The BEST and WORST Mercedes! W123? R107? W210?!

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  • Опубликовано: 26 июн 2024
  • Mercedes Benz is the oldest car maker still in existence and has a model history of iconic and popular cars, but which classic is the best Benz ever made?
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    Chapters
    0:00 When Was Peak Mercedes?
    0:24 R320 SL
    1:28 W210 E-Class
    2:37 R107 SL
    3:58 W123
    6:02 R107 SL
    7:14 W113 SL 'Pagoda'
    8:17 W124 E-Class
    9:41 Which Is Best?
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Комментарии • 226

  • @davidarter9670
    @davidarter9670 Месяц назад +27

    A comparison between a W124 and W123 would be fantastic

  • @chrispenn715
    @chrispenn715 Месяц назад +38

    For me the w123 estate is peak Mercedes

  • @verdict1163
    @verdict1163 Месяц назад +8

    It has to be W123 for me. Everything is more robust on them compared to the W124. My rule of thumb: if it still has the grease fittings on the door hinges, it's a real old school Benz.

  • @garyleetenney
    @garyleetenney Месяц назад +9

    I think the W123 is the greatest platform ever built by any auto manufacturer. However, I think the Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 is the greatest vehicle Mercedes ever built.

  • @TheVintageApplianceEmporium
    @TheVintageApplianceEmporium Месяц назад +23

    I would have to vote for the W126 as peak 'Benz. Shame there wasn't one there to look at

    • @paulyandle6081
      @paulyandle6081 Месяц назад +1

      '83 300 SD my daily driver since 2003 ! She has never let me down. Easy and cheap to self maintain, above And below.

    • @alexandrebeinotti3359
      @alexandrebeinotti3359 Месяц назад +1

      W126 rules

    • @alexanderlewis8351
      @alexanderlewis8351 Месяц назад +1

      W126 ! I agree that the 300sd is the best
      Best interior and the finest exterior design, the W126 i think defined styling for the north american car market through the nineties and remains modern looking today....

    • @jamesdonald7485
      @jamesdonald7485 Месяц назад +3

      I owned a 1987 420SEC about 15 years ago and, in my defence, sold the old girl to go sailing offshore. I still regret not owning her. But now that I've swallowed the anchor, I have a 1993 W124 E320 saloon and I am very happy with it. See my comments here. These older MB's are all great cars, but sadly since then they have gone downhill substantially. A sad commentary.

  • @jjtinkler97
    @jjtinkler97 Месяц назад +11

    124 is a surprisingly good car to drive. Back in 2005 a friend gave me a go in his rs6 estate... I couldnt wait to get back in my 1990 230te.

  • @GarryMcGovern
    @GarryMcGovern Месяц назад +17

    You're both wrong! The W126/C126 is not just peak Mercedes - they are peak CAR full stop! Beloved by oligarchs, film stars, dictators and heads of state the world over: when a car is so good that the Sultan of Brunei has to have one of each in every colour of the rainbow, and Patrick Swayze jumps one over a fence in Roadhouse - HOW can there be any argument, that the stunning Bruno Sacco designed 560SEL or SEC is not one of the greatest cars ever to grace the tarmac?
    (Plus my Dad once had a 420SE, which he once let me drive at the age of 17! 🤣🤣)

  • @ulrichskaarsgard7848
    @ulrichskaarsgard7848 Месяц назад +9

    If we're speaking pinnacle of engineering, then r/c107, w123 w124 and w126. For me these are iconic MB design as well. I have all of these and daily drive each of them.

  • @sydnorth5868
    @sydnorth5868 Месяц назад +12

    There are plenty of comments about which model might have been better than another, but the general consensus appears to be that 'Peak Mercedes" was sometime in the 1980's!

  • @natasastanojevic
    @natasastanojevic Месяц назад +8

    Peak Mercedes- in terms of technology and luxury, 600 Pullman. In terms of style, 190SL and Pagoda. In terms of practical classic car ownership, W114/W115 and W123. I drive W124. My childhood dream as a little girl was "having a fur coat, polished black heels and big Mercedes". At 31 I made it.

    • @ClassicsWorldUK
      @ClassicsWorldUK  Месяц назад

      Congratulations!

