The SEC/S-Coupe/CL-Class Thread
 

This is a thread that is dedicated to the large S-Class based coupes starting with the C126 SECs to the latest C216. I think this should be a discussion on what you love about your favorite model but also what you like and dislike about all the others.

• I love the look of the 560SEC but if I was to buy a model I think I would like to have something a little more modern. However I certainly wouldn't complain if I had one :cool:

• The C140 might fit my bill but I think it is the most blocky of all the CLs. However with that being said I think the C140 certainly has the greatest presence due to it's shear size and upright stance.

• I think the C215 while not being a reliability dream is a very good looking and well packaged car. Cooled seats would definitely be a plus in the summer.

• Even though it's technologically the best car you can buy....I'm not a fan of the styling on the C216, the taillights remind me of an Acura and it does look quite bulky.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1...l500200712.jpg

C126
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1...enz560sec3.jpg

C140
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3652/2141.jpg

C215
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2745/cl55f1le.jpg


C216
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/632...l600200710.jpg

Interior Shots
C126
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/488...nz560sec21.jpg
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2...60237741sm.jpg

C140
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4892/8f41.jpg
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8938/c241.jpg

C215
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4998/89662443.jpg
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8574/85849324.jpg

C216
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7...65004matic.jpg

Euro engined 560SEC please. :D :D

For a DD I'd take a CL55 with a 560SEC running close in second place.

Already voted with my pocketbook about 15 years ago.

It's already lasted me longer than most American marriages last.

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...1/DSC_4760.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...1/DSC_4754.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...e57d0d55_b.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...aa4b9c0b_b.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...95fb622b_m.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...1/IMG_2493.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...5d0a5c81_b.jpg

Hey, I'm in that picture!! ^^^^ :D

I have owned the C126, and it is an amazing car.

If I had a choice though, it would definitely be the C216. Not just because it is the newest, but because I have been absolutely in love with it since it came out. Every time I see one drive by, it's in slow motion with the "Love Theme" from Romeo and Juliet playing. :D lol

I really like the 126 coupes. They are stylish, very simple and rugged if you get an early one and reasonably quick. I only sold mine because the door was too long to get in and out easily in my pull in parking space!

126, purely on aesthetic terns, though the finny coupe is a beautiful car as well. The 140 is too disproprotioned and the later things just look jappanese.

- Peter

I like them all.:D

I can see where you are coming from with the W216 but I think the W215 is pure Mercedes styling.

I like the 215 styling good enough, but stay away from the V12. V8 should be fast enough for most fools. :D

Sorry I think the last "pure Mercedes style" was wt 140. But to each their own. Aesthetics are largely subjective after all.

- Peter.

My dad had the W140, we dubbed it "the pig" for good reason, god that was such a large car.

W126 is my personal favorite, quietly searching for the right one for the right money on the right day haha. Not dying to get one just yet but given the right opportunity I'll jump. I keep looking at ones friends come up with, nothing nice enough yet.

The w126, particularly in Euro trim, has such a clean and timeless look about it. However, I like the massiveness of the w140, especially those heavy c-pillars. It justs looks so...unapproachable.

C215 CL65 AMG


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/...287875e5_b.jpg


The best part is that great looking C pillar. With the windows down... Oh man, cargasm.


The worst part is the f-ugly headlights.

some more eye candy

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63...cmeet-5264.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63/justinwrock/sacmeet-5264.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63...cmeet-5385.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a63/justinwrock/sacmeet-5385.jpg


(the forum resizes pics so they look ugly.


i put the link to the image below the pics so you can get the full, clear shot. ;)

cargasm...Heh!:P

Agreed. Still....the S600 and AMG models do have some really nice touches. Perhaps one could find a 500 spec up to 600 standards?


Very true. The ONLY part of the styling that I was ever iffy on were the headlights. It's not that they were bad, they just weren't anything to write home about.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7673/3c033.jpg

Gorgeous!

http://www.thesupercars.org/wp-conte...z-CL-Class.jpg

http://automobilesdeluxe.tv/wp-conte...l600-coupe.jpg

Personaly after sampling the V12, IMHO now the V8 is like drinking alcohol free beer, or eating fat free cheese.:D

http://www.kenrockwell.com/sl/images...e_5490-950.jpg


Owning a V12 is like dating a Playboy model, its going to cost you a fortune but you will have fun!:D:cool:

It's not worth it, under warranty sure, but never, ever again. Get a supercharged V8 instead.

