Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
Color me blue. This 2004 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG is finished in Bright Blue Metallic, which is a shade I’ve never seen on the W211 E55 before. Almost every E55 of this generation was painted is painted in some sort of silver, grey, black, or beige, and bright colors like this are very rarely ever seen. Nary a green or navy blue to be found. Even better, wait until you see what is inside! There is one problem however…I hope you speak Dutch.
Hard to believe that the ML55 AMG is over 20 years old. When these launched, it was a giant head scratcher considering high performance SUVs weren’t nearly in vogue as they are now. They also carried a giant price tag of $66,000, which was $30,000 more than the base ML320. Ever since their introduction, they’ve toiled around the used market wit no real desirability other than the best of the best examples. Even now where everything that is somewhat desirable is getting snapped up, these can still be had for a song. Today’s example up for sale in Hollywood might be one of those.
As time marches on, so does the W126 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Pick your engine size and you are basically set. The cleanest of the clean examples continue to bring strong money month after month, and the less than desirable examples are dying off as they become not worth it to own or repair anymore.
Today, we have a 1988 300SEL up for sale in Florida finished in the rare Pajett Red with dark gray lower cladding. Even better, it’s covered just 86,000 miles since new. Worth the asking price? Maybe.
In terms of the R129 Mercedes-Benz, it doesn’t get better than this. This is the SL73 AMG. Just 85 were made and they are the only SL fitted with M297 V12, which is a variant of the M120 that was tuned by AMG. This is the same 7.3 V12 that powered the early Zonda cars and, of course, the CLK GTR Straßenversion. It is basically the cream of the crop when it comes to the naturally aspirated Mercedes V12 engines and threw down an impressive output of 561 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. Even looking at it is worth the price of admission. But to have the engine and all the car wrapped around it? Bring a very large check.
I still think the C140 Mercedes-Benz hasn’t had its day yet. They are coming around for sure, but full blown “collector cars” they are not. I also think their time is coming and this example up for sale in The Netherlands is a good reason why. This 1997 CL420, an engine combo we didn’t get in the US, wears the rare Ruby Metallic paint job and the always cool 18″ Eltanin wheels that we also didn’t get. Inside, black leather with burl wood everywhere. Despite looking so good, this one has a surprising 92,000 miles on it. Doesn’t mean it is going to be cheap however.
