Back Issues 2019

2019 MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST BACK ISSUES

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MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 218 DECEMBER 2019

 

Event:​​ ​​ It’s over to Norway for a huge Mercedes meet.

Market Watch:​​ ​​ The CLC model is this month’s attraction.

Merc Man:​​ ​​ How the classic Merc​​ market developed.

Inside Line:​​ ​​ There are more hybrids on the way, but why?

Classic Choice:​​ ​​ We pay a visit to the Brabus Classic workshop to see its wonderfully restored Pagoda 280SL.

Spotlight:​​ ​​ A pair of special 190E 2.3-16 racers driven by Senna and Lauda​​ are brought together again at last.

Six Pack Selection:​​ ​​ This time round we’re on the case of used Mercedes that can do it all for a £20,000 budget.

Reader’s Project:​​ ​​ An amazingly well put together project named the 550SLC, fitted with S55 AMG running gear.

Tuner Car:​​ ​​ A modified Maybach is one thing, but this stretched version from German tuner Klassen is another.

Technology:​​ ​​ We’re given the rundown on what you need to know about setting up your car to perform on track.

Engine Masters:​​ ​​ It’s the turn of the M272 engine this month, as we take a closer look at its evolution over time.

History:​​ ​​ The famous German rally driver Eugen Bö hringer became a legend and we look back to find out why that was.

Buyer’s Guide:​​ ​​ Buying a classic Stroke 8 model.

Running Reports:​​ ​​ W126, CLK63 AMG and S124.

Wandering Star:​​ ​​ Behind the wheel of a GT3 car in Russia.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 217 NOVEMBER 2019

 

Market Watch:​​ ​​ We’re taking a look at the 190E 2.6.

Merc Man:​​ ​​ Current finance deals are this month’s topic.

Inside Line:​​ ​​ A reflection on​​ where the SL name might go.

First Ride:​​ ​​ We test ride in the latest prototype A-Class plug-in hybrid to find out how it will fit into the range.

Spotlight:​​ ​​ The interesting story of the SGS Styling Company that featured heavily in the 1980s but is now back.

Youngtimer:​​ ​​ Taking a drive in a super rare C215 CL63 AMG in New Zealand that features very low miles on the clock.

Ownership:​​ ​​ We meet a Mercedes enthusiast father and son duo from Hong Kong with a CL600 and 190E 2.3-16.

Tuner Car:​​ ​​ A test drive of the latest Brabus B25S, which features the new A250 with a series of modifications.

Spotlight:​​ ​​ One owner has been on a mission to build the perfect period modified S124 with plenty of Lorinser parts

Engine Masters:​​ ​​ The M111 four-pot engine that powered a huge range of Mercedes-Benz models from the 1990s.

History:​​ ​​ A look back on the American racing driver John Cooper Fitch and his career with Mercedes over the years.

Buyer’s Guide:​​ ​​ C-Class coupe goes under the microscope.

Running Reports:​​ ​​ ML320, W123 and C55 AMG estate.

Wandering Star:​​ ​​ Drifting a Maybach on a frozen lake.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 216 OCTOBER 2019

 

Market Watch:​​ ​​ Studying the market for the CLK55 AMG.

Merc Man:​​ ​​ A certain Mercedes triggers a fond look back.

Inside Line:​​ ​​ Why is the Project​​ One taking so long?

First Ride:​​ ​​ The latest GLS model has arrived and we’re putting it through its paces both on and off the road.

Classic Choice:​​ ​​ We take a good look round one of the best unrestored 300SLs in the world, based in California.

Youngtimer:​​ ​​ A story of a true rarity unearthed in this time warp Carat Cullinan 500SEL that’s been hidden for years.

Spotlight:​​ ​​ The G63 6x6 is a monster like no other, as we found out with a ride along on the roads of South Africa.

Star Car:​​ ​​ Behind the wheel to test the scorching new hot hatch stars of the Benz range with the A45 S and CLA AMG.

Ownership:​​ ​​ A pair of W108/9 owners from Iceland who have both had an endearing love affair with their cars.

Spotlight:​​ ​​ We get the story of an R129 SL500 that caused confusion thanks to its rare colour and mysterious past.

Engine Masters:​​ ​​ Getting to know the M256 engine in this month, as we take an indepth look at its finer points.

History:​​ ​​ Car importer Max Hoffman helped put Mercedes on the map in America, and aided production of the 300SL.

Buyer’s Guide:​​ ​​ All you need to know when buying a Fintail.

