From Loan To 10 Classic Mercedes Worth RM900,000
By Mohd Afiq Zulkifli
KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) – His passion for classic cars, particularly the exclusive German brand Mercedes-Benz, began by chance when his neighbour lent him a vintage model after his own car broke down, easing his daily commute.
That unexpected encounter opened a new chapter and an extraordinary journey for 45-year-old Mohd Azril Bahaman, who now proudly owns 10 luxury classic cars – a dream he has realised within five years of falling in love with the brand.
Owning various iconic models, this business consultant’s collection includes editions such as the 1982 Mercedes C123 Coupe, 1987 190E, 1982 C126 Coupe, 1985 S123 Wagon, 1990 S124 Wagon, and even more modern models like the 2010 W204.
“At that time (2020), my new car (an Audi) broke down. So, my neighbour offered to lend me his old Mercedes while I waited for mine to be repaired. Once I drove it, I instantly fell in love... it felt different – soft and comfortable despite being an older model.
“One of my favourite models in my collection is the W123 Wagon, which was produced between 1975 and 1986. Everything in that car is original, from the carpet and seats to the dashboard... it still has the factory scent even after nearly 40 years,” he told Bernama.
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Admitting that he faced many challenges while building his dream collection – including being scammed and the high costs involved – none of that has deterred him or diminished his passion for classic cars.
Sharing further, Mohd Azril, who hails from Maran, Pahang, said the first classic car he owned was a 1987 Mercedes 190E. Since then, a wide network within the community of Mercedes enthusiasts has helped him acquire his dream cars at much lower prices.
However, certain models, such as two-door versions, tend to be more expensive and harder to negotiate than four-door versions, due to their limited production and rarity in the market.
Still, he acknowledged that not every car he bought was in good condition – some required costly restoration work before they could regain their value in the market.
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“Investing in classic cars is becoming more popular because their value increases over time, unlike regular cars which depreciate. For example, a Mercedes W123 Coupe used to cost RM70,000 but now it can go for RM200,000,” he said.
“Rare models like the Pagoda can even reach over RM1 million,” he added, recalling a time he was scammed by a workshop owner who charged him RM5,000 for repairs that actually only cost around RM150.
That incident became a turning point for the father of two, pushing him to deepen his knowledge about Mercedes cars through enthusiast communities that helped him with maintenance and care tips for these luxury classics – in addition to his own experience.
The knowledge he gained was also shared through TikTok and Facebook, which Mohd Azril fully utilised during the Movement Control Order (MCO). Unexpectedly, one of his videos featuring a 90s-era singer gained viral traction.
With over 2.5 million views, his video with Ferri Anugerah Makmur, which explored the singer’s interest in and ownership of classic Mercedes cars, significantly boosted his following. He now has 332,000 followers via the ‘Klasik Mercedes Malaysia’ account on Facebook and TikTok.
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“I’m not running a business – I just enjoy sharing information about old Mercedes cars, including their air-conditioning, accessories, and driving experience. So far, I’ve listed 120 reliable Mercedes classic workshops across Malaysia to help users access car maintenance services,” he said.
On the topic of maintenance, he said that spare parts for Mercedes models from the 1980s onwards are still widely available in Malaysia, while parts for older models are harder to find and often require special sourcing, including from overseas.
As a long-term plan, Mohd Azril dreams of opening a gallery or café that combines a Mercedes classic car exhibition space where enthusiasts can gather and share their experiences about these cars.
-- BERNAMA
