Fantasy MB Garage

[EDMB500]

Don’t know if the members here are into such things as fantasising about what cars you’d like to own but maybe you are

having grown up with a W201 it kind of engrained a love of 80s/90s mercedes from an early age - it just always felt special riding around in it

For me, the 036 is a massive deal and to have one, albeit not back from the workshop yet, is a real pinch myself moment

the others I would like to add at some point are
W202 c36 amg
R129 SL600

The sl600 I remember from a car show as a teenager and being just in awe of it. The c36 I never liked growing up, couldn’t come to terms with the triangle rear lights, but now I dig it. I think these have both become quite iconic

have any members had these and care to share their experience or are there any grail cars you are hoping to add?

all the best Ed

 

[Dunnik]

Well, fortunately already have one of them

Plus:

W113 "Pagoda"
R129 S600
W110 "Finnie"
AMG GT S
540K Roadster
460 G-Wagen

 

[Glen]

The .036 is pretty much it for me but I do still have a W201 which has a great deal of sentimental value.

 

[gerryvz]

My MB fantasy garage has contained exactly what I have wanted it to: Gen 2 C126 (since 2002); W124.036 (since 2003); and W463.231 (since 2014).

I have extensively driven and owned plenty of other MBs that some consider 'fantasy' MBs -- R107, R113, 6.3, 6.9, W108, V126 x 2, and more. I have a modern MB on order from the factory that will add to the fantasy garage, and I expect I'll add other 'fantasy' models in the future, but to be honest I'm pretty happy and have been for a long time with what I have and where I'm at.

For me, my fantasy garage is more about the enjoyment of owning and working on the cars, and less about how fast they go or how much money they are worth. If my E500 never gains another dollar in value, I'm totally down with that. I have arrived at a mix of MBs that I can comfortably enjoy and maintain and repair as needed, along with the expertise (and parts) to do so.

Would I kick a @captruff-quality 190E 2.3-16 out of my garage? Probably not right away. But it's also likely I wouldn't hang onto it forever. Would I someday buy a Gullwing or 300SL roadster? Nope. Or a Pagoda? Well, I have driven a restored one in the Alps and Dolomites almost every year for the past 10 years. Fun to have that experience, but not enough love that I "have" to have my own Pagoda.

For me the journey is the reward, not the double-take that people do when they see a shiny car.

 

[outrbnks]

I would go for a 280SE coupe...

 

[msq]

the others I would like to add at some point are
W202 c36 amg
R129 SL600

C36 is a great car, but I suggest a C43 instead, very much the same car but with 8 cylinder AMG/MB engine and great exhaust note. It's a very "jumpy" car in a good way with uniform torque.
Triangle taillights on both cars was not my favorite either.

 

[alabbasi]

I would not mind enhancing it with a W111 280SE 3.5 Cab, 300SL Gullwing and AMG GT

 

[Jimbo]

I had a 1998 SL600 for a bit....felt like a baller driving in it; neat car but terribly expensive to keep up though. Wasn't all that impressed with the V12 in that chassis either. It was an AMG Sport model though which was plus and my favorite colors for a SL, silver over black.

I'd much rather have a R129 SL320 to be honest....with a 5-speed manual.

 

[TerryA]

My 500E is my fantasy come true. I’ve had other MBs in the past including a 1957 190SL that I bought for my wife in 1978 for $5,800. I worked on it more than she drove it. It spent about 2 years in my garage while i rebuilt the engine. It had two tours in the body shop. One was a serious accident (mine) that kept it out of action for about 6 months waiting for a spindle from Mercedes. Second time my wife hit a guard rail transitioning an off ramp in a hailstorm. In our 10 years of ownership I replaced almost all mechanical parts piece by piece from the radiator to the rear end. It got re-painted reupholstered. In 88 or 89 we sold it for $19K to 3 Japanese men who put it on a plane to Japan the next day. They paid cash with 19 brand new 10 packs of $100 bills. IMOP, It was always going to be a Driver unless MB Classic Center restored it. Bottom line here was the build quality shined thru despite all of the issues it had.