    • @angelstavrov5032
      @angelstavrov5032 Месяц назад +1

      Woman of culture 👏

    • @natasastanojevic
      @natasastanojevic 2 дня назад

      ​@@angelstavrov5032thank you so much. I do think that knowledge about cars can be a feminine trait if you apply a bit of style into it, and where do you find more style than with Mercedes? In my family, German cars are a must. My mechanic grandpa used to say "I used to believe in god until I found out that god was not made in Germany!" (He was a man of humour who found nothing taboo to joke about...) I was his favourite granddaughter since I inherited the desire to make people laugh from him. We are from Belgrade, Serbia, former Yugoslavia, and my grandfather used to work doing maintenance on the vehicles of the Protocol (cars used when Tito paraded around with likes of Fidel Castro, Gaddafi, Indira Gandhi... through Belgrade at ceremonial events- those were Mercedes and big American cars).... when he retired, he was offered to purchase decommissioned Protocol Mercedes W114 in black with red velvet interior. That car started my love affair with Mercedes that lasts until today. It was an early example W114 with that chrome ring for horn and two circular gauges atop the dashboard, column shifter and engraved Tito's signature on the glove compartment. I had a red velvet dress with big black buttons and black shoes with red ribbons and on weekends when grandfather took me for the rides in it, I would dress like that to match the car. We would always go to a pizza place near SIV building (government building of socialist Yugoslavia) in New Belgrade where people knew him, and then drive around in circles on the huge square in front of it, having long conversations with grandpa trying to teach me life lessons. I was 12, year and a half before grandpa died , when I could reach pedals for the first time. Of course grandpa immediately decided to teach me how to drive. He played Lola Novaković, famous Yugoslav pop diva from days of his youth on the old 8-track as I first switched old Benz into gear and shyly started my first circle around big fountain in the square. That autumn day I knew I would have a Mercedes when I grew up. When grandpa died, his car was sold, I cried for a week. I got to keep the original Mercedes key chain and "Property of the Government of Yugoslavia" key chain and sticker from his car, now my 1993 Mercedes W124 240, burgundy red with cream interior and wooden accessories has those bits of grandpa's car accessories. Damn it, I got carried away writing this with misty eyes. Today I kinda look like Janis Joplin, and I drive a Mercedes Benz, which is something my social circle loves to joke about. I now work in luxury hotels industry, as I love to travel, and a while ago, I got an intern to train from Belgrade Faculty of Tourism, she is a trans woman, as she came to Belgrade alone and disowned from family, I took her under my wing, and gave her rides in my car when going back and forth to work. After she graduated, she found work at a respectable 4-star hotel with decent income and since her employer decided to cover the cost of her gender reassignment surgery as a model employee, first thing she purchased was a dark green 1998 Mercedes c180 with black leather seats. She called me to have a ride in it, saying that I inspired her to be a Mercedes Benz lady for life. Short story inspired by that was written, awarded and published in local LGBT magazine, under the title "Transgendercedes-Benz", although protagonist of the story drives a different Mercedes, for the sake of anonymity - in the story it is a champagne colour W126, good choice of car by the writer too.
      Coincidence is that when I visited that friend's hotel for some charity event they had, I met a gentleman I am now interested in, who also drives a Mercedes- 2007 E class.
      Mercedes is very popular in Serbia and younger generation is keeping the passion alive. Proud member of Mercedes Club Serbia here, one of roughly 200 of us, 17 girls among us. Oldest car in the club is 1947 Mercedes 170, lots of W123, W124, W126, few R107 and R129. I think you'd enjoy our meetings.

  • @AledPritchard
    @AledPritchard Месяц назад +9

    I could watch this Channel all day long. When I discovered it, I certainly went through the back catalogue of videos.

    • @ClassicsWorldUK
      @ClassicsWorldUK  Месяц назад +2

      Thanks for watching and the kind words, means a lot! :D

  • @sprezzatura8755
    @sprezzatura8755 Месяц назад +13

    W123 still in use in the third world in great numbers. Highly prized and rebuilt over and over again. Truly a permanent car.

    • @iainjackson5107
      @iainjackson5107 10 дней назад +1

      And therefore arguably the world’s most environmentally friendly car!

  • @mzeds8160
    @mzeds8160 Месяц назад +5

    I’d say the w124 as it is just that bit more refined then the w123.

