How Mercedes-Benz was seen in the 80s

[wgerman]

Came across this on IG, its a video montage of Mercedes Benzes on the then hit show Miami Vice back in the 80s. Miami Vice introduced the world to AMG (when it was an independent tuner). It was the car the Drug Dealers arrived in. Model S was the car you drove or be driven in if you were in the C suite. The Brand was untouchable then. This is before the Chrysler buyout fiasco, before Lexus arrived and put a dent in North American sales. and the cheapening of materials.

JP on Instagram: "Mercedes boy. #mercedes #mercedesbenz #80s #miami"

4,577 likes, 45 comments - miamivice.art on January 12, 2025: "Mercedes boy. #mercedes #mercedesbenz #80s #miami".

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[trader1]

In the 80s, owning any mb put you in another league in terms of perceived status. The whole proposition was just so special. Pinstripes, and numerous nifty features that were way ahead of their time and competitors. Not to mention the safety and tech. Abs, asr, later esp. airbags , hsla steel. Fit, finish and tactile feel just give me the butterflies. “Engineered like no other car in the world.”

 

[Rolf]

Now you made me very nostalgic. Here are some Mercedes ads from the 70s and 80s.

 

[Merc1]

Calling the S-Class a model S is downright terrible.

M

 

[Rolf]

Calling the S-Class a model S is downright terrible.

M

Having a carb 280S model was getting yourself into the entry level of S-class driving, but it was notably slower than the 280SE, which was considered from a performance and economy combination the best model in the W116 range. I think the 280SE was also the best selling model of both W116 and W126 ranges.

 

[Design FIRST]

Refering to M-Bs home market...

W126 S-Class: The undisputed luxury heavyweight champion...until...the presentation of the BMW E32 7 series in the fall of 1986.

W123/S123: An icon of robust mechanical acumen and superb assembly quality. And it became all the better of an automobile following the late 1979 and late 1982 MOPFs. Huge unprecedented sales success for the brand. Also unprecedented delivery times.

W201 and W/S/C 124: Cars that ushered a departure from what the brand had been presenting previously. In several aspects. Ridden of various bugs and niggles following their respective fall 1988 and fall 1989 MOPFs. Very successful in terms of unit sales.

R107 SL: Already long in tooth and becoming an automobile associated with affluent mature-agers and the wives of affluent medical and law professionals. Succeeded by the R129 at the end of the decade-an automobile that massively changed previous perceptions regarding the SL model line. With the R129, the SL once again became "very cool", "very hip" and very desirable.

G-Class: THE small military vehicle for most western European armed forces. Also a favourite of affluent outdoors people, especially hunters.

 

[Merc1]

Having a carb 280S model was getting yourself into the entry level of S-class driving, but it was notably slower than the 280SE, which was considered from a performance and economy combination the best model in the W116 range. I think the 280SE was also the best selling model of both W116 and W126 ranges.

I would say the 300SE was the best driving of the W126 range. I will never forget the smoothness and elevator like thrust of that I6 in the short wheelbase. These cars were just perfection on wheels. Simple, elegant, quality, reliable, safe, drove like money.

M

 

[trader1]

I would say the 300SE was the best driving of the W126 range. I will never forget the smoothness and elevator like thrust of that I6 in the short wheelbase. These cars were just perfection on wheels. Simple, elegant, quality, reliable, safe, drove like money.

M

The 300sd pulled great on the highway from 45-90mph

 

[wgerman]

I remember that test track in MB's commercials back then. Is that track still in use?

 

[Rolf]

I remember that test track in MB's commercials back then. Is that track still in use?

Yes it is still used till this day to test new cars.

The skid pad of the test track at the Untertürkheim plant, made up of concentric rings with different surface finishes. Photograph from 1984.

A Mercedes-Benz 123-series Saloon drives through a water basin on the test track.

In the high-bank curve of the test track: a Mercedes-Benz Saloon from the 201 model series, an S-Class Saloon from the 126 model series and an O 303 touring coach, 1984.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan on the test track in Untertürkheim: Model series W 112, W 109, W 116, W 126 (from left).

High-bank curve and "Heide" section: Test track in Untertürkheim. | Mercedes-Benz Group

Storm-swept motorways, slippery wet tracks or bumpy country roads – scenarios that can be replicated on one track: the company's test track in Untertürkheim.

group.mercedes-benz.com

 

[kiki voinea]

Crazy how the South African Rand was back in that day around 1:1 with the USD....

Adjusted for the US inflation , this would have been around 160.000

But adjusted for SA inflation , this would have been 1.700.000...Damn

 

[Rolf]

Crazy how the South African Rand was back in that day around 1:1 with the USD....

Adjusted for the US inflation , this would have been around 160.000

But adjusted for SA inflation , this would have been 1.700.000...Damn

The Rand Dollar exchange rate has been hovering around R18 to the dollar for the last couple of years, those were the days when it was worth something.

 

[Merc1]

You gotta have balls, nerve and skill to drive that bus on that track like that. Yikes.

M

 

[Serpens]

It never ceases to amaze me at just how expensive Mercedes were in the U.S.

 

[Merc1]

I think the W140 was like the biggest shock ever in 1992 when the 300SE costs more than the outgoing 560SEL. I also remember the 1988 300CE being a sticker shock moment. R129 500SL too.

M

 

[Yaz]

Back when it was just C, E, S and their variants.