I agree with everything you say Pierre. Sadly, all classic Mercedes, including the W124, have just disappeared from the roads here in South Africa. It is very hard to explain because until just a few years ago our roads were filled with them, especially the W114/115. Now all gone. Best wishes from Cape Town.

Excellent presentation! I own a ‘68 280SE and a ‘93 S600. They’re both very special cars and I would never think of venturing into a model beyond ‘93. I’ve had my share of problems with the 600 but I wouldn’t give it up for a newer make no matter what. It’s about as technical and computer inspired as I would ever want in an MB. It also helps that my my mechanic owns and knows these cars inside and out. The ‘93 is now getting the same “thumps up” and “what year?” reactions as my ‘68. If I were to win the lottery tomorrow, I’d sooner buy a 1970 600 from Karl M. In Wisconsin than a 2018 Maybach from the local MB dealer. If you’re truly going to appreciate and enjoy the MB, you gotta go classic.

I own a 1994 S500 w140. It has over 214,000 miles. Sure it has a lot of stupid (mostly minor) issues, such as the turn signals stopped working yesterday, rear seat recliner doesn’t work, no AC, and passenger power headrest doesn’t work... but I will say I am very impressed at how well the engine and most of the other electricals have held up a quarter of a century later. The motor still fires right up and runs unbelievably smoothly. A lot of my problems (soft close doors, power steering leak) were under $100 or even $50 to fix. In my opinion the W140 was the last classic Mercedes lasting until 1999, while the W220 was the first modern Mercedes with crazy 100% failing air suspension, infotainment screen and many many airbags. Another thing I believe makes the W140 a classic Benz is the fact that it is still special, desirable, and a head turner, unlike the W220-on. I always get compliments on my W140 and it’s the newest non-AMG Mercedes worth taking to a car show. Anyway, those are my thoughts. I enjoy your content, Pierre.

"Everything in the car seems to come apart and attack itself." LOL, you are describing my 2003 Chevrolet Malibu.

I owned a modern Mercedes. It was an 08 W204 C300. It was relatively uncomplicated and drove fairly well. As good as that car was, I'd trade it any day for the W116 I have now.

W123 Mercedes and Volvo 200 series are the last DIY friendly cars.

Pierre you are one of a kind with you passion for these wonderful cars. My first MB was a 1959 190 4dr gas, then a 300 TD, 240 D, two 280 C's and after seeing you on KZfaq and remembering you with the 190SL and 280 SL in Black Diamond Ranch ..... I have to get back into a classic Mercedes Benz.

5 yrs ago I purchased a 1990 300CE 24 coupe. Took about 12mths to bring it to 100% normal engine operations (no oil leaks/no gasket issues etc etc). Not at astronomical costs I may add. Car is fantastic to drive/own. Been restored to almost brand new interior condition. Paintwork was already great to start with. Body is straight as, with not a blemish to be seen. Put AMG 17" Hammer-style wheels on it but the rest is 'as is'. It's a definite head-turner.. people love it. Old enough to be a 'true Mercedes', but new enough to have ABS/electric everything (that works) and all the mod cons you would expect from Mercedes. I have owned far more expensive cars in my life. Some Brand New too. The Merc is by far the best car I have ever owned (it's not my daily tho btw) and other than regular maintenance (& some preventative maintenance) it is trouble free motoring that most mechanics love to work on due to the ease of accessibility/engineering. Lots of people warned me that it would be a 'money-pit' but I'm glad I didn't listen. I hope I can hold onto it for many, many years.

I agree. My newest is a T124. Also have W126 SD. Do not have any desire for anything newer.

HiPierre, Well done ,i enjoyed your explanations and look forward to future videos.experience is the best teacher and you have experience with forgotten MB classics.

I have a 1986 420 SEL. Loving it ever since. Perfect car!

I love your videos Pierre. I have a 1975 280SE. I'd prefer it over any new Mercedes. It is such a great car to drive and so reliable.

Difference between classic and modern: plastic. I film car commercials and this one time they tried to show how awesome the new Mercedes was (2016 something something) - they hoisted the car up to show the undercarriage. I saw more plastic then in my 2 year olds toys.