  • @ngauruhoezodiac3143
    @ngauruhoezodiac3143 Месяц назад +4

    I had the W123 coupe with a fuel injected 2.8 litre twin cam engine. Not a drag strip racer but smooth torque. The engine purred like a kitten.

    • @HypocriticYT
      @HypocriticYT 29 дней назад

      Had a 74 coupe with that engine but with carburetor and it was great. Also had a 76 280 SE with mechanical injection and 4 spd manual, another great car

  • @jamesdonald7485
    @jamesdonald7485 Месяц назад +2

    I have owned 6 older Mercedes in NZ between 1978 and 2011. The first was a 1963 220Sb and the last was a 1987 420SEC.
    In that mix I also owned a 1977 W123 250, but I didn't like that car so much because of the engine. The twin carbs were always going out of balance.
    However, I am now living in Colombia and I own a 1993 W124 E320 saloon. The car has only done 107,000 miles - it was originally sold new in the US and came to Colombia before it was 12 months old.
    I have had some issues due to "deferred" maintenance but am gradually (after 2 years!) getting on top of those. The worst problem occurred just recently when a transistor in the Engine Control Module blew, but I managed to obtain a 2nd. hand one from the US and I think I have now found someone here who can repair the original. If that is successful I will have a spare. These ECM's were only used after about 1991 and to me they potentially spoil an otherwise superb car. New ones are just about impossible to source which is disappointing because as these cars age, they will fail after a time. MB support these cars with most parts, but so far are not handing this item. Unfathomable because they are anxious to demonstrate MB longevity generally and the 124's are the cars that epitomise this MB quality.
    My 124 will probably be the last car I own and I fully expect that, with proper maintenance, it will see me out!

  • @benlee6500
    @benlee6500 Месяц назад +6

    I owned and drive W124, W123,W126 & W140...love them all....🎉😂😅

  • @ngauruhoezodiac3143
    @ngauruhoezodiac3143 Месяц назад +2

    The W123 was a really good car. The only serious problem I had with mine was the springs that would break in sub-arctic conditions.

  • @emccarthy2497
    @emccarthy2497 Месяц назад +4

    All great cars - the W123 coupes win for me though; the C123 280CE is a work of art.

  • @juancarlosgarcia5832
    @juancarlosgarcia5832 Месяц назад +3

    W123 and w124 are the peak Mercedes. But I would say due to its multi link suspension, options installed and fuel injection in most models I think it is the peak MB.

  • @Philip.Magnusson
    @Philip.Magnusson Месяц назад +3

    You are correct, I would say the best and most reliable, easiest and cheapest to maintain is the w123, but the w124 is a better more modern feeling, usable car. It's softer and quieter but it has some more complex suspension parts and engines aren't as serviceable as the w123. Love them both and I have had plenty of each

  • @petercollingwood522
    @petercollingwood522 Месяц назад +3

    Comparrison between the 123/124 would be great. Especially if they were the exact same models. ie 230E's or 200's, same transmission, same options etc.

  • @Julianpms
    @Julianpms Месяц назад +5

    With you on the W124, Sam! I'm fortunate to have owned a 190E 2.6 (W201) and a R129 SL500 but love my E420 W124 most of all.

    • @matterofapinion
      @matterofapinion Месяц назад

      I've owned 2 W124s, and the spiritual successor to your car - a W210 E430. There was a noticeable shift in in feel.

  • @johngallop2497
    @johngallop2497 Месяц назад +5

    I don’t think you can make a video like this without including the S-Class models 116, 126, 140. It’s true that you cannot run any of these three cars in a shoestring like say a W124…but that wasn’t a requirement in this test (to be fair you can’t run an SL on a shoestring either and the cost of restoring that R107 we saw would be eye watering). But surely in terms of Mercedes driving, art, elegance, and solidity the S-Class needs to be in the mix. Best wishes to all, Johnnie

    • @rondye9398
      @rondye9398 Месяц назад

      I have but one Mercedes in my 15 car collection. A W116 450 SEL. Pastel blue/parchment. Exceptionally solid, but a bit thirsty.