Running Reports:​​ ​​ CLK63 AMG, S124 and R129.

Wandering Star:​​ ​​ The woes of owning a classic cabriolet.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 215 SEPTEMBER 2019

 

First Drive:​​ ​​ Getting behind the wheel of the latest A35 AMG.

Market Watch:​​ ​​ We take a look at the GLC SUV market.

Merc Man:​​ ​​ Is design in the name of safety a hindrance?

Inside Line:​​ ​​ Our man​​ talks of the genius M-B engineers.

First Ride:​​ ​​ Out on the roads of the UK in the epic AMG GT4 for the first time to see how it copes in the real world.

Classic Choice:​​ ​​ A look at the special 300SLR that served as a company car for the engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut.

Tuner Car:​​ ​​ An unusual take on the modified theme with the Hartge MR500 that’s based on a Maybach model.

Road Trip:​​ ​​ A spectacular trip around South Africa in a mint condition C107 SLC that provides the perfect partner.

Price Point:​​ ​​ Another six-pack selection in the series with used Merc models of all types for a bargain £5,000 budget.

Ownership:​​ ​​ The tale of a charity run across the UK with the use of a bargain W203 C-Class bought for just £500.

Spotlight:​​ ​​ A nicely modified C123 all the way from Scandinavia hits all the right spots for the owner and us.

Engine Masters:​​ ​​ The modern M139 engine is the most powerful four-pot production motor that’s ever been built.

History:​​ ​​ The German racing driver Hans Herrmann had a successful racing career that spanned three decades.

Buyer’s Guide:​​ ​​ All you need to know when buying a C350.

Running Reports:​​ ​​ C55 AMG, C123 and R129.

Wandering Star:​​ ​​ Talking technology in modern Mercs.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 214 AUGUST 2019

 

Event: ​​ We visit the annual Benz On The Green show.

Market Watch: ​​ Current values of the classic Pagoda.

Merc Man: ​​ We’re talking dealer​​ discounts on new models.

Inside Line: ​​ Is the MBUX system doing what it should?

Buyer’s Guide: ​​ It’s the turn of the 140-series S-Class.

Running Reports: ​​ S123, CLK63 and R129.

Merc Trader: ​​ Find your next three-pointed star here.

Wandering Star: ​​ Ayrton Senna’s own 190E 2.3-16-valve.

First Ride: ​​ The all new electric EQC 400 is put through its paces with a full test of the production model on the road.

Classic Choice: ​​ Behind the wheel of a very special rally prepared 220SEb that is a faithful replica of a past icon.

Road Trip: ​​ On the famous Mille Miglia event in Italy​​ with a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing​​ with which to enjoy the trip.

Youngtimer: ​​ We remember the C215 CL500 in detail with this fine example that’s been lovingly cared for.

Old VS New: ​​ Is the entry-level A-Class​​ that costs four times more than a mint 190E really four times the car?

Profile: ​​ We stop by to catch up with the SL Shop, and find out what its latest exciting developments have been.

Ownership: ​​ Our contributor tells us how he came to buy his own beloved R129 SL500 Silver Arrow limited edition.

Engine Masters: ​​ We examine the history​​ of the big M177 V8 motor family that has powered newer AMG models.

History: ​​ Racing driver Paul O’Shea is under the spotlight this month as we look back on his successful career.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 213 JULY 2019

 

Event: ​​​​ We’re invited to celebrate 125 years of motorsport.

Market Watch: ​​​​ A look at the market for used SLC models.

Merc Man: ​​​​ Will your Merc​​ pass London’s ULEZ?

Buyer’s Guide: ​​​​ Cheap open top motoring with the A208 CLK.

Running Reports: ​​​​ C55 AMG, ML320 and S124.

Wandering Star: ​​​​ A look at the devolution of the SLK.

Inside Line: ​​​​ Is low mileage a good or bad thing in classics?

First Ride: ​​​​ Getting behind the wheel of the new CLA to see if it can pick up where the first generation left off.

Classic Choice: ​​​​ A wonderfully restored 300SE 3.5 Cabriolet​​ from the UK with a story behind its ownership.

Star Car: ​​​​ Is AMG GT R PRO the most extreme model yet? ​​ We certainly think so and we can tell exactly why here.

Road Trip: ​​​​ Following on from last month, part two of the epic journey across Europe’s scenic backdrop in a W123.

Spotlight: ​​​​ Recalling back to a very special drive in the Maybach Exelero that happened to include lots of drifting.

