Hey there. My excitement sure peaked with I saw this 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML320 finished in its current shade of mint. I thought this was maybe a special order or a designo color given that this shade is no stranger on German cars. I personally love it because I think it is something different without being too garish or offensive as well as being a nice refresher (no pun intended) in the normal sea of earth tones. After all, I’ve seen factory crazier colors on cars, but sadly I was left disappointed on this one. You can probably guess why.
Tag: Mercedes Benz
Fresh off last week’s 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, I happen to run across another European-market example, although this one is already in this US. This is a 1985 380SEL that marked the final year for the 3.8L V8 before switching over the 4.2L V8 in the 420SEL. These are generally forgotten in the W126 world as if you are going to buy one, a diesel or the 560 are the best bang for your buck. So why look at a lowly 380SEL then? How does 2,900 miles since new sound? Well, how does it look is more like it.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SEL on eBay
1 CommentThe Mercedes-Benz W202 C-Class has very little notoriety outside of the C36 AMG and C43 AMG. Maybe I’m missing something, but there seems to be no desire for a 1994 C220. It doesn’t surprise me as the W202 was an interesting blend of the old school “the best or nothing†and the world entering the booming 1990s where the product line expanded rapidly and the bean counters starting have more say at the table. When you sit in and drive a W202, you do have some feeling of that classic Mercedes magic, but some of stuff you can clearly see they cheaped out on. Even compared to 190E, these felt a little more “plasticy,” but tried their best to still convince you they really went all out with the resources and development of the model. So now that the newest W202 is over 20-year-old, will these non-AMG cars ever have any of demand or collectability? Don’t bet on it.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2000 Mercedes-Benz C280 on eBay
2 CommentsSome will argue that the W126 S-Class was one of the finest automobiles ever produced. At the end of the day, it does everything well, and doesn’t complain about it. It has everything you need, but nothing more. The styling is handsome, but can blend into a crowd with ease. Running costs? Outside of a hydraulic rear suspension that is well worth the trouble, it can be fixed by the most average of mechanics. Time has been kind to the W126, and prices reflect that. Finding a nice one under $10,000 is a tough ask, and the nicest 560SELs with low miles will put you into new Honda Accord prices.
Today, we travel to Belgium to look at a European-spec 1989 560SEL that has some miles on it, but taking a look at the condition, you’d swear it has a quarter of that. Worth the asking price?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL at British & Sportscars
2 CommentsWhen I think of homologation specials, there are all sorts of models that instantly pop into my head. Of course, being an Audi fan, the Sport Quattro is a great example of the insane Group B era. Of course, Group C spawned a whole series of special cars, from the RS200 and Lancia 037 to the Porsche 959. There’s the special 924 Carrera GTS, as well – a car few remember outside of Porsche circles, and one that’s often forgotten even by them. Then there’s the great period of DTM specials – the “Evolutions†of the M3, 190E and V8 quattro that proved Darwin was right, and we just looked at the later 80 Competition. Of course, you can go back even further and look at one of the most special cars ever created – the original Ferrari GTO – to see a very special homologation of a race car. But outside of the big headlines, there are plenty of small production run cars that were created to jump through loopholes, and returning to my original Group B example, we can see one neat car that was created in order to run in World Rally. It’s not a car you’d expect though – it’s the quite heavy and long Mercedes-Benz C107. Mercedes took steps to make it rally worthy, including lightweight aluminum panels in front and back, and of course upped the power with a new aluminum 5.0 V8: