_>

[twinockchef]

My Revised List
Listed in order of production
1. 540K: 1936-1940 (W24)
the most beautiful pre-war car
2. 300SL: 1954-1963 (W198)
a giant leap forward in design
3.220SE Cabriolet & Coupe: 1963-1971 (W111)
the most beautiful post-war car
4. 230-280SL Pagoda: 1963–1971 (W113)
5. 300SEL 6.3: 1968-1972 (W109)
the car which started AMG
6. 350-550SL: 1971–1989 (W107)
300,000 were built
7. 190E 2.5 16 Evolution II: 1990-1992 (W201)
8.500E: 1991-1994 (W124)
Maybe???
9. SL65: 2008-2011 (R230)
10. SLR McLaren: 2011

Racing
1. SSK:1928-1932
2. F1: 1954-1955 (W196) / 300SLR: 1955 (W196S)
If not for the La Mans Disaster these two cars and Mercedes would have
dominate racing for many years.
3. CLK GTR: 1997-1998
4. F1 Hybrid: 2014-2016 (W05-7)
no one comes close to it

Need to be removed
190SL: 1955-1963 (W121)
under powered, low production(half of the W113 and less than 10% of the
W107), and the baby to the 300SL. The only reason it is expensive now is
because the 300SL is out of almost everyones price range.
Benz Patent-Motorwagen: (1886-1893)
Being the first car does not make it The Best or Iconic.

[berfinroy]

What I don't really uderstand is how little the 1965-72 W109s are worth. Thanks largely to the demands of chief engineer Rudolph Ulenhaut, these cars were built to a standard of engineering and workmanship that had no peer in the day save the very limited production 600 Grosser. Even the vaunted 6.3 is at best worth $35-45k, and that's only if it can be proven that everything that needs to be done to put it back in tip top shape has been done.
And I suppose I have suggested the answer to my own question. It costs a lot of money to make these cars right, and when you are done you will definately be financially underwater.
But (except for the decidely underpowered 2.8 version), these cars are still an absolute joy to drive. The air suspension that is the primary difference between the W108 and W109 has been unfairly maligned. When the valves have been properly rebuilt, the car will stay up indefinately and the ride is still iremarkable. Once in good order, those valves and the air bags will last for many years; the only "maintenance" is to keep the alcohol reservoir filled and release accumulated mosture from the holding tank under the left front fender twice a year.
I too am underwater with my 74,000 mile 1972 300SEL 4.5 that I've owned for 10 years now. I'm entirely satisfied with the experience.

[ScooterABC]

Originally Posted by Dmitry at Pelican Parts

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

I guess "greatest" means different things to different people. As far as a great car is concerned, I think Mercedes stopped doing that around 1985. After that I think it became a brand to lease rather than to own.

As far as "great" cars go, I think that the W123 chassis, particularly the wagon, is a really great car. The w110/111/112 cars are wonderful in their own special ways. W108 and W109 is nice.

For "great expense" cars I strongly dislike the 190 SL, and I strongly appreciate the glory of the 600, but I wouldn't want to own one.

[Tomguy]

Originally Posted by berfinroy

Even the vaunted 6.3 is at best worth $35-45k, and that's only if it can be proven that everything that needs to be done to put it back in tip top shape has been done.

Collector car values rarely skyrocket overnight. That being said, 5 years ago, take 10k off that. 5 years before that, another 10k. The cars were at the point you could barely give them away. Gerry had a near-mint one he sold for under $20k 5-7 years ago, if memory serves. And he fought to get that for it. These cars WILL be worth over $100k in another 10 years.

[fonzi]

"Greatest" is a vague term that will have this conversation running in circles.

Iconic.

Innovative.

Stylish/beautiful.

Fastest.

Utilitarian.

Robust.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Thanks for the replies everyone - I agree that "greatest" perhaps wasn't the correct adjective to use, but it looks like you all understood what we were going for. While some of the these may not be your favorite, they are all examples of Mercedes' unique styles and desirability.


-Dmitry

[ScooterABC]

Originally Posted by Dmitry at Pelican Parts

Thanks for the replies everyone - I agree that "greatest" perhaps wasn't the correct adjective to use, but it looks like you all understood what we were going for. While some of the these may not be your favorite, they are all examples of Mercedes' unique styles and desirability.

I would argue that while Mercedes has produced many works of art, durability and maintainability are also desirable.

To me the idea of a car that is maintainable for 50 years (such as a W123) is uniquely special. And also something that one can't hope for in the later cars with the technology that becomes unmaintainable after 15 or 20 years...

The transition from mechanical to electronic changes the picture of what cars are today. Yes, we have the museum of wonders from the Mercedes past, but are ANY cars that are produced today likely to have a life of more than 20 years? Maybe the most simple. Certainly not the most complicated (like Mercedes).

[joshhol]

I agree with you ScooterABC. My list would go from W111 sedan, W108, W115/114, W116, W123, and probably stop at W126 & W124's.
Well maybe throw a 600, an Adenauer and Ponton Cabriolet in there for flair

[ScooterABC]

Originally Posted by joshhol

I agree with you ScooterABC. My list would go from W111 sedan, W108, W115/114, W116, W123, and probably stop at W126 & W124's.
Well maybe throw a 600, an Adenauer and Ponton Cabriolet in there for flair

I like that. Exactly what I would think. Except I would throw in a W111/W112 coupe because they are under-valued and wonderful. Not the way the W114 coupe is undervalued -- I would like to have a barn full of those cars. alas, sold mine to a German school teacher to take back to the old country. Nicest MB I have ever driven. I hope he is happy with it.