The Best Car Ever Built?
 

The Best Car Ever Built? Why We're Restoring This Classic Mercedes-Benz 300TD Wagon With 341K Miles


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4af2v4ltqM

I love the wagons too but a nice 83 240D with a stick may be the best built car ever.

I had that exact car! White on tan. Slow as molasses but a joy to drive.

He is a very good salesman, in fact he talks similarly about most MB's he has :)

I used to have a Car and Driver or somesuch car magazine in the late 1970's which said that the 6.3 was the best sedan ever made to date.

Depends on your definition of best.

hear, hear!

Not if you’re a bank robber,

Best car?? How about the Ford Model A built 1928--1931
300 cubic inch four cylinder. No spark plug wires, manual timing adjustment on the steering column, no fuel pump, no heater or AC, the floor boards were boards, high ground clearance.
Many older model A's were modified and used for farm tractors. Some had a second transmission installed behind the original to give added power at the wheels. (after market heaters were available -- open the windshield for better summer ventilation)

Yeah ;

I can't see just one best auto ever built, it depends on what you need and like .

I'd dotty over my 1982 240D stripper, all it has is the slushbox & I added a passenger side mirror .

If money was no object and you wanted a four door sedan, the 1967 6.3 was tough to beat. Phil Hill kept his because there was never anything better as cars "progressed". You had all the comfort features with handling, power, and ride that was not equaled for another 30 years. If you appreciated fine machinery, nobody was building a higher quality car at the time.

Now if money WAS an object, the 1969 Fiat Sport Coupe was my all time favorite. This Gianni Angelli's favorite car at any price, and he knew a lot about cars.

If you appreciate well built machines and you want a two door coupe, the Aston Martin DB4 and DB5 cars, made famous by James Bond, are the very best. I had customer cars with over 300,000 miles, never had the cylinder head removed, and did not have a single rattle. Really smooth and nice driving cars that remind me of a nice Swiss watch. The Mercedes sports cars do not steer, handle, or shift nearly as well. The Aston Martin was a real driver's car, built to last, and pretty to look at.

^ Is this still true for Austin Martin say through 2009. Reason I ask is that it seems they are fairly inexpensive for what they are. My personal, I think is the best, is the 1995 Mercedes E300 in regards to longevity and simple. The 1998 E300 is next in my opinion.

I was under the impression that the stop button would do nothing in a run away diesel situation.

Am I mistaken? (The guy says it will in the video)

You are correct. When replacing the shutoff valve, instructions make you aware of this.

I would have to say it depends on the era to some extent. For example Packards of the 1930s perhaps where possibly the better if not best cars of their era. Currently the higher line Toyotas for example might be the current best cars.


Certainly many components to me such as durability and infrequent repairs plus reasonable driving qualities. Or a package of charactaristics count.


For example I would buy a Lexus over a new Mercedes if I want a car to go ten years. How bad is it really out there? My son in law purchased a new car that does not meet what I feel would meet my needs. I did ask him why he chose that brand. He mentioned that he will sell it before the warranty is over so does not care. Actually I was in it this last weekend and it has a harsh ride as well to me. Do you really need 18 or 19 or even 20 inch wheels?


I have an issue with the lawn tractor at the cottage. I dropped by the repair place to see about a special tool required to loan or rent. I got to talking with the mechanic that perhaps it is time for a new lawn tractor.. He stated they are junk in comparison to what you own now. So fix it.


That reminded me that the one at home is now 40 years old and other than belts, batteries and a set of blades has needed nothing. Plus still runs pretty much as new. I did look at all the ones either waiting for repair or repaired outside and by and large they were all pretty new. I did not think there were any there over 10 years old.


My point is for the period of 1977 to 1985 I have little doubt that the 123 diesels where built properly. This certainly was the era where the big three seemed to really decline in quality. Plus never really recovered their market share.


The current era in my opinion belongs to some of the Japanese labels. Even though their quality is on the decline to some extent.