Give me an old school Mercedes any day. Yes, the new ones are nice and sleek and have lots of toys, but nothing beats the feel, ride, touch and smell of an old Mercedes.

that 280SE is absolutely stunning omg. I usually dont like restomods, especially the really awful and tacky ones you see at sema, but i have to make an exception for this, its stunning, brilliant.

At 5 minutes 30 seconds into the video the tester is shown opening and closing the door of the 280SE. You shouldn't need to "slam" the doors on this car like that. These doors will solidly shut with much less effort.

The old classic is so elegant. So beautifully hand crafted, built to last.

I'll have the 280 with the original 3.5, thanks.

I'll take the old car. I love that classic Mercedes styling and the simplicity of a classic car. The interior is amazing in terms of quality and the materials used. I don't think Mercedes used pot metal for window cranks or anything, it looks like real steel with a healthy coat of chrome and the wood accents are just beautiful. In the old car you wouldn't feel like you're sitting in a cocoon of plastic. Top quality plastic is still plastic. Of course, my driving style would also lend itself nicely to a classic car since I don't drag race and would hardly ever use the capabilities of the modern 560 hp engine. For me it's the classic, hands down. No disrespect to the modern car, it's beautiful too.

who in the right mind will choose that cl63 over a 280SE with 300hp? That SE will never look out of place ever.

Tha 280SE just makes the CL look so tacky, so plasticky, so overly agressive, so grotesce, so ugly.

When my dad use to drive, he drove his 1970s Benz, and loved it. I totally forgot about my memories of playing in the front seat with all the knobs, and just enjoying the little details of craftsmanship that I didn't really understand at the time. Everything was so mechanical in those cars; from the folding armrest in the backseat to how the sunroof opened. Now that I look back, I realize it was my favorite toy. Thank you for this video. It gave me something I would have forgotten and lost.

The '71 is a classic. It never gets old. It is as beautiful today as it was off the showroom floor.

Definitely the old one!

The interior of the classic is so gorgeous, and I love the shape of the rear glass that ties together the profile of the pillarless cabin with the rear flanks. Beautiful.

Stunning interior on the 280. I miss the old school wood and leather . The new cars are just not as beautiful to me.

Old. I saw this car at the SEMA show last year. It is far more impressive than this video is ever going to show you. The craftsmen ship displayed in restoring and retrofitting this vehicle is incredible. It was one of my favorite cars of the entire show!!

the 1971 looks like ART! nothing this days regarding design can get even close to it. not even a modern Bugatti. the artistic design of cars lasted till the 70's and then ended. the digital era of the 80's and beyond ruined it all.

I read everyone of your guys magazines and love it, great review guys very in depth, keep on doing your stuff!!!

280SE for sure. The retro mods they did on it are simply spectacular!

I would definitely have the older car, the 280 SE. Its a piece of real craftmanship, and that model was the last of the hand made S-Classes. Its gorgeous.

The newer ones maybe be technically better, but the older ones were simpler with less to go wrong. That's why they're still out there running with original engines. And the old models had a pure calm elegance about them that the new ones just can't seem to recreate. This is not only true for Mercedes but also BMW, Audi, all the car makers really. Personally I love the 70s American designs a lot but there's some real eye catchers at every generation from the Germans like the W126-Coupe or the W129. BMW had their E24 and E38.

I would take that '71 280SE any day of the week and twice on Sunday. That is when Mercedes could BUILD a car! That thing was designed to LAST FOREVER! The new one, not so much. Modern cars -- all modern cars by all manufacturers -- are designed to last 8 to 10 years, tops. You're not going to see any modern cars still on the road when they're over 40 years old. It's just not gonna happen.

great review.. very informative and entertaining

Definitely go with the OLD car! Overall build quality in a car will NEVER be like it was of that era. Having a modern powertrain in a bullet-proof chassis is the best of both worlds!!

I can see the value of modern technology in the new Benz, but nothing can tear me away from the classic lines and true simple elegance of the '71. The new motor and all else is spectacular, but there is something to be said for the sheer true elegance and style of the 3.5. Given my choice, in purest form of each, I'll take the '71 all day long.

I could cry to see an engine like this in a classic car, especially in a Mercedes Benz, its just not right. A car like this isn't about power, about speed, about handing, its about the nostalgitc aspect of these old cars, you own them to own a piece of history, something that has a story to tell, to feel ... they shoud be kept as original as possible, not with torn out and replaced heart under the hood and a lowered suspension. I love my dad's '71 280S, its original.

truly enjoyable review!! job well done!

both cars are amazing, but i think i'd take the old one. it's so beautiful and has so much soul. i could cruise around in it all day

The older one thanks. The style of design & build has turned them into a timeless classic. I currently drive a 450 SE.

ill take the older one. Pure class.

I love the clean and timeless design of the 280.

