There will always be some sort of debate on this sort of subject.
I am a bit more pragmatic.
The best Mercedes would be the most reliable over the decades.
How about a W123 saloon, with the M116 twin cam 2.8 litre fuel injected engine? Looks nice, goes well - for decades!
If you want a post WW2 car that screams 'Mercedes', then it has to be a 600 Grosser, or a gullwing
Now for a bit of self indulgence: Yep ! an R129, they had 5.0 litre M113 engines at the end of the production run. The M113 engine
does have an excellent reputation for reliability.
But take that engine out, and drop in a supercharged 55 AMG M113 engine. Engine mountings, gearbox mountings and suitability with firewall should all be OK.
THAT would make an R129 go !!!
