You are an ideal candidate for a car like this as you owned the w126 sedan before and understand their value. If taken care of, they will last you a driving lifetime - 500,000 miles and beyond is easily achievable and parts are still available from the Classic Center.

Best bet would be lower mileage, unrusted, uncollided ones with books and records, and original, unrusted examples maintained by no more than 3-4 successive owners, that were meticulous and fussy.

The sedans but coupes especially, look best in the darker metallic colors, like black, pearl black, almandine red, and navy blue. silver and white ones are the default colors. deduct about $2500 for a non working AC though.

Buy the best condition one you can afford, as with these, the old adage "The cheapest used Mercedes usually turns out to be the most expensive, in the end".

I think the 560SEC is truly a classic already.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)