IMHO thats where they ran into trouble. The engineers at MB wanted to make a car that could handle, and ride well. They simply didn't have the technoligy to do it at the time without air shocks. So you get a car that handles pretty damn well, and rides pretty good, but doesn't do either as good as its modern counterparts.

Why they never fitted air shocks to the W126 is beyond me, probably to keep cost down.

Bentley's are not all that uncommen around here, you wouldn't attract much attention with one. I'd prefer a Bentley to a RR because they are more "sporty".

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Well, I just had my car's suspension checked out by my local mechanic, and he said everything looks totally fine, except the shocks, which are slightly leaking and should be replaced... I guess that accounts for my inferior ride quality.

__________________
Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

ONE of the best riding cars I have ever rode in was my uncles old 1983 Jaguar XJ6 sedan.

The W126s with the 4 corner self leveling suspension did ride smoother and corner flatter then the ones with the normal suspension... at least comparing an 85 500SEL to my 91 350SDL.

-Jason

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Probably because they could never get the bugs worked out of the hydropneumatic systems. Even the W220's have issues with their hydropneumatic systems. Wonder why I have a Volvo wagon? In addition to being overpriced due to supply and demand most Mercedes wagons have that nightmarish hydropneumatic suspension to contend with. Ill gladly take a "rough" ride over an extra point of failure.

Common or not many of the exotics still attract an unwelcome level of attention especially in a city with a high crime rate. The Bentleys are nice but I don't see the point of a highly refined car that's designed for that level of performance. If I wanted performance I would rather an AMG S class and have a car I could actually drive to its limits without breaking it. Top gear a British TV show has broken many Bentleys in their testing including a total brake failure due to overheating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ux-eGJoP0

Difficult to say. The 140 has a number of silicone fluid filled suspension parts. While they might be ok looking I noticed a tremendous improvement in my ride quality by having mine replaced.

It would be interesting to compare a late production 140 to an early production model. They deleted a number of the "troublesome" options in the later models and added a number of features such as a glass sunroof and body colored lower cladding to make it look smaller. It would be interesting if suspension upgrades were among their additions when they did the refresh.

Man, I can't believe how many people are so disparaging to the 126's ride. I've never owned a 140, but the ride on my 300SE is top notch. I've replaced shocks, ball joints, idler arm, steering damper (HUGE difference), and put a set of KYB shocks on the front, along with two new Michelin MXV4s. What I like about the ride is that you can just float along if you want, but for a big heavy car, the ride is responsive and has excellent road feel.

My last heavy car was a '96 Impala SS. That was an awesome car. Stable at 130mph. The ride was typical cop car, good handling combined with enough comfort to stave off hemorrhoids. The SS had tons of power compared to the 300SE, but the 103 motor will get up and go as long as you are willing to put into "launch mode".

If the 140 has less road feel than the 126, I doubt I would like it as much. I hate feeling disconnected from the tires, like a big caddy would do.

I took my 300SE slaloming the other day, back at this windy road industrial park on the south side of town. I was very impressed by the cars ability to remain stable and predictable at high speeds in tight turns. I was even impressed by the way it handled a bump that I was sure would wheel hop me badly, but barely did at all. In this regard, the 126 was superior to my '96 SS.

Body roll was acceptable, and I didn't feel like the car needed any improvements. What really amazed me about this car was the way the seat springs are tuned to the suspension so well that they work seamlessly together to keep the occupant comfortable. I weigh 175 pounds, and it seems that at my weight, the seat magically reacts with the suspension to take out harsh events.

I guess a lot of this has to do with what people expect out of their cars.

I've driven in a lot of newer high end vehicles, though not a 140, and my 126 ride blows away my boss' brand new top of the line caddy in just about every respect.

Just because a design is old doesn't mean that it's in any way inadequate. Personally, I think a lot of 140 owners try to convince themselves the ride is so much superior in order to justify the agony of all those wiring harness repairs!!

I don't really care so much about fixing it, I just want a good ride!

An AMG'd S class is totaly different than a Bentley, night and day, not in the same class. Maybe similer to there new GT, but not an Arnage. I also want the 6.75 V8.

British cars break all the time, but they are so nice when running! Get a Jag I6 on its cam's and tell me thats not fantastic.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yes if you have the money and time to have Jeeves come fetch you in the helicopter when the Rolls won't start they are great. They are far from every day drivers which is a requirement of mine with a few rare exceptions.

British cars are "ok" but if your going to own a car you can't drive often the Italians are so much better at the game. A Maserati Quattroporte has the same level of fit and finish as the Bentley but does not feel like someone just stuffed a big engine in an over sized car and stiffened the springs. If nothing else the "sound" that the Italians get out of their engines. Amazing!

Of course it wouldn't be your only car. A Bentley or RR should really be your 3rd, 4th, or 8th.

No one does a nicer interior than the British, not even the Italians. Well except maybe the Maybach.


A Maybach 57 would be perfect for you. Its the right brand, and totaly understated.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Just an FYI they corrected those issues and a lot of others in later model 140's. 1997 to 1999 are the best years to buy.

You should really consider driving a 140. It will make you absolutely hate your 126. The suspension is not "dead" feeling or disconnected feeling at all. Its like there is a filter that discards all but the important information going to the driver. When your driving down the road you can feel the road but not all the insignificant bumps and pebbles. Its quite amazing actually.

An amusing image I found many years ago.

The best riding W126 I have driven and ridden in is one that been thoroughly modified....

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I already have one. Minus the repackaging and inflated price tag.

The British do a nice interior BUT sometimes tend to "cheap out" on certain things. In an Italian car you will find no plastic at all. Its metal, wood or leather because the cars are produced in low numbers and by hand. I'm not a big fan of the tacky recycled mass produced plastic German car parts appearing in the new British cars. Or the tacky recycled Ford parts either.

8 cars would be rather fun. I have a number of cars that I would want to buy to "collect" but then again I already have problems keeping my current 3 possible cars with music in them I could only imagine making 8 copies of a new CD or trying to remember which car I drove last when I had a certain CD.

Nah you don't, a Maybach is on a whole other level than the S class. Maybe some of the design underneath is based on the W140 but its a totaly different car. Far higher quality materials, better finish, and a massive bi turbo V12.

Plastic? Find some!







Every surface is wrapped in very expensive leather, or book matched wood.

Italian cars are not any more reliable than British cars!

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Switches my man... Switches...

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.