Will someone tell this Kid, the 280SE is a design from the 60's not seventies, the 450 Series was the Seventies.. My Pick , 280 SE with original 6.3 or later 6.9 L engine

15 years ago, when I found out about Mechatronik (back before they even had an English language website), I swore to myself that if or when I reach a 1.5 mil net worth I'm having them build me a W111 coupe, with the original 3.5 V8 and column shift manual trans

Excellent review! Thanks, Both are perfect automobiles!

280SE please, I already have a 1964 220SE coupe. The doors still have that solid thud when closed too.

Nice comparison and review c&d

I would definitely love to collect the old ones as well as buying new ones. The history of mercedes benz is what has me. It is the best car brand to me.

280SE every time. That styling is classic and timeless! I have a C250 cdi and the new GLC but I would swap both for the 280.

Insanely lucky Californian who, as a teen, got to drive a 3.5 in the mid '70s after I got my license. Read the 3.5's were the last of the old-school, hand-built, Mercedes & first with a V8 engine. Cars were $12k new & $500 extra for the convertibles... If had approaching $500k for a car, would buy one in a heartbeat. These were extremely elegant high-speed tourers of a quality that doesn't exist anymore.

Great reviewer .. Great cars. And this is the first KZfaq vid I saw on my new I pad3. Lol

the old one gives the felling of a legend .. and new one is like i am the future .. awesome video and great cars!

I'd take the old one without a doubt. It has withstood the test of time & still looks amazing. A lot of the newer stuff looks cool while it's the flavour of the week, but tends to look dated and sometimes even "what the hell were they thinking", in just a few short years.

I love this guy! Great reviews 👍 I love the classic 280 SE

great review!

I agree driving these cars is fun. I have a 1981 Mercedes 240d with a 4 speed manual and I just love driving it even in town. It is a kick in the head.

The older!! I have the 4 door model

Good video! Good Reviewer!

Definately the old school coupe - that W111 is a real cool ride!

I have the pleasure of having a 280SE 3.5 coupe with no upgrades as a daily driver and its the best car I've ever owned. It's a life changing type of thing. Absolute genius

I have an 84 300d in great shape and it is elegant,comfortable and handles well. It is not a hot rod but that's OK. I enjoy the occasional compliment especially from people who are 10 or 15 years younger than the car.

I have a personal love for this car, because my grandfather had one but it was the four-door. I've always wanted one of these beauties.

I had that 280SE and love every thing about it.....specially the door sound, I'm surprised you mentioned the same sound uniqueness

Please stop saying "coop" for "coupe". Oops, gotta go... I'm meeting a friend at the caf. I mean, cafe.

I would prefer the 280SE 3.5 any day.....this car shows way more character, class, style, elegance and depth. No matter, where you go and who you meet....this car is a "conversation piece", that any car enthusiast likes to enjoy, even just by looking at it...and the classy design with "Megathron" technology (354 HP) makes it the perfect "Benz"....best "Mercedes-Benz" of all time....by the way, perfect exterior color and perfectly matched with the interior color...Yes, this car is very expensive ($ 400,000 US),but it's not about the cost, it's style...class...and staying humble and feeling fortunate, to be able to drive and possibly own this beautiful piece of elegance...

I recently passed on buying two w109s for sale, primarily by the sound of the door closing. I had one i bought that i brought back to live that had the thump. You cant buy those classic MBs without it.

I would take the older one. I had a 1966 220 SEB coupe in the same color and I loved it. Thank's to Car and Driver for the test.

this reviewer is great, i remember seeing him on that road trip you guys did with the citroen CX, really entertaining.

great great video, do more stuff like this and id choose the older one. the huge windows though are so sick

That was an absolutely fantastic review. I'll be buying a 280 SE 3.5l V8, 4 doors relatively soon. Already done my research and such, but is there anything special I need to look out for when buying a 280 SE? Thanks!

very nice video!

Growing up in the 60's and 70's, I'll always be a fan of those body styles. This was a great piece, as it brought back great memories of my childhood. I had an uncle who owned a '71 280SE, it's what started my love affair with MB.

Quality review, well done :) and i'd have the older model, such a timeless vehicle

I love the '71 280SE! Sad thing is, the 2012 won't survive almost 50 year, post '94 Mercedes-Benz build quality and engineering was dictated by the accountants.

The older one. My Mom owned one in in he 70s, let me sit on her lap and dive. Wow how cool!

My dad had a 1967 250SE coupé, cream with full natural tan pigskin interior including headliner, and four-speed manual. I remember it as such a lovely car (except when he made me wash it, painstakingly!).

280SE ALL THE WAY!!!!

Both beautiful cars and timeless in their ow right. Love that previous generation C215 CL-Class that pops up at 7:45 :-)

LOL...youtube algorithm. I've owned a '66 250SE Coupe for 30yrs. That's an amazing restomod to the 3.5, with details right down to a modern, but original looking Becker radio. Love the W111 coupe body, and prefer the tall grill of the 6 cylinder models, over the low, wide grill of the V-8 cars.

