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Well, I keep reverting in years of cars that I own...I have a 2 owner Jade Black E500 w/ 87k miles, that's insanely clean for the year & a color I've never seen on a benz. Considering a W210 E430 or E55, W124 or C36 maybe?
Share your thoughts on this...love the E500 but I kind of want older.
What you don't like on your current drive?
You have nice car, any older model not likely will have wood wheel, only sweat-soaked leather on steering wheel.
W210 in America did not have GPS, no Bluetooth, no TPMS and they corrode bad.
W124 project can be bought for $1000 but you get your money worth.
I admire MB paint the most and any 20+ years old model will have it peeling, or be repainted and it is not going to look good.
You don't say where you live, but it doesn't look like you live in an area that uses lots of road salt? The W210's were notorious for rotting out, and not just cosmetic rust. They had issues with the spring perches rusting right off the frame, a serious safety issue. I wouldn't look at a 210 that was winter driven, or even from a coastal area. The W124 seemed to hold up better.
Have you looked into a W126 at all? Even though the last one rolled off the line in 1991 they're still great drivers and have a lot of comfort features that we expect today. North American models had full power options, automatic climate control, heated seats, drivers side air bag (88-91 I believe). The 420SEL is probably the best compromise between performance and reliability/simplicity as you get V8 power without the added complexity and cost of the hydraulic suspension found on the 560 models. You just miss out on the extras like the power/heated rear seats. There are still tons of good examples out there, but they seem to be appreciating in value as of late.
The W126 and W123 did have some rust issues as well, particularly the wheel wells and trunk floor (due to water leaks) but not nearly as bad as the W210.
You don't say where you live, but it doesn't look like you live in an area that uses lots of road salt? The W210's were notorious for rotting out, and not just cosmetic rust. They had issues with the spring perches rusting right off the frame, a serious safety issue. I wouldn't look at a 210 that was winter driven, or even from a coastal area. The W124 seemed to hold up better.
Have you looked into a W126 at all? Even though the last one rolled off the line in 1991 they're still great drivers and have a lot of comfort features that we expect today. North American models had full power options, automatic climate control, heated seats, drivers side air bag (88-91 I believe). The 420SEL is probably the best compromise between performance and reliability/simplicity as you get V8 power without the added complexity and cost of the hydraulic suspension found on the 560 models. You just miss out on the extras like the power/heated rear seats. There are still tons of good examples out there, but they seem to be appreciating in value as of late.
The W126 and W123 did have some rust issues as well, particularly the wheel wells and trunk floor (due to water leaks) but not nearly as bad as the W210.
This reminds me of Gentleman's guide to love! Very stately type!
I currently own w124 300D 5spd, W210 E300 diesel, W211 wagon, W203 wagon.
Keep the W211. The W211 out handles the W210 and W124 by a wide margin. But the W203 can run circles around the W211. Its a much smaller car. The interior quality of the W211 is far nicer than the W210 or the W124. The W211 is easier and cheaper to maintain.
I currently own w124 300D 5spd, W210 E300 diesel, W211 wagon, W203 wagon.
Keep the W211. The W211 out handles the W210 and W124 by a wide margin. But the W203 can run circles around the W211. Its a much smaller car. The interior quality of the W211 is far nicer than the W210 or the W124. The W211 is easier and cheaper to maintain.
Chino 'Fats' Williams was an American actor. Williams was best known for such films and television series as The Terminator, and Baretta! Classic man, Classic!
W124 was the easiest to work on and the most tossable (H&Rs & Bilsteins) but was a slug. Terrible sound system
W210 had the best style and the AMG seats were great. Love the monoblocks. Sub-par sound system. Okay to work on.
W211 had good balance of power/style/mileage (26+ MPG overall and 33+ on long cruises). Adequate sound. So-so to work on.
W212 has best sound, best power (even before chipped), best electronics. Great sound. No work needed yet.
If I just wanted a weekend car I would do the W210 E55. Looks great, simple electronics, and not hard to work on. But beware, staggered tires were $300+ each and lasted 15-20k miles (hence, a weekender).
For a daily driver, the W212 E550 wins hands down (except for style). Stiff chassis and rocks in sport-mode, especially after being chipped (500+/- hp).
W124 was the easiest to work on and the most tossable (H&Rs & Bilsteins) but was a slug. Terrible sound system
W210 had the best style and the AMG seats were great. Love the monoblocks. Sub-par sound system. Okay to work on.
W211 had good balance of power/style/mileage (26+ MPG overall and 33+ on long cruises). Adequate sound. So-so to work on.
W212 has best sound, best power (even before chipped), best electronics. Great sound. No work needed yet.
If I just wanted a weekend car I would do the W210 E55. Looks great, simple electronics, and not hard to work on. But beware, staggered tires were $300+ each and lasted 15-20k miles (hence, a weekender).
For a daily driver, the W212 E550 wins hands down (except for style). Stiff chassis and rocks in sport-mode, especially after being chipped (500+/- hp).
Tires are no worry, I have a 19 C63 coupe that's tuned 620hp/650tq. Im 6k miles & will need rear tires soon lol
A clean W210 E55 is on my list, anyone want to trade?! haha
Frankly, I don't know why you want to get rid of that E500 you have now, either. Your car is gorgeous. It's got one of the most solid drivetrains ever made outside of a Honda factory. The E500's get up and go when asked to do so. They look good. What's not to like?
Being in Texas and thus not even knowing what road salt is, you have a lot of options. That W126 S-class is looking like a mighty fine option if you want to go older-school. I've always found them incredibly stately. They just look like money, like something Your Royal Highness would be driven in.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
