Every Mercedes produced since is a better car.

The W211 E320CDI and E320 Bluetec are both the ultimate these days, the V6 even better than the OM648.

I'd advise skipping over the W124s and going at least to the W210, as the 5-speed transmission is really a revolution in Mercedes terms.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles