When you think of luxury brands, a few spring to mind instantly. Brands such as Mercedes-Benz, for example, which, on the face of it, are one of the leading lights when it comes to luxury sedans, saloons and SUVs. Alongside BMW and Audi, they create some of the most premium cars on the market that aren’t at Rolls-Royce-level prices.
However, things aren’t quite working out for the Silver Arrows at the moment. Its big EV gamble hasn’t paid off, quite literally, and cost-cutting measures are evident in quite a few of its cars. Sales have also been slow, and it announced in 2024 that it was rolling back on some of the plans it had formulated for EVs.
With a currently shaky reputation, is it even worth buying a modern Mercedes-Benz, or is there something else you can get? Fortunately, there is, and it’s still from Mercedes, as we think some of their older cars represent not only great value for money, but also a brilliant driving experience.
With some of its cars also known for rapid depreciation, you could get your hands on some classic Mercedes for a fraction of the cost of a new one. It could be the smartest investment you have ever made.
These Are the Mercedes-Benz Cars You Should Consider Buying
Let’s take a look at some of the Mercs you can get your hands on at a fraction of the price of a new one. A 2019 Mercedes-Benz S 560 was the top-of-the-range standard S-Class produced that model year. Under the hood, it had a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that made 463hp and 516lb-ft of torque.
Those are impressive numbers, and when new, the S-Class started at around $101,350, which rose by $3,000 if you opted to have the 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system installed. However, thanks to depreciation being so poor for a Mercedes, you can now pick them up for around $38,000 and sometimes less than that. That is a massive saving on the original price, and a brand new Mercedes, for a car that isn’t that old.
Fancy an SUV? Well then look no further than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the flagship SUV that has been around for some time. The 2007 to 2012 generation is still really solid, and according to Classic.com, the average price for these is just over $14,000, making them an absolute bargain. But if you fancy something even older, then the classic market might have something for you.
These Classic Mercedes-Benz Cars Are an Excellent Investment
While not every Mercedes in the 1990s was up to scratch, as the decade wore on, some superb cars did emerge. Enter the 1998-2000 Mercedes C43 AMG. A small four-door with big V8 power under the hood. In fact, at the time, this was the smallest car that Mercedes had to offer. The 4.3-liter V8 produced 306hp, making it rapid off the line. But if you wanted to cruise in comfort, the C43 could still do that.
If you are after a classic SUV, then Mercedes has you covered on that front too. The 2002-2006 Mercedes G500, or G-Wagen, is perhaps one of the less ludicrous versions of the SUV the Silver Arrows offered. Built to a high standard, they were equally suited off-road as they were to driving on tarmac. They can be picked up for as low as $22,000 based on sales on Classic.com, and the added bonus is you get a V8 under the hood.
Why Mercedes Has Struggled in Recent Years
Sales of Mercedes electric cars have been disappointing over the past few years. Part of the problem was that the brand had shifted into the premium EV market, meaning its cars were pricer than those from the likes of BMW. With customers also just not taking to EVs as manufacturers had hoped, sales were slow, and cost-cutting measures were brought in to mitigate this. Yet, if you don’t mind going for something older, you can still have an amazing Mercedes-Benz ownership experience.