Have had 9 total but 6 currently, love the classic Mercedes more then any car and do anything I can to keep em going!

Amen, brother... And I'm a long-retired dealer! I still have a 300SL roadster, a very special 420SEL which has AMG suspension and brakes and updated wheels...BUT what makes it special is that it was ordered with manual A/C and has had the door locks converted to electric actuation. No more vacuum distributor woes! My daughter has a 300D turbo and will never part with it. I'm looking for a 6.3, because I stupidly sold my last one (I've had 3) and I still have a big shelf of parts (including a NIB injection pump). The beauty of these cars is that they were built with the realization that, some day, somebody was going to have to take them apart and repair them. The older cars are relatively easy to service and repair, if you know what you're doing. The same cannot be said for older BMWs, and they require a mind-boggling array of special tools. Mind you, my friends think I'm crazy, since my newest car is over 30 years old... But I also have two late-1960s Ferraris, somaybe they have a point. The thing is, I can repair and maintain ALL thhese cars in my garage (admittedly very well equipped). If somebody GAVE me a new Mercedes, I would not be able to perform even the simplest maintenance operation.

I have e320 cdi from 2005 with 240k miles on it. Running like new fast, great milage , no issues whatsoever. Literally everything works including things I didn’t think would last like sunroof, shades, cd changer, no rust no cracks on the dashboard…. With thats said, I love my 1987 190 turbo diesel. Rust is a big issue for older MBs so I am only driving 190dt in summer in Chicago.

I simply couldn’t live without mood-lighting on my 240D.

W202 going above 200k mileage is actually the norm, not exception. Probably outperform and cheaper to maintain than classics.

I love both my W123 and R129. Going from one to the other is like traveling through time.

I agree. Some of the parts which I’ve had to replace on my 1987 560SL are the originals, meaning they’ve been there since they assembled it in Stuttgart. I’m hoping that replacement parts should last pretty long, especially crucial items like the timing chain tensioner. For things like that, I’ll get the genuine MB part and not the cheaper aftermarket item. While some repairs can be initially expensive, with diligent maintenance that repair will last long enough that over time that expensive repair actually turns out to be the cheaper repair.

NEW RULE! If it doesn't have a STAR on the hood it's not a Mercedes.

When I buy my classic Mercedes-Benz, I’m coming to you from Toronto !

We absolutely love our 89 W126 300SE S class has 400,000 kilometres and runs like a dream

I have a 1997 W140 S600 with 123,650 miles. I just did all of the regular maintenance that is needed. Hearing that V12 comes to life never gets old and it puts a big smile on my face. Just recently my S600 won’t start due to a failure of the camshaft position sensor that is needed to be replaced. Other than that, it’s been dependable all the time.

My 1994 C280 now has 336.000km (200.000miles plus) on the clock and the only problems l've ever had is an alternator that failed and the ignition wiring on top of the engine. That was an easy repair. I removed the deteriorated casing & de-soldered the connections, traced the deteriorated rubber until insulation turned solid (close to the firewall.) Simply covered the bare wires with good quality heatshrink plus heat resistant tubing, re-soldered the connections and presto. It took less than 3 hours to do. This was six years ago and it's still going fine. That 24V Inline six motor just keeps purring and hardly uses oil.

Thanks!

Agree with Pierre!!i had few W124 and W123 and my first one was last year 1993 190e 2.6..all "classic"but in last 12 yrs we have 2 W210 pre face lift 1998 4 matic and 1999 RWD,,i love them ,they serve us great one have 216k and other one 275k miles and still run like a champ..i do 99% maintenence by myself and i think w 210 is a great car and thats "the last "hand made Benz",other then rust problem due to "eco "paint its a great,reliable Mercedes!!

Excellent information. That is why I continue to drive my 1981 Mercedes W123 240d. You can work on the car.

I love my W126 and my R129 they are both classics in my eyes .

That was pretty damn good.

Owner of a 2003 E500. Has 310k miles and is in excellent condition, runs very well and I drive it everyday. I just stay current with general maintenance and keep it clean.

Nice vídeo. What is your oppininion about the 2009 GLK 280?

Totally agree!.