  • @kevinford6420
    @kevinford6420 Месяц назад +3

    Drove a W123 in the 80s.Felt like it was hewn out of solid granite🤣🤣🤣

  • @chrismavrou9592
    @chrismavrou9592 Месяц назад +3

    For me the W123 280e/230e, W124, W126, R107 is peak Mercedes. Rock solid.

  • @MrLuba6a
    @MrLuba6a Месяц назад +2

    my '82 280 TE was a fantastic car!!! comfort, silent, smooth...🥳

  • @martykey1574
    @martykey1574 Месяц назад +4

    I own a W124 E320 Coupe a superb car.

  • @alanbellwood3902
    @alanbellwood3902 Месяц назад +6

    I have a W140 S280. I recently drove this from Blackpool to Rome and Back 3 up with luggage for 2 weeks.
    Solid as a W124 handles well, goo fuel economy 20mpg. Huge boot awesome turning circle.and easy to work on.

    • @videowsatcher
      @videowsatcher Месяц назад +2

      Issue is reliability of the higher models

  • @michaelprior2381
    @michaelprior2381 Месяц назад +4

    Great presentation

  • @paulie-Gualtieri.
    @paulie-Gualtieri. Месяц назад +6

    A comparison test between the W126 & W140 would be great

    • @lezivanerrol3697
      @lezivanerrol3697 Месяц назад +2

      I owned a W126 560SEL and then later a W140 W420L (also a W126 380SE). Hands down W140 as a driving car - But, Reliability - zero points. All of those cars had 500,000 kilometers - used as chauffeur cars. If you are talking about peak Mercedes IMHO W124 - can't be beat. W123 very close second.

  • @philiptidmarsh
    @philiptidmarsh Месяц назад +3

    I could not choose between the W123 & W124 so yes it would be great to see a comparison video. I was pleasantly surprised that you did not slate the W210 being an owner of both an E320 and an E55 wagon. They were bought cheap on a bangernomics basis but and are still going strong after 12 years and 8 years respectively of ownership.

  • @mikefleissner4415
    @mikefleissner4415 Месяц назад +1

    Dempsey and make peace was on in New York in 1986.❤awesome show

  • @beytanerkmen4613
    @beytanerkmen4613 Месяц назад +1

    W123 280ce or 230ce is the without doubt the finest design, practical and beautifully built. Not many left now and no issues other than rust.

  • @htimsid
    @htimsid Месяц назад +2

    My preference is W108/109 and W113.

  • @m3photo726
    @m3photo726 Месяц назад +1

    Bought a left hand drive W123 in London many moons ago imported second hand from Germany. A 230 Auto. Never had any problems with it. Unfortunately, the day I had to put it up on a lift the sills crumbled from all that winter salt it had gone through in its earlier life. Shame. I moved on and had many other cars since but still remember it fondly as one of the most comfortable. It was a well thought out car. I loved how cleverly they’d designed the front seats to rise as you moved them forwards for drivers of lesser stature for example 😀

  • @netwolff
    @netwolff Месяц назад +1

    Regarding Mercedes quality - asking several buddies who work(ed) at Mercedes they pretty much all said "Don't buy a Mercedes from between 1996 - 2006".

  • @user-dc3yw5wq4o
    @user-dc3yw5wq4o Месяц назад +1

    Have an '84 W123 230TE and it has been brilliant. Parts are now very expensive and take some searching out but I would never sell it.

  • @TheGov1967
    @TheGov1967 Месяц назад +2

    My Dad had a 1979 W116 450SEL 6.9 litre 😊 Big as a house,more expensive than a house and a petrol tanker constantly filling the tank as you were driving it but even now we'll into his eighties he still says it was the best car he ever had. So for me but understandably not for everyone this is my peak Mercedes of choice with childhood memories of going to the lsle of Wight for holidays etc. 😊😊😊

  • @user-qi5xw8cq4w
    @user-qi5xw8cq4w 28 дней назад +1

    Having owned a few of each, I think W123 is the best one qualitatively, while the W124 is a better car to drive. But we should not forget the W126 either.
    Would love a comparison film for sure, and even better with one film for coupe, one for sedan and one for the touring. There should be enough interest for that out there I think.

