I've been checking out 1999 S 500 W140 sedans. I really like the body style of the 1991 560SEL but there appears MB made improvements in the W140 S 500 sedans. Would you consider trading a 1991 560SEL for a 1999 S 500 sedan? What are the pros and cons? All input is appreciated!

I faced a similar decision about a year ago and concluded the following:
Like you I really prefer the styling of the W126 cars over the W140.
The W140 series cars were the last built by Engineers rather than Accountants, but are if anything over-engineered with complex electronics and electro-mechanical components. Great if they all work, but a $$ nightmare if they start failing.
The W126 cars are not infallible, but their known 'problems' tend to be much easier and less costly to fix. Even the 560SEL with all its bells & whistles is a fairly straightforward car to repair.
Initial cost-wise you can probably buy a decent 1999 W140 for less than a good 1991 W126, as values on the latter are definitely increasing, but long term I believe the 560SEL is a better buy.
Just my $0.02

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1991 M-B 560SEL Arctic White/Grey 99,000 Miles
1987 M-B 300SDL Ivory/Palomino 229,000 Miles (sold but never forgotten)
2006 Volvo XC70 Blue/Beige
1999 Porsche Boxster Arena Red/Savanna Beige
1986 Porsche 928S Goldweiss/Brown

take a w126 diesel anyday. not the rod bender years.w126 thicker leather

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

I prefer the 140 for personal reasons:
- warm air from center dash vents
- plusher seats
- smaller tiltable steering wheel
- handles better without being stiffer
- better fuel economy
- 5-speed AT (‘96-up V8s, all 6cyl gassers)
- headlights put light where it’s useful
- M119 not dependent on high zinc oil like M117
- good 140s more common at wrecking yards

The 126 looks better, more so with Euro headlights and bumpers.

126 parts are going NLA at a frightening rate. I imagine 140 parts will be next

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Sad that 126 parts are going NLA. For years, MB supplied parts for anything and everything. Apparently, the company has had a change of heart when it comes to taking care of the vintage MB owner.....

........or a change of heart when it comes to losing money

How about you reproducing parts that have gone NLA? Seems like a sure business winner.

Given our guy has not replied to my post 7, it is pretty obvious he just wants to cry about how others are holding him down rather than picking himself up.

The parts that are NLA are mostly trim and interior parts. I needed a W140 trim part: sunroof black plastic moulding that isn't available anymore. W126's are getting rare at the JY, plentiful W140's available for parts tho.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).