This car did 4.9 to 60 in 71? While looking like a piece of art and handling smoothly, comfy yet solid. Wow. Just wow.

Old is gold ,, plz can u make a video about cl 1998,? Thx for the good video

I love this piece and both cars are beautiful!

Aa an owner of a 1978 450SE and a 450SEL 6.9 , i would say , 60s-70s Mercs are unbeatable and will always be the best of the most reliable classics !! :) Mechatronik are simply awesome !!

I own a 280se I’m dying to drive this mechatronik one with a new amg engine. I’ve heard they upgrade the suspension itself. I’m sure they did an amazing job. I can tell it’s way better than a modern Mercedes. That old body and frame with a modern engine. What more could you ask for!

I love my 1998 E300 TD! It is amazing!

"...more than a status symbol: it's something." Great car review. He has such a way with words...

As much as I love modern Mercedes, I came to this video for the old one (it has my age, lol). And I also enjoy this guy´s way of presenting the segment, looks like he knows what he talks about, very easy going, and not with the usual "I am such a macho driver" attitude seen in others. Looks like a bloke you can have a nice conversation about cars, anyday. Cheers!

I just fell in love with this w111...

Would have to be the best and that's the 280se .I have a 4 door version with the 3.5 v8 a 450sel 4.5 a500sel w126 a.500sel w1400 a w220 s500 .the is the w108 280se loved your video nicely shown cars and no heavy right foot. Thank you for sharing

I LOVED the shots of the interior of the old Merc, showing off the details. And, maybe I'm in the minority, but I love how the presenter didn't talk like a robot. He made a couple "mistakes" but it only made him and the performance seem comfortably human rather than an ultra-rehearsed, infinitely-taked computer program. Nice vid!

the 280SE has such a gorgeous interior!

The 280 is an absolute beauty.

Hearing that Sing Sing Sing drumbeat at the beginning... ahhhh :)

I remember working for an Oldsmobile/Mercedes-Benz dealer back in '89 and driving a Ciera and a 300E back to back. It was hard to picture two mid-sized 6 cylinder powered sedans being any more different than those two. The Benz was 3 times the price of the Olds but you could tell where the money went.

Old Skool Buddy !!

I would the Mechatronik 280SE classic.It is a fabulous classic Mercedes-Benz. As the owner of a classic M-B living in Ireland, its great to see beautifully incorporated updated and upgraded modifying with total respect to the majestry of the original. One last thing Sam Smith is the first motor journalist that I've listened too who's not full of ego, well done Sam.

Mindriver95, I would like to know where you purchased the modern Becker Mexico, I would love to replace the one on my 71 280SE 3.5 COUPE

Agree, like the Countach and ARomeo 8Ccompetizione (according to JClarkson's review on topgear) only a Poster Car.

I have a 1991 560SEL and would not not trade it for a new one, it,s one of the best cars ever build. I love the 280SE. When I was 21 I bought a 1957 300SL for $ 5000.- (in 1969) in 1971 I went back to Germany for a couple of years and sold it for $ 8000.- ...... yeah, I know, you don't have to tell me, but that's life.

Old one, no depreciation, solid investment!

I love the SE, I have an SL500 2000 and I love my classic body!

I would take the 280 in a heart beat. I have a 1988 300se and that old girl is still a delight to drive around town and on the twisty bits. She puts a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. That wonderful presidential bonnet stretch out ion front and all the wonderful engineering. It doesn't get much better. So the 280 it is.

I like the old one. Very classic:)

That 280SE had little bit "outdated" look in early 70's, but I guess that was just Mercedes-style :)

My choice is the 280, but it would be the original 280, not some bastardized, updated power train in the beautiful old metal work. I was looking forward to the original 280 being compared to the new MB, and reflection on the passage of time and how Mercedes has evolved.

Enjoyed the article on this in the magazine and this video just made it all the better. As for which one I'd want, new. Is the old one awesome and super cool? Yes, but even if I won a lottery tomorrow I'd never spend that much on one. The CL isn't cheap but I could understand spending that kind of money based on what you get for it.

Did i just watch a Tom Hanks review of 2 car`s..? :) solid work, loved it!

As a daily driver I'd take the cl but I'd rather have the older one any day of the week! It's just to Classy and it's beyond beautiful inside and out. Good job Mercedes-Benz for making the best cars in the world

I have a 280 SE 4 door, it's lovely but the interior in the coupe's / convertibles are magical. Also a 600 Grosser or Pullman? The 600 has to be on my list of favourite mercs.

Great reviewer!

This is cool. I have a Mercedes W123 1983 and i wish i could get a modern Engine underneath the bonnet. Mercedes are timeless cars. It feels cool everyday. I have never tired from driving it.

old... classy, unique, large spacious interior, with real wood dash

There is no way the new one can compare to the beauty of the old one. The interior of the old one and the exterior does something to you . I am a Lexus fanatic but this old Mercedes is the most beautiful machine I have ever seen