I would like to know everyones opinion, on what the best benz for the money is? I prefer the c280, i think it is the best value that there is for a 6 cyclinder benz. Obviosuly, the s600 is the best benz, but it is so expensive, that not that many people can afford it. Opinions with year and make would be appreciated.

I'd say a W124 500E/E500.

322 hp, 354 lbs-ft for ~$20,000? can't really beat that.

__________________
'94 W124.036 249/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'93 W124.036 199/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs, up in flames...LITERALLY!
'93 W124.036 481/040 leder; euro delivery; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'88 R107.048 441/409 leder; Euro lights
'87 W201.034 199/040 leder; Euro lights; EvoII brakes; 8x16 EvoIs - soon: 500E rear brakes
'70 R113.044 050/526; factory alloys; Euro lights

Yeah, I would say so. That sounds pretty awesome to me.

Yeap.. that's fur sure... especially when you can get one for under $11,000!!!! (when they originally sold north of $80,000)

The trick is finding them!!

__________________
-----------------------------------------------------

You can buy mine for $11K. What could be sweeter?
My Ride, My Love !!

First, ya need to install one of these!

__________________
-----------------------------------------------------

For a six cylinder benz its hard to beat the quality and cost of the 94 - 95 w124 e320. You can find good examples for $5 - 7k with around 100k miles that will easily last another 100k or more.

I do have to agree though..500e500 = awesome!

__________________
Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

A better option yet would be a diesel in a 1994-1995 E300D. This would be even more trouble free and would last even longer IMO.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforu....php3?t=140664

you really want to sell yours dont you man

If you are looking for value, then forget diesels. Owners think these things are coated in gold. The WVO craze is inflating prices as well.

Don't understand why people are willing to pay double (or more) for diesel models.

I would go for a '90-'92 300E. 20+ mpg, 140 mph topspeed, great engine. Can be had in ex. cond. for less than $5k.

Cars built after ~'92 had inferior paint.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

can u explain the inferior paint?
wht issues?

Its been mentioned on this board a few times. Search for posts by Eberhard Weilke, he discussed it a few years back. Seems the last few years were more rust prone. I tend to believe this as I have looked at A LOT of 124 cars, both in the U.S. and in Europe, and the facelifted cars tend to have rust bubbles more often the 'old look' models.

The 210's reputation for rusting is firmly established (were the built with left over w116 steel?) and have serious problems, although they are a pretty design.

Then again, the original poster in this thread chose not to reveal his location for whatever reasons when he signed up for the forum, so the whole issue may be irrevelant for him if he lives in the arizona.

Furthermore, as we don't know how much money Mitchell wants to spend on the car, whether he can DIY, or if the car is a daily driver or a toy, this thread is actually pretty useless. Unless intelligent unloads his E300, which, by the way, was a 1995 model only in the U.S.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Not really, BUT I am considering a 98-99 S class. So if the money is right and I find the right s-class, then maybe........ Never hurts to prepare

Get a 400E. You will have some nice sleeper performance, and some of the nice features of the 500E. Just imagine it now, you will have the V-8 performance in a rock solid platform known as the W124, and have 5 seats to move people around in. Plus, you do not have to pay the 500E premium price tag. You can pick up a nice 400E for around 4-6 thousand dollars.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I'm with Justin on the 400E. I had one myself for a few years and it was a nice car.

The 124 cars aren't much in the looks department, but they go fast and drive very nicely.

400E's tend to be priced at half of what the diesels are going for. M119 may be the best motor the company ever built and it gets 24mpg highway with a 150mph top speed. later E420s were limited to 130. I see nice examples going for 5-8k. Or you can buy a diesel and get 10mpg more, for an extra $5,000 at the initial purchase. Which is a better value?

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E