Andy-

Are you sure there was a SWB 600 140? what years was it produced and in what countries was it offered?

Just curious.

Hi, hope you don't mind me butting in, I have tons of info of this type. Still unsure if this was offered in the US, the engine did have catalytic converters, though. I don't believe it was offered in the US, not 100% sure.
Preproduction began in 10.90, production models 04.91, it was called the 600SE. In 06.93 it was called simply the S600. The long S600 was called the S600 long wheelbase, no badge to tell the difference between a long and short wheelbase.
Total production of all short wheelbase 600 140 chassis was 3,399, including preproduction vehicles.
Gilly

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Interesting. What would have been the point? I mean, in every country I can think of, the V-12 S Class would have been a limousine or else personal transport for CEOs/sports stars/VIPs etc. Who among the target audience would care about a SWB version? Or are there countries where it would matter for legal reasons?

gillybenztech,

Thnx for the quick reply.. hehe..

Anyways, if you look through dealers papers, some times you would notice something like S320W and S320L(on papers for W140s made from 1994-1996) written on the paper instead of "S320" badge on the truck...

S320W = SWB
S320L = LWB

HOWEVER, some how, MB decided to change again, and uses S320V/S500V for LWB from 1997... and "W" for SWB(not sure about this one though.. have to check).

Here is the break down... use S500 for example...

S500V OR S500L = LWB
S500C = Coupe
S500W = SWB

Andy Kuo

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
http://members.shaw.ca/AKRY/W140_Side.gif

2002 Acura TL Type S
http://members.shaw.ca/AKRY/type_s_side.gif

Yeah, good point.
Small garage?
In my info, there was no performance differences that I could find, fuel mileage also was nearly identical, so there go the first 2 thoughts I had, either performance gains for a slightly (100mm) shorter car, or the less weight (10kg lighter).
The only marginally significant difference? Price.
In 1998, the last price quoted for the short S600, it cost 4,176DM less than the long wheel base. This was 04.98.
The low production figures seem to reflect that it really wasn't such a hot product to make. 3,400 cars is really a drop in the bucket, although my info does cover the S500 long wheelbase landaulet:
Production date 3.97, number produced: 1 (for the Vatican)
God Bless America! God Bless The Popes S500!
Gilly

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I don't think the 600V-12 was ever offered in the shortwheelbase version in the 140.(in the US)....I think the only 140's available were the 300SE(S320) the 400SE(92 only) and all the diesel 140 300SD(S350)......and I think they only sold about 3000 diesels 140's in the three years they were imported stateside.....most of the shortwheelbase cars will be 300SE's (S320)


Warren
1992 300SD 126K
Columbus Ohio

For your Reference :

Here is the list of W140 sold in H.K.
Model..............................Bhp/rpm..........0-100km/h...........top speed
S280 SWB (YES, 2.8L).....193/5500..........10.5.......................215
S320 SWB/LWB...............231/5800........8.9/9.1.....................230
S420 SWB/LWB..............286/5700............7.9........................245
S500 SWB/LWB..............326/5700............6.7........................250
S600 SWB/LWB..............408/5200............6.1........................250

And the price of W140 was astronomical expensive when compared to the other brands, but still it could outsell any competitor like Lexus, Infiniti, BMW and Acura very easily.

Yes, W140 is a hi-tech, overloaded dinosaur......but everyone who sits in side will be impressed with what it offers. At least, all my friends say the same compliment on my W140----" feel so proud and prestigious " Those elements can't be replaced by others easily I suppose....Lexus can't...BMW can't.....even the W220 can't...........
"To be one of the crowd or seen in the crowd" Its still your choice...

No diesel 140 in Hong King?!...:-(

I agree with your reply about the 140 being a standout....but MB should have really gotten their act together on reliability before they released the car to market......WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS!!!...especially the early years...some like the AC evap issue still plague the later cars...I will admit that I have thought many times about the Lexus as I drove away from my dealer in the service loaner.....one thing I have figured out...the 140 doesn't look nearly as attractive with the hood up in the dealer's service drive...

Warren
1992 300SD 126K
Columbus Ohio

No, Diesel W140 is not available since day one as diesel is not popular and the Government doesn't allow any registration of diesel private car at all.
Yes, W140 got hips of problems in its early days...........we all know it by heart. But guess what, there are still many many W140 members/ owners here and may not be willing to trade their cars in ..........there must be some elements ruling out the others and making us fall in love and stay with it for long.
As long as those problems can be solved out, we should be happy................as the others may have problems too........

My has SOME of the common problems(Close Assist Pump, Gauge Cluster, Shimmy Steering)... however, some are fixed under warranty(Shimmy Steering), rest I get discount for repairs.... and my Evap Core is still working(figers crossed), and seriously, I still rather have a W140 S500 than W220 S500...

Andy Kuo

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
http://members.shaw.ca/AKRY/W140_Side.gif

2002 Acura TL Type S
http://members.shaw.ca/AKRY/type_s_side.gif

Well,

In regard to problems myself or the original owner have had ALL the problems....steering shimmy(MB bought the original owner a new set of tires),Instrument cluster,window regulator,rear vanity mirror,AV evap core TWICE!!,Climate control push button unit,Alternator,Complete New engine,blower resistor and vacuum control unit, and closing assist pump...

most of this(thank god) was done under warranty...bust just the work that I have had done since I have owned it approaches the amount I paid for the car......

I hope the 220 doesn't have these type of teething problems as I think the clientele that typically spends that amount of money on their auto does not like to be inconvenienced by all the trips to the dealer...I mean don't get me wrong I love my car as long as everything is working...and the funny thing is the tech at the dealer says that everything that has happenend to my car he has fixed on many others in the past...so my situation is not unique

Warren
1992 300SD 126K
Columbus Ohio

Mr. MidwestMB, I recognize mea culpa in forgetting about the S55 on my list, and yes, the new W220 S600 cannot be bought off-the-shelf as Short Wheel Base (it was the W140).

According to some in-house sales directives I have access to, the W140 was available as a SWB for the customer who wanted the performance, exclusivity and power of the V12 without the destroyer-proportions of the LWB W140.

We have to remember that the proportions of W220 are much, much, smaller than the W140. So the SWB W220 is definitely not worth it to have it as a 600. On the other hand, even a SWB W140 was a already limousine sized.

Finally, about not being able to buy an W220 S600 SWB in any market: don't be too sure about it. I know for fact that if you are willing to fork a substancial premium, Mercedes-Benz will build one for one. Unlike the dealers in the U.S. which are very limited about special orders, an M-B dealer here would accept any special request (as long as you are willing to pay for it).

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

I don't doubt MB would build darn near anything if a client wanted to pay for it.

A. Rosich got the point.... SWB W140 is already close to LWB W220 in size while LWB W140 simply is the MONSTER(biggest S-Class build, excluding Pullman).

Andy Kuo

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
http://members.shaw.ca/AKRY/W140_Side.gif

2002 Acura TL Type S
http://members.shaw.ca/AKRY/type_s_side.gif

I think the 220 has at least the same amount of interior space as the 140(if I am not mistaken)......in fact the rear legroom is larger than in the 220....I have ridden in the back of a 220 and the legroom was huge


Warren
1992 300SD 126K
Columbus Ohio