How a loaner car led to Azril's classic Mercedes collection

Free Malaysia Today

24-05-2025

Within just five years of falling in love with Mercedes cars, Mohd Azril Bahaman now has 10 luxury classic vehicles in his collection. (Mohd Azril Bahaman pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : Mohd Azril Bahaman's passion for classic cars, specifically those of the German brand Mercedes Benz, began by chance when his neighbour let him borrow a vintage model after his own car broke down.
This opened a new chapter for the 45-year-old, who now proudly owns 10 luxury classic cars – a dream he has realised within five years of falling in love with the brand.
His collection includes editions such as the 1982 Mercedes C123 Coupe, 1987 190E, 1982 C126 Coupe, 1985 S123 Wagon, and 1990 S124 Wagon, as well as modern models like the 2010 W204 – valued cumulatively at about RM900,000.
'In 2020, my Audi broke down, so my neighbour offered to lend me his old Mercedes while my car was being repaired. Once I drove it, I instantly fell in love. It felt different – soft and comfortable despite being an older model,' Azril, a business consultant, recalled.
'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 admits to having faced many challenges while building his collection, including being scammed and having to deal with the high costs involved. But this hasn't deterred him or diminished his passion for classic cars.
A view of Azril's collection of classic cars, which include the 1982 Mercedes C123 Coupe, 1987 190E, 1982 C126 Coupe, 1985 S123 Wagon, and 1990 S124 Wagon. (Mohd Azril Bahaman pic)
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 vehicles at much lower prices.
Still, certain cars, especially two-door models, tend to be more expensive and harder to negotiate for than four-door versions, owing to their limited production and rarity in the market.
Azril also shared that not every car he buys is in good condition: some require costly restoration work before they can regain their value in the market.
Nevertheless, he believes it is worth it. 'Investing in classic cars is becoming more popular because their value increases over time, unlike regular cars that depreciate. For example, a Mercedes W123 Coupe used to cost RM70,000, but can now fetch RM200,000.
'Rare models like the Pagoda can even reach over RM1 million,' he noted.
Investing in classic cars is worth it as their value increases over time, unlike regular cars that depreciate, Azril says. (Bernama pic)
Azril recalled an incident when he was scammed by a workshop owner who charged him RM5,000 for repairs that actually only cost around RM150. This became a turning point for the father of two, pushing him to deepen his knowledge about Mercedes cars through enthusiast communities.
He now shares his knowledge about these luxury vehicles, including maintenance and care tips, on social media. To date, he has amassed over 335,000 followers via his 'Klasik Mercedes Malaysia' Facebook and TikTok accounts.
'I'm not running a business – I just enjoy sharing information about classic cars,' Azril explained, adding that he has also thus far listed 120 reliable classic-Mercedes workshops across Malaysia to help users access repair and maintenance services.
On the topic of maintenance, he pointed out 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 for the future, Azril dreams of opening a gallery or café that includes a Mercedes exhibition space, where enthusiasts can gather and share their experiences about these cars.