S-Class (W140) 1991-1999: 300 SD, S 350TD, 300 SE 2.8, S280, 300 SE 3.2, 300 SEL 3.2, S320, S320L, 400 SE, S420, 400 SEL, S420L, 500 SE, S500, 500 SEL, S500L, 600 SE, S600, 600 SEL, S600L, 500 SEC, 600 SEC

S vs SEL

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Old Aug 17, 2005 | 10:58 PM
  #1  
Phoenix's Avatar
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From: Toronto Canada
97 S500, 04 ML350
S vs SEL

what is the difference batwin an S500 and a 500SEL ???
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Old Aug 17, 2005 | 11:39 PM
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There is no difference batwin them....in 92-93 the w140 went by SE and SEL(long body) in 94 all the models were marked with the S label....
It is very easy to spot a SEL or SE model without looking at the label....two tone body coloring is the main giveaway for 92-93 models....
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Old Aug 17, 2005 | 11:46 PM
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From: Granbury Texas(burbs of DFW)
a Few Nice cars.
far as i know nothing either,however i have heard that the W140 SEL's had a slight more hp then the "S",but i cant confrim that just a rumor i had heard.
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Old Aug 18, 2005 | 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by tyzik
There is no difference batwin them....in 92-93 the w140 went by SE and SEL(long body) in 94 all the models were marked with the S label....
It is very easy to spot a SEL or SE model without looking at the label....two tone body coloring is the main giveaway for 92-93 models....
W140 didn't get mono-tone paint 'til '97. So, 92 - 96 all has 2-tone paint. Give away from difference between SE and SEL is rear side window length. It's very easy to spot as it's obviously shorter on SE....

As for SEL being more powerful than "S".... YES and NO.... They are power differences between early W140s (92) and later W140s(93-99), but mostly due to ECM software tweak and differences in compression ratio..... All made to meet emission regulations......

P.S. HP/Torque varies through out its life span. But 5-speed automatic really helps in V8/V12 models....

P.S. V8/V12 models dumped their 4-speed hydraulic auto for 5-speed electronic auto in 1996....
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Old Aug 18, 2005 | 10:22 AM
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From: Toronto Canada
97 S500, 04 ML350
Thanks for clearing that up for me guys.
the amazing part is that the SEL's are older then the S's, and every SEL i'v seen is in amazing shape compair to younger s class cars i'v been looking at.

i wonder if MB made them better then with better rust resistance.
I'm looking for another W140 to relpace mine that was stolen
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Old Aug 18, 2005 | 11:19 AM
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92-93 did have slightly more HP however they also weighed more. so they are equally as fast
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