Finally I had the opportunity to properly test drive a 2001 S500 (W220) for a week. I hate those around the block test drives the dealer offers for new models, so usually hold for a proper demo to be offered for a decent period of time.

After careful consideration, there is no doubt about it: the W140 series (91-99 S350-S600) is definitely a much superior car than the new W220.

The W140 is the last of the big "traditional design" Benzes. The new W220 is plainly an electronic marvel overkill.

The W140 has a much better low and high speed ride (especially on rough streets or traveling above 75 m.p.h.). And, no matter what the interior dimensions say, the W140 feels much bigger and comfortable inside than the W220. Fit and finish is also an important issue, just close hard the doors and feel (and hear!) the difference.

I know that the owners of the W220 might disagree with me, but just ask anyone who has traded their old W140 for the new car: they regret it deeply! I guess this is a parallel issue like the one between the W124 and the W210 cars. Oh well... just sharing my thoughts, no offense intented.


A. Rosich
S 320, 1998
E 320 T, 1995

I agree after testing the W220 and W140, the 92-99 W140 S-class feels more solid, smooth and stable. After examining the interior the W140 the detail, quality and engineering put into it is much supirior to the "new style" interior design of the W220. The "bank vault" experiance just isn't there. Although the new one is packed with tons of tech goodies, the W140 is the last of the true Big Bodied Benzes!

W140 vs W140
 

I agree that the W140 interior is much more inline with what we expect from Mercedes. However, starting as early as 1995, MB was cheapening the interior bits of the W140. Look at the interior materials of the pre-95 W140's and you will see what I mean. Even the leather was better and smelled more in the earlier W140's. Remember how po'd 94 S-Class owners were when MB dropped the price dramatically, I think it was with the 95 models. There was a reason they were able to drop it so much, cheaper materials.

I own a 94 S500 and was definitely not too pleased when they dropped the price about 10 grand with the 95's. However, I must agree with you completely. The W140's are the pinnacle of MB design and engineering. The car drives like it came from the factory yesterday. . . but it's seven years old and has 105,000 miles!!! There are very few makes that can say that about their cars. . .

W140
 

I actually like the body side moulding and rear lights on the pre-95 W140's much better. The 95+ look too bulky, not sleek at all.

I think a '99 S500 Grand Edition might be one of the ultimate MBs ever made. The W140s did get cheaper on the inside, but also had fewer problems as time progressed.

I personaly like the 95 face-lifted version better, they placed an extra crease line in the moldings like the newer MBs as opposed to the completely smooth moldings like the early SLs and later W124s. The SL also recieved the same type of treatment in 96. They modified the bumpers and moldings to lessen the impression of bulk and thickness to give the car a slightly sleeker profile. This was done probably since the W149 was greatly criticized for being excessivly bulky looking.

I also like the Tail lights of the facelifted one with the 97 clear turn signal lenses, although overall I dislike how the two tail lights are connected by the white reflector strip, this design is found on too many American cars. Unconected units like the 95 W124 would look a lot better.

Despite these few changes here and there, all W140 S-classes are the most solid, safe and beautifly designed MBs, and unfortunitly they may be one of the last...

The middle life facelift that the W140 went through, as stated before, had two main reasons:

1/ To lessen the bulk look of the car, and

2/ To make the production of the car cheaper.

Any M.B. fan knows that the W140, in the design development, has been the the most overbudgeted project they have had in their hands. In fact, the head manager in charge of the project was fired at the beggining of production. Once in production, the new car was so much expensive (to recover some of the expense) than the previous W126, that at one point DaimlerBenz had over 2,500 units unsold sitting iddle in one parking lot.

Of course, those units had to be sacrificed at huge discounts, making things worse for M.B. That's when the plan to cheapen the car (the '95 facelift) came in.

Although I have owned a pre'95 W140, I am extremely happy with my 98 S320. And, as said before, I would never trade for a W220 in a million years.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Overbudgeted, and you are RIGHT!!! LOL... W140 is probably the most expensive project(for passanger cars)MB ever started. In fact, from scratch to production took MB almost 10 years to complete. '92-'93 has the best fit/finish IMO. Canadian version of '95-early '96 S500/S600 are well finished, too as both have fully leather interior. However, if I were buying a W140 now, I would go for '99 models which is probably the most trouble-free W140s.....

