I normally don't get into the opinion threads, but this one got my interest.

I've owned both a 88 300SEL and currently own a '93 500SEL.

My thoughts.

Reliability and durability: 126 body wins hands down for all things except two.

Rust: 140's were galvanized, 126's were not.

Brakes: Stronger, generally easier to fix. last longer (I do substitute the factory pads for Metal Masters and drilled rotors on both the 126 and 140) Most people are surprised by this but higher metal content of the pads and the drilling allow the break parts to cool much faster. This decreases wear significantly. The 140's brakes are just better set up and cool quicker. than the 126's did. When the factory pads with their higher organic content are on the 140, they build up too much heat and wear much faster (at least that is my theory). The extra pistons in the 140's calipers do seem to promote much more even wear than in the 126's setup.

Everything else is much harder and more complex. The power doors are a pain. If it was just the pump, that would be expensive but not so bad. Unfortunately it is the lines. This car had first generation environmentally friendly rubber. It is not the incredibly durable rubber and plastic hoses of the 126. It dries out with time. I could explain why this is chemically (rubber and paint chemistry aren't all that different), but I will not bore you with the details.

The line issues continue with the engine. I've just spent $500 for many small hoses and have the intake manifold off my beast trying to get enough vaccuum to keep it running right. Right now, the intake manifold is being cleaned. There are remains of decayed rubber lines in all the crevices. It is a bear of a job.

Evaporator core for the AC? Has to be replaced and everything has to come out of the dash.

Make sure you keep the pollen filter clean and replace it regularly. When it plugs, it overheats the blower motor and then you need both.

First tranny I ever had to have rebuilt on a MB. Did get 150,000 mi out of it. The car is just so heavy. They really should have beefed it up for this vehicle.

Self leveling suspension is expensive and a big pain. Make sure the power steering pump is running right when you are having problems with the rear suspension. That pump runs the rear suspension also.

Front suspension. Not too hard to work on but the parts are pricey. Nothing original is left on mine.

Never had alternator problems. The original is still in the car. If you don't skip on changing and the size of the battery, this part seems solid.

Why do I put up with it? When this beast is running right, it is absolutely amazing. Quiet, comfortable. First MB that I have ever thought the AC was powerful enough. My dad had a 2000 and a 2003 S-class. They just weren't as luxurious. Faster, better handling. Just not so limo-like. I've never been in a better cruising car in my life. 126's are better cars, but not as luxurious.

As it says below, "A Terrible Addiction."

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2010 Toyota matrix

'93 500 SEL
A bad addiction. Takes all of my cash.

'12 Volvo S80 T6
Needed something that wasn't as hard to deal with as my bad addiction

'18 Mazda Miata
No more boring cars for everyday transport!

In the, admittedly few, truly nice w126's I've driven, the steering and overall handling is wonderful. It's almost telepathic, the car turns and goes where you want with seemingly very little input. It's hard to explain but I was struck by the difference between one in truly tip top shape and my reasonably maintained, but high mileage, daily drivers.

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

i drove many w126 cars for the last 8 years (mostly an '84 300sd and a '90 300se) and i "mistakenly" bought a w140 at the auction two years ago. i say that b/c it was badged as an s500 and it turned out to be another 300se. my fault because i was steamed that i just 'lost' on a mint '95 w140 coupe that went for $5400!!! sooooo, i started driving the w140 and i have to say it isn't as bad as i feared (i can hear it falling apart in the driveway as i type this just to spite me). it has more quirky problem than all the w126 cars i've owned put together but it rides nice, has more power than the w126 gasser and has cost me little to own so far. i would probably buy another one if the price was right

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0o==o0

James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.

Worn rear suspension bushings will steer on their own.

Sixto
87 300D

I had worn bushings on the back of my sdl. The car was getting a bit hard to keep on the road. So, I bought a 95S320 from one of the top salesmen at the dealership (it was his personal car), and basically made it my daily driver. The 126 is hard to drive by comparison.... The 140 I bought had minimal electical add ons..... Minimal features. So far, minimal problems.
As I said, just ball joints, tstat, water pump, and the t hose thingy. A few things needed adjusting, and that's been it....
Front bumper need replacing, but that's the fault of the PO, as he got sick of curbing it, and took a sawsall to it and did an interesting mod.... I haven't gotten the new skin yet....

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All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to stand by and do nothing.

Too many people tip toe through life, never attempting or doing anything great, hoping to make it safely to death... Bob Proctor

'95 S320 LWB
'87 300SDL
'04 E500 wagon 4matic

LOL, hey now I just had mine replaced and the car still drives itself (and does it well!).

The 126 is a car I think you "pilot" as much as "drive". It drives much better than other cars its size, but it's still a big ol' car.

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'88 300SE | Midnight Blue | 237k
'09 Subaru Impreza | red | 0k

Thanks for the additional replies. Definitely informative. Especially JMKs input.

Yes - it seems that the W126 is really the cheaper car to own. One thing I think is that Mercedes made such a huge leap between the 1991 W126 to the 1992 W140. The W126 dated back to 1980 while it was a somewhat "complex" car in 1980, by 1991, it was a simple car, even compared to other 1991 cars. That all changed in 1992 though didnt it?

I love my car... but the reasons some mentioned is why I wanted a W140. I drove my uncles 1992 300SE (which was the lowest new price W140 you could buy) and fell in love with it. Power is not a big deal to me, so I can tolerate my 300SEL. I do get frustrated though when my gas pedal starts acting crazy on me. I have replaced it with a brand new one, but its still quirky. Sometimes it wont go all the way down, or requires heavier force to depress.

Brakes - WOW, I could not imagine brakes being any better than a W126. My car seems to stop on a dime... my uncles W140 seemed to be the same.

Steering - I have never been pleased with the steering on ANY Mercedes I have driven. Even my uncles W140 seemed to wander a bit, but mine have been displeasing. My 1985 380SE had slack, my 145K miles 1984 190D had slack and my current 1988 300SEL has slack (at the center), but its the best of the three. I am sure I could use new tie-rods and ball-joints too.

First thing I want to do is install new plugs... I have a loping idle/splutter... other than that, no engine or tranny issues. No oil leaks or burning... odd for a M103. I imagine that mine has already been addressed.

Exhaust leak... I have one... want to get it fixed soon.