  • @RainerSchiffer-tv9jc
    @RainerSchiffer-tv9jc 21 день назад +1

    I think the w124 is mechanically the better one, but I am in love with w123. It reminds me more to my childhood and looks more classic to me. If I had enough money and Space, I would have an 280CE (W123) and an 300 CE-24

  • @videowsatcher
    @videowsatcher Месяц назад +4

    For me W126

  • @fredblogs1536
    @fredblogs1536 Месяц назад +2

    First generation R129 with its solid engineering timeless design zinc coated body,without doubt is peak Mercedes.
    I have owned one for over 20 years,all original,still has it’s original exhaust system. Every thing works as it should and having done many thousands of summer miles in the uk and abroad it’s never let me down.

  • @petercollingwood522
    @petercollingwood522 Месяц назад +1

    Peak Mercedes was everything from 1886 to the W124/126/129/140. Everything after that was the beginning of the slide into total crap.

  • @janfswedane
    @janfswedane Месяц назад +3

    W126.....

  • @darcykruger4646
    @darcykruger4646 Месяц назад +1

    for me it is W116 all the way. 6.9 450 SE.L Drivet one on the Aurobahn baby!!! Hard to beat!!!

  • @gabriel_lim82
    @gabriel_lim82 11 дней назад +1

    It's either the w201 or w124 for me

  • @jjtinkler97
    @jjtinkler97 Месяц назад +2

    I still have a 210 e55 estate.. it is amazing on B roads... as were the 320 and 240 I had before.

  • @KnowPorcelain1
    @KnowPorcelain1 Месяц назад +1

    w124 is a great car, but I would go w126.

  • @Lot76CARS
    @Lot76CARS Месяц назад +1

    Great.. but the elephant in the room is the massively over engineered compact Mercedes, the brilliant W201, 190 series.

    • @matterofapinion
      @matterofapinion Месяц назад +1

      A W124 is just a big 190 with a nicer dashboard. I get the 190 appeal.

  • @petercollingwood522
    @petercollingwood522 Месяц назад

    I agree about the cramped cockpit of the 107. LIterally about one inch less seat travel than I need in order to have an optimal driving position ruins it for me.

  • @Penguinracer
    @Penguinracer Месяц назад +1

    W140 / C140 - 600SEL / SEC

  • @berwhaletheavenger
    @berwhaletheavenger Месяц назад +1

    The W123. They were at that point where they had perfected making a car good to drive, look at, ride in and be long lasting and fixable. The W124 was never quite as good and the W210, whilst mechanically excellent, was a rot box. The 2000's onwards stuff proved that they could design clever things but were unable to make them reliable like the Japanese. Those SL's, CL500's and anything with a 7Gtronic or an OM642/M27* engine are just a massive invoice waiting to happen.

  • @glennhoddle10
    @glennhoddle10 Месяц назад

    W123s & W124s are great Mercedes cars but you forgot the most iconic of them all :
    *The Glorious W126s !!!*

  • @chriswilkinson1991
    @chriswilkinson1991 Месяц назад +2

    W201 and W124 is peak Mercedes for me

  • @Richard-Bullock
    @Richard-Bullock Месяц назад +1

    For me personally, the W123 is peak Mercedes. I would put the W124 as a VERY close second. Having owned 2 W210's previously, I really like them a lot, despite their willingness to dissolve. I currently run a W203, and yes rust issues on them too. Just a little disappointed there was no mention of the W201. That car did a lot to bring the Mercedes brand to a larger percentage of the car buying public.

  • @Paul-fx4hb
    @Paul-fx4hb Месяц назад +1

    Peak Mercedes is W126 but W124 is on the plateau

  • @uiski7956
    @uiski7956 Месяц назад

    W212 - the pontoon sides and a huge car - the station wagon will age very gracefully, and an enormous amount of modern features including all the radar safety features

  • @stephendavies6949
    @stephendavies6949 Месяц назад

    The gullwing in the lobby at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands is gorgeous.
    The gun-sighted 123 is M-B's signature car.
    But what do I know? I drive a R171...

  • @joemcaleer3521
    @joemcaleer3521 Месяц назад +1

    W111.perfection.

  • @anakinskywalker4113
    @anakinskywalker4113 Месяц назад +2

    W124 for me it is still modern enough to be a daily driver. It is also when Mercedes was over engineered as a Mercedes should be.