And life many of you have pointed out, MB did the face-lift and "degraded" some of the materials used in order to keep price low to stay competitive.

P.S. 1992 is the most trouble-some year....

Andy Kuo

What do you guys exactly mean when you say the 95 models have degrading matireals? And what parts or matireals did they actualy make cheaper? The S420 we have has one of the best Interiors quality wise I ever seen in a car. So visual can you see the quality differance between the pre 95 models and 95 on models?

For me the ultimate W140 would be a '99 S600 with a little touch of ///AMG

95 S420
White/Grey
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
Wood/Leather Shift Knob
AvantGarde Grill
7123 miles

Post '95 present these changes:

1/ New bumpers and new plastic side flanks
(New design to make the car look less bulkier)

2/ New rear lenses (softer edges, and if you buy them at the parts dept.: much, much cheaper compared to pre-95 models)

3/ Deletion of rear parking assist antennas (a great design touch ommited because of high-cost and the introduction of the new "Parktronic" -extra cost feature in most markets, as opposed to the antennas that were standard everywhere-).

4/ New A/C electronic center dash panel controls (much cheaper to manufacture than the previous one).

5/ New interior door panel design. It deletes the very useful storage compartment pre-95 models had, although it addresses a problem that the armrest was too thin and people's elbows would not reach it comfortably (the new armrest is much thickier, although it reduces seat space a little). This change also ommitted several internal parts in the doors (including some electric wiring) which also saved them a lot of money.

6/ New headlight lens design (much cheaper to make, although it is said to be 30% brighter, which I would say it is!). Remember that the new Xenon lights (much more expensive) were optional in most markets

7/ Ride height was lowered an average of 1.5 inches, depending on model and extras fitted. This was done mainly to reduce bulk look and to favor airflow (read: more mpg).

8/ Mechanically many systems were changed in the engine compartment and the chassis. Bits and ends mainly to reduce costs.

9/ The infrared remote lock system was changed by a more reliable (and cheaper to manufacture) system.

10/ Some interior materials were cheapen also, the standard leather for example. But, the new more expensive and softer Nappa leather was made available.

I feel that the post-95 facelift did not significantly reduced the quality and presence of the W140, it definitely saved M.B. a lot of bucks in terms of production costs.

At the same time, 98 and 99 models made in several markets more standard equipment (to make the car more appealing in its last two years of life) available.

Also, if you ever get a chance to get a hold on a German Options List, U.S. buyers will be amazed at the myriad of extras and peculiar equipment you could order for the W140.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

The 95s all have the back up antennas standard, it was for 96 when they deleted this feature. The Infared system seems to be the same unit, although I believe they changed it in 98. The lenses for the headlights were upgraded to a clear chrome version which could be ordered with xenon later on. I just noticed the tiny compartment of the doors and the differant armrest. Although I thought the facelifted ones looked lower I didn't realize they actually were...During the last years another thing MB could have done to reduce a little cost was to delete the standard headlight wipers from the S320...

It all goes to market specs. The rear assist antennas were deleted on '95 on all markets except in the U.S. The headlight wipers were standard only on a few selected markets (including the U.S.), everyone else had to fork additional money to get them.

The headlight change main difference can be noticed as follows: standing in front of the driver's side headlight, with all lights on, pre-95 cars would have the fog light appear as a small triangle on the left side of the unit. Low and High beams would lit combined in a big rectangle to the right. Post-95 cars would have the high beam appear on a small triangle on the left side (where the fog light used to shine before). Low Beam would lit as a small rectangle on the upper right side, and the fog light would lit as a small rectangle on the lower right side (under the low beam). The projection lens design was also changed.

You are right about the infrared system, it changed early on '97 models for all markets (excluding U.S.) and in '98 of the U.S.

Another cheap touch done in most markets addressed the rear trunk handle. First it was chromed, later models had a flat-black painted handle.

Another difference would be the odometer and daily mileage counter, pre-94/95 cars had a regular counter while post 94/95 cars had an electronic reading reading display.

Most of the early faults found in the early prodution cars were taken care of by the end of 93/early 94. 1995 models on are excellent cars, although all models are quite expensive to repair compared to other M.B. series. The problems with the 350SD engine have been widely discuss in this and other forums.


