I'd say the w126 is the best start too. They're big, reliable, easy to work on, cheap to run, and still look good on modern roads. The diesel 300SDL is always a good choice, but you might want to consider the 420SEL - they're V8s, they're very reliable, and they don't have the rear air suspension like the 560SEL. Plus, no one wants the middle-road 420s so they're incredibly cheap and you can still find them with low miles.

The 300E is always a stable choice; also recommended.

I'd run screaming from the w140s. Yes, they look fantastic, they drive well, and they've stood the test of time, but they are much more expensive to keep moving properly than the w126 and the w124. They're very complicated electronically, and those cars were the ones MB built when they were learning how to build complicated cars. Bad choice.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600