You can't overlook the 124 cars....the most over engineered vehicle ever manufactured by Merc...probably more 124's on the road worldwide then any other pre 1990's production Merc
Sorry , would have to disagree on that one .
The bean counters had most certainly started to assert themselves by the time the W124 came out .
Even compared to its immediate predecessor , the W123 , there are examples of cost cutting to be seen - look at the window winder mechanism as a prime example : on the W123 it WAS truly over-engineered , a big , solid assembly with machined components bolted together ; on the W124 you have a cheap , nasty piece of stamped putty-metal which is well known for wearing out ( there can be few long term W124 owners who have not replaced the drivers door window mechanism , I myself have been through three over two cars ) .
More on the road worldwide ? Not so sure . Don't know production figures , but I'd have to guess there are probably more W123's trundling around the dirt tracks of Africa and everywhere else besides .
Surely , if it is over-engineering you are talking about , the winner has to be the W100 type 600 : everything about that car is bigger , heavier , more solid and more clever than any other car : central hydraulic system for windows , seat adjustment , door closure , BOOT OPENING AND CLOSURE ; twin generators to power all the electrical items on board ; somethiong like 20 interior lights ; those lovely glass wind deflectors next to the rear side windows so the occupants don't get a draught when the window is open ; even the three pointed star on the bonnet of a 600 is MASSIVELY over engineered compared to the puny things on newer cars ( and bigger , too ) .