A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Today Icame across an older W140, looking for the exact differance we discused here, I noticed that the pre 95 car had a switch that could raise and lower the rear seat headrests. Our 95-on cars can only drop the rear seat headrests, then needing someone to pull them up again manually:(

On the 92-94 500-600 SEL/S500-600, power rear seats and headrests were standard. From 95 on, the power rear seats were made optional for the S500. Every model below (S320, S420) had the manual headrests as standard since '92. The power rear seats and headrests were always an option, though, up until the 99's.

Is the front end vibration issue a problem for all W140's orjust certain models /years. What I am asking is are there any W140's which I could be assured would not have the vibration problem?

As Mr. ibeaver correctly stated, pre-95 higher end W140s came standard with the rear power bench seat. This set up included electric folding and raising headrests.

Lower end S-class W140s (S420/S320/S350) had only the regular folding rear headrests. This is the type, to save costs again, that was made standard for the whole line up post 95.

You could always order the rear power bench seat, or if you had money to give away, you could even order the rear independent powered bucket seats, which also came standard with rising and folding powered headrests.

The rear independent bucket seats could also be ordered with a convinience switch that lets you control the right front bucket seat from the back (to provide more space), a pair of wooden tables that folded into the front seat backs (a la Rolls Royce), and even a refrigerator that could accomodate a six-pack or two bottles of wine, accessible through the opening that the rear armrest leaves when in the down position.

In the W140s, the rear independent buckets could be ordered either for the short wheelbase or the long wheelbase version (enough space was available in both versions). In the W220, you can still get the rear independent buckets, but only for the long wheelbase version.

Note: the aformentioned icebox could also be installed in any car using the regular rear bench seast (powered or not), and if you are the type that really likes to entertain, you could order a bigger icebox that was factory installed in the trunk (swallowing eight bottles of wine at once), although it ate up almost 40% of trunk space). M.B. refers to both iceboxes in the Option List Catalog as convenience items to provide cool drinks to the driver and passengers, or as a safety item to keep heat-sensitive medication in the car.


A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

[Edited by A. Rosich on 06-27-2001 at 12:33 AM]

I have seen a 2000 S320 SWB with the rear electric seats. It's an option available in Germany if I'm not wrong. I really, really regret selling the S320L as it was a car I loved very much which stills stands out from other cars.

As I understand, the full rear electric bench seat can be ordered for the W220 on some markets for the short wheel base model, the independent electric rear bucket seats can only be ordered for the long wheel base models.

In the W140, as said before, you could order (although for a nice premium of about $8,000.00) the independent rear electric bucket seats for the short wheel base.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

For those of us who own a W140: Model? Year? Options? How many miles? Comments? I'll start:

Year/model: '94 S500
Color combo: Smoke Silver/Parchment
Mileage: 106,110 miles
Options: Power rear window sunshade/manual rear side shades, integrated mobile phone w/deluxe handset, 6 disc cd changer
Comments: Probably the best Mercedes-Benz I have ever owned. It runs perfectly and aside from a few minor issues over the years the car is still a joy to drive! As far as I'm concerned it's barely broken in. . .

Just as an observation to this whole thread:
Y'know, when the 140 came out, everybody weeped openly and said the 126 was "the last REAL Mercedes". My, how times change. Or do they? I think everyone just needs to chill and give the 220 a chance to prove itself. Not all cars are "instant" classics. The 140 was a primo POS for at least the first 2 years, wasn't really ironed out for more like 3 or 4.
Gilly

1995 S420
White/Grey
7200 miles :)
6 Disc CD Changer
Clear Euro Blinkers
Clear/red 97+ Taillights
Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
Wood/Leather Gear Knob

This car has been perfect so far, the ride is very smooth and stable. No anoying problems and defects that are found in todays MBs. Overall this is one of the most solid cars on the road. The ultimate Luxury Benz:)

I don't have this car anymore. It was sold around a year ago. The following were it's specifications.
Model = S320L
Year = 1998
Colour = Brilliant Silver
Options = Two tone leather (black on grey interior), black bird's eye maple wood trim, sunroof, PTS, rear elec. bench seats(not the individual bucket type seats, vacumm doors, xenons.

I do remember when I first saw the W140. I thought it wasn't as good looking as the W126, and I still think so. The W126 is a timeless piece of machinery, particuarly the post '86 big V8-engined models (420SEL/500SEL/560SEL). The W140 took some time to grow on me (design wise).

