Mercedes-Benz cars have a history dating all the way back to the 1920s. In more than a hundred years of existence, this brand has made a number of models that reshaped the automotive industry. That said, Mercedes-Benz has almost always focused on delivering luxury cars that are comfortable. Even so, they know how to make a performance car.

Still, there are a few models that are fun to drive, while still bringing some of that Mercedes-Benz luxury. Not only that, but some of them will only appreciate in value. With that said, here are the 5 best Mercedes-Benz sports cars that are a great investment.

Mercedes-Benz 300CE W124 (1990-1997)

To some, this model might look like an old boring car, but it is actually a true Mercedes-Benz sports car. Or at least it was, back in the day. The W124 300CE is usually the car that comes to most people’s minds when they think old boxy Mercedes.  With those cushy seats and old school headlight wipers, it is the epitome of ’90s luxury. By the time this model dropped, Mercedes-Benz had already tested the waters with their 190E 2.3-16v homologation special. Needless to say, there was room for more boxy fast cars.

Mercedes-Benz introduced the W124 generation in 1986, with the 300CE variant arriving two years later in 1988. While even the first 300CE models are great investments, the best had yet to come. In 1990, this Mercedes-Benz sports car received a revised inline 6-cylinder generating 224 hp, which was a large step from the older 300CE’s 181 hp. From 1990 and on, the car came with a new automatic transmission, which makes it an even better investment, as it was the world’s first 5-speed automatic.

Back in its day, the W124 was one of the most aerodynamic cars on the market. In addition, it is one of the last Mercedes models that were engineered with utmost reliability and durability in mind. That’s something you don’t see that often from Mercedes-Benz these days. Many newer Mercedes-Benz models fell victim to cost-cutting.

The ultimate investment W124 would be “The Hammer.” It’s an aggressive-looking coupe model enhanced by the AMG division, and fitted with an powerful V8 derived from the S-Class. Unfortunately, less than 20 units were ever produced. If you can find one, get it by all means! These cars area already in the 6-figure range, and will only appreciate. The regular 300CE is a decent consolation prize, and a great Mercedes-Benz sports car that brings that old school German luxury.

Mercedes-Benz 500 SL R129 (1989-2001)

The R129 Mercedes-Benz is a design masterpiece that has all the right ingredients — a low bonnet, clean lines, and a robust structure. The lead designer Bruno Sacco has made one of the most impressive models in Mercedes’ history. Not only that, but the engineering department went ahead and equipped it with a plethora of safety features. which made it easy to handle even at higher speeds.

Mercedes has been and still is, the leader in vehicle safety systems. It is thus no wonder that even the 500 SL has brought around quite a lot in this regard including a limited slip differential, anti-lock brakes, automatic stability control, automatic traction control, etc. All of these have been quite rare back in the day.

Now to the most important point, the drivetrain. A 5.0-liter V8 was what powered this beast. With 322 hp and 332 lb.-ft of torque, the 500 SL does not look bad even next to modern hot hatches. In fact, the 500 SL was making more power than some Ferraris of the time. The drivetrain was derived from other Mercedes models and could have been found on the top-of-the-line S Class. Two gearboxes were available. Either a 4-speed 4G-Tronic or a 5-speed 5G-Tronic, both automatic transmissions. A manual version would be interesting, but that was only available with the less powerful six-cylinder.

This classic is a great memento of the previous era of Mercedes when its models were made differently. The SL 500 was not the most powerful variant of this model. Positioned above it were performance models from the AMG division, topped by the SL 73 AMG, which, as the name suggests, featured a 7.3L V12 under the bonnet. That said, the 500 model still remains the best match between Mercedes comfort and sportiness.

Mercedes-Benz 230 SL W113 (1963-1967)

The W113 is another one of the iconic Mercedes models. It was first introduced in 1963. During its eight years of production, 48,912 units were produced. Interestingly, almost a half of them were sold in just the United States — 19,440 to be more exact.

The W113 was one of the few cars back in those days to feature body panels made of aluminum, which reduced the weight of the car. To make it a proper Mercedes-Benz sports car, the manufacturer equipped it with large brake discs and stiff suspension, which balanced between comfort and handling.

