I have a 1989 560 SEL, all original w/44K miles. It’s an amazing automobile and it runs, drives and handles flawlessly. It’s a garage queen and I forget what a fabulous car it is until I take it out for a Sunday spin and then it puts a huge smile on my face. The quality and engineering just oozes out everywhere. Love it! Great video! 👍
The 124! I remember in the mid 80s a friend of mine went to Germany and brought home a 300E and it was by far the best car of the era. It garnered more attention than the Porsches and SLs of the time.
Hello Pierre, the W123 production started in 1975, here in Germany. The T-Modell (S123) in 1978. I really miss the W201, because, in the 1980's, it was a very successful car all over the world. Particularly the diesel models. And everyone remembers the DTM races and the competition with BMWs M3, till 1993. Thanks for this video!
I have a 73 euro w116 280se early D-jet which is second to none on quality build, an 84 w123 coupe 230ce which is an investment and a joy to drive and recently bought a 2.5D W201 which is now considered as the very best everyday Mercedes of the 80s/90s and probably replaces the 123 Diesels as an affordable classic today. I had a 300se w126 which was brilliant and would have one again but petrol prices have shot up and in the Uk we are paying £6.50 ($8.50) a gallon so you have think twice before a long journey these days.
Maybe so. But the bio degradeable wiring was a proper bitch. I have a 97 s320L. Still commands more respect then my bentley. Every nationality remembers the presidents and gangsters in them.
Being in Europe I have to disagree. The most popular Mercedes from at least 89 to 93 is the W201. Still, tons of them on the road, instantly recognizable and highly sought after. Yes, the W126 is great, but those always were quite rare.
Yes, the video is North America centric. The rest of the world loves the 114 /115, 201, 123, 124. They were cars that lasted and were used for a long time in Europe, North Africa, Middle East. So many were born with "/8"and w124s roaming the streets as Taxis, shuttles or family cars. One of the most overlooked ones are the coupés of post 1968. But not forgotten by enthusiasts, which is why they are pretty expensive now.
Good point, W201 is more rare in the US. I have made two quick visits to Germany and the older Mercedes cars I saw on the road were the W201, W124, W126, and R107.
Love my 2001 SL 500 with the AMG kit! I’ve had 3 126’s, one I still have is an 82 coupe. Loved my 85 190E, my 85 380 SE. My favorite W126 was a 1988 560SEL in Pearl Black, RIP. I was t boned in the passenger side at 35-45 MPH. My 98 C140 V12 made me nervous it would break at any moment.
I'm going to offer a couple of unappreciated cars here. Pre-war, I think that the W142 deserves a lot more attention. judging from pictures and what little bit of research I've done, they seem to share quite a bit of the chassis and the coachwork of the big Kompressor cars of that era. I wish there was more about them to access. It's also interesting that there was a short wheelbase as well as a long wheelbase model. For the second car, I definitely agree with you I don't think the W114/115 to get enough attention. I've owned two of them a coupe and a sedan. both 1974 280's. Probably not the best ones with the Solex four-barrel carburetor But I actually learned a lot about auto mechanics working on my sedan! I am always on the lookout for another good W114- or possibly a 115 300D, the first Benz luxury diesel. Yes, the 123 is all over the place. but I don't see why the 114/115's shouldn't be considered just as popular and as equal (or near equal) to the 123's. I'd very much like to hear some opinions on that. I'd buy a W123 if I had resale in mind, but a good 114/115 would be what I'd keep.
Mr Hedary, Your knowledge is invaluable. Could you tell us about mercedes engineering behind such innovations as cooling effects of hood pad and hood seals (lower pad/seal) apperently this had an aerodynamic effect within the engine bay creating airflo to redirect to the back of the engine with steady flow. Is this right?
Grew up with a number of these cars, must have had 6 300SDs and one 240 manual coupe my dad even got a hold of a 54? 55 maybe 190 sl that somebody tried to make look like a 300sl He traded that car for the down payment on an apartment building :P One of my favs was a gorgeous early 70s 280 SEL parents should have kept that one... great video Pierre!
