CS1946

I see there are only two posts, so I thought I'd start a thread. I'm a big fan of the S-Class, and have a special respect for the W140 version. It's often criticized as tanklike and even ugly. Maybe it's tanklike, but it's hardly ugly. I like the design; it's strong, has a unique kind of elegance, and is imposing without being overbearing. Seeing such a big car go fast is quite a sight, too.

How does everyone else feel? Do you like the W126, W140, W220, or the pre-W126 version best? I like the W220 best, but I think the W126 is the most timeless design.

G-baby

I Have a 97' S500 and have been very happy with it. Im glad someone has finally mentioned this as i did not have the guts.

The W140 Was and will be the best in build of quality, and bold design. I think that the new W220 has been changed soo much from its Previous Generation W140 that it saddens me why make such a change in bodystyle. The New S class is shorter,less HP,cheaper,bad quality, and lots of plastic use. I am not saying that the W220 is Bad car , heck i wouldn't mind having one.

Also the 220 is very common , as the 140's were rare and held their value before the W220 came out.

The Only Benz Built today i think that have the best quality is the 02 G500 and 03 SL500.

Would love to hear what you think....

mbtech208

I like each generation of the S-class for different reasons. Each one has raised the bar for luxury sedans worldwide. My favorite S-class was the 560SEL with AMG wheels and body kit. I remember seeing one on an old episode of Miami Vice, it looked great. By the way, the pre-W126 S-class was the 116.

scorchi0

...and previous to the 116 was the 108/109, which replaced the 111/112 series. I guess the 300d that came before that was sort of an s-class predecesser that never had an S badge (well the coupe/cab did but that was for 'super')

CS1946

Thanks for letting me know exactly what the designations were for the pre-W126. I knew it was something like that!

Anyway, if anyone likes those versions best, you can vote under 'pre W126' and then describe which one in your reply.

G-baby, I know what you're saying about the W140 quality. I have heard from many other sources that the quality of newer Mercedes is going down--due to Daimler-Chrysler merger?

The W140 coupe is my favorite S-Class coupe of all time.

scorchi0

gimme a 1970/71 W111 280SE 3.5 coupe...best looking MB coupe, ever. My dad used to have a dark metallic green one with that tobacco coloured pig skin leather upholstry. The most pristine car i've ever seen!!! When he sold it in 86 it still only had like 18000km's on it or something

I actually like the coupe version better than the cacbriolet, which is a rare opinion i believe

ORK1

To my opinion, w220 is too small, and doesn't have that tremendous look that w140 used to have. Even new 7 is bigger than w220 is.
Same about CL W215, - it's easy to confuse most expensive Mercedes with E or CLK (especialy in a darktime) , - UNFORGIVABLE, - they shoud not have similar four-eye faces and look alike.
W140 coupe is a great car, I love it too.

Fast Eddy

Only after driving a smaller car (loaner) for a week I realized the size of my w140 s500. When I push it over 120 the car is amazing. Compare gear changes at 4500rpm in W140 versus W220. Every time I pushed W220 it felt like I was raping that car in my car you just feel power. I still go on the 95 late night when traffic is light just to open it up and it is mazing even after 3 years with this car.
There are so many new things on new cars especially the new SL that it is easy to say that W140 may not be up to date on all the new interesting technologies put into cars today however the ride of W140 is very hard to beat and I intend to keep this car till I see and try new S in 2005. For me the size the ride the looks and power are just right and the only modificatioon I ever did was to put 18" on it. It turned a sleeper into a car that I can push through almost any turns in the area where I live.
I would update cluster and ac/cd/radio controls with something more fancy but at this point I'd still raher have it as is over what BMW did in new 745.

