Well I'll qualify my remarks, ingorant though they may be, with some pictures in a couple of days. And there is no doubt the one I'm working with is a POS, but there is also no doubt as to being able to see through the broken plastic rocker panels, into the subframe. I don't doubt it's heavier than the 126, it may feel like a tank, and be safer, but built like a tank? Crumple zones don't count in my book. Pretty much any heavy iron from the 70's and early 80's would win out today in an accident involving a crinkle-car. Just my .02, flame away..

Since you guys are talking about tank like chassis and body, on an off note, consider adding the venerable G Wagen to this list as well, one of the last, truly rugged, corrugated sheet MB is among a rare breed of true 4WD and not the current crop of mall cruisers/pretender plasticky 4WD that one sees, the only other 4WD that can really match it is the old 1969 Nissan Patrol.

As for cars, my favorite will remain my 83 240D, I survived a tractor trailer hit in the back at 40mph and went on to use the car for the rest of my undergrad life after some body repair. The 240D/300D IMHO were built like tanks, the fact they survive in Beruit, Palestine, Afghanistan goes to show how well built they were, I have even seen them plying in bomb ridden Bosnia and Chechnya. Most 240D and 300D sold here in India are still running, this with multiple hits to their body and massive pounding to their chassis as well.

Flame away but the W140 is a stronger, faster, safer, better built, and all around one of the best S class MB's ever. It is a better designed then the W126, MB put tons of R&D money into it and they got what they payed for.

As for W140 exterior plastic, the front bumpers seem to be made out of the same plastic that my W126's bumpers are. But my W126 is clad in plastic along the entire lower body, the W140 isn't. The fenders and hood of the W140 are thick steel. I don't know what pos you are talking about but I know the W140 and it is not a plastic fantastic creation. Besides plastic isn't a bad thing anyway, all of that plastic on the outside of my W126 is still in perfect shape.

Everyone has an opinion, personaly I'd take an E320CDI over a 240D in about a second but thats just me. Neither car is "better" then the other, just new cars have a warranty!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

yeah, I'd take a new CDI as well, I don't care how it's built..

Yeah, what these past two guys said. The people who are down on the MB's, 90% of the time, have never owned one. So, tell me about your relatives now who had an S500 and said it didn't compare to theri 240D...(I bet the S500 leaks a lot less).

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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The W140 is safer in a 40 mph oblique collision, no doubt. And probably every other angle as well. However, as far as structural rigidity.

The W126 safety cage holds up BETTER than the W140 from pictures I've seen scattered across the Net. ESPECIALLY side impact oblique crashes. That doesn't mean the passenger survived. The car did, not necessarily them.

The only time I've seen a W126 safety cage somewhat buckled is when a bomb was planted in the driver's seat.

Go and find me a picture of a W126 with it's safety cage buckled. That's quite a daunting task.


W140



W126

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

the first benz that i owned was a 201, it was pretty sturdy for a small car, i then traded up for a 230E 124, which was traded also for my current ride, a 300D w124(Euro version non turbo). Which in my opinion looks sturdier, more massive than a w123, but i feel the w123 is more solid materials wise. someone mentioned the materials look more expensive... i tend to agree with that.
Though the ultimate ride in my opinion is a w140, aside from it looking massive(which it is) the interior exudes total luxury. And the ride is so stable and quiet. In my opinion it is the last true mercedes engineering marvel(except for the 350 engine, or so i read). The body screams mercedes all around, and cannot be mistaken for anything else. The current designs look more and more japanese IMO, though the w210 does look interesting, i wouldn't mind owning one.

As for tank like, i remember seeing an episode of "world's scariest police chases" something or other, where a white w140 was being rammed by police cars to no effect, they couldn't "pit maneuver" the thing, i think it eventually ran out of gas?(i forget, The commentator even mentioned that: These (mercedes) luxury cars are built like tanks, that's why they're so expensive etc etc to that effect.

If i end up owning a 140 diesel that would be IT for me. (yeah right?)

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project

Hey I saw the same episode, I remember the guy saying 'these mercedes are built to hug the road' . Personally my last true tank would be the w126 even thought my favorite is the 124, I just cant picture a 140 doing over 300k under adverse conditions( taxi service, Beirut, Bosnia, Afganistan, ect) and still come back for more, but I never doubt that they are great cars and the styling exudes this aura of elegance that is very seldom seen these days ( just look at the latest 7 siries from that 'other' german maker.

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87 300d Turbo 241K with original #14 head (blue)
87 300d Turbo 198K will run great again someday (silver)
84 300sd sold ( buyer drove it to Paraguay )

Another way to frame the question is...."what was the first tinny/cheap/plastic, etc., MB?

My vote goes to the W210 E320 I had for four months. It was my first MB and was very disappointing. This is the legendary MB driving experience, I thought

However, its replacement, the W124 E500 renewed the faith. As the last "coach-built" MB (until Maybach, that is), I know the build quality is not typical of all W124s but very impressive regardless.

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Dean Albrecht
"Lead, follow, or better yet, get out of the way!"E500 owners motto

Hm Anyone know where this video might be hiding on the internet?
I love nothing more than seeing old benzes hold up in crashes, etc.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

I've got my W126 apart for painting. There are no door seals; no door panels; no glass, AND THE DOORS STILL HAVE THE CHARACTERISTIC MERCEDES SOUND!
I also marvel at the integrity of the cars I see in the junkyards--the doors almost always operate easily.

I remember that video. The crown vics just bounced off I think it was a 400SE. I think the guy just gave up or had to exit the vehicle.

There was a W126 here on the 110 freeway that had a semi trailer flop over onto it when it jackknifed and flipped. The trailer collapsed like a blanket around the car but the passengers inside got a few bruises and were otherwise fine albeit very pissed.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

the w126 is a tank hands down.. i own one and it is a true tank..

i also own 2 w124 and they are toys.... little tin cans copied after
japanese cars....

i am a large fellow when i get into my w126 i can barely reach the steering wheel and it doesnot press my stomach... 2 feet of room between me and it...

when i have to drive one of the w124 and i only do it when i have to ... the wheel pushes in on my tummy and i can barely get in and out... its a toy a baby car.. it was the beginging of the downfall of mercedes.....

Yeah I had tried to post before. It WAS a 400SE. I remember the narrator saying it was extremely difficult to catch up to the car on the straights. Good ole M119!

It took about three cruisers to finally box the car in after the driver attempted to make a U-turn. It became a semi-PIT procedure. At least, I remember it that way.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)