But, in terms of size, comfort, features (real ones, not electronic gadgets) the W140 is the real King of the Road.

The W220, being smaller and much much character-less does not stand a chance to compete with the excellence of the W116/W126/W140 classics. It is sad, but it is true.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

I definitely agree with A. Rosich with respect to the W140 and W220's. The W220 is a veritable electronic wonder car, It has a huge amount of features. However, the GPS system is counterintuitive to use and is much less user friendly than those systems from other car companies. MB still uses CD-ROMs (which can only hold one region of the country) to store the maps when other companies are using DVD's for storage. Also, the quality of the interior materials feels "cheap." Yes, people can argue that the newer materials are more durable but when one pays anywhere between $70k-130k for an automobile, they expect better than that.

Now, I must agree that the new cars are much better in terms of fuel economy and performance but overall, in this case, newer is not better. Hopefully the 2003 facelift will address these issues.

Previous comments still stand. All in good time.
Gilly

Give it time.
 

I agree with Gilly. I own a W126, and I've heard so much about how the W140 has too many gadgets and feels cheap compaired to the W126. I think the W220 will make a place for itself in equal status with the W140/W126.

Thanks, Biggie. It's not so long ago that just tons of negative slurs were being aimed at the 140. I still remember the comments about what a big lard wagons they were and the slab-sidedness, and geez what else? Plastic bumpers and not enough chrome, all plastic. I like the 140, don't get me wrong. I'm just saying that I think the 220 will get better also, and when it's replaced it will be "126 vs 140 vs 220 vs whatever the new one is called". Quirks and nit-picks and engineering problems aside, it is definitely an S-class Mercedes, and stands up well in comparison to them all. I still haven't seen the degree of problems with the 220 that were rampant with the first 2 years of the 140. Anyone ever hear of the "140 chassis Value Commitment Program"? Cripes they were so lousy that an entire "program" had to be developed to get these turkeys back into some kind of quality standard. I still have the binder with the checklists and service bulletins. For a long time it seems like one new bulletin with another procedure was being added every month! I haven't seen a window regulator break on a 220 yet either. 140's are still breaking regulators even now. (I'm not holding my breath about a 220 regulator breaking, just between us).
Gilly

I deeply respect the opinions of those who beleive that the W220 will come around and become a real S-Klasse champion.

Although, about the chassis complaints on the previous post about the W140, maybe you haven't seen three brand new W220s on a corner totally bottom-out (proudly showing complete air-suspension failures).

I have become accostumed to see new Range Rovers kissing the floors with their bellies at the shop, but when I saw the W220s (an S320 and two S430s) it was really depressing. An interview with the owners would be interesting, considering the fact the neither of the three cars had more than 1,500 miles on them.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Yes, there are Airmatic problems, particularly on the earlier cars. Incidentally, I have learned that the next generation E-Class is supposed to have Airmatic, possibly standard equipment.
As a comparison to a 220 chassis sitting on its "snubbers", how about a 140 with the instrument panel laying on fender covers across the roof to replace the evaporator?
Gilly

I do beleive the evaporator issue is a calamity shared by ALL Mercedes-Benz cars.

My brand-new station wagon (E320T, 1995) with only one year of use and about 7,000 kms. on the odometer had to be completely dismantled (both airbags, complete dash removal, wiper arm and motor, etc, etc, etc.) to gain access to the evaporator, which was defective FROM FACTORY!!!!

The work lasted almost a week a and half.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

. . . my two cents!
 

Those of you who know me, know that I just 'love' my C140. My web page (red house) is a testament to it.

It's the finest MB I've ever owned and love to take it out for a ride! Yesterday, I got in and headed north! Ended up in Oceanside.

As far a repairs, I do most of my own, but fortunately, it's been very low maintaince auto. I plan on keeping this car for a long time.

One of my best friends owns a CL500 (1998). When she decided to buy the car, she let me ordered it by choosing all the extras I wanted and even the exterior and interior colors.

I do love also the C140. She lets me drive the car everytime we go out and some day I am planning to buy it from her, since she has put on it only 3,000 miles since 1998 (she owns several other cars).

