I am interested to get some discussion going about rare Mercedes. Certain models are rare or non-existent in some markets but common in others. Some models are just plain rare anywhere. For example, I know of only one W124 300TE 24 valve Sportline (in the UK) on a discussion forum. Maybe they are fairly common in the UK. I know we got none in Australia. Likewise we got no W124 400E (E420) or 500E (E500) and yet these are fairly common in the US market. On the other hand 4 cylinder W124s never went to the US but did go across Europe and Oz. The W124 range in Oz included the 220E, 220CE, 220TE, E220, E220C, E220T, 230E, 230TE, 260E, 300E2.6, 300E2.8, 300TE2.8, E280, E280T, 300D, 300E, 300TE, 300CE, 300E24, 300CE24, 320E, 320CE, E320 & E320C. A rare few Sportlines were available here in some of the W124s and W201s. The S-Class diesels that were popular in the US never came to Oz but we did get the W116 in a 280S, 280SE(L), 350SE(L), 450SE(L), and 450SEL6.9. The W126 came here in 280S, 280SE(L), 300SE(L), 380SE(L), 420SE(L) and 560SEL but no 500. In addition to the larger engined W201s we also got not only the 190E1.8, but a popular low cost (lower equipment level) version badged as a 180E that I believe was unique to Oz.

I am not necessarily talking exotic cars, just rare models. I will start the roll call with one of my cars. Here in Australia my 1990 190E 2.3 which is a Sportline and has 5 speed manual transmission is rare. Despite being an Australian delivery, it is believed to be one of only a very small number (if not the only one). Only small numbers of 190Es here were 2.3 or 2.6 (most were 2.0 or 1.8), few were manual and very few were Sportlines. To get the combination I have in one car is rare. Does anyone else know of this particular combination elsewhere? Let's hear about other rare Benzes.

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.