Difference between W116 and 126??
08-17-2004, 08:03 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gum Swamp, Georgia USA
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
89 300E
Difference between W116 and 126??
I might be able to get my hands on a pretty good 1980 300SE. Until now I didn't even know there was such a thing as the W116. To the untranined eye it looks very similar to the W126. Anyone know the major differences?
08-17-2004, 10:29 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wait a second, w116 was the 70's sclass, w126 is the 80's s class, they look completely different imo, both nice cars thou imo, unfortunately a 1977 300sd was the last mercedes my grandparents were willing to by brand new, it was a lemon (thiers was not all of them) so after that experience with Phil Smart mercedes in seattle they decided that they would always buy a slightly used one from a reputable seller, anyway I grew up with them during the eighties very nice cars. Rather have a w126 thou....
08-18-2004, 06:07 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The W126 is more slab-sided. Should I say, Sacco-esque. The early W126 and W116 are identical cars except for the skins they wear.
They are basically the same S-Class improved over time.
When the 116's rot, they rot from inside. It is most often NOT surface rust, and cannot be remedied. Floorpans turn to dust and rocker panels go bye-bye.
The W126 is more aerodynamic, lighter, has better stability at higher speeds due to more downforce, gets better fuel economy, and handles better at its limit. Maybe the reason the 116 handles so well now is because they've lost considerable weight due to the cancer that attacks from them within the frames.
IMHO, the 116 is a better looking car. I don't even own one, but I like the look of the 107 SL and 123 sedan combined. Makes for a real classy car.
The W126 was designed for offset crashes while the 116 was not specifically(Mercedes experimented with offset crashes for years before the 126, anyway).
The W126 has an aluminum hood and trunk. The W116 has light guards, side protection strips, 8 inch long bumpers, while the W126 only has 4 - 5 inch bumpers with polyurethane coating and flat sides with polyurethane cladding at the base of the doors.
As far as interiors, the W126 wins hands down. More wood wins me over everytime. Plus the wood is backed by layers of plywood and aluminum to prevent splintering in an accident. Something the W116 did not have. The W116 lacks wood on each of the doors, and the headliner is archaic. The W126 has wood on every door and the headliner is made out of soft vinyl(very sleek). The seats are power operated in the W126 but it is very rare to hear of a failure even at this current date.
-----
FYI, my friend, there were NO SUCH THINGS as 300SE's in the W116's or W126's in 1980. None at all. The only car that would fit that bill is the 280SE/SEL.
They are basically the same S-Class improved over time.
When the 116's rot, they rot from inside. It is most often NOT surface rust, and cannot be remedied. Floorpans turn to dust and rocker panels go bye-bye.
The W126 is more aerodynamic, lighter, has better stability at higher speeds due to more downforce, gets better fuel economy, and handles better at its limit. Maybe the reason the 116 handles so well now is because they've lost considerable weight due to the cancer that attacks from them within the frames.
IMHO, the 116 is a better looking car. I don't even own one, but I like the look of the 107 SL and 123 sedan combined. Makes for a real classy car.
The W126 was designed for offset crashes while the 116 was not specifically(Mercedes experimented with offset crashes for years before the 126, anyway).
The W126 has an aluminum hood and trunk. The W116 has light guards, side protection strips, 8 inch long bumpers, while the W126 only has 4 - 5 inch bumpers with polyurethane coating and flat sides with polyurethane cladding at the base of the doors.
As far as interiors, the W126 wins hands down. More wood wins me over everytime. Plus the wood is backed by layers of plywood and aluminum to prevent splintering in an accident. Something the W116 did not have. The W116 lacks wood on each of the doors, and the headliner is archaic. The W126 has wood on every door and the headliner is made out of soft vinyl(very sleek). The seats are power operated in the W126 but it is very rare to hear of a failure even at this current date.
-----
FYI, my friend, there were NO SUCH THINGS as 300SE's in the W116's or W126's in 1980. None at all. The only car that would fit that bill is the 280SE/SEL.
08-24-2004, 08:37 PM
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gum Swamp, Georgia USA
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
89 300E
Originally Posted by DslBnz
-----
FYI, my friend, there were NO SUCH THINGS as 300SE's in the W116's or W126's in 1980. None at all. The only car that would fit that bill is the 280SE/SEL.
FYI, my friend, there were NO SUCH THINGS as 300SE's in the W116's or W126's in 1980. None at all. The only car that would fit that bill is the 280SE/SEL.
