Best "Classic" Mercedes-Benz for daily driver?

[Legal Eagles]

I have the urge to purchase a new (to me) car - just because I want one... I find that I am not enticed by all the "new fangled" CVT, Turbos, infotainment, self driving, bells and whistles...

I am enamored of post war Mercedes Benz sedans. I enjoy doing basic maintenance myself, and have a moderate level of skill. No preference between gas and diesel, and no problem driving a manual transmission. I am a big guy, 6'5" 300lbs, so tiny roadsters are out... but a 60's-early 80's sedan really seems to be calling me... for those with experience in these cars, which year and model has a good reputation for reliability, ease of repair, parts availability (this may be a unicorn), and ownership experience

You can keep your hybrid Rav 4, this is more what I am looking for...

 

[atikovi]

You don't mention budget because that can easily be $15-20K. Probably a W123 diesel would be the best compromise with low maintenance, reliability, good parts availability, reasonable prices and modern amenities like a/c, cruise, power windows. A nice one can still be found for 4 figures.

 

[Legal Eagles]

You don't mention budget because that can easily be $15-20K. Probably a W123 diesel would be the best compromise with low maintenance, reliability, good parts availability, reasonable prices and modern amenities like a/c, cruise, power windows. A nice one can still be found for 4 figures.

Good point... let's say under 20K, but I might go to 25K for the right specimen... heck I have seen used Toyota's going for that...

 

[Cujet]

I am not a big fan of "vintage" Mercedes luxury cars. They are oddly complex, just about every component they utilize deteriorates in a strange manner (such as zinc/potmetal window regulators warping over time) and vacuum based door locks that are a nightmare to maintain and plastic parts that crack all over and fail to work. Even the suspension bushings simply turn to powder and disappear. So weird.

However, if you absolutely must have a Mercedes Sedan, why not a early 80's turbodiesel. As everything about it is unconventional. Tales of unreal reliability are seriously blown out of proportion though. They don't last anywhere near as long as claimed. Modern stuff is much longer lasting.

On the good side, I find the MB tex seats an acceptable place to be on long trips, and the ride is compliant enough to be unoffensive. I'd drive a healthy example coast to coast without complaint. Expect about 25mpg with the diesel.

EDIT: I used to maintain an early 80's 300D turbodiesel. It had about 175,000 miles on it, and while it ran well,,, enough oil got past the piston rings and would be enough to fuel the engine at about 300RPM, the engine would not shut off, despite the active controls. Ya had to pop the hood and disconnect the intake air tubing, and plug it with a rag. Good god that was annoying.

 

[390pcode]

1982-1984 300D The 240D is too low on power.
I have owned several 240D/300D models over the years.

 

[Motu]

Pre 1994, that is when the electricals went downhill. I had a 1994 C220 for 10 years, took it over 300,000kms, reliable, but that loom can biodegrade. I did a short stint at a Mercedes specialist - he only worked on pre '94, for a reason.

 

[Supersonic]

I'd look for straight 6 with RWD, and my guess would be the E320 or S320 around 1997, the thought being OBD2 compliant would be more desirable, though I don't anything about Mercedes, and I'd also consider BMW in that configuration too. I'd pass on diesel, I've pumped enough of that to know you can't always avoid getting it on yourself and the smell of diesel is hard to get rid of.

 

[CleanSump]

What the guys have already said. The vacuum driven everything can be a major headache. The vacuum "pods" are usually not available and some of the aftermarket kits are junk. The vacuum control valves are unavailable.
Many older parts no longer made. The older seats are stuffed with a horsehair/rubber mix and the seat covers are usually very worn and not cheap. BTDT on a 240D. Great car to drive down the highway, PITA running down interior parts.
Even my '92 had to go when I couldn't replace any plastic trim or body parts anymore.
Ran both the 240D and 300D to over 300k miles and neither burned oil or had blow by. So they are mechanically tough, but hard to get some parts for.
Not saying don't do it. Just be aware the down side.

 

[930.engineering]

.
I would have said late model W123, late model W124 or again late model W210. Avoid W210.
However for 20-25k you could even look for a nicer, more classic example, perhaps almost even a W109 if it doesn't need to be a 300 SEL 6.3.
.

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

We had a W123 300D, 1977. Vacuum locks, vacuum ACC, weird seat construction, ponderous steering, ultimately a rust bucket. Wonderful door striker plates, grease able door hinges, lovely door closure sound. Plastics that degrade, veneer wood degradation, Tex seat ok by way of vinyl durability (but not substructure).

Truth is, at least for me, my 99 Camry 2.2 5 speed manual, bottom trim car (CE), is in quite a few ways a better car. I can make friends with most cars, and each has some excellent aspects, but that's what I feel.