  • @Jo3man96
    @Jo3man96 Месяц назад

    W124 for me, would love to have a S124 as a daily car in the future.

  • @davidnorth3411
    @davidnorth3411 8 дней назад

    4:45 Many used w123 s in Houston , this was a shipping point for the brand into the US in the 80s , I’ll pick up 2 a year to do a slight restore , then send it off to a new buyer . I stick to 81 to 85 w123s , they are tanks and will sing with all the right tuneup pieces , cheers .

  • @andrewkb5211
    @andrewkb5211 Месяц назад

    I remember Jeremy Clarkson saying on Top Gear that Mercedes had had board meeting and decided to increase profit at the expense of reliability in the early / mid 90s. I guess if you're wealthy enough to buy a Mercedes then you can replace it as soon as it's out of warranty or just lease it.

  • @colomboBE
    @colomboBE Месяц назад

    I drove a W124 Estate for 27 years, the car was then 30 years old. I replaced it with a W212 Estate (Facelift version).

  • @swissroll5133
    @swissroll5133 Месяц назад

    Great video. Although I disagree that R107 prices continue to go up. They seemed to reach a peak somewhere around Covid time and you never see them now at the asking prices of those times (SL Shop aside, but rightly so!)

  • @anassnouri6129
    @anassnouri6129 Месяц назад +1

    Beautiful content ? My peak and my love is the w124

  • @lewlewis6511
    @lewlewis6511 Месяц назад +5

    We've had 4 W124s, all bought used, the only model we haven't had was the convertible, still have the '96 E320 coupe we bought when it was 6 years old and i must get round to putting it back on the road.
    Don't get carried away with how reliable they are, the higher in spec you go the more there is to go wrong and they can.
    H reg E230 saloon, the first, had CHG failure but was otherwise OK, that was the only pre facelift and i believe were better painted.
    Our fairly basic facelift '95 Diesel saloon was the most reliable by far also the simplist, an excellent car.
    The E320 estate was a nightmare, had the whole file from the day the first owner bought it, he spent £thousands on repairs over the 10 years he owned it and the dealers who serviced and repaired it repeatedly for the same items did him no favours whatsoever, £££££, unreliable continued in our short ownership, CHG failure finished that one off and yes they all do that sir apart from the Diesels.
    Our coupe has also been expensive to keep in good condition and thats with me doing much of the donkey work.
    Engine wiring loom on E320 (and W129 fitted with the 3.2 6 cyl) degrades which then causes coil shorting which then spikes the ECU.
    CHG failure just over 100k (common theme here), whilst it was stripped we had the timing chain and oil cooler replaced as preventative work, no engine wear to speak of at 110k.
    Bottom ball joints are a welded in part of the wishbone on E320s so expensive replacement costs, on lower spec models its a replaceable ball joint which costs buttons.
    Coupe rear screens deliminate, ours is on its 3rd.
    Drivers door window regulator can fail, circa £400 in parts, someone handy with sheet metal and a lathe could probably replicate the worn parts.
    Rust can be an issue, front wings mainly but bonnets and the underbody where subframes etc are mounted need checking.
    Keep a spare overvoltage protection relay in the car, OVP can die at any time.
    On the good side, astonishingly fast for its day, once up to about 80 its like someone has fired up another couple of cylinders and it wants to fly, handling is amazing can take fast bends at very high speed without drama, brakes are really good, very comfortable.
    Most maintenance is simple enough though, parts haven't been an issue but the dealer parts desk people sometimes don't realise (hmm) that often the part that is worn is available individually, ie the very end piece of the seat belt presenter wears and can crack but can be bought without the rest of the mechanism.
    Personally i prefer the saloons and estates, the higher roof line and slightly longer wheelbase give more headroom and obviously more space in the back seats.

  • @georgepom328
    @georgepom328 Месяц назад +1

    Though disagree with some of the sentiments like the Mercedes must have a 4 door version that leaves out stuff like the SL especially the pagoda and R107 and stuff like the gullwing

  • @robbaan1985
    @robbaan1985 Месяц назад

    As an w123 owner i start to get more and more attracted to an w124.. might switch sooner or later

  • @mehulpatel178
    @mehulpatel178 Месяц назад +2

    W124 coupe peak - timeless style and design with bulletproof quality.

