Mercedes-Benz upped the ante in 1998 in its ongoing battle with BMW’s M3. Taking advantage of its newly acquired majority stake in German tuner AMG, they dropped a 4.3-liter V8 engine into its compact C-Class sedan. This gave it an over 60-horsepower advantage over the E36 M3 (US models with the comparatively anemic S52 motor), propelling the Baby Benz to 60 mph in under six seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. These figures are comparable to the M3 and would have likely benefitted from a manual gearbox (not available on US models). Best of all, the performance is cradled in the comforts of a Mercedes-Benz.
The W202 C43 AMG is relatively rare with less than 1,500 coming off the line (the first AMG car to be built entirely at the Mercedes-Benz factory). This compares to over 12,000 E36 M3 sedans, which Hagerty values at $47,700 in No 2 condition. The MY2000s are particularly rare, with only 91 built, and they have the added benefit of the 5G-Tronic Speedshift auto-manual gearbox. But a C43 AMG from any production year would be a unique and enjoyable motoring investment.
What’s special about this car is not only what it is—an impeccably maintained W116 S-Class that has was driven sparingly by a single family over 45,000 miles—but what it isn’t. It’s not a 450 and it’s not a longer wheelbase SEL.
What it has are the original books, tools, Becker Europa, and complete service records dating back to 1977. What it doesn’t have is the 4.5 (or 6.9) liter V8. It has the stalwart M110 2.8-liter inline six. It doesn’t have the Bundt alloy wheels. It has steelies with hubcaps painted in the same Medium Red as the pristine and original body. It doesn’t have leather upholstery. It has Bamboo MB-Tex in likewise pristine and original condition.
What it has is a history dating back to the New York Auto Show before being purchased by the seller’s grandfather. There would be know way to drive, or even sit in, a car like this and not feel its soul. It’s on the MB Market where bidding is underway at $5,000, ending January 19, 2023 at 05:25 p.m.
AFFALTARBACH, Germany (January 12, 2023) – To mark the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season, Mercedes-AMG is presenting a special model of the SL 63 4MATIC+ (combined fuel consumption: 13.2–12.8 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 300‑291 g/km)[1]. It reflects the look of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E PERFORMANCE racing car. The colour graduation from high-tech silver metallic to obsidian black metallic is inspired by the model from the top class of motorsport. The same is true of the star pattern on the vehicle flanks and the PETRONAS-coloured contrasts: these can be found on the front apron, side sill panels and rear diffuser. Added to this are 21-inch AMG 10-twin-spoke forged wheels in a matt black finish with PETRONAS-coloured rim flanges. The electric soft top is in black. Continue reading
Every so often, a carmaker puts out a model that is an answer to a question no one was asking. But once experienced, it becomes unforgettable. The MINI Coupé, Land Rover Evoque Cabriolet, and the recent Porsche 911 Safari are good examples of that.
The Crossblade was a concept car at the 2001 Geneva Auto Show, a less-is-more design study. However, after overwhelmingly positive public response, Smart—in a surprisingly bold move—produced 2,000 units the following year. Its turbocharged three-cylinder Mercedes-Benz powerplant was tuned by Brabus and never have 70 horsepower felt so bonkers.
For perhaps obvious reasons, they were never sold in the US but a handful did manage to come over. Every couple of years one of those comes on the market. This one—complete with US title—is all the more unique in that its zaniness was kept to less than 1,500 kilometres. Find it on Cars and Bids with bidding currently at $30,000. Auction ends January 9th at 1:38 PM EST.
STUTTGART (January 4, 2023) – The Mercedes-Benz Classic overview of key dates in 2023: numerous vehicle models celebrate anniversaries, as do motorsport successes and corporate events. Mercedes-Benz Classic will be reporting on these and other topics as the year unfolds. In addition, the regularly published “Classic Notes” and the “Classic Motorsport Newsletter” will feature further anniversaries from the corporate, product and motorsport history of Mercedes-Benz, as well as important birthdays.
1 to 20 January 1983 (40 years ago): Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur won the Paris–Dakar Rally in a Mercedes-Benz 280 GE
20 to 26 January 1963 (60 years ago): The Ewy Rosqvist / Ursula Wirth team won the women’s classification of the Monte Carlo Rally in the Mercedes-Benz 220 SE rally car
28 January 1938 (85 years ago): World record set by Rudolf Caracciola on the Frankfurt-Darmstadt motorway at 432.7 km/h. This record remained unbroken for 79 years
9 February 1998 (25 years ago): The first A-Class vehicles equipped with ESP® as standard left the assembly line
23 February 1928 (95 years ago): Hans Herrmann born in Stuttgart. He was a works driver in the 1950s when Mercedes-Benz re-entered motorsport
4 to 14 March 1993 (30 years ago): The Mercedes-Benz 500 GE V8 special model celebrated its premiere at the Geneva Motor Show – a harbinger of later G models with V8 engines
5 to 15 March 1998 (25 years ago): The CLK Cabriolet (208 model series) and the E 55 AMGEstate (210 model series) were unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show
14 to 24 March 1963 (60 years ago): Mercedes-Benz presented the 230 SL (W 113). The “Pagoda” was the world’s first sports car with a safety body
1 May to 31 October 1893 (130 years ago): Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft exhibited the first operational automobile in the USA, at the Chicago World Fair
10 May 1993 (30 years ago): Presentation of the first Mercedes-Benz C-Class (202 model series). At the same time, all passenger car models were given the new nomenclature
2 July 1903 (120years ago): Camille Jenatzy won the Gordon Bennett race in a private Mercedes-Simplex 60 hp – instead of the fire-damaged new 90 hp works racing car
13 to 21 August 1983 (40 years ago): The Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (W 201) set three world records and nine class records in Nardò
27 to 31 August 1963 (60 years ago): The Spa–Sofia–Liège Rally was won by Eugen Böhringer and Klaus Kaiser in the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (W 113)
8 September 1953 (70 years ago): Mercedes-Benz presented the 180 model (W 120) to the press. The “Ponton” saloon was an important new design of the post-war period
9 September 1923 (100 years ago): The Benz Tropfen racing car, the world’s first competition car with a mid-engine, achieved success at Monza
9 to 19 September 1993 (30 years ago): The C 36 AMG, E 36 AMG, E 60 AMG and SL 60 AMG were unveiled at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main
9 to 21 September 2003 (20 years ago): The SLR McLaren high-performance sports car (199 model series) and the Vision CLS study premiered at the International Motor Show (IAA)/
12 September 1898 (125 years ago): Delivery of the Daimler “Phoenix car” with 9 kW (8 hp) 2.1-litre engine. It was the world’s first automobile with a four-cylinder engine
12 to 22 September 1963 (60 years ago): The Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100) had its sensational debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main
1 to 11 October 1998 (25 years ago): The 220-series Mercedes-Benz S-Class celebrated its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show
4 to 14 October 1928 (95 years ago): The Mercedes-Benz 18/80 hp Nürburg 460 (W 02) was the brand’s first passenger car with an eight-cylinder in-line engine. World premiere in Paris
1 November 1998 (25 years ago): Following his victory in Suzuka, Mika Häkkinen became the Formula One World Champion. The constructors’ championship went to Team West McLaren-Mercedes
19 November 1968 (55 years ago): Mercedes-Benz presented the coupés of the 114 model series (“Stroke/8”) in Hockenheim
22 December 1913 (110 years ago): With a modified version of the “Blitzen-Benz”, L. G “Cupid” Hornsted set two world records at Brooklands
23 December 1953 (70 years ago): The Mercedes-Benz 220 Coupé (W 187) entered the product range, establishing the brand’s tradition of luxury-class coupé.
While the Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolets (W111) have been a blue-chip mainstay of the collector car world for several years, their hardtop counterparts have been steadily gaining interest. Quality examples, like our pick today, are now well into six figures as well. This one is a solid No 2 with an impressive 72,000 original miles and all its original manuals. It has the Behr AC unit, central locking and power windows. The paint, brightwork, glass, leather and wood all look to have been well cared for. It simply exudes exudes elegance. Find it at Victory Motorcars for a reasonable $154,900.
The limited edition series Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture is a collectible piece designed for select occasions. Merging the aesthetics presented earlier this year, but now with new meticulous design details that elevate the customer experience, Mercedes-Maybach presented the new model for the first time during an event in Dubai on December 12, 2022. The vehicle was revealed following a curated fashion show by local couture designer Atelier Zuhra in the presence of VIP guests, media and influencers. Continue reading
Despite its 17-year run and nearly a quarter million made, the Mercedes-Benz R107 continues to make double-digit gains in value year-to-year across all condition categories. These are led by the later 560 and early small- bumper 350/450 models. Low-mileage, well-sorted examples routinely approach or eclipse $40,000. Here’s a chance to get in on the hot market with an exceptionally well-maintained, relatively low-mileage SL—that has stayed in one family since new—for less than half that. It’s a pretty combination too in its triple blue with the classic bundt wheels. Find it here on Craigslist for a look-rich-cheap $18,900.
It’s not unusual to come across a 123 wagon (or estate) in the form of a 300TD Turbodiesel. There were nearly 37,000 of them built and with their stalwart motors and build quality, many are still on the road. You might even occasionally spot the lovely petrol-motored coupés. Finding a wagon with the legendary M130 fuel-injected inline six, now that is unusual. Pair that with a 5-speed manual gearbox and you’ve got something really special.
This one is a European model (no petrol wagons were ever offered by MB NA) with a clean California title, having spent all but 6,800 of its 190,000 miles in the States. That is a fair amount of miles, but it has an impeccable service history and looks to have been meticulously cared for. Paint, brightwork and glass look to be very good and proper for a nearly 38-year-old car. The interior shows some typical 123 cracking in the dash (a fitted dash cover is included in the sale) as well as spidering in the wood trim but all appropriate for the age. The Thistle Green exterior suits it perfectly (as does the svelte Euro bumper) and makes for a nice combination with the beige leather interior.
It is on The MB Market with a current bid of $10,250 with four days to go.
Update [19:45 12/13/2022]: bidding closed at $17,000 with no sale.
The S-Class has always played an important role for Mercedes-AMG. More than 50 years ago, the founders proved they could transform a luxury sedan into a very sporty vehicle with the Swabian spirit of innovation. The performance and sports car brand from Affalterbach set its first milestone in 1971 with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG. Today, the new Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE with AMG performance hybrid technology once again sets the benchmark in the segment. The E PERFORMANCE model combines the Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine with an AMG-specific hybrid powertrain and a new expansion stage of the AMG high-performance battery (HPB). The new HPB 150 is based on the high- performance and directly cooled battery cells of the well-known HPB 80. The energy content increases from 6.1 kWh in the HPB 80 to 13.1 kWh in the HPB 150.
