Top five Mercedes-Benz cars to invest in
Naming just five landmark models with the three-pointed star wasn't easyDaimler-Benz emerged from World War II in much better shape than most German companies and by the very early 1950s was again manufacturing some of the world’s best cars, notably the elegant pillarless W186 ‘Adenauer’ 300S sedan and the 300SL ‘Gullwing’ coupe.
In 1963 Daimler-Benz produced its extraordinary hand-built Der Grosser Mercedes 600 sedan and Pullman limousine, openly challenging Rolls-Royce. Just 2677 were produced in 18 years.
The marque took a backward step in the second half of the 1990s and very early years of this century as a consequence of a policy to spend much less on engineering (without, it was promised, compromising quality).
The W210 E-Class and early ML were disappointing to enthusiasts reared on cars such as the W126 S-Class and the W201 190E, cynically referred to by some as ‘over-engineered like no other car’.
Price ranges listed here were established in consultation with Shannons National Auctions Manager, Christophe Boribon.
1968-1971 R113 280SL ‘Pagoda’
The R113 280SL and its predecessors, the 1963 230SL and 1966 250SL – dubbed ‘Pagoda Roof’ by Mercedes itself (the optional detachable hardtop having a downward, concave bend to add stiffness for safety) – constitute Daimler-Benz’s second generation of SLs (Sport Leicht).
Succeeding both the 190SL and the legendary 300SL ‘Gullwing’, it’s fair to say that the R113 was underrated when new and overlooked by collectors for decades.
Simply, even the biggest-engined example is not a high performance coupe in quite the manner of a Porsche 911 or Jaguar E-Type, let alone the Gullwing.
It is tough and durable, in Mercedes’ ‘engineered like no other car tradition’ and won the Spa-Sofia-Liège rally in 1963. The six-cylinder engine has a lovely guttural mechanical note that is at the heart of the 280SL’s sporting allure. Handling and roadholding are excellent.
Rich leather upholstery, a gorgeous metal dashboard and ultra-low waistline affording superb vision are highlights: the SL exudes beauty.
Many were specified with optional power steering. The standard four-speed manual gearbox sprouts a floor lever of sublime slenderness. With much more torque, the 280SL is the pick of the trio.
Price range: $150,000-$250,000
Rating: 4
1968-1972 W108 300SEL 6.3
On debut this was easily the fastest four-door sedan in the world. A top speed of 131mph and standing quarter-mile time of 15 seconds put it into Porsche 911 territory.
Of course, the 300SEL 6.3, as the car was cumbersomely named, was not a super sedan but one jampacked with elegant luxury.
The standard four-speed automatic uses a fluid flywheel rather than a power-sapping torque converter. The 6.3 is not tall-geared in the modern fashion and you always hear that thunderous V8 doing its thing.
The self-levelling air-sprung suspension gives a superb ride and the power steering is direct and has great feel. Push it hard and the rear swing axles can create oversteer, but that, too, seems in character.
I twice owned a 1971 Diamond Blue 6.3 with cream leather in 1991-92, having paid $15K for it, then $12K. Back then it was just a rather desirable used car. How I wish I owned it still.
One reason why collectability took so long to claim the 6.3 is that its appearance is undifferentiated from the six-cylinder 300SEL, but a gem hides beneath this plain packaging.
Price range: $60,000-$100,000
Rating: 5
1976-1981 W116 450SEL 6.9
Like its ferocious predecessor, the 300SEL 6.3, the 450SEL 6.9 provides its chromed credential on the lower right-hand corner of its bootlid; otherwise, for all the world, it’s just another S-Class like the one Prime Minister Gough Whitlam chose as his official car.
But the 6.9 is as laidback as the 6.3 is lairy. It is half a second slower through the standing quarter-mile, in part due to its greater weight but also because the torque converter automatic transmission has just three forward ratios.
You would like to take this car to Germany. Beyond about 140km/h, it would leave the 6.3 for dead, going on to a V-Max of almost 230.
The dynamics are superb. But the ride is utterly plush, almost in the manner of a Citroën Diesse. I owned one of these, too, and rated it highly. But because it lacks the 6.3’s charisma the 6.9 makes fabulous buying.
Price range: $30,000-$60,000
Rating: 2
1990-1997 W124 300CE-24
The new W124 Mercedes-Benz arrived in Australia in 1986 and then in 1988 came the 300CE, a most gracious coupe version (hence the ‘C’). Even at that stage, the previous Mercedes coupe of its type was collectible.
In 1990 the CE became more desirable, thanks to a new 24-valve version of the superb inline six-cylinder engine with an increase in power from 135 to 167kW at a thrilling 6400rpm. Accompanying the new engine was the world’s first five-speed automatic transmission.
Early in 1991, reviewing this gracious coupe, I noted that pristine example of its predecessor, the 280SE 3.5 coupe were already commanding $60,000 -- more than three times their new price in 1970.
Inexplicably, the 300CE-24 remains relatively inexpensive. But there is little reason to suppose that more bottle age won’t see demand rise.
The W124 was one of the last Mercedes-Benz created in the ‘engineered like no other car’ era, before the decision was taken to dramatically cut the engineering budget for all new models – did this decision create problems (what do you think)?
Simply, the 300CE-24 was almost impossible to fault.
Price range: $15,000-$20,000
Rating: 3
1989-2002 R129 500SL
‘What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?’ If you make a living talking or writing about cars you can count on being asked this one at least a dozen times a year. Until recently, I had never had an answer… [Now I have], the Mercedes-Benz 500SL.
These comments appeared in 1990 in my editorial for the inaugural edition of The Best Car Magazine. The R129 500SL seemed to be Daimler-Benz’s ultimate attempt to incarnate its brand values.
This extravagant car with its portfolio of safety features – anti-lock brakes, automatic stability control, automatic traction control, automatically activated limited slip differential, automatic rollover bar – redefined the SL concept for a new decade.
A magnificent, operatic 240kW 32-valve V8, Great Bruno Sacco design, luxurious, cabin, dynamic brilliance and outstanding safety sums it up.
Even with the soft-top down, scuttle shake was only a minor irritation, decreasing again with the ragtop on and disappearing altogether with the hardtop (requiring two strongish people to fit or remove) in place.
Brilliant economies of scale were at work here because the R129 was built on a shortened version of the W124’s platform.
Price range: $30,000-$40,000
Rating: 1
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