  • @neil03051957
    @neil03051957 Месяц назад

    Loved my petrol blue, W123 280cc 6 cyl. ❤

  • @MUV4TRUK4
    @MUV4TRUK4 Месяц назад +2

    W124 500E

  • @wambugumassive
    @wambugumassive Месяц назад

    For me, W124 is peak Merc, simply because it's just as good as the W123 but with 80s technology rather than 70s. Plus it's just that bit more "under the radar" in looks.

  • @ericrombouts7698
    @ericrombouts7698 Месяц назад

    New mercedeses pure junc compared to early models that were real quality

  • @shaunbiggs4219
    @shaunbiggs4219 Месяц назад +3

    280 s .....stack headlight .... come on not a mention

    • @michaelbacon561
      @michaelbacon561 Месяц назад

      I had a "stack headlights" W114 280CE many years ago - had styling overtones of the pagoda roof SL. Should have kept it although those older Mercs did rust - nothing like as bad as the awful W210 though!

  • @davidstenhouse5908
    @davidstenhouse5908 Месяц назад

    I used to have a w123 230CE and I miss it dearly, fabulous car

  • @opshredderytp
    @opshredderytp Месяц назад

    The W223 looks like a brothel and falls apart the moment the warranty expires

  • @plusone4726
    @plusone4726 Месяц назад

    I’m torn. Love the 124 (a 320ce please), love my C123 280ce, but my R129 still feels and looks modern today.

  • @MS-rk5sw
    @MS-rk5sw Месяц назад +1

    I use to own 123 model, unfortunately a rust bucket.

  • @richardhumby8704
    @richardhumby8704 Месяц назад +1

    W123 rock solid. I drive the 280 coupe version. Yes I’m a little biased, but prefer the older style look.

  • @timjones143
    @timjones143 Месяц назад

    A comparison between the W123 and W124 would be interesting. Not that it hasn't been done before. I think the W124 sits beautifully between the "now" "Old School"/Youngtimer Mercs best represented by the W123, and the newer, more Hi Tech Mercs post W124. Of course the W126 coincides pretty much with the W124 and is a fine car, tho BIG: one feels one should be driven rather than drive it. And the W201 is a fine car, tho much more cramped than either the W123 or W124. For sheer durability - bar the cracking of the dashboard - the W123 will triumph every time over a W124. But the 124 seats are more comfortable and the dash layout is super on a W124. The seats in a W124 wear much less well. And the cladding around the windows and map pockets tends to lift.
    The drag coefficient in the W124 was amazing for its time.
    And speaking of drag, if you wanted speed, the E500/500E was no slouch, but all LHD, and out of financial range for most people.

  • @paultasker7788
    @paultasker7788 Месяц назад

    I remember riding in the back of a W124 taxi in the early 2000s and I was incredibly impressed at how nicely it rode, how refined it was, how well made it was and how comfy it was. I can't remember being in a better sorted car. Probably had done about 300 thousand miles as well!

    • @matsujarvinen
      @matsujarvinen Месяц назад

      W210 is even (much) more comfortable.Also well made and very reliable.Sadly the rust issue has ruined the reputation.

    • @paultasker7788
      @paultasker7788 Месяц назад

      @@matsujarvinen everything in that era had water based paint didn't it? Was that the problem. I know a lot of different makes had rust issues

  • @MrPicky
    @MrPicky 27 дней назад

    124 series Mercedes-Benz is probably one of the top 10 best cars ever made!
    I've had both 124, 123 and W111 and though W111 was probably the prettiest (it was a coupé) then 124 is both classic and the styling was actually ahead of its time. Just look at other cars made in that period of time and perhaps the next 10 years after. 124 still looks relatively young - and it is damn reliable 😉

  • @AnthonyQuinn-ix4tr
    @AnthonyQuinn-ix4tr Месяц назад +1

    W124 coupe for me. Perfect car.

  • @AledPritchard
    @AledPritchard Месяц назад +2

    The Pergoda SL is peak Mercedes for me, from this range of options.

    • @michaelbacon561
      @michaelbacon561 Месяц назад +2

      It's one of the most desirable cars ever.

    • @AledPritchard
      @AledPritchard Месяц назад

      @@michaelbacon561 Very true, a beautiful looking car.

