Investments to drive: Four vintage and youngtimers between 51,000 and 138,000 euros, which will definitely not get any cheaper. With purchase advice.
In our "Bull market list", i.e. those cars that our evaluation partner Classic-Analytics believes will increase in value, are real guys for 2023. No run-of-the-mill cars, but cars for connoisseurs. The third of three episodes names four classics for more than 50,000 euros.
Mercedes-Benz 190E 3.2 AMG
Contrary to what the abbreviation 3.2 suggests, the front of the first AMG complete vehicle officially sold through Mercedes dealers does not have the M-104 Four-valve, but a bored M 103. The in-line six-cylinder in the 190E 3.2 gains 200 cubic centimeters more displacement thanks to a crankshaft with more stroke and a larger bore. Further fine-tuning of the engine increases performance to 234 hp and torque to 305 Newton metres. The technology package with AMG six-cylinder, Sportline chassis and brakes as well as rear axle ratio from 300 CE-24, D and T could also be ordered individually under the code 957, which resulted in a perfect understatement 190. More than 200 copies were not created. The most powerful W 201 that can be ordered from dealers is therefore rarer than the Evo models.
The weak points are basically the same as with any other W 201 (and W 124): The jacking points should be checked for rust, as should the bottom edges of the doors. The rear axle bearing should be OK; an overhaul can cost money. The M 103 tends to have problems with the KE-Jetronic flow divider and defective cylinder head gaskets.
Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2
Among the numerous variants of the Porsche 911 of the G series built from September 1973 to August 1989, the Carre ra 3.2 has a few advantages on his side: Especially with the G50 gearbox installed from 1987, he is considered more cultivated and easier to drive. Since 1981, the body of all 911s has also been fully galvanized, which reduces the risk of rust. After the prices had recently given way, Classic Analytics is now observing rising prices again.
If you want to buy a 911 G model, you should check the body for rust despite the galvanizing: Pay particular attention to the A-pillars, the sills, the base of the B-pillar, the lamp pots and the door edges. You should look under the mat in the trunk. If the engine is bleeding, the valve guides probably need to be replaced. If the clutch is difficult to move, this can indicate a defect in the hydraulic actuation.
Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupé
The Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupé, also referred to as FHC or "Two Door Saloon", is based on the silver presented in 1965 Shadow This was the first Rolls-Royce with a monocoque body.From 1971 the coupe and cabriolet were called the Corniche – like the coastal road between Monaco and Nice. The 5.20 meter two-door car is also impressive because of the powerful radiator grille. The curb weight of 2.25 tons was countered by a whisper-quiet 6.75-liter V8, which from 1975 was helped by a Solex four-barrel carburettor. From today's perspective, the driving performance is still tranquil: eleven seconds from zero to 100 km/h and a top speed of almost 200 km/h, according to the manufacturer.
The environment in which this happens is more important: With polished root wood, valuable clicking switches and fine Conolly leather, the coupé looks more like a moving castle than a profane car. As with an old lock, the purchase price is not everything: maintenance is complex and expensive. The furniture and previous owner should be checked accordingly before you buy it.
Tesla Roadster
With the Roadster Tesla in 2008, Tesla had put a real gamechanger on the bikes: 6,831 standard battery of the 18650 donated energy for up to 330 kilometers. After 4.3 seconds, the sprint from zero to 100 km/h was over, at 200 km/h it was over. The lateral dynamics suffered a little under the 450 kg battery - but only if you took the base car Lotus Elise as a benchmark. No electric car had been so much fun before. The hefty new price of 128,520 euros contrasted with extremely low operating costs of four euros per 100 kilometers.
The Tesla Roadster also does not lose value: almost 15 years after its premiere, the electric pioneer is practically the same price as it was then. In the USA, special specimens have already been sold for around 200,000 euros. Around 2,400 copies were made, of which there are probably still around 2,000 on the streets today.
Conclusion
Classics can hardly be more different than a Rolls-Royce Corniche Coupé and a Tesla Roadster: Here a moving living room whose 2.25 tons gets a V8 going, there a nimble electric roadster that is not even 15 years old.
Mercedes 190 in AMG trim and Porsche 911, on the other hand, are recognized and widespread as real classics. AMG models from the 1980s in particular have increased in value enormously in recent years. The hype for the Porsche 911 seems to have died down a bit recently, but the original from Zuffenhausen is still popular - and an icon anyway.