Nice video. I am a fan of the older Mercedes Benz as well as the new ones. I have a greater appreciation for the older one due to them being less complicated, and ahead of their time. The 1986 or 1988 Mercedes Benz AMG Hammer was one of the first cars that made me a fan. I also liked the W126 and the non AMG W124 as well.

I could not agree more. I have owned a 115, a W124 and I am currently driving aW211. I could fix the majority of my issues with theTE320 by m

great topic and well explained...i think the W201 was the last of the REAL Mercedes....my 16v is so well built and has that real Merc feel.its my 3rd W201 and my 7th Mercedes....some years ago, at the suggestion of my dear wife 😐😐, i bought a W211 and got rid of it after 6 weeks...it was truly awful.....i guess if i had never owned an older Merc i might have been happier with it..

only owned 1979-1985 Mercedes om617s of all 3 chassis. Best cars ever!

Love the channel. Is there anyway to connect the CD input in the Trunk of an older mercedes to a Blue Tooth so the music on a phone could play. this 95 has an intermittent CD player in the trunk connected to a round connector that connects to a longer rectangular one behind the panel.

I have a 1994 R129 (M119 engine 722.3 4G-Tronic trans). I was under the impression it was one of the last classic Benz. It shares the same platform of the W124. Granted they are known to have hydraulic fluid leaks for the auto operated top (normal to replace the o-ring seals after 10 to 15 years) and the famous ASR problems, that seem to plague the W124 as well. Other then that, the car has been bullet proof. Granted it only has 122000 kilometers on it (75807 miles) for a 24 yr old car.

Keep good going!

This is a great video. I believe that the information stated in this video to be highly accurate

There is nothing like the quality of the Classic Mercedes. My 1981 Mercedes 240d with a 4 speed manual transmission is my daily driver and it is a lot of fun to drive.

Do a video on the 6.9. I had a 79'....What a monster. Replace the air suspension, and you have a reliable tank.

I have a 1984 W201 190D 2.2. May not turn heads but damn does it get some good mpg. Problems are sometimes (may not be) easy to fix but it's worth it.

I agree with one exception.. the 2005-2006 CDI is an amazing car

Great video. Have you experienced a case where after doing oil change and conducting an fss reset, the system resets to 0 instead of 10000? This happens on my w202 1997 model. Is this normal?

Do you consider a 1991 190e 2.6 classic or modern or kinda of that transitional model?

My mechanic had a client come in with a W212 E350.A stunning car in great condition! Except this one would assume "limp home mode" and refuse to change up on the transmission. The diagnostic report indicated a faulty gearbox sensor. The very thing that protects the transmission from damage is now the problem.If you remove the fault code the car behaves for a day or so and the problem returns. He said that tells him that there was nothing wrong with the transmission. The beauty of it is the gearbox sensor is located inside the transmission. You cannot fix the problem without removing and opening up the transmission itself. Imagine what the dealership quoted? Suffice to say he requested that the fault code be removed once more so that he could go and trade it in, very nearby!!

i own a w126 500sel and a w208 clk55amg (my 2nd 208) both are good and reliable, sold my clk430 with 175k mechanically flawless. and a 70 riviera but my daily driver is a 2006 suburban ltz 6.0 at 247k drive it anywhere. everyone needs a utility vehicle. thinking of selling the 500sel though, i need some space

I would love to buy one of your cars cause I know it's been looked over and safe to drive

Hi, i am planning to buy old Mercedes benz car and i am handy man too which car do you recommend sir Thanks

W123 with a OM617 engine. Best car ever made period.

Very pleased with my 2002 G500 W463, 165,000 miles and nothing replaced but typical wear and tear items!

i really like 24's & 26's, one day i will have both

I’d like to get one in a w123 chassis sometime. I currently have a 1959 220s ponton under restoration.

Hello, how are you? Should I buy a 1981 Mercedes 240D? Has some miles but looks good, need to go check the car out in person.

I respectfully disagree. I feel that the W126 S-Class was the last old-school Mercedes-Benz.

I am waiting for my 1989 W126 560SEC cylinder head rebuild. Although it has 237k miles I hope that it is going to be more reliable than my 2004 W215 CL500. It is plagued with ABC issues and the vacuum system is kaput. This is my daily driver and have a love hate relationship with it.

