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Tag: S class

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Near-flagship status: 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL vs. 1989 BMW 735iL

German manufacturers were riding high in the 1980s, solidifying their reputation as makers of some of the world’s best automobiles and introducing new models at a rapid clip. When it was introduced in 1980, the W126 Mercedes-Benz S-class was at the pinnacle of automotive technology. Almost a decade later, it was beginning to show its age but people still loved this car for it’s stately manner and stellar build quality. BMW took the executive car fight right to Stuttgart’s doorstep in 1987 with the introduction of the E32 7 series sedan. Larger and more powerful than its predecessor, this luxury sedan offered V12 power, eclipsing the 5.6 liter V8 at the top of the S-class range.

Today we’ll look at two of the lower-end models in the executive portfolio of Mercedes-Benz and BMW, both with under 30,000 miles on the clock. We’ll start with this 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL for sale in Arizona.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL on Hemmings Motor News

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL

Throughout the years, Mercedes-Benz has dabbled with über sedans to cater to its wealthiest clientele. The 600 was, and still is, considered by many to be a watershed moment in executive motoring. Later on in 1992, the 600SEL was perched atop the S-class range, with it’s 6.0 liter V12 engine and available four-place seating. Their latest chapter saw the revival of a storied name from years past: Maybach. Sadly, the brand lasted but a scant decade, from 2002 to 2012. In the eighties, it was a different story, with the top dog being this car: the 560SEL. From 1986 to 1991, this car was the vehicle of choice for businessmen, celebrities and heads of state the world over. Today, the W126 S-class is still revered for its durability and classic, restrained Mercedes-Benz styling. This 560SEL for sale in California is a minter, with just over 53,000 miles on the clock.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL on eBay

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1998 Mercedes-Benz S500

The late 1990s was, in my opinion, a watershed for executive sedans. The much revered BMW E38 7 series was about halfway into its production lifespan, offering up what was arguably one of the best designs the company has ever released. Then we had the Audi A8. In the wake of the V8, which was a bit of a sales disappointment, Audi was back with this all aluminum luxury saloon and even offered a hot version – the S8 – for those who wanted the ultimate high performance luxury express. Then there was the W140 Mercedes-Benz S-class. Having been introduced in 1992, this was a car on its way out, but it still had some fight left in it. Compared to the BMW and Audi, the Mercedes had rather brutal, monolith appearance to it. It was still, however, a supremely capable automobile. The example we see here for sale in Texas is the popular S500 with the 5.0 liter V8. In black over black leather, this completes the iconic look for this CEO express.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1998 Mercedes-Benz S500 on eBay

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Feature Listing: 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600

Like many other industries, technology has affected the cars we drive over the last 20 years in an impressive fashion. From digital music to adaptive cruise control, vehicles offer a large helping of convenience to motorists, but it comes with a price. After a few years, technology of course becomes outdated and as these complex systems age, problems ensue. This translates directly into increased depreciation, especially for high end luxury cars, like we see with this 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 for sale by our friends at Sun Valley Auto Club. While it might be attractive to purchase an über-luxury machine at a discount, the reality is it could turn out to be one massive headache. However, this CL600 isn’t any ordinary coupe, as we’ve come to expect from this seller. Looking very much the V12 flagship part in black on black, this example has just over 11,000 miles on the clock.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 at Sun Valley Auto Club

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1984 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC

After posting what I considered to be an over priced 911 yesterday, I thought I’d go the opposite direction and post a vehicle that I believe is not only fairly priced but may even be, dare I say it, a deal. To be perfectly honest I’ve been sitting on this listing for some time because I had hoped to have sold my S4 Avant and shot out to Palm Springs to take ownership of this thing, pending an inspection and test drive of course. It is a vastly different vehicle than the S4 but that’s kind of the point of me selling the car, I’m just ready for something different. A two door luxury coupe from the 80’s is about as different as I care to get with my next vehicle and man, what a candidate this car is.

The brown over tan interior oozes California country club cool, I like to think that the majority of the miles on this car are from making trips between Torrey Pines and PGA West. Comfortable and relaxing are perhaps the two most appropriate adjectives to associate with this car as the 5.0L V8 only cranked out 184hp. That’s not a whole lot for a 3,549lb car but this wasn’t a machine built for flat out speed or impressive lap times. This car is all about enjoying the ride, not getting to the destination in the shortest amount of time possible. If you’re looking for a luxury coupe that is as happy chasing apexes as it is eating up long stretches of highway then you’ll want to look for an E24. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite between the two legendary 80’s two doors because I haven’t an allegiance to either brand. I tend to like more of BMW’s cars overall but sometimes I want that little bit of extra luxury that I’ve always felt a Mercedes Benz offers. While the 635CSI remains on my shortlist of vehicles I’d want to own at some point, surprisingly the W126 500 SEC currently sits above it.

Click for details: 1984 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC on Cars.com

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