Don't rule out Mercedes-Benz just because your budget for a second or third or fourth car is $10,000, or even $2,500. With all the attention on value for the dollar these days, Mercedes-Benz has much more to offer than prestige. Peter Drucker, the business economist, once observed that used cars are one of America's most effective methods of redistribution of wealth to the less affluent. Automobiles simply don't wear out as fast as they depreciate. In Mercedes-Benz case, some never wear out, and eventually reappreciate in value. Here are some models we take a very serious look at whenever we're in the market:
Also, a higher percentage of Mercedes-Benz owners (than of other makes) sell their used car(s) privately... so this helps your chances of communicating directly with the real owner/seller to learn more personally about a car. Hopefully the seller has saved the more significant service invoices, and can assure you of an accident-free life, original paint, or other virtues. This is no substitute for getting the car on a hoist for a thorough inspection, and probably a compression check of the engine by a disinterested mechanic. Sellers are only as candid as they can afford to be and still get their cars sold.
These price ranges are wide because condition differs even more. Middle-priced cars are often the biggest trick to judge. Lower priced cars generally can't hide their faults, and high priced cars usually come with glowing credentials... plenty of invoices, documented low mileage, etc. Middle priced cars usually look pretty good. Unfortunately minor dents or scratches in paint, chrome or glass cost as much to fix as bigger dents & scratches. Also if anything has been done unauthentically, it might as well not have been done at all, as doing it over can be more expensive than doing it right the first time. The point here isn't to avoid middle price cars, but to take nothing for granted. Inspect. Inspect on a hoist. Inspect with assistants. You may still make the purchase, but you'll know exactly what you're buying.
Bottom Line: Cars can become timeless, permanent assets. Picking ageless styling and durable engineering (the manufacturer's role) is the first step. Putting the vehicle on a conscientious maintenance plan (owner's role) will make the car last as long as your house. Maybe longer.
- John R. Olson, Editor, SL MARKET LETTER Return to the Sample Articles Index 
(Source: SL Market Letter #201)
Years
BuiltModelBody TypeLikely Price
Range $5 Year
PotentialComment
'73 - '76
250/280C
Coupes
3,500 - 7,500
+/- 25%
Distinctive driver
'58 - '60
220S\SE
Sedans
3,000 - 9,500
+/- 25%
Funky extra car
'78 - '82
280CE 2.8\6
Coupes
3,900 - 12,000
+/- 0
Sporty and practical
'69 - '72
300SE/L 3.5 V8
Sedans
4,000 - 10,000
+ 15%
Cross btwn 3.0 & 6.3
'71 - '72
300SE/L 4.5 V8
Sedans
4,000 - 11,000
+ 15%
Substitute for 6.3
'83 - '87
300TD Turbo Diesel
Wgns
4,000 - 10,000
+/- 0
W123 & W124 Vrsns
'83 - '85
300CD Turbo Diesel
Cpe
5,000 - 12,000
+/- 0
Sportiest old Diesel
'60 - '65
220SEb
Coupes
7,000 - 13,000
+ 50%
Old car lovers drvr
'65 - '67
250SE/280SE
Coupes
8,000 - 20,500
+ 50%
"
'58 - '60
220SE
Coupes
11,000 - 28,000
+ 50%
Great wood & seats
'62 - '67
300SE
Coupes
9,500 - 20,000
+ 50%
60's Hi-tech lxry
'71 - '80
350SL
Rdstr 3.5 w/manual
7,000 - 18,000
+ 25%
Pre-cat 200+hp mdl
'71 - '80
450SL
350/450 Rdstr, Atmtc
7,000 - 17,000
0/+10%
Remarkably ageless
'85 - '87
190 16v
Sport Sedans
8,500 - 20,000
+ 25%
USA & Euro variants
'70 - '71
280SE 3.5
Coupe, Lw hood
10,500 - 25,000
+ 50%
Modern, fast old car
'70 - '71
280SE
Coupe, Lw hood
8,000 - 22,000
+25%
Old car lover's driver
'70 - '71
250SE
Convert w/Lw hood
31,000 - 60,000
+ 35%
Extremely rare
'70 - '71
280SE 3.5
Cnvrt w/Lw hood
45,000 - 95,000
+ 35%
Best of the 111 series
'69 - '72
300SEL 6.3 V8
Sedans
7,000 - 30,000
+ 50%
Hi fun & maintenance
'81 - '86
500SEC
4 Pass Coupes
9,000 - 18,000
0/-10%
Euro model, ABS
'85 - '86
300SD/L Diesel
Sedans
5,500 - 9,000
+/- 0
World's most lux diesels
'76 - '80
6.9 SEL 6.9 V8
Sedans
8,500 - 30,000
+ 50%
M-Bs answer to 747
'63 - '71
230/250/280SL
Roadsters
17,000 - 55,000
+ 100%
280, 20/30% higher
'80 - '86
500SL
Euro-versions
12,000 - 20,000
0/ -25%
Euro sleeper w/ABS
'55 - '63
190SL
Roadsters
15,000 - 60,000
+ 50%
Pst 58, 15% higher $
'60 - '65
220SEb
4 Pass. Convertibles
22,000 -45,000
+ 50%
Old car lovers drvr
'86 - '89
560SL
2 Pass. Convertibles
15,000 - 35,000
+/- 0
In price plateau
'85 - '91
560SEC
4 Pass. Coupes
9,000 - 23,000
+/- 0
Great, but young
'65 - '69
250/280SE
Convertibles
20,000 - 40,000
+ 50%
Hearty Milestone
'62 - '67
300SE
Convertibles
20,000 - 40,000
+ 50%
Not for novices
'58 - '60
220S/SE
Convertibles
18,000 - 60,000
+ 50%
Style, wood, leather
'51 - '55
220
Cpe & Convertible
40,000 - 85,000
+ 25%
Classy city car
'64 - '68
600
5 Pass. Sedans
18,500 - 65,000
+ 50%
For graduates only
'57 - '63
300SL Ro
Roadsters
190,000 - 380,000
+ 50%
Ultimate Roadster
'54 - '57
300SL Gullwing
Coupe
250,000 - 450,000
+ 50%
Ultimate Sports Cpe
'54 - '56
300SL Alloy Body
Coupe
700,000 - 1,000,000
+ 50%
Rarest Post 40 M-B
Another thing which makes finding nice old Mercedes possible is the cross-section of people that buy them. Roughly one in every five was purchased new by a family that already had enough cars. As a consequence some M-B get conspicuously under-utilized. Conversely, at least one in five M-B get extremely high use, and high mileage; these are the repainted "auction specials" that appear on used car lots without histories. You might be told some doctor owned the car... but when you ask to chat with the doctor, they never seem to find his phone number. Pristine cars often don't reach used cars lots. They are the cars that the employees at dealerships snatch up for themselves & their families. They do get sold to the public, if you make it clear that that's the only thing you'll buy. Salesmen act like all their cars fit your objectives, but leave your name & phone number. About the time you give up a salesman worth his commission will call with the most perfect thing you ever saw.