I'm not so sure about the AMG models. I know that the supercharged 5.5 liter engines are generally very reliable once you replace the intercooler pump but the sportier appearance and ride puts me off of them....I think a standard CL500 would be fine.

blasphemy!


the way to do it is AMG.

Some autorotica in this thread. Must... buy... V12.... CL....

Absolutely. Anything more is purely to feed the ego. :cool::cool:

Bruno Sacco said the W126 was his most perfect creation. W126,W215,W216........W140

Why is the 450SLC not included in the line up?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/...b338bbe8_o.jpg

I'm sure Bruno Sacco would choose the C126!

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/atta...005.mini1l.jpg

Here's an interesting article: http://straight-six.com/blog/?p=2939

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/3596/79092651.jpg


The SLC was and will always be an interesting vehicle. For simplicity I decided that this thread should concentrate on S-Class based coupes. Personally I think the SLC is a closer relation to the E-Class coupes then the SECs.

SLCs are great but they are not "full size" they fit in a weird Mercedes size offshoot. The 280CE would be more like an E-class. The SLC was bigger than the CE but smaller than the SEC.

Really? I always thought the line up was that the SLC came before the SEC. Hmm... interesting info.

In terms of size or timeline? SLC was before in terms of both, sorry if my wording is weird.

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

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.

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8...l500200780.jpg

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

Finally the C140 gets some respect. What is your favorite aspect of it?






http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/2742/c140.jpg

Take an ambulance.:)

An ambulance? Hmmm lol. Fulcrum, the amazing thing about the 140, in my opinion, is that through the chemistry of it's strongpoints, it creates an environment for the driver that in my experience is unmatched. The 500's power, brakes, handling and even the HVAC sysytem and the radio are fantastic. Mine is apparently very obedient lol. I'm just glad I got to feel what this car is capable of as I sure couldn't have afforded one new :).

I would imagine that the double glazed windows and massive interior space would create a certain calming effect. The sound system in my 91 was used as the test bed for the 140s so I know that even the stock system is very strong. How is the ride quality in the turns?

Hard to describe how sure footed this car feels, perhaps calling it a big cat would come close; it doesn't feel as heavy as it is. I drive a Miata set up for handling pretty hard, and the 140's weight would limit the really tight stuff but it stays very composed and feels very balanced in turns. A calming effect is a great way to put it. The fact that two of my commonly used vehicles are the Miata and a motorcycle perhaps "enhances" this calming effect by comparison. I bought this car about 3 months ago and the Miata has sat a lot since :).

Interesting. I must say that all of these cars are my 'unicorns'. That is I have driven almost every model of Mercedes built between 1985 and 2008 but I cannot seem to get my hands on a big Coupe. Even at TWO AMG challenges the CL's managed to elude me.

Once I drove a 560SEC but I was disappointed by it. It had been sitting for two years and to be honest my diesel felt faster then it. The interior was quite dirty and overall I was not impressed by it....I think I need to drive a well sorted model to feel a true SEC.

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/2585/ma6023778sm.jpg

Just found a pair of neat comparison photos. :cool:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2917/clcoupeslean.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5258/morecllean.jpg

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 :eek:

-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 :o 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)

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

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! :P

My 500 SEC was rated at only 185 hp but bout 250 torque. It responded to a prod on the throttle with a pretty eager thrust without down shifting. If you were really in a hurry it would downshift and take off. Much more relaxed than a diesel.

I autocrossed it with a set of hoosier slicks the same size as I use now on my Miata. I surprised a lot of little cars with it. I remember at one event a fellow complained that it should have been in FS instead of HS. (he was wrong)....I just figured "I must be on the right track". He went home early in a huff (I imagined).

Lovely cars. I get a little twinge whenever I see one, still.

FS? HS? :confused:

SCCA Autocross classes...FS is F stock the class for camaro and mustangs with v8's and such. H stock is the lowest class available and the home of all mercedes not otherwise classified. My 500 SEC was not otherwise classified.;)

Lol poor Miatas didn't stand a chance :D Kidding. What other cars were running that day?

By modern standards an SEC (While heavy) is a lot lighter when compared to its 'replacements'