Only problems so far: A constant leak through the glass sunroof that the dealer (as usual) has been unable to fix, a broken driver's side door window, which the dealer broke while fixing a burnt bulb in the seat controls, and a sticking self-closing mechanism on the driver's door also (the part has been changed four times and stills go nuts).

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Although it is an interesting styling exercise, I've always considered the 140 chassis coupe an answer to a question that nobody asked.
Gilly

I definetely agree. The C140 falls in the same category as the 350/450 SLC. Cute cars, but their purpose?

I think their purpose of existance is just to fatten the wallets of M.B., as they charge ridiculous premiums for the coupes over the sedans.

By the way, talking about the answer to a question that nodoby asked, I have the brochure for a special body converter which builds W140 STATION WAGONS!!! This W140-T is very cute (for those of us who love wagons) and it even comes standard with an ELECTRIC FOLDING REAR BENCH SEAT which can be lowered from the front dash by just pushing a bottom.

You could order any W140 sedan (from the S280 to the S600, short of long wheelbase), with the options you wanted, and then the conversion specialists would charge you a cool $60,000.00 to get your W140-T.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Now that does sound interesting. Any website or anything on the company, or can you scan and post the brochure, or at least a few pictures?
This would be intersting to try to convert over to a wagon and modify also to fit it onto an ML or G-Wagen frame!
Gilly

. . . .coupes!
 

I've always considered the 140 chassis coupe an answer to a question that nobody asked. per Gilly!

Interesting comment! But for those who 'love' the coupe, there's nothing like them!

But being an inquisitive person, I decided to look at some data to see if that's really true! So take a look that these stats below and you'll see that coupes are really not very popular.

But a corollary question; because they're so expensive or because people don't like them period independent of $$$?

So to answer that question, I picked my car's year, 1994. Here's some data for US sales;

E320 Sedans: 14,600
E320 Coupes: 825 <-- $7k more than sedan but affordable
S320 Sedans: 3,308
S500 Sedans: 3,880
S500 Coupes: 790 <-- $10K more than sedan!

So I think the data shows that people just don't like a coupe and price is really not a consideration. And those that do are in a definite minority!

[Edited by JimF on 07-27-2001 at 12:01 PM]

C215 might be a better handler, packed with more tricks/gadgets, but C140 is, and will be the only Ultimate Coupe from MB. Sure it's huge, but it's powerful, too. Fit/Finish quality is un-matched. I would rather have a late model CL600(MY1999, W140) than a CL500(C215). CL600/CL55 AMG is another story though... :) :)

Andy Kuo

Please realize that saying "I've always considered" is about equal to saying "in my opinion", and we all know what that't worth! It's a cool car, the old 126 coupe used to be my "dream" car, there all neat cars. Just really a "niche" car, though. Low production, higher profit, I'm sure that's what they're all about. With the 140 though, they're so damned big that a coupe version was, well, in my opinion (again) just way over the top. The 126 and 220 (why a seperate chassis designation for the 215 is beyond me, when it's quite apparent it was designed parralel with the 220) seemed to be better suited to a coupe version. The 140 chassis seemed better suited to the wagon transformation rather than a coupe. Incidentally, all 3 of these cars would be very "ripe" for conversions to convertibles, any comments? Anyone ever done it? Boy, a C140 convertible, I'd just faint dead away! What a monster!
Gilly

At least one company offered a convertible conversion for the W126 coupe. I cannot remember the name, and I threw away the book some time ago. I think it had 4 seats. The hood folded under a body colour cover which was almost, but not quite, flush with the rear deck.

, . . . check this out!!!
 

Pic of a Florida S500 coupe that was modified. I really don't like convertibles but this is a far different story!
http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/mbzs500_95conv.jpg

[Edited by JimF on 07-27-2001 at 12:02 PM]

Man, is that cool! Or what? Doesn't look all that big in the picture, have to see it in person to get the whole effect. Too bad the top couldn't be hidden under a solid tonneau cover. MB could have done it better of course, but a nice conversion.
Gilly

Mr. JimF was right on the dot. I saw two C140 "convertibles" in Ft. Lauderdale about 3 years ago. One was black and the other one smoke silver. Quite an interesting excersize, but the hidden top "a la Jaguar" is not very flattering. I would say that is the only flaw, the rest of the car looks very nice. I wonder about the structural integrety? Could it be as rattle free as an SL?