I enjoyed the history from prewar and postwar. I've always Wondered. what people must have gone through to have bought a german-made automobile in USA in the early mid and late 50s. Without today's social media time was slow very slow to forgive and forget. I enjoyed the rest of the history and at the very end my personal opinion about the 140 is not as favorable. Thanks for taking the time to share this.
Puzzling as to why no images of each model as it is discussed 🤷♂️Petrolheads like us are familiar with each model designation, but the casual watcher may not be
I want a w111 series coupe. Had a 62 300SE in late 70’s but don’t want to deal with the air suspension again due to availability and cost of suspension parts.
I do believe that without the W201 there would not be Mercedes nowdays and with 1.8 million units sold worldwide one would think that it was the most popular car of that era. But then again you didn't specify what exactly you believe would constitute as a "most popular" so......
I have a 1989 560 SEL, all original w/44K miles. It’s an amazing automobile and it runs, drives and handles flawlessly. It’s a garage queen and I forget what a fabulous car it is until I take it out for a Sunday spin and then it puts a huge smile on my face. The quality and engineering just oozes out everywhere. Love it! Great video! 👍
r107 and w126 are my favorite cars ever made. Incredible build quality and reliability, along with timeless designs
The 124! I remember in the mid 80s a friend of mine went to Germany and brought home a 300E and it was by far the best car of the era. It garnered more attention than the Porsches and SLs of the time.
Not to mention the W116 is the best looking mercedes of all time. Great video!
I own a W126 from 1982 - early model, but still a beautiful and fantastic car :D
Hello Pierre,
the W123 production started in 1975, here in Germany. The T-Modell (S123) in 1978.
I really miss the W201, because, in the 1980's, it was a very successful car all over the world. Particularly the diesel models.
And everyone remembers the DTM races and the competition with BMWs M3, till 1993.
Thanks for this video!
I’m daily driving a W124 E420 and I have a C124 and a C126 560SEC. Also agree the W114 and W115 are under appreciated and are wonderful cars.
In my opinion, the W124 is probably the best as far as all - round performance. Strange that they are not more popular.
W123 is much better.
no computers. much more simple to repair and keep on the road. better styling and real chrome trim and bumpers.
I love the 124. I have 4 of them currently.
Thanx for mentionig the w114-115, i was born then and theyre my favourites !
W126 300SE 1990 here and C123 CD TD 1979 here. Love then.
I have a 73 euro w116 280se early D-jet which is second to none on quality build, an 84 w123 coupe 230ce which is an investment and a joy to drive and recently bought a 2.5D W201 which is now considered as the very best everyday Mercedes of the 80s/90s and probably replaces the 123 Diesels as an affordable classic today. I had a 300se w126 which was brilliant and would have one again but petrol prices have shot up and in the Uk we are paying £6.50 ($8.50) a gallon so you have think twice before a long journey these days.
would've been nice to include photos of the cars, otherwise good video!
Of the W140 cars, some people would argue that the early cars (pre-'95) were higher build quality that than the late cars ('96 - '98).
Maybe so. But the bio degradeable wiring was a proper bitch. I have a 97 s320L. Still commands more respect then my bentley. Every nationality remembers the presidents and gangsters in them.
Being in Europe I have to disagree. The most popular Mercedes from at least 89 to 93 is the W201. Still, tons of them on the road, instantly recognizable and highly sought after. Yes, the W126 is great, but those always were quite rare.
Yes, the video is North America centric. The rest of the world loves the 114 /115, 201, 123, 124. They were cars that lasted and were used for a long time in Europe, North Africa, Middle East. So many were born with "/8"and w124s roaming the streets as Taxis, shuttles or family cars. One of the most overlooked ones are the coupés of post 1968. But not forgotten by enthusiasts, which is why they are pretty expensive now.