Hey mate. Love your professionalism and friendliness. I have a 1991 benz 300e with 150k miles. I smell gas from the engine ERG?... and when I crank off the #5 fuel distributor port line it isn't sending any fuel unless I rev up the rpms. So on the hwy it runs fine but starting, idling and take off is bruttle... When I crack all the other fuel distributor ports, fuel drips out and u can hear the change in the engine (in that related cylinder). Is this an ERG issue from one of your other videos or does the fuel distributor have to be rebuilt?. #5 cylinder isn't firing and wont pass smog. Unfortunately this is my only car... Every port on the FD when cracked off a bit and when running all shows fuel movement... Hope u can advise. Bless Sean

What about a w201? I have a 2006 short wheelbase sprinter and am looking for something simpler and smaller

Since my 300 SD w126 needed some repairs and I bought one 250 D w124 for daily use I think that the 124 is already a new Mercedes. The design of the rear, that we can see even in todays 4 door models, the plastics and the fact that the 124 have almost no chroms (Mercedes did one restyling in the late 80's and recover the trims in the doors and fenders with a tiny little chrom) but I think that the idea does not gone. I love the 124, but I think that they are already different than one 123 or 126.

Hi, what's your opinion of the W202 C43?

'94 E300TD (aka S124)... does that count too? (645,000 km)

... ......myself, , but I am stymied by the Complexity of the W211 (although I am still willing to try).

Another cool video . I am amazed by all the great and different body styles m.b. put out. Pierre' this is Robert in idaho. Do you know if the interior from a 1992 300e w124 Will work in my 1987 300d w124. I found a complete black leather interior that is like new At a good price I would I would like to put in my car but not sure it will work. It looks like it would fit dashboard is perfect and looks the same as well as door cards and seats. I figured if anyone would know it would be you. This interior would look 1000 times better than the palomino mb tex.

'98 W210 e320 because it was cheap and in very good shape. Many miles 285k. 51 and all my life have driven old cars for a couple of years or more until they disintegrate. Now I'm here watching MBZ videos. Might not be my last one. I'm not scared of them anymore (because of what people say). They're cars, not monsters. 😆

I have a R107 300 sl from 1987 which has the same engine as a W124 300 E. I hope it will last forever 🙂

I have a 1980 300 SD. Love it. But it may be time to sell it. I want it to go to a good loving home.

What do you think about the early AMG cars? About 99 to 2006 or 2007? Or the particular models in those years?

Jumped from 300se to -04 w211 320cdi.

I have a 2000 clk 320 cabriolet with 150000 k's and enjoy it...but yes sometimes i feel as though its a slow restoration, although it really is just the little things that go like switches, or some wiring. It still has the solid road feel of the some of the older models as it is quite a heavy car. To be honest if there was a P. Hedary here in Melbourne Australia i would pick the classic i like and buy one . great channel thankyou !!

this is what worries me about my 95 c220 she has some quirks that need addressed and well i am not sure how much i will tackle myself...

I’m lucky enough to have a 87 300D and a 300SEL (W126) and both are nothing like anything else on the road

I miss my 1983 300D

I drive a 1983 300SD and a 1993 500SL. In my view, BOTH are classics because they’re both pre-1995...and the R129 may indeed be the 1st “modern” Mercedes-Benz but is still based on the W124 chassis. Any pre-1995 R129 is a bulletproof, indestructible tank of a roadster, especially with the M119 engine. The later M113 equipped R129 cars are probably the ACTUAL 1st “Modern” Mercedes-Benz cars.

Classic is best I have one

Here are some questions you have to ask. 1. Was your Mercedes-Benz new during Joe Mantegna (David Rossi from Criminal Minds) time as voice of MB commercials? 2. Was your Mercedes-Benz new during Richard Thomas (Frank Gaad from The Americans) time as voice of MB commercials? 3. Was your Mercedes-Benz new during Jon Hamm (Don Draper from Mad Men) (incumbent) time as voice of MB commercials? If the answer to either question is yes, than your Mercedes is modern, not classic/vintage.

