What is the first S and E class ?
 

Hello
I am interested in you guys opinion on this.

What model would you consider to be the first S class and E class ?

I think it's the W187 on the S class. Even if it had never the S on the trunk lid. Followed by the W180/W128, then the W111/112, W108/109, W116......

On the E class it's the W136, followed by
the W120/W121, then the W110, W115/W114, W123.........

Do you think this lines extend to the time before WW 2 ?
Well, it certainly dose with the W136.

Thanks for you opinion.

Maybe it's because it was my first dabble with a Mercedes in general, but I'd say the W111/2 and W108/9 are the first S-Klasse. They had the first real distinguishing features from cars of their times that made them real 'luxury' cars (but we all take for granted now), like power windows and automatic transmission.

As for E-Klasse, I've always been partial to the W114, but the first car that screams E-klasse in my mind is the W123. There are just so MANY of them...

A think a more controversial question is ending when the true S-klasse and E-klasse ended

Nothing controversial about it - when the w126 and w124 were respectively discontinued.

Fact.

Seconded. Although if you look at the new E-Class, you'll see hints of more traditional lines. I think that's the only new Mercedes that I would buy if I had the money. It's all I could probably ever afford in my lifetime, too :D

I agree with the W124, but I think the W140 is the last stop as far as the S-klasse goes. The W220 is a period I like to forget ever occurred, and the W221 is at least trying to get itself up to speed.

My family has had two W210's now, and they just don't feel like a W124 or W126 does. The W140 at least 'feels' solid, if not more solid than a W126. It's the pesky advanced circuitry that cause it's downfall.

Hi every one.
Thanks for your input.

I don't like the new ones either.
When it comes to Mercedes, the older the better.

However, they are still E class and S class, if we like them or not.

In 1951 the W187 had front independent suspension, rear semi independent suspension, coil springs all around and a overhead cam engine.
Are this not real distinguishing features from cars of its times that made it a real 'luxury' car?

Imagine your self 30 years in the past.
You would probably drive a W111 or a W108.
What would you think, looking at the new W126 in the dealers show room.

A car filled with electronic gadgets.
Your chrome bumpers are replaced by a large piece of plastic that cover half the front of the car, how ugly.
The real wood in your dash is now polished plywood.
Where is the chrome? Every thing is anodized aluminum and the interior is mostly plastic.
A car cheaply made for mass production.

Don't get me wrong, i like the 126 , but that is what some people were thinking at that time.

The next generation Mercedes junkies will probably like the W220 and W221. I think you like what you grow up with.

There was the 370S Manheim from the early 30's so the S class goes back a long ways. Until the later cars came along anything with E in the tag meant fuel injected and it really wasn't a body style. You either drove the S class during the 70's annd 80's or it was something else of usually lower status.
There were exceptions such as the 190E 16v, but they were little rocket ships but on a sedan platform. Why didn't they build them as coupes? At least I don't think they did.

There was also the 170S. I do not consider this car to be an S class.
It was replaced by the 180/190, then the 190/200, then 200/300D W115,
then the W123. Clearly the line of the E class.
The 170 never displayed the S on the trunk lid.

Keep in mind that the S on prewar Mercedes stands for "Sport".
On the S class of today, I think, it stands for "Sonderklasse or Spezial".
This doesn't mean that there was no predecessor of the S class before WW2,
but it may not have a S in it's name.

The first Mercedes to carry the official S Class (Sonderklasse) designation was the W116 introduced in 1973.

Hello Joe

Where do you have the information about the W116 being the first
Sonder klasse from?

Is there any thing about it in a Daimler Benz publication?

Thanks
Tom

W108 1967.

- Peter.

You know, I'm not sure where I heard that so take it with a grain of salt. I can find reference to the W116 as being first in a Wikipedia article FWIW but nothing from Benz.

Real S--C L A S S
 

If I understand the question right: Which was the first S-CLASS ?

The class all by itself ?
That would be the 108/109 series as their body had a totally different design and panels, than the 'lower' class models (first 110/111/112 and later 114/5).
Although the w111/112 sedans shared the same body and many other parts with the 110 or even some inferior 111 (220b, 230S...).
They are usually differentiated by "Big Fin body" or "small Fin body".....

The w111/2 Coupes and convertible were the first 2 door s-Class with a unique style and body not shared with others, but for sharing the w111 and w112 designation which makes it that much harder to make any sense of it.

I for one do NOT agree with Mercedes trying to name the pontons as the first E-class, just to establish heritage,...........