That little 190SL started my love affair with Mercedes Benz. From there it was a 1964 Euro 220SEb coupe Polar White/Black 4 speed. Had the Euro one piece headlights. It sat in a German friend of mine’s warehouse under cardboard boxes for 10 years. After installing a new battery and putting a few gallons of gas in it it started immediately. I replaced all of the brakes, put some new Michelin tires on it and drove it for about two years. It drove perfectly (the steering was tight and did NOT wander all over the road as someone suggested these old MBs did) Anyway, I loved that car but at the time could not afford to restore it. Although the interior leather was in perfect condition the threads holding it all together was rotted. I sold it for $4,500 in the early 90s. Still kicking myself over that one.

After that it been 1967 230 Finnie, a 1986 300E a 1984 Euro 107 500SL (still have it) and finally my 1993 500E since October 2004. My only regret is I would have liked to have owned a C36 and a real fantasy car for me would be a 124 E60

At 77 it will be my last Benz. I don’t know if I would describe it as a “Fantasy Garage” but more like a 40 year “Love Affair” with Mercedes.

 

[outrbnks]

Terry, Thanks for sharing the history of your fleet... Of all your cars the 64 coupe to me is the pinnacle of style and class and I understand your flashback to a younger year mistake.. I let a 67 C3 coupe go a long time ago myself, thinking then the C4 I replaced it with was more appealing, what a mistake...! Anyway a 190SL and a 64 220SEb coupe... at least you did more than just dream.... wow...

 

[Gatorblue92]

I'm also extremely happy with my current fleet. My 240D is a car which has been in the family since new and its a forever car and my new 034 is a completely rust free car with an extensive maintenance history and "good bones." I would add a 93 036 (I prefer the pre facelift) and a E63 wagon as my "bucket list" Mercedes which are actually financially realistic.

 

[036]

CLK GTR.

 

[maw1124]

Besides the E5E and the S55, I’d add a 6.3 and a CLK 63 Black, maybe a CL65 Anniversary Edition, probably in that order. If those aren’t available (and they likely won’t be), I’ll settle for a R230 SL 63 in the right color combo. And when all else fails, any of these pictured below, while we're dreaming...

maw

 

[PJmak]

CLK Black series for sure for me next to my w203 c55 and w202 c43.

Id love a c36 and a 190e cosworth

 

[gsxr]

I'd be happy with the twin-turbo M119-powered Sauber C9 parked next to my Chiron.

Sauber C9 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[S70/2]

I'd like a nice w140.135 for when the sauber C9 is being detailed and the MP4/10 is too loud

 

[PJmak]

 

[sheward]

+3 on the CLK black, which I could possibly afford if there's still room for another tent under the bridge.

drew

 

[msq]

+3 on the CLK black, which I could possibly afford if there's still room for another tent under the bridge.

drew

I'll come down and do some panhandling for the $$ and bring one of those small propane/camper burners to cook popcorn under the bridge if it will potentially yield money for the CLK Black

 

[TerryA]

Besides the E5E and the S55, I’d add a 6.3 and a CLK 63 Black, maybe a CL65 Anniversary Edition, probably in that order. If those aren’t available (and they likely won’t be), I’ll settle for a R230 SL 63 in the right color combo. And when all else fails, any of these pictured below, while we're dreaming...

maw

I could go for that yellow SLS 63

BUT I really don’t need;

a “ROCKET” in “Give Me a Ticket Yellow”

 

[Rouven036]

I'm pretty happy with what I got till now. Maybe a CLK GTR to round things off would do it lol.

 

[195910]

CLK GTR.

Ark, yes I agree CLK GTR and of course the 300SL gullwing are the ultimate Dream garage. But that's where they both stay.. in the Garage!

 

[JC220]

I have a few of my dream cars already (500E & S600 Bi Turbo) but still a good few more to get. A V12 C140 and r129 V12 would be nice to add and a 190 Cosworth will definitely be added in the next couple of years.