I would have to go with the 124. Classic Design, great engineering, but not over engineered.

No argument here as they are all good except for a few that would never be eligible for the best list. The one that comes to mind is the 92-94 S class, nothing but pure problems which resulted in a class action suit against Mercedes!

CJ, you must be referencing a different W124 than the one I have. Being a retired Automotive Engineer from Momma GM, I have never seen a M/B thank didn't take the SIGMA to it's limlits. Over engineered? You Bet and that's what makes a Benz a Benz.
Tobias, I've always wanted a roadster, I guess you narrowed the field.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from wish I had bugs in my teeth Houston.

Donald

Yep, a tough question indeed. But I have to throw my vote in favor of the W123 240D w/manual gearbox. I used to own an '81 240D automatic, and while it was slow and horribly noisy, with 280,000 miles on it, it still ran like a champ and never ever needed to be plugged in in the winter. I let it sit for two weeks in -20 degree weather when we went to Florida a few years back, came home and she fired right up. Now my FAVORITE Benz is by far the W116. As it has already been stated in this thread, classic styling, vault-like construction, wonderful well-balanced ride (no need for snow tires either!), and especially with either the 6.9 (which I did own as well, a '79 model which I ran up to 203,000 before selling) or the 5 cylinder turbo motor, it's a phenominal automobile. Sorry to all you new car guys, but the new MBs are way to plastic(y) for me. Frankly, they remind me of a Toyota Camry. OLDTIMERS FOR LIFE!

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Regards,
Aaron

You certainly speak from experience and authority, but couldn't you just a wee bit gave reference to the old W124030?
Happy Trails Beep Beep from downhearted Houston.

Donald
Yippee the 300E

Thank you Aaron for backing me up on the W116 with either the 6.9 engine or the 5-cylinder Turbodiesel. After about the 1988 models i have lost interest in most of the products that M-B has pushed.

Well, my two Ringgits worth:-

1) For sheer longevity and durability, the W123 series. I had a '78 W123 300D as an 18-year old way back in '82 when I started college in California. Sold it to someone in Fresno and the car is still cruisin' up and down CA Highway 99 regularly. Here in Malaysia, the W123 diesels make the bulk of our "interstate" taxi fleet. The 200D, 240D and 300D taxis abound on our roads and highways. From what I've heard from the battle-hardened taxi drivers, the W123 240D (manual) is, indeed, the toughest thing ever built. Well, these things come from a long lineage of shock-proof predecessors. You can still see many W114/115 and even W110 diesels used a taxicabs.

2) For overall practicality, durability, utility, and built quality, the W124 series. These machines can be found in the thousands on East Asian roads. The W124s are really the last of the non-plasticky Benzes.

3) For sheer emotional appeal and character, the W116 series (the original Euro model of course). Remember Ronin? When the W126 came out (especially the early models), I thought the Daimler-Benz people must have gone nuts. How could the sheer class and classical form of the W116 S-Class be replaced after a short 7-year model run. Anyway, I have a '78 W116 280SE in pristine condition. This two-ton gracefully athletic behemoth, propelled by the sweet-sounding 185hp M-110 DOHC I-6 motor, is poetry in motion. My 23-year old W116 is (to use someone elses phrase) a better "bxxxh magnet" than my E36 BMW 325is.

The honors list: W123, W124 and W116.
Honorable mention: W126 and W107.

Hisham
1978 W116 280SE Euro
1995 E36 BMW 325is
1984 Volvo 240GLM

Donald,
If you want a roadster and want to build one yourself, take a look at: http://www.DIVAROADSTER.COM which are built in Canada 30 km west of Montreal. I bought a kit of theirs a few years ago and am about 1/3 finished now. It's easy but I've got toooo many projects going all the time. I set a deadline for 6/01 but things crop up! Can't wait to drop my 394" small block w/5 speed into the 2000lb roadster!!

Beep Beep from Charlotte!

TobiasMB
4MBs

Naturally I must put my vote in for the awesome G500, 300hp V8 pure MB luxury and the fortitude to concour ANY obstacle. The best news is that MB may start importing them next year. I dearly love the hot rod MBs, W124 500E, W116 6.9, W140 S600 (anything with 400hp is a hot rod!)I even have a soft spot for the C36, what an attitude with that ripping straight six. I think ,if my children were of driving age they would be seated at the wheel of a W123 300D solid, safe, dead reliable. I think we are all priveleged to own the finest line of cars ever!

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1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416