From the 3-wheeled Benz engine car revealed to the world in 1886 to the 1931 Mercedes-Benz 170, touted the first car of excellence, Mercedes-Benz has stood for the ultimate in extravagance. The 1950’s 300 SL Gullwing, called the world’s first supercar and the 220 sedan with a crumple-zone safety are both coveted classics today by collectors of used Mercedes-Benz or pre-owned vehicles, and Mercedes-Benz has maintained its image as the epitome of automotive opulence.
The 1963 600 Limousine, with V8 engine and 300HP, and the 300 SEL-Class that boasted speeds of zero to sixty out of seven seconds were classified as safe, quick extravagance cars. The 1970 S-Class opulent sedan introduced the first non-freezing stopping devices. 1980 brought the first airbags and traction control with the E-class 190. These models from 1950 through 1970 are coveted used Mercedes-Benz if classic car buyers can discover them.
Janis Joplin’s song from the 1970’s, Mercedes-Benz, was another poke at the car maker’s status, and after four decades the words have stood the test of time. Goodness Lord, would not you get me a Mercedes-Benz? Brand new, or even a used Mercedes-Benz, gives glad owners a car of value, safety and class.
Synonymous with class has a double meaning with Mercedes-Benz. Not just fitting as the definition: of top notch, integrity, status, or style; yet it has a rather long, and confusing to many, list of classes that their automobile styles fit into.
There are other sub-categories of classes that most Mercedes’ fans know about also: CL, CLS, GL, GLK, SL, and SLK, denoting extravagance coupe, 4-entryway, roadster and special or light in addition to other things.
Great used Mercedes GLC buys today include the 1985 Turbo Diesel, a car that some state lasts forever and can be converted to run bio-diesel or on vegetable oil. No air-bags in those years, yet since Mercedes-Benz was ahead of its time in the safety department, the car is solidly fabricated and one of the safest of the times. The 2002 E320 or E430 4-matic (all-wheel drive) is another coveted used Mercedes-Benz and was the last year for the W210 chassis. In 2003 the W211 chassis was introduced which had some early issues.
Other Used Mercedes available to be purchased and acceptable value buys are:
A 2011 E-Class, 8 cylinders convertible under 20,000 miles sells for about $59,995. A 2009 S-Class like the S63 can be purchased for around $66,995 and a 2007 M-Class, ML500, for $43.995. Great choices for college students and youngsters needing to impress: a 2004 E-Class, E320 4-matic with almost 100K miles, $16,995; 2000 E-Class, E430 or 2000 M-Class, ML320, both with well over 100K miles, yet can be purchased under $8,000.
After hoarding the automobile industry in excellence and quality, this automobile had somewhat of a decline in the late 1900’s and early 2000’s, and lost some ground in the Consumer Report and JD Power lists, however in 2007 there was a dramatic improvement again and they gained high ranks once more, surpassing adversary Toyota yet behind Lexus.