Good point, W201 is more rare in the US. I have made two quick visits to Germany and the older Mercedes cars I saw on the road were the W201, W124, W126, and R107.
Love my 2001 SL 500 with the AMG kit! I’ve had 3 126’s, one I still have is an 82 coupe. Loved my 85 190E, my 85 380 SE. My favorite W126 was a 1988 560SEL in Pearl Black, RIP. I was t boned in the passenger side at 35-45 MPH. My 98 C140 V12 made me nervous it would break at any moment.
Yes, it’s been sitting for 20 years
I thought the W114 was going to be there, glad you mentioned it at the end.
Yep, late 126's and late 140's are the business
I'm going to offer a couple of unappreciated cars here. Pre-war, I think that the W142 deserves a lot more attention. judging from pictures and what little bit of research I've done, they seem to share quite a bit of the chassis and the coachwork of the big Kompressor cars of that era. I wish there was more about them to access. It's also interesting that there was a short wheelbase as well as a long wheelbase model.
For the second car, I definitely agree with you I don't think the W114/115 to get enough attention. I've owned two of them a coupe and a sedan. both 1974 280's. Probably not the best ones with the Solex four-barrel carburetor But I actually learned a lot about auto mechanics working on my sedan! I am always on the lookout for another good W114- or possibly a 115 300D, the first Benz luxury diesel.
Yes, the 123 is all over the place. but I don't see why the 114/115's shouldn't be considered just as popular and as equal (or near equal) to the 123's. I'd very much like to hear some opinions on that. I'd buy a W123 if I had resale in mind, but a good 114/115 would be what I'd keep.
VERY INTERESTING . Thanks Pierre. I remember well when the 450SL came out and it made a huge splash as you point out.---`1972.
Muy interesante. Gracias
Surprise you didn't end it with the CLK ;) lol great list though!
Mr Hedary, Your knowledge is invaluable. Could you tell us about mercedes engineering behind such innovations as cooling effects of hood pad and hood seals (lower pad/seal) apperently this had an aerodynamic effect within the engine bay creating airflo to redirect to the back of the engine with steady flow. Is this right?
Grew up with a number of these cars, must have had 6 300SDs and one 240 manual coupe my dad even got a hold of a 54? 55 maybe 190 sl that somebody tried to make look like a 300sl
He traded that car for the down payment on an apartment building :P One of my favs was a gorgeous early 70s 280 SEL parents should have kept that one... great video Pierre!
I want an 89-91 C126 some day
W126 is top notch... But for the most famous model in the world it has to be the w123... Still Taxis in many countries....
I enjoyed the history from prewar and postwar. I've always Wondered. what people must have gone through to have bought a german-made automobile in USA in the early mid and late 50s. Without today's social media time was slow very slow to forgive and forget. I enjoyed the rest of the history and at the very end my personal opinion about the 140 is not as favorable. Thanks for taking the time to share this.
Puzzling as to why no images of each model as it is discussed 🤷♂️Petrolheads like us are familiar with each model designation, but the casual watcher may not be
Woah, you are praising the LATER r129 ?? What about the first gen with the big ass m119 and KJET??
I think we can stop there. W210 was a beginning of the different era.
I want a w111 series coupe. Had a 62 300SE in late 70’s but don’t want to deal with the air suspension again due to availability and cost of suspension parts.
What is a 190 d is it a 126
I wiish you could fix my 90 w126 560SEL , I paid a lot of money they just robed me. no one down here in FL knows how to fix it.
I do believe that without the W201 there would not be Mercedes nowdays and with 1.8 million units sold worldwide one would think that it was the most popular car of that era. But then again you didn't specify what exactly you believe would constitute as a "most popular" so......
I have a 19 9350 SDL that the so-called $20,000 card to get going again
This is like a podcast with a camera
Bereft of images … fine for MB history fans, but for the rest of the world … zzzz
Scotty Killmer is not amused