Very informative Pierre.. Please, can you ask the camera guy to use a tripod? It is a bit distracting when the camera swings all over the place. I don't like to criticize, but I think people would appreciate it. Thanks John:)

I love old Mercedes cars. In fact I love most older vehicles without all the electronic stuff on them,but there are some people who think it's irresponsible of me to want to drive these things on a regular basis due to concerns over pollution,safety etc. I don't like new cars but I have to admit that they run cleaner and are safer both for the driver and others in the event of an accident.

I would go up to W210 as far as Mercedes cars I like. After that, they lost their visual Mercedes-ness. But W186 Adenauer is a dream car of mine. And a similar 300s Cabriolet.

👍🏻

Cascade failures are the death of new Benz. The older classics do not suffer computer crap out that forces you to send them to the PnP

Infinite serviceability of classics / Finite serviceability for moderns. That would apply to just about every other brand, more or less.

I see you decided to wear your finest shorts for the camera. Classy.

👍

The W203 are emblematic of a modern Mercedes.. now 15+ years old, prices are bottoming out. You can conceivably put 300k miles on the engine. At that point it’s cheaper to find another W203 than to rebuild the engine.

I would never sell my 1988 Cabernet Red 1988 560SL with a full euro conversion. I have period correct Zender wheels I’m putting on. It’s dropped on H&R sport shocks and Bilstein’s. I can’t seem to get the front sittin right. It’s a tad low for my taste. The rear is perfect. What’s your email? I want to send you pics so you can help me. Thank you and I love your channel!!

I sold my W107 500SL with only 33000 English miles and the roof had never seen the sun, I regret every momentI thought about it. I came to my senses a year ago and spend more money buying back a pristine low milage W123 280CE, this I do not regret its such a well built car drives differently to the w107 Classic Mercedes are well worth the money as mentioned above the golden era of Mercedes benz stops between 1990 and 2000 Every km I now make with the Mercedes , the three point star in front of the bonnet is leading my way totally addictive

The w126 was the last great Mercedes when the Board of Directors were ex engineers and not accountants. The failed merger with Chrysler really infested the brand with a sense of cheapness. The same thing has happened to BMW. Built in obsolescence to make things fail after a few years.

Dido …. I have both old and new Merc’s . The less transistors the more mechanical the car becomes. All that harness wire is extra weight. Which makes old Merc’s easier to service and more fun tossed about. New Merc’s need to phone home … Out spits part number and repair schedule! But no communication, no Buck Rogers. Wire is not your friend! RJ W140 C107 W210 Estate

I have not so well English and "lost" in all those "124", "98", blah-blah... Pierre, could you put in description, how I can tell for sure the Merc is "classic" or "box full of computers"?

I wish your videos were longer.

Pierre: What is your address in Titusville?

Because i am much older from you, and i have a 380 sl 1985 107 the biggest difference is in the build of the car, in the materials you have to tach to feel the difference, and for the Pearson who does the video see the cars you have there and i will draw your attention to the metal on the exterior of the body, around the windows and the wind screen the bombers, just to give you an idea all that metal cost thousands of pounds

For me it started around 1990

I'm not so sure. Since the beginning of motoring, German taxi drivers (still among the company's best customers) have been complaining how the last model was the "last proper Mercedes" and how everything is going downhill now. I personally remember these moans from the mid-eighties when they complained about the "new-fangled W124" versus the W123. I'm driving a 1993 SL 320 which I'd still count as one of the reliable and durable ones - and personally, I'd rather say that the first model years of the W140 chassis were pretty bullet proof and that quality woes with this model started around 1996 with the Schrempp-era rust problems. Yes, things do get more complex in every aspect of life - so why shouldn't cars? You expect them to be fuel efficient, extremely safe, to navigate you around in ambient temparatures, not to hurt the environment more than necessary AND not to be much more expensive (adjusting for inflation) than in earlier days - so how can you expect to fix such a miracle with a wrench and a hammer?

I have my w116 and when I drive another car, feels terrible!

1988 300se in maroon over light tan with 43000 miles from a used classic dealer in Naples Florida. $19,900??? It's beautiful but not sure if they're worth 20K...

The last true Mercedes Benz is the w124. In my opinion any Benz without an oil pressure gauge isn't a real Mercedes.

The big problem in America is the quality of fuel in comparison to Europe, maintenance schedules in US are far too long.