  • @adebrade172
    @adebrade172 Месяц назад

    I remember when I got a E240 1999 model and when the dealers mist dried I was horrified by the bubbles all over the car.

  • @SLR-722
    @SLR-722 Месяц назад

    I have owned W201. Brilliant car.

  • @Yorkshiremadmick
    @Yorkshiremadmick Месяц назад

    I’ve a 1999 R129 SL320 in line 6 bought in 2010 with 48k miles. Now she has 60k on her. Beautiful

  • @Ahm.nae-fou
    @Ahm.nae-fou Месяц назад

    I had several w123s which i really liked except for the first series, mine rusted through within three years. I have only had one A124 which i bought in 1993, I have never seen anything I want to swap it for so still got it. The biggest repair was hydraulic cyclinders for the roof at 2200 after 30 years, otherwise most years there is nothing outside routine maintenance. However I would be tied between the W126 (which you didn't cover at all) and W124 series as Mercedes' peak.

  • @Beechams1042
    @Beechams1042 Месяц назад +1

    Biased me would agree with the W124 (well C124 given I have a 220CE) - but the 280SL is a dream car.
    BUT - the W124 is not quite a bulletproof - given age - in my experience. Eco wiring looms, and rust are an issue.

  • @dorkomatic
    @dorkomatic Месяц назад

    Very sensible. (I slightly prefer the W201 "190E" - but only because I live in the city and it makes more sense for me.)

  • @michaelbacon561
    @michaelbacon561 Месяц назад +1

    I seem to remember reading many years ago that the W124 didn't get off to a good start and disgruntled German taxi drivers demonstrated outside the factory gates! However, I do believe now that its bombproof reputation is justified. You missed its smaller sibling the 190E; that was engineered like no other as the MB advertising line used to go. I believe even MB itself realises it can't justify that any more.

    • @matsujarvinen
      @matsujarvinen Месяц назад

      I have owned classic Mercedes like W123,W124 and W201,and they have their own weak points(not many),like any car.I wouldn´t say they were overall any better than the later models like W210 and W220 in build quality or reliabilitywise.I actually think that the later millenium models have tested the time better in many ways

  • @walterplant2957
    @walterplant2957 Месяц назад

    W114 / W115 were better built than even the W123 in my opinion. The folding roof on our SLK R171 is just fine at 17 years old thanks .

  • @alexandrecouture2462
    @alexandrecouture2462 Месяц назад +1

    I like the first one presented. I'm not much of a Mercedes person, as I think they look a bit sad and too serious. I prefer a Jaaag!

    • @matterofapinion
      @matterofapinion Месяц назад +3

      Different kinds of car. Jaguars have far more charm. Mercs are less characterful, but they are arguably better at being cars.
      Yes, they're deadly serious.

  • @peterdevreter
    @peterdevreter Месяц назад

    Friend of mine just imported 2 sl's from California to Europe. One V8 and one straight six. The six cilinder is running but that V8 has the mechanical injection. That system is in line with the Lucas injection from the range Rover classic. It's just a nightmare.

  • @johnnywires943
    @johnnywires943 Месяц назад

    If you want an opinion as to what was the best Mercedes model,you cant beat the opinion of the Taxi Drivers in Cyprus.I visit there a lot and 99.9% drive Mercedes Taxis.All have said that the model that put food on their table in terms of reliability and costs,was the Mercedes 123.They also mentioned that all the windows had mostly wind up manual handles so less electrics.You heard here first from the experts,Mercedes 123,either the 230 or 280.

  • @Abandon7d
    @Abandon7d 28 дней назад

    Black W140 LWB :-) Best Mafia Car Ever

  • @Vaudotusker
    @Vaudotusker Месяц назад

    You missed the 201 ok so no wagons coupes or cabriolets but it got the company into works racing since the 300SL and it was the first AMG car sold and warranted via MB dealers. Drives like 126 with joggers on, frugal and bomb proof

  • @strassenbahnfilmguy9306
    @strassenbahnfilmguy9306 Месяц назад

    Good coverage.. but no years of the cars mentioned.

  • @LesterLovesWatches
    @LesterLovesWatches Месяц назад

    The latest Mercedes which is historic and ULEZ compliant, so currently the W123.