Motorsport: ​​​​ A modified 190E that’s used in Moroccan off-road rallies and has proved to be successful at it too.

Engine Masters:​​ ​​ We concentrate on the M123 motor that was fitted to the 123-series and see why it didn’t develop.

History:​​ ​​ A look at Walter Gotschke and Hans Lisk, the pair of illustrators that changed M-B’s 1950s advertising.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 212 JUNE 2019

 

Event: ​​​​ We pay a visit to the 2019 Auto Shanghai show.

Market Watch: ​​​​ Looking at the used market for the A45 AMG.

Merc Man: ​​​​ Which Mercs will​​ become future classics?

Inside Line: ​​​​ Why AMGs are not always the best suited.

Mercedes Buyer: ​​​​ Deals, tips, top three steals and more.

Buyer’s Guide: ​​​​ Buying a second generation W218 CLS.

Running Reports:​​ ​​ New additions with an R129 and W123.

Wandering Star: ​​​​ The evolution of the A-Class through time.

First Ride: ​​​​ We’ve put the old G63 AMG against the latest version and taken to the countryside to see the difference.

Tuner Car: ​​​​ A very rare R63 AMG that’s been modified to create something unique thanks to​​ some choice additions.

Classic Choice:​​ ​​ A 1960s Fintail that’s part of the Classic Center in California, won our contributor’s heart over.

Youngtimer: ​​​​ Can you really buy and run a Mercedes for less than £1,000? ​​ We find out from an owner who has done.

Road Trip: ​​​​ The first of two parts: an epic 11,000 mile trip across Europe in a trusty W123 that’s ripe for the occasion.

Spotlight: ​​​​ An SLK32 AMG that wears a stylish 300SL Gullwing body for the perfect all round Mercedes restomod.

Profile: ​​​​ We visit the Old​​ Merc Man, a used Mercedes-Benz parts specialist based in South Africa’s Eastern Cape area.

Engine Masters: ​​​​ We take a look at the OM651 engine, the modern four-cylinder diesel unit that has proved popular.

History: ​​​​ The famous racing driver Karl Kling is​​ the centre of our attention this month as we review his life with M-B.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 211 MAY 2019

 

First Drive: Behind the wheel of the useful E53 AMG estate.

Market Watch:​​ Looking at R230 SL350/SL500S for sale.

Merc Man:​​ This month, we’re​​ talking tools and technology.

Inside Line:​​ Celebrate the B-class, says our industry expert.

First Ride:​​ We’ve put some of the latest 4Matic range to the test in slippery conditions over in the Austrian Alps.

Classic Choice:​​ Behind the wheel of the very same pagoda SL rally car that Eugen Böhringer once drove to victory.

Youngtimer:​​ We’ve sourced a pair of very rare CL65 AMG’s to celebrate the C215 model and all it accomplished.

Six Pack Selection:​​ It’s time once again to see how far your money goes with a range of different used Mercs.

Road Trip:​​ Our contributor in South Africa takes a brand new C43 AMG on a very picturesque journey.

Spotlight:​​ A wonderful C123 that has been fitted with a V8 engine and a host of tasty modifications to boot

Engine Masters:​​ It’s time to try something nice and new, with the M271 engine highlighted in this month’s feature.

History:​​ The quiet and unassuming Fredrich Gieger was responsible for many Mercedes designs over the years.

Buyer’s Guide:​​ Buying the mighty V8 C63 AMG estate.

Running Reports:​​ C55 AMG, E350 4Matic and S124.

Wandering Star:​​ Reminding us why we love the SLK32 AMG.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 210 APRIL 2019

 

Market Watch: It’s a closer look at prices for the stylish and desirable 2006-2013 C216 CL models this month.

Merc Man:​​ We’re talking about​​ our lefts from our rights.

Inside Line:​​ The future is here but is it arriving too quickly?

First Ride:​​ We’re behind the wheel of the E53 AMG Cabriolet, a car that offers a package unlike any other.

Classic Choice:​​ The story of how a pristine W111 280SE 3.5​​ Cabriolet can help you lead a double life in Los Angeles.

Take Two:​​ We test two of the greatest Youngtimer droptop Mercedes-Benz stars from the 1990s: an A124 and R129.

Youngtimer:​​ A rare 124-series AMG coupe all the way from New Zealand to remind us why​​ they’re still special.

Ownership:​​ The engaging story of one man’s relationship with an R107 that was previously owned by his parents.

