Mercedes-Benz is the epitome of a luxury car. With its iconic three-pointed star logo to the rich and sleek design of each and every car, a Benz could be the ultimate car for you. But if you want to own one of these prestigious vehicles, you may have to pay a hefty price.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at the most expensive Mercedes cars ever sold. For more luxury lifestyle inspiration, visit the Ask Genie blog.
Why is Mercedes-Benz So Expensive?
Mercedes-Benz was founded in Germany in 1926. Today, the average starting price of one of these luxury vehicles has grown to $94,250.
To be considered a luxury vehicle, the manufacturer must use only the very best components. Here are a few reasons why Mercedes is so expensive:
- Iconic brand name and identity
- Long-lasting vehicles
- Intensive quality testing
- Advanced safety features
- Limited production
- Maintenance cost
- Innovative and modern technology
The 10 Most Expensive Mercedes Cars Ever Sold
Here's a list of the most expensive Mercedes-Benz cars ever sold:
1. Mercedes-Benz 500K Roadster - $3.76 million
Although this Roadster is the cheapest on the list, it still sold for a gargantuan price.
What separates this vehicle from the others is that it's the only one that was not sold legally. After initially changing hands for $3.76 million, the car moved continents for a second time. This was followed by a battle in German courts, which ensured the vehicle was returned to the descendants of one of its previous owners.
500Ks are generally rare, but the roadster version has fewer than 30 ever built. The one on this list originally belonged to Hans Prym, a German industrialist who was jailed at the end of World War II. After moving to the United States, the car was juggled between private collectors before being auctioned in 2011.
Dutch businessman Frans van Haren purchased the vehicle and returned it to Germany. There, it was seized and deemed the rightful property of Prym's grandchildren.
2. 1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR - $4.5 million
The AMG CLK GTR wasn't designed to be a road car. Mercedes-Benz and their subsidiary AMG created the vehicle for the track, particularly given the claimed max speed of over 320 km/h.
They wanted it to compete in the FIA's GT Championship, but FIA rules made doing so slightly complex. Regulations stated that vehicles must be racing models of production cars.
Mercedes responded to this problem by building 25 vehicles to sell to the public. The car featured on this list is number nine out of 25. It still has the original paint, service book and a crate of parts. The car also had less than 1000 miles on the odometer at the time of sale, fetching $4.5 million at an auction.
3. 1927 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sportwagen - $5 million
This 1927 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sportwagen is another incredibly rare car, selling for just over $5 million in 2011. Like many other entries on this list, it has picked up many prestigious awards over the years, largely due to its one-off design.
The vehicle's chassis was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, who later founded Porsche AG. It has a six-cylinder, 6.7-litre engine under the hood and can reach a max speed of just over 160 km/h. The max speed it could reach and matching serial numbers throughout the vehicle further increases its rarity.
4. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing - $6.825 million
While it might not be the most expensive car on this list, many consider the 300 SL Alloy Gullwing the first supercar made. This particular 1955 300 SL has its original body, a 3.0-litre NSL engine, and many factory features.
The alloy versions of this car are scarce and led to Mercedes-Benz winning many prestigious races such as Le Mans, Mille Miglia, and the Carrera Panamericana. The car has body panels made of aluminum, plexiglass windows, and a high-speed rear axle designed to improve handling.
In January 2022, the car went up for sale at an auction in Arizona and was purchased for nearly $7 million.
5. Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo – $8.25 million
This is an early example of an expensive Mercedes Benz with luxury trimmings. The 680 S Torpedo was built for those who want more than a mere mode of transport. It has an interior lined with lizard skin and purpleheart wood, while renowned Carrosserie J. Saoutchik of Paris constructed the exterior.
To add to the appeal, the car has a dual-carbureted six-cylinder engine that can produce 180 horsepower. It recently won the best of show award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, further cementing its reputation as a popular vehicle.
6. 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster – $9.9 million
The 1937 540K Special Roadster, sold by RM Sotheby in 2016, features the elements that long-tail collectors look for. The one sold is one of the earliest examples of the 540K known in existence. To give you more perspective, the chassis numbers of the 500Ks went up to 130 900, and the one sold had a chassis number of 130894.
The paperwork accompanying it makes it even more special, which gives an extensive account of its history. From its arrival in New York City in 1937, the vehicle had several different owners until it was sold at an auction for under $10 million.
7. Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren 999 Red Gold Dream – $11 million
The Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren 999 Red Gold Dream is the work of Swiss designer Ueli Anliker. In terms of performance, it matches a typical McLaren Mercedes SLR. The main focal point of this car is its design.
$5.4 million worth of materials went into building the Red Gold Dream. It sports a carbon-fibre chassis, 11 pounds of gold dust mixed into the paint, and 24-karat gold plating on the wheels, steering wheel, and various parts of the interior trim.
8. 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster – $11.77 million
The high-door, long-tail variant of the 1936 Mercedes-Benz is a highly sought-after vehicle. It was a custom order made by Josephine von Krieger, a Baroness, in the 1930s, featuring a Telefunken radio, pigskin upholstery, and numerous custom add-ons.
The exterior of the 1936 540k Special Roaster is finished in black and has the Von Krieger family crest painted on the driver's side door. Besides being one of the most expensive Mercedes cars ever sold, it was also relatively quick for the time, with a max speed of around 177 km/h.
The Von Kriegers moved to the United States following World War II, and the vehicle ended up sitting in a garage for decades before being restored. Prior to being sold, it received a prestigious award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
9. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 – $29.65 million
The 1954 W196 is easily one of the most expensive cars ever to change hands - let alone the most expensive Mercedes. It was purchased at 2013's Goodwood Festival of Speed, with the winning bid being made over the phone. The sale broke the record for the most expensive vehicle ever sold at the time.
What makes this particular car even more remarkable is that it won two Grands Prix. The one sold in 2013 is the only privately owned model.
10. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe - $147 million
The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is, by a stretch, the most expensive Mercedes car ever sold.
It was sold in May 2022 for the highest price on this list, €135 million, which is equivalent to around $147 million. The proceeds of the sale were used to establish the Mercedes-Benz fellowship program, the beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship to provide “young innovators from around the planet with the training, mentoring, expert support and funding to launch their projects for positive environmental change.”
The car was named after its creator, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and only two were made.
It played an important role in sports car development and featured key historical elements such as gullwing doors, ultra-light magnesium bodywork, and a straight-eight engine. At the time of production, it was the fastest road car in the world and had a top speed of nearly 290 km/h.
The private buyer agreed to make his available for display on special occasions, and the other 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is currently on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
FAQs About the Most Expensive Mercedes
What is the cheapest Mercedes-Benz you can buy?
Generally speaking, an A-Class sedan will be the cheapest Mercedes-Benz you can get. This is because it's less powerful, and the base model only delivers 188 horsepower. At the time of writing, you can get a 2022 Mercedes A-Class sedan for around $35,000.
Do modifications add value to a car?
High-quality modifications have occasionally increased the value of a car to certain buyers. If you're trying to sell your modified car to a dealership, the modifications won't increase the resale value.
Does Mercedes own McLaren?
Mercedes owned around a 40 percent stake in the McLaren Group for the majority of McLaren's existence. However, in 2011, Mercedes' holdings were bought out, and McLaren returned to being an independent automobile company.
Do Mercedes-Benz cars retain their value?
Mercedes-Benz cars are likely to retain around 47 percent of their initial value. AMG GT four-door coupes, the Maybach GLS SUV, and S-Class are models which are the most prone to depreciation.
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