What are your favourite/least favourite Mercedes?
Discussion
Hmm thought I'd ask this - I think there will be a lot for whom for the 55 AMGs are preferred, but for me the ones I like:
W124 for its interior and general quality/modernity, the perfect blend of modernity with classic solidity.
I like the A-class for being a Mercedes that is different. And the A190 was funny with its enormous torque steer. But the interior quality is indeed bad.
The Mk1 C-class has appeal as a solid, sensible car you'd be happy for your parents to drive, I like it most in budget C180 guise.
The W123 is a brilliant third-world warrior
And the ones I'm not so keen on:
The R129 SL from the early 90s - an expensive car when new but for me the styling is not quite right and isn't nearly special enough to drive, all while being rather expensive to run.
The 70s/80s 107 SL is also a miss on the styling front, the headlights are too big and wheel track too narrow, but the details are probably better than the 129.
The W124 coupe is a let-down for being a bit too middle-aged-lady. Even in black with the 320 engine it doesn't quite have the appeal
I am beginning to find things like the Mk1 SLK attractive as I feel they are a honest solid cheap cruiser which, despite not being any fun to drive, probably has a lot of appeal against a Z3 or MX-5 of similar price. I think it's a more grown-up, expensive feeling vehicle that I wouldn't mind using every day. Bad plastics are a given I can get used to in most newer Mercedes.
W124 for its interior and general quality/modernity, the perfect blend of modernity with classic solidity.
I like the A-class for being a Mercedes that is different. And the A190 was funny with its enormous torque steer. But the interior quality is indeed bad.
The Mk1 C-class has appeal as a solid, sensible car you'd be happy for your parents to drive, I like it most in budget C180 guise.
The W123 is a brilliant third-world warrior
And the ones I'm not so keen on:
The R129 SL from the early 90s - an expensive car when new but for me the styling is not quite right and isn't nearly special enough to drive, all while being rather expensive to run.
The 70s/80s 107 SL is also a miss on the styling front, the headlights are too big and wheel track too narrow, but the details are probably better than the 129.
The W124 coupe is a let-down for being a bit too middle-aged-lady. Even in black with the 320 engine it doesn't quite have the appeal
I am beginning to find things like the Mk1 SLK attractive as I feel they are a honest solid cheap cruiser which, despite not being any fun to drive, probably has a lot of appeal against a Z3 or MX-5 of similar price. I think it's a more grown-up, expensive feeling vehicle that I wouldn't mind using every day. Bad plastics are a given I can get used to in most newer Mercedes.
Pentoman said:
I am beginning to find things like the Mk1 SLK attractive as I feel they are a honest solid cheap cruiser which, despite not being any fun to drive, probably has a lot of appeal against a Z3 or MX-5 of similar price. I think it's a more grown-up, expensive feeling vehicle that I wouldn't mind using every day. Bad plastics are a given I can get used to in most newer Mercedes.
345 bhp, 0-60 in 4.8 sec and an electronically-limited 155 mph max are, I can assure you, very definitely 'fun to drive' aspects of my SLK32 AMG!
nickwilcock said:
Pentoman said:
I am beginning to find things like the Mk1 SLK attractive as I feel they are a honest solid cheap cruiser which, despite not being any fun to drive, probably has a lot of appeal against a Z3 or MX-5 of similar price. I think it's a more grown-up, expensive feeling vehicle that I wouldn't mind using every day. Bad plastics are a given I can get used to in most newer Mercedes.
345 bhp, 0-60 in 4.8 sec and an electronically-limited 155 mph max are, I can assure you, very definitely 'fun to drive' aspects of my SLK32 AMG!Given a choice in this country of a tin top or soft top convertible I would go for the tin top any day as it is usable all year round.
Don't like:
SLC - Why? I keep comparing it to the 928. And it loses all the time
The application of a car like this requires seriously warped fundamentals.
The symbol for what-people-buy-first-when-they-didn't-had-to-work-hard-for-their-money overweights its technical ingeniousness. By far.
Like:
Ideally with 230 engine and chrome wheel hub caps.
In any guise. '70s 230GE will do as well as new pimp AMG version.
Ideally with later sacco side skirts in contrasting colour and matching wheel caps.
Favourite is the s124. I also especially like the r129, w201 and w107 SLC. Contrary to a previous poster, I think the SLC is the finest gentleman's coupe ever built. Lord only knows why they don't do a modern one (because they couldn't, presumably, there being no gentlemen motorists any more, only aggressive but impotent salesmen). The a124 is magnificently over-engineered.