The 230 SL was equipped with a 2.3L inline-six engine. This was back in the days when the engine displacement actually corresponded to the model designation. The engine generates 148 hp and 145 lb.-ft of torque. From today’s perspective, this might not seem like a lot, but the 230 SL packed some serious heat back in the day. In fact, this Mercedes-Benz sports car went head-to-head with a V12 Ferrari 250 GT driven by a famous Grand Prix driver Mike Parkes. At the Annemasse Vétraz-Monthoux racetrack, the 230 SL was only two tenths of a second slower than the extreme Ferrari (47.5 against 47.3 seconds).

Throughout its production run, the 230 SL received a number of updates, some rather small, some major. One of the major updates was towards the end of the production in 1966 when the 230 SL became available with a 5-speed manual ZF transmission as an option. W113s with this gearbox are the most rare and desirable. Before then, the 230 SL was available with either a 4-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG C197 / R197 (2010-2014)

If you are looking for the ultimate Mercedes-Benz sports car, which is going to be heaps of fun and also a great investment, the SLS is the model to get. With a 2-seater, front mid-engine setup, there has been no compromise made. The design was inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300SL and uses similar gull wing doors. Just the doors alone make it an special car. A limited number of units were made as convertibles, which have regular doors. However, these are not as suited for an investment, as their prices are kept low, specifically because of the absence of gull wing door design.

In terms of the drivetrain, the SLS is a rear-wheel drive car that features a beefy 6.2L V8 M159 motor. Paired exclusively with a 7-speed automatic transmission, this engine put down smooth power delivery. This SLS is available in 3 versions. The base SLS AMG has a power output of 563 hp and 479 lb.-ft. Above it, you’ve got the SLS AMG GT, which generates 583 hp and the same torque as the base model.

The SLS was also one of the models offered in the ultimate Black Series, which is a label for the most powerful Mercedes models, and it is also the top model offered in the SLS lineup. It was launched in 2013 and used an identical M159 engine but tuned to even more power. It generated 622 hp and 468 lb.-ft. The maximum speed was shy of 200 mph and the SLS catapulted from a standstill to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.

At the time of the release of the SLS, the AMG department has already started to think about an electric future, which made way for the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive. Released in only a very limited run, these models are recognizable by their Green Electric color. 4 synchronous electric motors in this SLS generate 741 hp and an immense 738 lb.-ft of torque. With only a 60-kWh battery, the range is limited, but it is an special vehicle, nonetheless.

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG W204 (2008-2015)

This particular C-Class is one of the newest models on this list. Even so, the prices of these cars are already starting to appreciate. Especially now, when Mercedes-Benz announced that their new C-Class will only come with 4-cylinder engines. On the contrary, the W204 generation arrived with a huge 6.2-liter V8. Paired to a 7-speed automatic, it generated 451 hp and 443 lb.-ft as standard. With an optional Performance Package Plus, the power was increased even further to an immense 480 hp. Quite impressive for a naturally aspirated engine.

It is obvious that the design of the W204 is not from 2022 but still, it has quite a presence. While regular C Class models are nice, the AMG department elevated this design to perfection. Even today, the C63 looks extremely aggressive, muscular, and luxurious.

In comparison with its main rival, the BMW M3, this model was also offered as an estate car. A practical car with a spacious boot space — perfect for family use but with a muscular 6.2L V8 under the bonnet. If you want just one car that can do it all, or even a better investment (estates are rarer), go for the wagon by all means.

Like with the SL65, C63 AMG Coupe Black Series is the one to go for if you’re looking to get the best return on your investment in a few years. The history of Black Series models dates back to 2006 and since then, these models have been a synonym for the most hardcore Mercedes-Benz sports cars.

The C-Class Black Series was launched in 2011 and features a 6.2L V8 generating 510 hp and 457 lb.-ft of torque. This allows the car to get to an extreme 186 mph. In total, only 800 units were produced, which makes it a true collectible.

Get a Mercedes-Benz Sports Car While You Can!

Whether you are looking for a classic or one of the newer Mercedes-Benz sports cars, they can both be great investments. Mercedes-Benz is one of the most prestigious car brands worldwide, and their cars usually hold up well.

As technological leaders, almost all Mercedes models have something to offer that is interesting in terms of investment. In a few years, when the manufacturer decides to go fully electric, we will surely think back to the times of these five models.