S class ... All the same body ?
 

Say I'm looking at a 95 S Class car. Will it be the same body no matter which one I get ?

S500 , s320, s350, s420 ?

yes

OK thanks !

Oh!

What year did they switch from the 91 model(with the sealed beam that were replacable) to the the 94-95 model with normal headlights ?

The last year of the W126 was 1991. The body style changes for the worse with the arrival of the W140 in 1992.

Not sure if the headlights changed with it...........??

OK thanks !


I dunno about that, I kinda like the 92 and new S class.

......yep.......some folks do........;)

The W140 chassis came to the USA in the 7th month of 1991 as a 1992 model

So is a 1985 300SD (5 cyl, 3.0 L, Automatic (4 sp), Diesel) a 123 car or a 126 car ?



This model codes are confusing when your a newbie.

It's a W126. The S class in the W126 ran from 1981-1991.

The model codes are still confusing.;)

What's the difference between a 300sd and a 300sdl ?

The SDL is 5.5" longer......all the additional space appearing in the rear seat legroom.......

ok thanks !

Yep the W140 ran from 1992-99, BUT.
They made W140 coupes
SWB versions too.

In 1995 they did an update, changed a few minor cosmetic things.
They also introduced new transmissions in 1997, and a bunch of other cool stuff. Like the late models could get parktronic.

No, the S500 and S420 were long wheel base. The S350 is short wheel base. Some of the S320s were short wheel base and some were long. The difference in wheelbase and overall length is 3.9 inches.

The 92 400SE is SWB. From 93 the 420SEL/S420 are LWB.

The 92-93 300SE and 94 S320 are SWB. From 95 you have a choice of SWB or LWB S320 (VIN = GA32 for SWB, GA33 for LWB to help your eBay/autotrader search :) )

All Diesels are SWB. <-- update = all W140 Diesels are SWB

All this is only valid for cars originally sold in the US :/

Sixto

diesels carrying the sdl label are long wheelbase.

i have a 350sdl, 1990.

oh i see you were talking of the 140 body cars from 92 on.

tom w

Actually they made a lot more sense then- when displacement was the actual size of the engine (or close).
The letters make sense once you get the german down.. (or translated pig german)

:D

Hmmm.... Thats an opinion I guess.... I have a 126 and a 140 and think that the 140 has cleaner lines and a nicer look.....

yeah......no foul......I just can't get comfortable with that unbalanced nose and short tail........maybe it's just me..........:o

I like them both. Actualy their isn't an S that I can say doesn't look sweet.:cool:

I agree, I do love ALL S-classes from the W116 to the new W221 (passing through the W126 and W140). Each model has, more so at time of introduction, a unique and exquisite design execution.

If you are still confused about the differences between pre and post facelifted W140s, take a look at this link:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/19772-s-class-fiasco-w220-vs-w140.html

Start reading from the ninth post on...

The W189 isn't called an S but it qualifies. It was probably the Maybach of its day. Going from the W189 to the Heckflosses was a bit of a dip in tail end styling. Technical advances from the W189 to the W111/2 were nothing short of spectacular, though.

jfman, don't forget the S600.

Sixto

Oh yeah the new W221 looks really nice, very modern style.:cool:

I'm getting kind of used to the wheel arch's.

S550's come with 380hp now!:cool:

"Just" get the nose replaced (see my profile picture)

OMG its a W140/W220 hybrid!

Heh heh.... The nose vs tail does not bother me its the dash vents that don't line up with the center console......

All and all the 140 is a good improvement over the 126.... Its really nice to be able to go back and forth in time depending on your mood... :)

Kinda scary..... I don't like the 220 much because it looks small and cheap parked next to a 140...... The angular rear and sides with the smoothed front looks interesting.....

That is some vehicle. Absolutely unique.


I read the thread when you did that change. Quite a bit of work to achieve but stunning results.

I'm amazed that the fenders would "bolt on" to the W140.

The W220 is a much more user friendly S. Super easy to park, excellant sight lines. Also with the air suspsion it rides better then even the W140.

Where as the W140 is really just an evolved W126. The W220 was a departure, completly different cars, yet so S class in its own right.:cool:

Did I mention that air suspension?:D Air ride rules! I'm glad MB went back to it.

so is there a picture posted somewhere? sounds interesting.

tom w

-> Yes, the W220 was a departure... nonstop flight into Cheapoland. Plastics, interior finish and materials of the W220 do rival an Eastern European Lada, but any Corolla or even a Kia would beat the downgraded beast. Postfacelifted models corrected the nightmare a little, but still...

-> Air ride rules! Oh yes, tell that to all the owners from early (and some not too early) W220s who saw their S-class bellies kissing the floor after the air suspension had suddenly failed, with no option to drive their cars even a foot, anywhere.

Well when you buy a high end car expect problems. I disagree, I think the interior on the W220 is fine.

Whats the difference between spending $3k to replace and evap core or a couple of grand to set the air ride straight.:confused:

All part of owning European cars really.