The 450 SEL 6.9 is fine, too. Strangely I prefer the w108 280 SE 3.5 to the w109 300 SE L 6.3.
Dislikes? The stupid pre-ww2 stuff that fetches crazy money doesn't appeal to me. Nor do Pontons and Fintails. I particularly despise the w204, w203, w220, especially the pathetic AMG versions: so utterly vulgar. AMG is a brad which has gone to the dogs.
The 450 SEL 6.9 is fine, too. Strangely I prefer the w108 280 SE 3.5 to the w109 300 SE L 6.3.
Dislikes? The stupid pre-ww2 stuff that fetches crazy money doesn't appeal to me. Nor do Pontons and Fintails. I particularly despise the w204, w203, w220, especially the pathetic AMG versions: so utterly vulgar. AMG is a brad which has gone to the dogs.
Hmmm....this got me thinking!
124 series is my favourite series (a bit bias because I'm on my second!
)
Specific models in this range have to be the rare ones for me: E36 AMG coupe and the AMG Hammer (Saloon or Coupe, I'm not fussy!)
Least favourite is extremely tough, as all the models seem to have their excellent points and negatives. So they all "do it" for me in some way of another, even if I wouldn't want own them.
If you're going to twist my arm, I'd have to say the 208 series CLK Coupe, purely because Mercedes didn't bother to engineer it with a pillarless design!
Darren
124 series is my favourite series (a bit bias because I'm on my second!
)Specific models in this range have to be the rare ones for me: E36 AMG coupe and the AMG Hammer (Saloon or Coupe, I'm not fussy!)
Least favourite is extremely tough, as all the models seem to have their excellent points and negatives. So they all "do it" for me in some way of another, even if I wouldn't want own them.
If you're going to twist my arm, I'd have to say the 208 series CLK Coupe, purely because Mercedes didn't bother to engineer it with a pillarless design!
Darren
Another vote for the 124`s from me at the top end of my list . I`ve had estate , coupe and now an E280 saloon ; all marvellous , cossetting , economical to run , brisk , stylish , dependable , relevant and pleasurable to own .
I love my C36 AMG too , owned for three great years , highlights being a rock steady bellowing indicated 160mph in September on the Autobahn .
In the wish lists has got to be the C63 (definately having one in a couple of years ) , SLS (father in law has one coming next year) and the original 300SL Gullwing (don`t know anyone with one!)
The cars indefinable quality comes with ownership I think ; they grow on you and only a reasonably protracted period behind the wheel makes you appreciate the subtle qualities .
Least favourite? Well I love the 107 and post 2002 Sl`s but not over bothered about the 129`s any more . I don`t see the W210`s wearing particularly well and suspect they`ll be scarce in 10 years . W140`s seem to be guaranteed a narrow fan base on their size and weight alone but , to be honest , I`d give garage room to any of them if the price was right .
I guess the R-class is probably bottom of my list though .
I love my C36 AMG too , owned for three great years , highlights being a rock steady bellowing indicated 160mph in September on the Autobahn .
In the wish lists has got to be the C63 (definately having one in a couple of years ) , SLS (father in law has one coming next year) and the original 300SL Gullwing (don`t know anyone with one!)
The cars indefinable quality comes with ownership I think ; they grow on you and only a reasonably protracted period behind the wheel makes you appreciate the subtle qualities .
Least favourite? Well I love the 107 and post 2002 Sl`s but not over bothered about the 129`s any more . I don`t see the W210`s wearing particularly well and suspect they`ll be scarce in 10 years . W140`s seem to be guaranteed a narrow fan base on their size and weight alone but , to be honest , I`d give garage room to any of them if the price was right .
I guess the R-class is probably bottom of my list though .
[quote=r129sl]Favourite is the s124. I also especially like the r129, w201 and w107 SLC. Contrary to a previous poster, I think the SLC is the finest gentleman's coupe ever built. Lord only knows why they don't do a modern one (because they couldn't, presumably, there being no gentlemen motorists any more, only aggressive but impotent salesmen). The a124 is magnificently over-engineered.
The 450 SEL 6.9 is fine, too. Strangely I prefer the w108 280 SE 3.5 to the w109 300 SE L 6.3.
Dislikes? The stupid pre-ww2 stuff that fetches crazy money doesn't appeal to me. Nor do Pontons and Fintails. I particularly despise the w204, w203, w220, especially the pathetic AMG versions: so utterly vulgar. AMG is a brad which has gone to the dogs.
WHATS VULGAR ABOUT THE C55 AMG OR THE C63 AMG,THE C55 WAS A VERY DISCREET CAR IN EVERY WAY.