 

[Legal Eagles]

Truth is, at least for me, my 99 Camry 2.2 5 speed manual, bottom trim car (CE), is in quite a few ways a better car. I can make friends with most cars, and each has some excellent aspects, but that's what I feel.

I feel that... we have a 4 cylinder Camry that is absolutely reliable, wonderfully comfortable, easy to drive and good on gas... it is also however so reliable it is boring... it has no "soul" if you get my meaning. Looking at it or driving it brings me no joy whatsoever (although the lack of car payment is nice)... for a plain Jane commuter car, it is unparalleled, as an object of automotive affection it leaves a lot to be desired.

I am approaching 50 and would like to drive an automobile that sparks joy in my heart, and which I look forward to driving and learning all the little idiosyncrasies I am not sure it is a midlife crisis, as a 1970's Mercedes Benz sedan is not exactly the cliché "sports car"... but it is more a yearning for something different or unique... like me.

 

[930.engineering]

.
I would have said late model W123, late model W124 or again late model W210. Avoid W210.
However for 20-25k you could even look for a nicer, more classic example, perhaps almost even a W109 if it doesn't need to be a 300 SEL 6.3.
.

Sorry for the typo. It should read 'I would have said late model W123, late model W124 or again late model W201. Avoid W210.'
.

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

I feel that... we have a 4 cylinder Camry that is absolutely reliable, wonderfully comfortable, easy to drive and good on gas... it is also however so reliable it is boring... it has no "soul" if you get my meaning. Looking at it or driving it brings me no joy whatsoever (although the lack of car payment is nice)... for a plain Jane commuter car, it is unparalleled, as an object of automotive affection it leaves a lot to be desired.

I am approaching 50 and would like to drive an automobile that sparks joy in my heart, and which I look forward to driving and learning all the little idiosyncrasies I am not sure it is a midlife crisis, as a 1970's Mercedes Benz sedan is not exactly the cliché "sports car"... but it is more a yearning for something different or unique... like me.

You know, a lot of folks say that about Camry's. I understand. Maybe it's just me and manual transmissions. I think the 5 speed makes a big difference. I have a '17 Mazda's with a 6mt; it's not the paragon of Sport, to be sure, but it veers towards the sporty side of 4 door sedans... Well, what I said earlier about each and every individual car having distinct points of excellence... my Camry has a superior design of manual transmission, versus the Mazda6. My Camry has hydraulic power rack and pinion steering (versus faster-ratio EPS [rack & pinion] on the Mazda6). The Camry steering is better at speed than the Mazda6, by way of on-centre steering control and feel. Both are 'way better than the W123 Benz. The Camry, again not being the pinnacle of sheet metal gauge for the body - is leagues thicker than the paper-thin Mazda. Mazda cheaped-out, with that aspect of their Skyactiv technology, in my view. Now of course the Benz, of the 70's or 80's is 'way thicker than the both of them (and is very well-protected viz corrosion... but when elastomers/paints, rubberized coatings harden and corr. sets-in, watch out - it becomes a rust-bucket!), but my made-in-Japan Camry has double sided galvanized sheet metal which I can't get to rust!, soldered (silver-soldered?) body seams, etc etc etc.

YMMV, but I look fwd to driving my old Camry 5 SPD...

 

[CKN]

I think the best classic Mercedes to drive is one you don't own.......

 

[atikovi]

I think the best classic Mercedes to drive is one you don't own.......

Kinda like a hooker vs. a wife?

 

[Cropduster172]

Kind of switching gears here but what about a Volvo S-90 circa 1997-98?

 

[Schandyman]

 

[2EHA]

Sorry for the typo. It should read 'I would have said late model W123, late model W124 or again late model W201. Avoid W210.'
.

W124 has the roadholding capabilities of a refrigerator, 123 is like trying to move a 5 story office building

W210 drives like a normal car. other than chronic rust it smacks the stuff that came before it

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

What has 'kinda interested me, all of the while, was a W126 300SE 5 speed manual. That's of course a big 5 psgr car, with a manual. Europe only, but that era of S class IS available in a manual... and therefore the three pedals underdash setups are indeed available for easy installation if you're in North America. Not sure if a 300SEL could be converted, as well, because I don't know if it was available in Europe that way (viz bolt-in proper driveshaft). Then again, finding an unmolested 5 speed trans (never mind, even finding one PERIOD) may be 'real problematic.

Europeans are not afraid to fit large sedans with relatively smallish powertrains. It's all about having, in those cases, a passenger-comfortable rig... like for example a Giulia 1300, in the late sixties .

Can't say this'd be the paragon of handling prowess tho. Typical of the era handling ponderous feel of big Benz'.

 

[PF52]

Eighteen replies..... A dozen years ago, probably half of those replies would have been people recommending a Crown Victoria.

Times have changed!