The SEC/S-Coupe/CL-Class Thread

[Hatterasguy]

The SLC is based on the R107. Its not an S class, its an SL with a hard top.

[iwrock]

so, then there is no love for the S-Class coupes older than the W126?

[Fulcrum525]

Originally Posted by iwrock

so, then there is no love for the S-Class coupes older than the W126?

Well this crowd (no offense) might be a little biased to the C126 but I do think that everyone would agree that it is the best Mercedes coupe ever made. With that being said I think the C215 would be my best (Future) bet. It also doesn't hurt that someone that I know also likes the look of it. Interestingly enough she likes the headlight design which you and I thought was it's weak point.

[Pili380SL]

Every time I drive my 140 coupe, I try unsuccessfully to imagine a better way to get around town

[Drezell]

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Well this crowd (no offense) might be a little biased to the C126 but I do think that everyone would agree that it is the best Mercedes coupe ever made. With that being said I think the C215 would be my best (Future) bet. It also doesn't hurt that someone that I know also likes the look of it. Interestingly enough she likes the headlight design which you and I thought was it's weak point.

Aww. You guys don't like the headlight design? What's wrong with it?? As long as it does its job as a couple of GOOD headlights, then I don't see what your problem is!

[compu_85]

The C140 just seems too bulbus to me. Especially how the headlamps wrap up onto the hood. I don't like the way they look at all... one car I'll never own. I think a first gen Taurus is nicer looking by far

-J

[Fulcrum525]

Originally Posted by compu_85

The C140 just seems too bulbus to me. Especially how the headlamps wrap up onto the hood. I don't like the way they look at all... one car I'll never own. I think a first gen Taurus is nicer looking by far

-J

Ouch...hehe ok i'll admit that it's probably the 'weakest' of all the CLs but a Taurus? That's a bit too cruel I don't know, I think the C215 is really starting to grow on me (I just wish they offered a diesel varient....if they did i'd certainly look into getting one)

[JEBalles]

dunno if anyone else noticed, but the pedals have not changed since at least the 70s/80s.

[w111geek]

i have a 1984 Mercedes Benz w126 500 sec American version and i just had a blown head gasket, so i decided to put a European 500 sec engine . what is the difference? who's better in either performance or reliability etc ....? which is more powerful ? would you recommend the swap ? looking forward thank you. jack

[DieselPaul]

There is no US version 500SEC.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

There is no US version 500SEC.

Not true.

In 1984 and 1985 they were for sale new in the USA in Mercedes Benz dealerships.

~~~

Many of us would like to know more about deciphering the VIN numbers on the W126 coupes. Here's the trick for most U.S. spec vehicles. Keep in mind that most European grey market models use the chassis number (the number stamped on the secondary firewall) as the actual VIN number. U.S. vehicles have a VIN number stamping in multiple locations including the front windshield and driver's side door post.



Here's a sample VIN number from a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC: WDB C A 45 E X K A 478654



I'll break these down in order:



WDB - this refers to the manufacturer's code indicating Daimler-Benz (and now Daimler-Chrysler for 1999+ vehicles)



C - this code refers to the model or series. C = 126 series (other examples are E = 124 series and H = 202 series)



A - this letter refers to the engine type. A = gasoline, B = diesel



45 - these number refer to the model within the series. The following designations are relevent in the U.S. spec. W126 coupes:



- 126.043 1982-1983 380SEC M116.963 engine

- 126.044 1984-1985 500SEC M117.963 engine

- 126.045 1986-1991 560SEC M117.968 engine



E - this letter refers to the safety restraint system on the vehicle. E = seat belt + emergency pretensioners, driver and passenger

front air bags



X - this is simply a check digit



K - this is the model year designation. K = 1989 (other examples are P = 1993, R = 1994, and so on)



A - this letter signifies the plant of production. A-E = Sindelfingen, F-H = Bremen, and J = Rastatt



478654 - this is the chassis end number

source: www.mbcoupes.com