W126 ride quality vs W124? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jake12tech · #1 03-30-2017, 10:04 PM

Okay, so I've driven w124s with good suspensions and I can say it is a VERY nice riding car and I wouldn't hesitate to drive one from PA to California. I haven't driven a W126 yet, or been in one with a fantastic suspension so how different is it? How would you compare it to the W124? This is out of curiousity.. Cause I've driven a W220 and W210 and the difference is noticeable. The W220 on a functioning airmatic suspension has no road feel in the wheel and I feel like I'm in a big bed, so smooth.

sixto · #2 03-30-2017, 10:48 PM

The 126 is more comfortable since it has a longer wheelbase. An -L more so. They handle competently but nowhere near how well a 124 handles. 126s roll like crazy at least without SLS. I don't have enough seat time in a 126 with SLS to know if they roll less. 140s take 126 comfort further. Handling doesn't feel much better than a 126 despite suspension sophistication that rivals a 124 but it sticks to the road, as in it doesn't feel like it should handle as well as it does.

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

t walgamuth · #3 03-30-2017, 11:55 PM

I agree. In a 126 sedan there is a lot of roll but once it is taken up the car will boogy in the corners with real speed. The 500 SEc though feels very firm and corners more flat. The 124 sticks to the road like a leech though and puts the others to shame. But until you drive the 124 you'll think the 126 or the 123 is a very good handling car.

jake12tech · #4 03-31-2017, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I agree. In a 126 sedan there is a lot of roll but once it is taken up the car will boogy in the corners with real speed. The 500 SEc though feels very firm and corners more flat. The 124 sticks to the road like a leech though and puts the others to shame. But until you drive the 124 you'll think the 126 or the 123 is a very good handling car.

Yes, I love how the W124 corners. It's different than my W210 and they turn on a dime in u-turns. Is the W126 smoother than a W124? Ride comfort any different? And in other words your saying the W126 rides like a boat in terms of body roll?

koooop · #5 03-31-2017, 12:22 AM

If you can get a 126 with the pneumatic suspension you'll be in for quite a shock if the suspension is working properly, it's a rocket sled on rails when you pull the suspension knob and slam it.

Stretch · #6 03-31-2017, 04:36 AM

I've never ridden or driven a W126 with the anti-dive set up - I reckon that might be a treat.

However, the W126 is from a different generation. Loads of development work went into the W201 which was then used in the W124 which made a rather different animal.

gatorblue92 · #7 03-31-2017, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I agree. In a 126 sedan there is a lot of roll but once it is taken up the car will boogy in the corners with real speed. The 500 SEc though feels very firm and corners more flat. The 124 sticks to the road like a leech though and puts the others to shame. But until you drive the 124 you'll think the 126 or the 123 is a very good handling car.

This is exactly why I haven't bought any W123's since I got my first W124. The handling is so much better and I have a wagon which is likely the worst handling W124.

t walgamuth · #8 03-31-2017, 07:28 AM

The 123 and 126 are both excellent driving cars compared to any other brand that I know of if properly cared for. They are relatively soft riding but very controlled. If put into a situation driving if you had to you could slide one sideways and easily take it back straight if you needed to. They are balanced and have excellent brakes and steering too.

I have a barrel of miles on both body styles and would want to be in one if put in a dangerous situation.

But each generation of Mercedes gets a little better in its handling as they learn how to make chassis stiffer and control the wheel movement better.

SD Blue · #9 03-31-2017, 09:12 AM

The W126 doesn't roll.....unless you are in the habit of taking corners on two wheels. Driving on winding roads, or open highway, it's a real comfortable ride.

Diseasel300 · #10 03-31-2017, 10:23 AM

As mentioned above, the W126 DOES roll a bit in the turns. Remember that it is an "Executive" car, designed for comfort and quiet vs performance and handling.

That said, the handling in my SDL is far beyond my expectations. Yes it rolls a bit on winding roads, but that's also doing 50+mph, and the handling is good enough that it could EASILY go faster without issue.

Where it shines is on the highway. Smooth, quiet, and comfortable. Even with the Dieseasel wheezing away under the hood. On a good stretch of highway, all you hear is the wind whooshing by the windows, can't even hear the road noise or the engine. Pretty special for a 31 year old car IMHO. At highway speeds, the road largely disappears. You do get some feedback through the steering wheel, but I prefer that to a numb mushbox steering setup.

For what it's worth, I have the Bilstein "HD" shocks on my car. With the standard shocks, I'd imagine the ride would be much smoother, but also wallow a bit more in the windy bits.

vstech · #11 03-31-2017, 01:14 PM

I have several 126, 123, 124 and 201 vehicles...

They all are amazing handling vehicles.

Anybody who says a 126 has roll hasnt driven one with new suspension and an empty trunk.

Properly setup, the 126 will take corners to the limit of their TIRES...

Yes, a 14" tire with a 75 aspect ratio will lean and feel like a roll... also, an R185 tread width tire isnt going to grip well with a 3300lb car swinging into a high speed corner!

Put 15" wheels and wider tires with a short gripping ar... and new tight suspention and the car will outright amaze you...

The 124 does grip well... but i think the multilink rear and wide thin tires account for just as much of the grip most feel...

tjts1 · #12 03-31-2017, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorblue92

This is exactly why I haven't bought any W123's since I got my first W124. The handling is so much better and I have a wagon which is likely the worst handling W124.

What are you talking about? The extra 300lbs of the wagon over the rear axle makes for the best dorifto. I image a 4 cyl w124 wagon with a Great Dane in the back is akin to driving an old school 911.

TX76513 · #13 03-31-2017, 02:18 PM

I am going to revert to the original question and forget about taking turns on2 wheels and making U turns. The ride comfort of a W126 is better than a W124. .02

jake12tech · #14 03-31-2017, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

I am going to revert to the original question and forget about taking turns on2 wheels and making U turns. The ride comfort of a W126 is better than a W124. .02

That's kind of what I was wondering. It doesn't personally bother me, but the threads always drag onto in big discussions and derail sometimes around here into another aspect of the question. It's interesting to read the opinions of everyone. I don't think anyone is taking turns at 70mph in a w126 300sdl any time soon. I drive my car like a mature normal human being, I don't need to take a sharp ramp over 25mph on a windy bend. But when it does, the w124 feels like its on rails.