Spotlight:​​ A unique opportunity arises for us to test the Silver Arrow EQ concept car out on the roads of Dubai.

Event:​​ It​​ was over to the US to watch the Mercedes backed teams tackle the Rolex 24-hour Daytona endurance race.

Engine Masters:​​ This time, we’re taking a look at the OM617 diesel, that would set a new trend for luxury oil burners.

History:​​ We take a closer look at​​ the life and legacy of the hugely successful racing driver Rudolf Caracciola.

My Merc:​​ Visiting Hong Kong to meet a true Merc man.

Buyer’s Guide:​​ A common favourite; the popular W202.

Running Reports:​​ CLK63 AMG, W108 and C124.

Wandering Star:​​ The first time driving a G-Wagen.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 209 MARCH 2019

 

Event:​​ We visit the annual Autosport International show.

Market Watch:​​ Taking a look at the modern classic A124.

Merc Man:​​ Cleaning your​​ Mercedes wheels the right way.

Inside Line:​​ Why it’s worth visiting the Mercedes museum.

First Ride:​​ The latest and perhaps greatest G-Wagen has arrived with a new engine choice; the G350d.

Tuner Car:​​ We take a closer look and enthusiastic drive on the autobahn in the awesome E63 AMG Brabus 800.

Youngtimer:​​ A birthday celebration of the 126-seriesS-Class as the model gracefully turns 40 years old.

Ownership:​​ The story of a rare right-hand drive 190SL that’s been lovingly restored by its long term owner in the UK.

Motorsport:​​ A rare 190E rally car built by Snobeck Racing many years ago has been recently given a new lease of life.

Interview:​​ We manage to get an exclusive interview with Huey Lee, the Korean-American Mercedes design maestro.

Event:​​ The annual taxi show in Cologne, Germany, once again highlighted the Mercedes-Benz brand as the best.

Engine Masters:​​ A close look at the development of the Mercedes V12 engine from the 1990s, the renowned M120.

History:​​ A look at the life of the legendary car designer​​ Paul Bracq, responsible for the Pagoda and 600.

My Merc:​​ A finely honed modified E55 AMG has it all.

Buyer’s Guide:​​ A classic wagon this month; the S123.

Running Reports:​​ C55 AMG, W124 and ML320.

Wandering Star:​​ The 220 S-Class remembered fondly.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 208 FEBRUARY 2019

 

First Ride:​​ The latest generation of​​ B-Class​​ has now arrived and we tried one out to see how it sizes up.

Classic Choice:​​ A very original​​ 220S Cabriolet​​ from Portugal with an extremely rare floor shifted gearbox.

Star Car:​​ The latest entry level hot hatch is here with the new​​ A35 AMG, and we’ve put it through its paces.

Youngtimer:​​ A rare​​ R129 SL60 AMG​​ that’s finished in a unique shade, thanks to previous owner Ron Dennis.

Price Point:​​ A new feature this month as we look at what used Mercs you can buy for​​ a​​ £10,000 budget.

Ownership:​​ A wonderful pre-production, right-hand drive​​ 280SE 3.5 Coupe​​ that was saved from the crusher.

Engine Masters:​​ Another new feature as we begin a series that look at​​ Mercedes engines​​ through the ages.

History:​​ Taking a look back on the career of the famous female racing and rally driver​​ Ewy Rosqvist.

MERCEDES ENTHUSIAST ISSUE 207 JANUARY 2019

 

First Ride:​​ We get behind the wheel of the new generation​​ GLE​​ that’s recently been launched with two new engines.

Classic Choice: A​​ wonderfully original 1958 Mercedes​​ 180d​​ owned by a car designer and his wife in America.

Spotlight:​​ A chance to remind ourselves why the​​ S-Class​​ is still the best car in the world, with tiem in a V8 model.

Tuner Car:​​ We drive the MKB tuned​​ C63 S estate​​ fitted with the P600 conversion that makes over 600bhp.

Youngtimer:​​ A rare​​ 300TE 4Matic estate​​ that’s in fine fettle makes a great modern classic and we explain why.

Ownership:​​ We celebrate 40 years of the​​ C123​​ with this owner’s immaculate 280CE that’s still​​ used regularly.

Event:​​ A visit to see the special exhibition display of the​​ Silver Arrows​​ at the Louwman Museum in Holland.

Spotlight:​​ A feature dedicated to the history of the iconic​​ 6.3 badge, from where it all started to where it is now.

History:​​ This month we concentrate on the interesting career of the AMG legend​​ Hans Werner Aufrecht.