Mercedes megastars
Calling all Mercedes-Benz fans. Seven cars with the three-pointed star, from a 1960s drop-top to a V12-engined SUV, are currently up for grabs in an online RM Sotheby’s auction.
Bidding closes from 5pm (BST) on 28 April 2025.
The cars were part of a remarkable collection of Mercedes-Benzes in the United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East, and will be sold individually.
Presented in chronological order, here’s what’s on offer.
1. 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet (est: £135-190,000/$175-250,000)
In the 1960s, the Mercedes-Benz W111 was perhaps the most desirable model in the marque’s line-up.
Even today, mystique still surrounds the magnificent S-Class predecessor – especially the coupé and convertible models.
Just 1390 examples of the 280SE Cabriolet left the factory, each powered by a 2.8-litre straight-six, also known as the M130 unit.
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet (cont.)
At a glance, this Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet’s inky paintwork might look black, but it’s actually a dark-green hue that complements the tan-leather cabin.
Inside, there’s a floor-mounted gearshift for the automatic transmission, a Becker Mexico stereo and buttons for the electric windows.
Sold new to a surgeon in New York, but now in the United Arab Emirates, this 280SE Cabriolet has covered just 27,680 miles.
2. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL (est: £60-90,000/$80-120,000)
The Mercedes-Benz M130 straight-six wasn’t just deployed in the W111.
The 2.8-litre unit was also used in various other saloons, coupés and cabriolets – and even in the all-terrain Unimog 404.
Perhaps this Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda represents the single-overhead-camshaft engine in its sportiest application, though – the two-seater makes 168bhp.
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL (cont.)
This early-’70s car is from the final year of 280SL production.
During the model’s lifetime of a little more than three years, 23,885 Mercedes-Benz 280SLs were built.
Although four- and five-speed manual gearboxes were available, the four-speed automatic – as fitted to this car – was the most popular choice.
3. 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II (est: £215-245,000/$280-320,000)
Next, we jump forward 19 years and arrive at one of Mercedes’ 1990s icons: the 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II.
The name might be a bit of a mouthful, but you can just let the car do the talking.
The numbers? It gets 232bhp from its four-cylinder engine, does 0-62mph in 7.1 secs and can achieve a top speed of 155mph.
It is a homologation special, developed to aid Mercedes’ DTM (German Touring Cars) championship campaign, so is, in many ways, a roadgoing racing car. Just 502 were produced, and this is number 429.
1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II (cont.)
The 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II for sale with RM Sotheby’s was acquired by its current owner in 2016, when it joined their impressive collection of Mercedes-Benz models.
It’s mostly standard, apart from the leather-wrapped Momo Type M38 steering wheel, and has covered just 41,957 miles since it was new.
4. 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 (est: £60-90,000/$80-120,000)
Eagle-eyed readers might have already noticed that this Mercedes-Benz supersaloon shares its five-spoke wheels with the 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II on the previous slide.
That’s because this car, one of the V8-engined E500s co-developed with Porsche, is a Limited model, of which, according to RM Sotheby’s, just 951 were built.
These fully loaded cars also got bird’s-eye-maple trim and special, coloured leather inserts for the seats.
1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 (cont.)
Under the bonnet, there’s a 5-litre V8 engine that propels the Mercedes-Benz E500 to 62mph in 6.1 secs.
This car, which has 41,929 miles on the clock, was delivered to its first owner in Russia in September 1994, and later joined the Mirage Collection from which it is now being sold.
Its first keeper didn’t hold back on the options: it has an electric sunroof, heated front seats, a rear blind, automatic climate control and more.
5. 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet (est: £380-455,000/$500-600,000)
The Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG is a road-legal racer that was built to celebrate Bernd Schneider’s victory in the 2003 DTM series.
The plan was simple: take the already quick CLK55 AMG and let the HWA AG racing team turn it into a DTM car with a numberplate.
In the end, 180 (comprising 100 coupés and 80 drop-tops) were produced.
2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet (cont.)
The outrageous four-seater is good for 199mph.
And it certainly looks the part. The rear wing is made from carbonfibre, while the big diffuser and flared wheelarches make it known this is no standard Mercedes-Benz convertible.
This one-owner car joined the Mirage Collection in August 2006, having been delivered new to Abu Dhabi and, since then, it’s covered fewer than 2500 miles.
6. 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition (est: £455-550,000/$600-700,000)
This Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition is predicted to be the most expensive car from the Mirage Collection sale.
One of 150 special-edition McMercs built to commemorate Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson’s 1955 Mille Miglia win, the 722 Edition has more power, less weight and bigger brakes than the standard car.
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition (cont.)
The 209mph Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition is powered by a 641bhp supercharged V8 engine.
This car has covered just 7109 miles since it was new and it’s being sold by RM Sotheby’s on behalf of its first and only owner.
It’s finished in Crystal Antimon Grey Metallic with a black-and-red interior.
7. 2018 Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG Final Edition (est: £190-230,000/$250-300,000)
The most modern car for sale in the Mirage Collection is this twin-turbocharged V12 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Final Edition, a run-out special unveiled shortly before the new G-Class arrived in 2018.
Unsurprisingly, the 621bhp G65 earned the title of fastest G-Wagen.
2018 Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG Final Edition (cont.)
Aptly, just 65 examples of the Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG Final Edition were produced.
All of them were fitted with bronze-coloured details, like the 21in alloy wheels.
This left-hand-drive car has just 380 miles on the clock and has been part of the Mirage Collection since it was new.
Get bidding
Some of the finest Mercedes-Benz models from the past 50-plus years are represented in the Mirage Collection, and if you’d like to find out more about any of these lots, click here.
You can submit bids for them on the RM Sotheby’s website now, before the auction begins to close at 5pm on 28 April 2025.
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