THE C63 AMG MIGHT NOT BE DISCREET BUT ITS FAR FROM BEING VULGAR. 8100 UNITS WERE SOLD IN 2008 ALONE.
AS FOR AMG GOING TO THE DOGS,I DONT THINK YOU HAVE A CLUE ABOUT THE BRAND.
The 450 SEL 6.9 is fine, too. Strangely I prefer the w108 280 SE 3.5 to the w109 300 SE L 6.3.
Dislikes? The stupid pre-ww2 stuff that fetches crazy money doesn't appeal to me. Nor do Pontons and Fintails. I particularly despise the w204, w203, w220, especially the pathetic AMG versions: so utterly vulgar. AMG is a brad which has gone to the dogs.
WHATS VULGAR ABOUT THE C55 AMG OR THE C63 AMG,THE C55 WAS A VERY DISCREET CAR IN EVERY WAY.
THE C63 AMG MIGHT NOT BE DISCREET BUT ITS FAR FROM BEING VULGAR. 8100 UNITS WERE SOLD IN 2008 ALONE.
AS FOR AMG GOING TO THE DOGS,I DONT THINK YOU HAVE A CLUE ABOUT THE BRAND.
amg master said:
WHATS VULGAR ABOUT THE C55 AMG OR THE C63 AMG,THE C55 WAS A VERY DISCREET CAR IN EVERY WAY.
THE C63 AMG MIGHT NOT BE DISCREET BUT ITS FAR FROM BEING VULGAR. 8100 UNITS WERE SOLD IN 2008 ALONE.
How about:THE C63 AMG MIGHT NOT BE DISCREET BUT ITS FAR FROM BEING VULGAR. 8100 UNITS WERE SOLD IN 2008 ALONE.
(1) the silly and utterly unnecessary "quad" exhausts with their nasty fake tips;
(2) the utterly unnecessary styling addenda with fake slots and vents;
(3) the badges everywhere;
(4) the enormous bling-a-ling wheels;
Add to the C63:
(5) the aggressive snout with the dinner plate badge;
(6) the anti-social exhaust.
All of this crap is hideous. It is totally unnecessary from an engineering and driving point of view and is fitted to the car only to meet the needs of the marketing men. Presumably they want to steal customers from Audi? These cars are the automotive equivalent of ageing men wearing football shirts in public. Why not just get a sign which says, "I can afford a monthly payment of £750 and live in a new build 4-bed 'executive' detached"? All of this is a shame because these cars do drive wonderfully (although the suspension of the C63 AMG is too stiff for fast back-road use or comfortable cruising and renders the car useless). If the options list included an "outward appearance delete" box, I might tick it for an E63 estate.
AMG cars should be invisible, not adorned with more cheap and nasty jewellery (the fake exhaust tips really say it all) than a street hooker.
That 8,100 w204 AMGs have been sold (in the UK alone? surely not?) says it all. Anything popular by definition is rubbish: more always means worse and nowhere is that more true than with Mercedes.
Great AMG cars include the w201 190 E 3.2, the w124 E60 LTD AMG, the r129 SL73 AMG (although the body kit is iffy) and, going back a bit further, the V8 conversions for the w123 and the original Hammer w124 (which had the m117 V8 with bespoke 4-valve heads and a capacity of up to 6.0litres).
Edited by r129sl on Wednesday 11th November 10:08
fave - rare, practical, understated cool, as long as you don't go for one that has too much bling.
another fave - as above, understated cool, excellent image, unburstable and almost uncatchable in 500e guise.
least fave - in the same way I dislike the 3 series compact and audi a3, it looks like an uglier, cheaper way to get into brand ownership.
r129sl said:
the suspension of the C63 AMG is too stiff for fast back-road use or comfortable cruising and renders the car useless
It rather sounds like you have never driven one.ETA:
Like: 230SL Pagoda - The epitome of the classic Mercedes.
Dislike: The 1980s SLs (Bobby Ewing). A real style faux pas.
Edited by Strangely Brown on Wednesday 11th November 10:52
Least Favorite - Old shape W168 A-Class - An appalling car, awful quality interior and rubbish reliability, bad to drive, not a proper Mercedes.
Most Favorite - Either the W211 E-Class or W169 A-Class. Both fab cars. The E-Class represents everything a Mercedes should be, the A-Class does too just in a smaller package.
least fave - in the same way I dislike the 3 series compact and audi a3, it looks like an uglier, cheaper way to get into brand ownership.I disagree, think they are really nice little cars. Just a good looking 3dr version of the C-Class really.
