Excellent point. I've always disliked anything after the 126 and 124, but considering that those cars were criticized the same way back when they were introduced, I think the new models of today will end up the same way - given time, they will prove to be good cars too. But I must add that they will NEVER make them like they used to. They are still good cars that will be appreciated with time (or maybe not), but people in this forum focus on craftsmanship, and in that respect the 126, 124, and 123 are the best.

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'82 300TD
'77 6.9
'75 280S
'74 280
'87 Porsche 944 turbo

I'll go for the V6 C280 Sport (wow what a surprise) great engine, plenty of power and being a late 1999 build -no transmission problems-now just to get the harmonic balancer installed!!!

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1999 C280 Sport, 1967 911s Porsche

I'll throw in a vot for the following-

1984-85 W123 300D & 300TD. PERFECT combo of classic timeless styling in and out, rock solid build, mechanical simplicity, exceptional reliability, and of course its rather quirky yet fun, involving, and well mannered 5cyl turbocharged engine. Theres one car I'll never get rid of. My W123.



1994-2000 W202 C230/280. Simple & conservative, yet pretty styling.... seems to be aging nicely- has VERY clean lines. C280 engines suffer from few flaws, rack up the miles effortlessly, and have a nice amt. of power. Build quality is VERY good, much better than any MB models to follow the W202. Have had our C280 from new, and at 190K miles it feels nearly new still. I will say though that my W123 feels tighter and seems like it will last longer.

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

i like this topic.

personally, i own a (you guessed it) w126. AND (you guessed it) i think it is the best mb of modern vintage.

here is the kicker, the father of my friend from college is a dealer principle. so, that means that they have all the new, expensive mbs. they have an sl55 and an e55 currently, both are 2004s. they are getting a maybach soon, so we'll see what thats like. i have driven pretty extensively, both of their '04s. both are amazing cars, they are blindingly fast corner well and the convenience features are second to none. however, i would not want to own one out of the warranty period, thats the fly in the ointment for me. long-term ownership capability was always one of the selling points of mbs and i think those days are gone.

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Jonathan
1998 S600
2001 E430
1994 E320
1991 560SEL
1994 Turbo R

Good point. I would assume that most new MB buyers are leasing them, not buying them, so they will get out in 3 to 4 years.

Those who are buying most likely trade them in for a newer model.

I love my 126, but I sure like the styling, handling, and technology of the 202.

-gil

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GG NJ USA
1983 300SD (Sold at 198K)
1989 560SEL (205k) - slowly restoring
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid (6k) - daily driver
1995 Colt Vista AWD (145k) - fun car! spare
1991 Buick Riviera 3.8l (85k) - fur die Kinder
RIP: 1965 LeMans/GTO Convertable -my first
RIP: 1968 GTO 400 HO w/ 400HP - ballsy!
(blew the motor racing a '69 GTX - bummer)

A poll was taken on this subject in another MB forum that put the 124, by far and away, as their number one pick!

Personally, I think they are all great cars, and truely love the two MB's I've got!

Hmmmm.... the past 20 years, I'd have to say...

1985-1987 300D/SD/SDL Turbodiesel/Turbo
1986-1992 300E/SE/SEL (The old 6 cyl. gasser engines are great from posts I've seen)
1994-1995 E300D (with the OM606 engine and W124 chassis with the most refinements, flawless and comparable to the 617 from what I have heard.)

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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.

202 rules them all!

nenad