um, the 7 pleats and the wide panels are both available in 1st and 2nd gen vehicles... it's the difference between Tex and Leather...
I've got an 82 SD (several actually...) and a set of leather seats from a 91SEL and they are identical (aside from condition...)

Nope, almost all W126's have it. Both of our '82's do, and the '87 and '89, as does our '83 parts car. Maybe it was an option, either way they all have it. :D


The interior (seats) from later cars will fit in the early ones with some minor wiring changes and loss of the memory function. (unless you are crazy and re-do ALL the wiring). I have '91 350SDL seats and visors in my '82SD.

Ahh im bummed out now. Stupid 1st year 126

so, the 81 does not have it? that means you have a less complicated monovalve! cool!:cool:

Updated! Someone please take on this list, as I will be heading to Panama at the end of this week!

or cable driven?
 

... or it is maybe like w123 240/300D's over here,most of them doesn't have any
just a "pipe" and on/off cable?



.

I have a set of 7 pleat & wide panel 126 seat skins and both are leather.
I have seen the 7 pleat in both leather & tex. Don't know if wide panel
came in both materials.

Jeff

pics?
I'll take some of the different seat patterns I have on my 126 seats both Tex, and leather...

That is exactly how I recall them too. My '83 300SD had the wide panels (as you described them) in leather. I was very pleased with what I had as seating surfaces in the car I owned/drove a lot of miles in the 8 years I had the car.

2nd gen door pulls are a single molded piece versus, on the gen 1, the center support bracket being screw-on. Gen 2 front door pulls are interchangeable with gen 1. Short wheelbase gen 2 rear door pulls are interchangeable with short wheelbase gen 1 cars.

It's worth the upgrade, at least in the front, because those center support pieces always seem to break.

seeing is believing
 

Here's a shot of the 7 pleat leather.

Jeff

How about the rear differential? When did the 3.07:1 get used, vs. the 2.88:1, 2.47:1, etc.?

mercedes w126
 

also only on 1981 cars the clima control thermostat grille is located at the bottom of the dashboard,from 82 and up is located next to the dome light..

ASD and ASR
 

Along these lines, nobody mentioned the availability of ASD (=automatic locking differential) and ASR (= anti-slip regulation) on the W126.

ASD was available after 1987 for the 300SE/L
ASR I was available after 1987 for the V8 models,
ASR II was available after 1989 for all engines.

Another difference between Gen 1 and Gen 2 is the star emblem anchor on the trunk lid.
Gen 1 has a central screw, Gen 2 has three pins that are simply pushed in.

There was also an improved transmission after 87, an updated interior in 86, and 10 speaker becker available after 6/89, uprated seat heaters.
After 87 anti dive suspension was ditched in favour of more conventional set up.
Somewhen between 89-91 you lose the antenna switch.
Rear blind was available 90-91.
Gear lever lock was added in 91 so you couldn't shift without your foot firmly on the brake.

Window regulator
 

Does anybody know by chance whether the front Gen 1 window regulator can be used on a 2. Gen car??