Reasoning behind body style designations?
 

I have always wondered how Mercedes comes up with the body style/model designations. I don't mean 300E or 300D or whatever, rather the W123, W124, and W126. Why no W125? Why jump from W126 to W140?

I also have an SL 500 which is an R129. Then they jump to R170? I guess the R is for roadster, but then again maybe I am wrong.

Just wanted you to know that there is a w125....;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W125

I cannot answer your other questions....

Here's another question,

Why do the engines go from OM617 to OM616, 606,603 ?

they dont

there was a 615(220D) 616(240D) 617(300D)........and so on

The OM615 started as a lowly-sized 200D in the 115 and then again in the 123. :P

I think he also meant the transition from the 617s to 603s, etc... of which the 600s enumeration actually started with the 601s like in the 190D 2.0 L diesels. ;)

So?
 

Is there a list out there somewhere? I'm sure I'd like to see it. As for the "naming logic", I'm sure there is a TOTALLY worthless, non-logical, purposeful naming convention, based on and created by, "The Sales Team", NOT the engineers. Look at the voodoo the "420" /400 series had, in Japan, and elsewhere,hehe.

Enjoy! :)

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/SCAN0424.jpg

Why is the 617turbo from the W116 300SD from 1978-80 missing from that list?

The chassis model numbers seem to jump all over the place.

That list is based on Engine numbers enumeration (not by chassis, therefore it will "jump").
Unfortunately, the 116 300SD was missed.

But they covered it here:
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...6/SCAN0317.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...6/SCAN0318.jpg

The list also shows the OM603 as being in the W126 as early as October 1979 and omits the non-turbo 300CD with the OM617.912.

Nitske's book has a few typos, the n/a 300CD as another example... I believe his last publication of this book was in '95.
But FWIW regarding the w126... probably because it was introduced in '79 and of the 3 units made as a '79 MY:
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...6/SCAN0277.jpg

The turbo diesel trunk badge on the SD doesn't look like anything I've ever seen on an MB.

I think in Europe the W126 300SD had a naturally aspirated OM603, instead of the OM617.90

Here's the corresponding page for the 126 diesels:

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...6/SCAN0278.jpg

Oh since the topic is 126 diesels... check this out: 1984 300SD

w126 diesels were not available to purchase in europe.