I have tried to search the web for information on the W140-T to no luck, so I will soon scan the pictures from the brochure to post them here.

By the way, I have seen some classified ads containin the C140 "Convertible" on the DuPont Registry Magazine.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Having owned a 126 and presently own a 140...I disagree with the guy who said the quality of the 140 was lower.....my 140 is head and shoulders aboue the 126 I had in terms of detail..leather ,woodwork etc......the car is a tank and still handles much better than the 126 did....in terms of repair however...I would say the 140 is three times more expensive than the the 126
In regard to the new S class...I agree it does look/feel cheaper...but have you guys nitced the price is also cheaper?
The brand new S class has a sticker that is about the same as the one on my 1992 140 car.....I am sure mercedes could have made another tank...but would people pay an additional 20K....especially with the inroads that Lexus has made in the last 10 years?........just my opinion

Warren
1992 300SD 125K Silver/gray...becker 10 disc changer
Columbus Ohio
turner@greif.com

W140...
 

Frankly, I would pay $20k more for a superior automobile. No, I would not pay $250k for the Maybach though. :-)

Trust me I am the type that will pay for quality....but the way I figure it....for the new S-class to be built in the same manner as the 140...the new cars would have to start around 90-95K for an S430 and go up from there......I think many people look at a loaded LS430(at about 20-25K less) and wonder how benz even charges what they do now for an entry level S class......
I think the new S is a much superior car to the LS...(well except for reliability)
I remember when the 140 debuted...I could not believe the price....I wondered is there truly a market for a mass produced car at that price....and being that the 126 outsold the 140 several times over I think MB wondered the same thing ...even after lowering the prices of 140's ,they were heavilly discounted at the dealers.....I think the new cars symbolize the era of accountants running the company rather than engineers

Warren
1992 300SD 125 K
Columbus Ohio
turner@greif.com

Ever since I saw my first W140 (a '93 600SEL), I have been in love with the cars for all the reasons stated above. It did epitomize the cost-no-object approach to design and build which was both MB's greatest strength and its greatest weakness (because it compromised the overall cost of ownership, not just the up front price of the car).

Nevertheless, until the last 2 weeks, I agreed with those above who thought the 220 cars were a "sellout" or even a POS, and no where near the 140 in "MB values."

Then, my MB salesman called and said they had just got 2 140's in off lease - '99 and '98 S500's. I took the 98 (in near perfect shape with only 28k miles) home for an overnight test drive. Compared to my 2000 E430W4, it was like driving an aircraft carrier, though the ride quality and acceleration were fantastic. My wife and kids, however, thought it was "way too big" and "drove like a Grand Marquis". My wife said no way would she let me trade the E4304Matic for that car, based on either the appearance or the fun-to-drive factor.

Just out of curiosity, I decided to drive the 220's. Drove a 500 and a 430. I was totally won over by the new car's ease of maneuvering, more efficient use of space, and the presence of standard Airmatic, ESP and EBP. The gizmos (navigation, 14 way seats, etc.) were not the selling point for me - the car simply feels and drives the way a Benz ought to, IMHO. Wife and kids thought the 220 looked "awesome" and drove much better than the 140. In the end, I began to agree.

External looks - the 140 is still the king.
Interior and driving experience - give me the 220.

Picked up a black/charcoal '01 S430V w/Xenons, F/R heated seats, CD, and rear side shades on Friday for an unbeatable year-end closeout price. It's the nicest MB I've ever experienced.

Now, when I go to buy a "classic" MB as a toy, give me a 1979 450 SEL 6.9....

I think most of us agree that W220 drives/rides better than W140, but quality is what disappointed us the most!!!

Congrat on the new car, BTW.. :)

Andy Kuo

There are rumors that MB might put in a V-6 in the 220 in the next couple of years or even offer a Diesel, if it can pass emissions and all that.

W220 S-Class models
 

In most markets, the W220 can be ordered as:

S280, V6 2.8 liter, SWB
S320, V6 3.2 liter, SWB/LWB
S430, V8 4.3 liter, SWB/LWB
S500, V8 5.0 liter, SWB/LWB
S600, V12 6.liter, SWB/LWB
S320CDI, V6 3.2 liter turbodiesel, SWB
S400CDI, V8 4.0 liter turbodiesel, SWB/LWB

It is a shame the U.S. market limits its customers to just a few choices.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995