I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to chime in about my "new" W126 I have got since the last reply here.

I had a 1985 380SE, but now have a 1988 300SEL. As "soft" as my 380SE rode, my 300SEL has a better ride... I guess because of the longer wheelbase for one thing. I know my shocks are probably worn since they are the originals, but the car dont excessively bounce, but the back of the car will "float" up and down at highway speeds on wavy pavement. The front suspension dont really seem to absorb bumps all that well, but overall, this MB has a soft and supple ride.

Cant say the same for my old '84 190D. Some idiot had put HD shocks on it and it had a very jittery ride. Had I kept it, I was going to have OEMs put back on.