Benz’s Best > Top Ten Postwar Models
10) Geländewagen a.k.a. “G-Wagen” W460/461/463 (1979 – )
The ultimate survivor. Built to military spec., there’s solid reason why the UN and NGO peace organizations use the G-Wagen to get the job done. Utilitarian looks as timeless as the Range Rover County and Hummer H1.
9) S-Class W116 (1972-1979)
This solid, stolid generation of flagships included the legendary might-makes-right 450SEL 6.9. The classic three box German saloon, the 70′s S-Class rolls on as a great vestige of the marque’s grand heritage.
S-Class W140 (Sedan) (1991-1999)
Despite being chastised for running out of step with the times, the W140 saloons set the standard for the 90s. Big and beautiful, these chariots were commodious, luxurious, and represented the last generation of Mercedes sedans to embody the vaunted “vault-like” feel.
7) E Class W210 (1995-2002)
Not as solid as its W124 predecessor, but miles ahead in style. No other model in contemporary Mercedes history generated as much excitement or so revolutionized the marque as this generation E. Hugely popular, the line included the torque rich E55 AMG.
6) SL Class R230 (2002- )
Elegant yet sporty, the current generation SL embodies a classic blend of pure style. The SL is the most comfortable and luxurious roadster Mercedes-Benz has yet built and is also the most powerful. The SL55 and 65 AMG models lifted the bar on performance.
5) 300S W188 (1951-1958)
The start of the greatest flagship series the world has known. Subtle design belies solid quality and luxurious craftsmanship. The first of postwar Benz’s opened topped tourers stands as one of the 20th Century’s grandest.
4) SL Class R107 (1971-1989)
An icon for two generations. Greater than the previous W113 “Pagoda”, this roadster rolls with class, style, and substance. The 500SL and 560SL V8s produced performance times that rivaled Ferrari and Porsche. Among the ultimate boulevardiers of all time.
3) 250/280/300SE cabriolet W111/W112 (1961-1967)
Perhaps the best 2+2 convertible ever built. Precious few cars can rival the SE cabriolet’s classic panache. Instantly collectible and reliably solid, this generation will be remembered as among the finest cars Stuttgart ever built.
2) 300SL Gullwing and Roadster W198 (1954-1963)
Sex on wheels. The roadster may rank as the most beautiful car ever built. The Gullwing may rank as the most iconic Benz ever. The symbol of revival to postwar Germany’s auto industry. The straight-six’s performance set the bar for supercar performance for more than 30 years. It’s easy to justify six to seven figure price tags.
1) S Class W126 (Sedan and Coupe) (1979-1991)
The greatest generation. The longest lived S-Class and among the most commercially successful model lines in Mercedes history. Part of Benz’s golden era of over-engineering, the 80s S-Class rank among the most solid cars ever built. The 300SD, 500/560SEC, 500/560SEL are icons. Bruno Sacco’s grand sedan and coupe – penned in the 70s – influenced industry design through the 90s.
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
gotleib1 | Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
This is one list I can certainly agree with! I wonder how many of these cars are designed by Sacco. I read an interview of him a while back and he is one interesting and brilliant designer.
Adam | Feb 23, 2008 | Reply
Agree with everything except the W210. That model came at the start of MB’s reliability issues, and I’ve known people who’ve had some fairly serious problems with that generation. The W124 series was a much better car, even if it wasn’t as advanced styling-wise.
Gunnar Heinrich | Feb 23, 2008 | Reply
Sacco definitely drew the W126 and W140. The latter he later discredited as being two inches too tall. According to a recent article, he purchased a 560SEC to own.
The W210 did have reliability issues and wasn’t all that safe structurally in the onset. I agree that the W124 was a better made series and had legends of its own (500E, E320 Cabrio), if it were on this list it’d be number 11.
steane | Feb 23, 2008 | Reply
I agree with Gunnar’s list. I didn’t / don’t like the styling if the W140 but appreciate it for what it was.
J | Feb 24, 2008 | Reply
When I bought my C the service manager commented that that model had traditional MB reliability. The W140 & W210 were both in mid model cycle.
I’d leave the W140 off and replace it with the 250/300 S/SE of the late 60′s early 70′s and swap the W210 for the W124, which is a seminal model for MB.
Johannes Schlörb | Mar 2, 2008 | Reply
Very nice listing!
As for the speculations about Sacco, which came up: AFAIK he had already been involved in the design of the W116, although not in a leading position. From the 126 on he had been “Leiter der Hauptabteilung Stilistik” and had been in charge of the overall designs since just very recently, one might think if you look at this here: http://www.fuenfkommasechs.de/temp/bruno_sacco.jpg
As you can see, he apparently even designed the CLK, which is yet such a fresh face in the whole model line-up.
As for his 560SEC: he has already sold that one again in 2007, AFAIK. I’ve read about this in the forums of the official S-Class Club.