Most Favorite - Either the W211 E-Class or W169 A-Class. Both fab cars. The E-Class represents everything a Mercedes should be, the A-Class does too just in a smaller package.
yellowbentines said:
least fave - in the same way I dislike the 3 series compact and audi a3, it looks like an uglier, cheaper way to get into brand ownership.
r129sl said:
amg master said:
WHATS VULGAR ABOUT THE C55 AMG OR THE C63 AMG,THE C55 WAS A VERY DISCREET CAR IN EVERY WAY.
THE C63 AMG MIGHT NOT BE DISCREET BUT ITS FAR FROM BEING VULGAR. 8100 UNITS WERE SOLD IN 2008 ALONE.
How about:THE C63 AMG MIGHT NOT BE DISCREET BUT ITS FAR FROM BEING VULGAR. 8100 UNITS WERE SOLD IN 2008 ALONE.
(1) the silly and utterly unnecessary "quad" exhausts with their nasty fake tips;
(2) the utterly unnecessary styling addenda with fake slots and vents;
(3) the badges everywhere;
(4) the enormous bling-a-ling wheels;
Add to the C63:
(5) the aggressive snout with the dinner plate badge;
(6) the anti-social exhaust.
All of this crap is hideous. It is totally unnecessary from an engineering and driving point of view and is fitted to the car only to meet the needs of the marketing men. Presumably they want to steal customers from Audi? These cars are the automotive equivalent of ageing men wearing football shirts in public. Why not just get a sign which says, "I can afford a monthly payment of £750 and live in a new build 4-bed 'executive' detached"? All of this is a shame because these cars do drive wonderfully (although the suspension of the C63 AMG is too stiff for fast back-road use or comfortable cruising and renders the car useless). If the options list included an "outward appearance delete" box, I might tick it for an E63 estate.
AMG cars should be invisible, not adorned with more cheap and nasty jewellery (the fake exhaust tips really say it all) than a street hooker.
That 8,100 w204 AMGs have been sold (in the UK alone? surely not?) says it all. Anything popular by definition is rubbish: more always means worse and nowhere is that more true than with Mercedes.
Great AMG cars include the w201 190 E 3.2, the w124 E60 LTD AMG, the r129 SL73 AMG (although the body kit is iffy) and, going back a bit further, the V8 conversions for the w123 and the original Hammer w124 (which had the m117 V8 with bespoke 4-valve heads and a capacity of up to 6.0litres).
[footnote]Edited by r129sl on Wednesday 11th November 10:08
the only amg badge was on the back on the c55
the wheels were 18 inch 5 spoke, hardly blinging
there were no vents or slots on the c55
the quad exhaust suited the car perfectly.
i had a c55 amg for 3 years and it was a very enjoyable car never missed a beat and the body styling was no way
vulgar or in your face.
the c63 is an amazing car for those who have driven 1 with regards to the suspension its far from being
useless.
i have 1 with the performance pack and 1 with the normal suspension and the 1 with the performance pack has a lot better grip and feels a lot more composed when on the road.
i have friends in the car trade who tell me that for resale the ppack cars are more desirable.
8100 units were sold worldwide in 2008 so you could probably double that taking into account 2009 so i don't understand how you can say that anything popular is rubbish.
either you must be wrong or approx 15000 people must be.
as for the sound its got to be 1 of the best sounding cars out there, ive yet to here a person who doesn't like the sound apart from you.
what i don't understand is that you like the hammer which is hardly discreet but you don't like the c63 styling.
i understand that everyone has a different perspective of beauty but to call the c55 and c63 vulgar is daft.
amgmaster
Like:
It had to be here somewhere
Timeless goodlooks and just brilliant
Just gets better with age and a car i very nearly brought twice
Mercs land rover, but with just a bit more cool if not blinged up
Bombproof, cool, good looking and in 500e the perfect Q car
AMG's finest hour, take one 6.2 v8 clk amg and make it more entertaing
the car the slr should always have been nuff said
Don't like:
is it me or do i think it's not as good or as good looking as the w126?
mercs lancia beta, well the only thing they share in common is the ability to rust, fall to bits and try to damage the marque.
VALGERTASTIC!
Not worthy of the benz badge
Same as above but uglyer
I'm Sorry but i think they should not have messed it into a part supercar-part gt nonsence, should have been 100% supercar from day 1
Edited by RSD 25 on Wednesday 11th November 21:25
Edited by RSD 25 on Wednesday 11th November 21:35
niva441 said:
va1o said:
I disagree, think they are really nice little cars. Just a good looking 3dr version of the C-Class really.
That why i bought mine, I wanted the drive of the C class, but not its size and weight, plus the hatch more is useful to me than a saloon.Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff