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  #1  
Old 01-24-2003, 11:06 PM
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Am I the only one that prefers the older designs?

A perfect example for me is the new SL R230. Technology aside, I much much prefer the look of the R129. I like a Benz that has a distinctive, prominent, or even boxy rear end. The older Benzes looked muscular (W202, 210, 140, R129 and before). To me, the W220 and the W203 are borderline, but then with the dawn of the R230 and the W211, the designs got weak in my opinion. The front half is pretty decent, however, in my opinion the rear is especially uninspiring, and dare I say almost Japanese looking. Same goes with the dashes. Before we had nice, full, no BS dashes...now we have dashes with more curves than a Coke bottle and Pontiac inspired Batman gauge clusters (namely R230). And whatever happend to REAL gauge needles!!!??

To me, MB has always been as much of a master at making muscular, yet at the same time smooth and elegant designs as Rolex is a master at making watches. Now, this seems to have drifted by the wayside. I thought the Japs always copied off MB...why vice versa now? I guess it's because MB doesn't build cars for enthusiasts...hey, whatever brings in the cash, right?

Seems like a lot of ranting, but as a huge MB enthusiast, I have strong opinions about these things (obviously!) and was wondering if I was the only one, or if other people shared some of my sentiments. Any and all comments are welcome.

And don't think I'm some disgruntled old fart "purist", because I'm not! I'm not even old enough to be a purist! I'm only 20!

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  #2  
Old 01-24-2003, 11:11 PM
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I much prefer the older designs.

I like the 108/109, 124, 126, 201, 202, 107, 129 and most of all, the 140.

I like the hood design and headlights of the 210, but not much else.

I think the designers blew it with the 203 and and 220.

FWIW, of the cars with the current design theme, I think the 211 looks the best, but still not as good as the 124.
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  #3  
Old 01-24-2003, 11:31 PM
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i was driving down the highway one winter day, and I spotted what looked like a high-quality Korean/Japanese car. It was only when I overtook it that I realized that it was the new E-Class!

The front is distinctly Mercedes, but the rear is so generic! In particular, I do not like the new style of rear lamps. Remove the rear star and you would not recognize it as a Benz.

as for the coupes, I prefer the 3-box design and formal roofline of the 124 coupe to the one that replaced it (which was based on the 202).

I also find the R230 overwrought - the R129 on the other hand, has understated and quiet elegance.
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  #4  
Old 01-25-2003, 12:48 AM
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1. Older Designs

As a matter of fact, I like the designs any MB. It gives a certain classy look and style that grows like good wine. With every design comes a distinct beauty - to some who either hates it (classic Bimmer drivers for instance) or simply love it. However, what sets a well designed MB apart from the rest is the built quality and engine reliability. The older models were somewhat hand-built (hence the roomy engine cabin) while the later designs had compact engine compartments with little space for handy-work. Not to mention, later models had more electronic bugs with it.

I like the 124s, 123s, 116s and 126s, not to mention the R129 and its predecessors. However, the newer models look great too, esp. the 211 - but its a matter of whether it will be as reliable in 10 years time would be anyone's guess. I have the 126 which will turn 20 in a few years more, and it runs along just fine. It's aged a little, but it runs gracefully. Take my colleagues 210, turning 5 this year, and he is already thinking of retiring it. Too heavy for his pocket whenever something lights up.


2. Korean look-alike

We checked out the 2nd generation Ssanyong Chairman, in standard 2.3, standard 2.8, standard 3.2, and extended 3.2. They were all remarkable in the usual 124 robust built, complete with its engine. The MB trademark is distinct in style and in character. The S600L has even a leg rest and the complete works for luxury.

Better value than the MB, but its not 100% original MB.

The test drive produced a similar, if not the same, traits as the 124 E class, but with refinements all round.

Trade in the Chairmans' rounded laurels for the 3 pointed star, and you can't tell the difference. Except the owner.

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  #5  
Old 01-25-2003, 12:49 AM
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That's funny. I love both the new SL and E class designs (well, with the exception of that rear end). I think the fronts look much more stylish, and the curves in the fenders and doors are much more dynamic than the old flat-sided 129/210 designs. I also really like the new C and CL's, and that's including their back end.

I don't like the new CLK or C-coupe, but the latter is (very) slowly growing on me.

The 129 was pretty attractive when it first came out, but I thought the design "dated" faster than it should have, even after MB lightly restyled it in the late 90s. I never liked the 140. Early, late, it always looked like a concrete slab with wheels. Too many flat surfaces!

Of the older designs, I've always enjoyed the SLK, CLK (convertible over coupe), 202 (late over early), 124 (late and early over middle), R108, and the 1960s 190/300SLs. One thing I really hate on older MBs are aftermarket styling kits, with one good example being the old AMG Hammer (dislike) vs. the E500 (like). The first thing that comes into mind is always "tacky," the second is "cheap-looking," (and I know those kits aren't).

Go figure, huh?
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  #6  
Old 01-25-2003, 01:13 AM
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Just a matter of taste.........

Everyone is certainly entitled to their oppinions.

I think I would really have to agree with Ymsin on this one, Mercedes definitely age gracefully, generally all of their designs look "up to date" for at least 10 years after the car was built. The other day I was talking to my neighbor and when I told him I was restoring my car he said "WHY??....That car is brand new!!", I told him it was 11 years old and he couldn't believe it.

I remember when the W140 was introduced, the first thought that popped into my mind was beached whale. I didn't visually catch the Merecedes lines and it took 10 years to grow on me, now I appreciate it.

The new E-Class is a tough one though. The front is beautiful but the back could pass for the Acura CL, Accord Coupe with those triangular lights. It just isn't catchy, or maybe I'm just missing it.
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  #7  
Old 01-25-2003, 02:29 AM
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It's definitely a matter of taste.

To most people the newer MB's are prettier and to some the BMW's are always prettier.

I think the W211 is gorgeous. Sure the back end isn't that strong but overall the car is very futuristic yet very elegant. A great package.

The CL was one of my favorite MB's however after seeing the new SL I think I'd much rather have the SL.

I really like them all.

The old ones appeal to me more especially because my passion for Mercedes-Benz started really early and those were the W124 days so obviously I like anything from that era more than anything else basically.
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  #8  
Old 01-26-2003, 10:25 PM
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Afshin....same thing happens to me all the time. People ask me what year my car is, and say 86 and they literally can't believe it. Either that, or I ask them to guess the year, and the guesses are always way off (in the car's favor of course) and I've also gotten a "is it one of those 2000s or somethin'?" Of course these are people that know nothing about cars, esp. Mercedes, but just to know that that is the perception that "everyday people", so to speak, get is awesome.
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  #9  
Old 01-26-2003, 11:11 PM
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although I don't like the rear end of the 211 sedan, I find the 211 wagon beautiful - it has taillamps similar to the 210, which is more Mercedes-like. And it is more stylish than the 210 wagon, which has that "queen-bee" look.
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  #10  
Old 01-26-2003, 11:27 PM
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I haven't seen the wagon yet....guess it's time to go to a search engine!
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  #11  
Old 01-27-2003, 12:10 AM
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fyi, the 211 wagon can be viewed at:

http://mbspy.bacosys.be/s211filo.htm
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  #12  
Old 01-27-2003, 01:02 AM
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mbtjc:

I couldn't agree more with you on the R230. I think it will be a recycled appliance compared with the R129 which is still serviceable and can be restored to a high standard.

The R230 has 7 major "networks" of computer systems that communicate with one another to operate. The amount of small, brittle and cheap interior plastic pieces along with those on the convertible roof for that car is insane. In time, they will break, fall off and just look like hell. The car is just too much.

The most bothering thing about that car is the interior. The "aluminum look" trim is dog ****. The door sill pieces and door handles are plastic but, made to look like aluminum. For $124, 900.00 Canadian you don't get real aluminum trim like you can in a $60,000.00 Audi TT? Something is wrong here.

Look at the grill of the W211 and W203. Again, you have the traditional grill made out of plastic this time. That is going to look like absolute horse **** over time....

Porshe killed themselves as well. I would love to own a 993. I would never touch a 996 nor do I even like to read up on them. After the workmanship on Porsches went from excellent to nonexistant, my admiration for this marque went along with it.

How the hell could the get rid of the pilars around the glass of the windows?????????? Morons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is just a cheapskate idiot move in my opinion. The 996 door closes pretty damn casually if you ask me. They motors on theses cars still sound great but, no workmanship in the build like the older 993's.....

Cars that cost ten times the price of a Hyundai Sonata should damn well have paint work and trim materials that befit the price!

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  #13  
Old 01-27-2003, 09:45 AM
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i don't know about other people, but I find the grill of the Maybach undistinctive - looks like it belongs to one of the Korean brands ...

same thing with the hood emblem - but that's because I wasn't born yet when the first Maybachs were on the road ...

I like the rest of the car's styling though ...
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  #14  
Old 01-27-2003, 10:27 AM
Jim B+
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To me 123, 126, have lines that are both modern and

"classical" in that these cars look less dated than many models that followed. The fact that these were the last of the "mechanical" Benzes makes them doubly attractive.

Have seen two "real" Maybach's from the '30s...the new model will have far to go to match the delightful bodies by Spohn and other master coachbuilders.
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  #15  
Old 01-27-2003, 01:14 PM
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This is all a matter of opinion, of course, and I'm one of those who thinks nearly all BMWs are beautiful... Anyway:

I recently spent a weekend in a W210 - E430. While looking at it standing still in the garage, I found it to be a nice car to view. Not quite as distnctive to my tastes as a W124 or its predecessors, but not "unMercedes-like." Then, I went around back to open the trunk and put some stuff in for a brief trip. I was shocked that the rear deck felt as flimsy as it did. Perhaps it's that way because it's designed to crumple, but I was surprised. Then, I got into the passenger seat. The doors closing around me didn't sound particularly solid. The engine, when started, sounded fine and at very low speeds (leaving the garage) the entire car was most Lexus-like in its silence. Then, the driver merged onto the freeway and the noise was deafening. A cacophony of sounds, probably mostly due to the mismatch of the Conti touring tires to the rain-grooved Washington highway system. This, in direct contrast to the relative calm at all speeds (except under brisk acceleration) in my 15-year old 300TE (Bridgestone RE950s the difference here?). Then, the driver, my hostess, slipped her hand in mine and I forgot all about checking out the car on the way home...

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