Fast Eddy

Scince not that many w140 were sold ( and not that many s500 or s600 versus s320) and one usually could see old dude driviing one with stock 16" wheels 15mph in the 45mph zone peoples perception of of w140 was just that---- old dudes car. How many people know or experienced w140's s500/600 top range---its monstrous.

scorchi0

i've driven an S320 and riden in an S500 a few times and an S600 once. For my taste they are just too damn big. I like a smaller, taughter car. Not to say the build quality isn't something special, but i like to have a little less car around me

CS1946

Wow, the W140 is more popular than I thought! I expected a large gap between the W220 and W140, but the latter is closing the gap.

ASirotovsky

The 1999 S500 Four Door is the best Car ever made in the history of Motor Vehicles Period. NO car in the world matches the greatness of the w-140 mercedes-benz. NO ONE. This is the best car ever created and will be the FOR LIFE!!!

CS1946

Why not the S600? Too unreliable--?

ASirotovsky

The S600 is an excellent car too but since i have the S500 i have that pick.:p

CS1946

OK, I understand.

Since I have an '86 BMW 528e, I am going to say that it's the best car in the world! --Better than any other BMW or Mercedes, because I own it!

Seriously, I love the W140's, especially the coupes. Hopefully I'll someday be able to get a '98 or '99 CL600, Brilliant Silver or Glacier White with Ash interior. What color is your S500?

ASirotovsky

The color of my 99 mercedes four door S500 is sliver with ash interior.

CS1946

Perfect! You obviously have good taste.:p

ASirotovsky

Yes I do

gwazoo2002

Have a 97 S600 and have run it up to 140 MPH on 2-lane roads in Colorado mountains. Thing runs and handles like a dream. Drove a new Jaguar XJ8 last weekend and it was like driving a Honda comparatively. I'll never buy another car!

MPM77

The W220 may have new toys to play with, but nothing says Mercedes Bens like the W140. I know when I'm driving and see a W140 in my rear view mirror its time to move over because something special is coming down the road. With the W220 its easily mistaken and does not command the presence that the W140 did. I plan on purchasing one as soon as my lease is up. Any idea what a good price is for a 97 S500 with around 55k?

1999S500

Just simply the best luxury sedan.

ASirotovsky

YES IT IS!

jzarohian

My favorite S-Class is the W126 1986 +. It is extremely luxurious(especially with hydropneumetic suspension), and has soft vinyl, wood and leather interior instead of those newer, hard plastics. I also liked the W116, a very classy car, however they are hard to find because they are old and mostly rusted.
When Benz came out with the W140 S-Class, the design was simply based on making the biggest, safest, and most luxurious 4600lb + tank they could make. Cost was not an object of concern. It looked too plain, and lacked the individuality its predecessor had established before it. The car needed more chrome trim, and a sleeker less slab-sided body (Not to mention less weight). That's why it didn't sell well, and that's why the W220 came out.
As far as the W220, the upper parts of the doors OVERLAP the roof! Also, I dislike the complicated COMAND system that bulges out of the dashboard,(not to mention the cheap headliner in cloth not suede) I HATE the roof pillars that extend too far toward the hood and obscure oncoming highway visibility. I guess we'll all have to get used to that. That's why the S-Class has such a low drag (0.27). Perhaps I need to give these cars a chance. Perhaps in time these cars will grow on me.

coupeluva

My Father-in-law just picked up a 94 s500 coupe with 94000 miles on the clock. It came with 18" AMG wheels, it's dark charcoal metallic paint is prestine, the black leather interior is immaculate, the whole car is just perfect. Everything still works and best of all the thing boogies. I had it up to 140mph without any drama and it was still pulling strong when I ran out of road. The only thing I don't like about it is the driveability. It's sorta sluggishof the line and only comes alive at freeway speeds. My 97 528I feels more torquey. All in all we love the car. Are there any potential problems I should look out for in the future. Oh yeah the A/C blower fan does not blow very hard, is this normal.

CS1946

coupeluva, tell me about the '97 528i--I am a poor student with a high-mileage '86 528e, but it I get enough dough for a CPO BMW, I'd try for a (manual) E39 528i (about $25-30K). Has it been reliable during the time you've had it?

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Craig