cjileong

This is going to be a rather daunting question, but I hope somebody will help me out.

I was wondering if anybody knows the full lineups for the W140, both US and worldwide, and the W126, both US and worldwide. I've only been a Benz fanatic for a short time, so I'm hoping to gain more knowledge on the older models.

Thank you!

mbtech208

I don't know about worldwide, but here's every US variation of those two models.

126
-300SE
-300SEL
-380SE
-380SEL
-420SEL
-500SEL
-560SEL
-380SEC
-500SEC
-560SEC
-300SD Turbo
-300SDL Turbo
-350SD Turbo
-350SDL Turbo

140
-300SE
-S320
-400SE
-400SEL
-S420
-500SEL
-S500(coupe & sedan)
-600SEL
-S600(coupe & sedan)
-500SEC
-600SEC
-CL500
-CL600
-300SD
-S350 Turbo

cjileong

mbtech, thank you for the help! It is greatly appreciated!

See, the thing is, my friend and I were dicussing the 126 the other day, and he's a car nut, but knows very little about M-B, and so I've been filling him in. The 126 came up and I wasn't sure whether there was a 600SEL model. Naturally he came back at me with a "What? You don't know your own brand?" response. For the life of me, I couldn't remember either. So thank you.

Now, with that done, do you think you could help me with the years each was produced? Especially with the designation change in the 140 era, of course.

cjileong

Oh, I forgot one thing. What about wheelbases? The 140 S320 and S420 models I see driving around look a little short to me. Or it could just be my eyes. What do you think?

mbtech208

Here you go, this should be what you're looking for: http://mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp...x.jsp&menu=3_5

Steve R

The W126 & W140 both came in short and long wheelbase versions. Generally, the smaller-engined versions came mostly in short wheelbase, while the largest engines came only in long wheelbase. Up until 1993, when MB changed the model names the long wheelbase versions ended in L

i.e. 400SE vs. 400SEL

The new naming scheme doesn't include the L, but not all is lost.

Just look at the rear door window. Since all of extra length goes into rear seat legroom, it shows in the shape of the rear window.

Rear door window shape:

Short wheelbase: rear door window taller than long

Long wheelbase: longer than tall

This works for both W126 & W140.

Steve

cjileong

Ah, I've always wondered about that. Thanks Steve!

scorchi0

just clearing up the 126 thing

there was two ranges, 80-86 and 86-91, and i'm not too well versed on the diesels so i'll leave them out!

the early ones consisted of the following models

280S - M110 carburettor
280SE - M110 f/inj
280SEL - M110 finj lwb
380SE - M116
380SEL - M116 lwb
500SE - M117
500SEL - M117 lwb

and coupes
380SEC - M116
500SEC - M117

in 1986 came an update, the most obvious body changes being deeper smooth bumbers and flat side panels as opposed to the early ribbed ones. Other minor changes occured such as switch gear interior light, sunroof etc etc

260SE - M103
300SE - M103
300SEL - M103 lwb
420SE - M116
420SEL - M116 lwb
500SE - M117
500SEL - M117
560SE - M117
560SEL - M117 lwb

coupes
420SEC - M116
500SEC - M117
560SEC - M117

the 140s changed the designation around 93/94 i think, the engines remained the same throughout the whole series (once again i'm not sure about the diesels)

the M--- is the engine designation, hopfully this should send you on your way to finding out more!!

CS1946

Wow, I've learned some stuff here that I didn't know--especially about definitively distinguishing SWB/LWB models and the W126 freshening! Did the W126 get the 'flat' multi-spoke wheels in '86 too (as opposed to the earlier chrome ones)? I think they look much better.

In the US, the W140 debuted for the 1992 model year. This also marked the only year for a SWB 8-cylinder version, the 400SE. It replaced the W126 420SEL and was in turn offered only as a 400SEL in 1993. For 1994, the designations changed: 300SE to S320, 300SEL to S320, 400SEL to S420, 500SEL to S500, and 600SEL to S600. New polished 6-spoke wheels replaced the old 8-hole ones in 1997.

And somehow, a W126 forum needs to be started! It's such a great car, it definitely deserves its own forum.

scorchi0

cars pre 86 had either 14" wheel trims that had some very thin, very short spokes in them (Can't remember how many exactly!) or 14" Alloys. Check out this pre 86 126.

Cars post 86 had the 16 slot 15" wheels that i think your on about, or a very flat 15" hub cap

I'll try an dremember to post some more pics of the variations

Trent

CS1946

Yeah, the wheels on that car are what I was referring to--14". I think they look good if they have a new chrome finish, but on most cars that have them, they are tarnished and dirty. I believe I know the flat style you're talking about--is that the 8-hole alloy? The 16-slot was also typically fitted to the 190- and 300-Class, correct?

Beautiful car, by the way. Don't like the velour (prefer leather), but the paint's great and the wood really warms the interior.

scorchi0

that was just a car i happened to find while searching for 126 pics on the net.

I think all 126's came with wood of some form, be it Zebrano or Burr Walnut.

The 16 slot is also often referred to as the 190 style or 560 style rim.

The 8-hole rim was never fitted to an 126 as standard (i think it came out on late 124's (300CE-24??), the flat style i was talking about was a plastic wheel trim over a black steel wheel.

I'll find some pics

Trent

p.s. Velour is very rare in Australia so the only velour cars i have seen have been Thistle green 500SEL's with green velour. Two of 'em. Most 280's came to aust with Tex interior, and 380's had leather. I quite like the velour, i think its just something different as i hardly ever see (feel) it, and the seat pattern looks somewhat like the newer cars pattern!

CS1946

Yeah, you're right. At least in the US, the 8-hole style was never used on the W126 as standard (looks nice when added afterward, though). I think Mercedes only used the 8-hole on the Sportline versions of the 300E and 300CE ('92+).

I still have no idea what 'flat' wheel cover you're referring to--unless it's the international style (flat with large star in center?). Looking forward to seeing some more pics!

Ideally, someone should start a picture thread on a W126 forum. Any idea how to create that?

scorchi0

as far as i know we 'normal' members can't create a forum, we have to lobby for it in the suggestions forum thingy. And yes a picture thread would be an excellent idea. There has to be plenty of 126 owners in here...

p.s. i guess the flat hubcap never made it to the US. Lucky, because its damn ugly, it went through 3 styles. All plastic painted silver, painted silver with a chrome star, then chrome star and chrome edge ring...looks horrible

CS1946

Yeah, I now know exactly what you're talking about. In Europe, they put them on W201's, W124's, W210's, W202's, etc. I've been over there several times, and seen them myself.

I think they are like the wheels on this car:
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/E280941.HTM
and this one:
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/190E931.HTM
This seems like a newer style:
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/190d842.HTM

That's a great site for all sorts of Mercedes pics, by the way.

And I think we should all lobby for a W126 forum!!

scorchi0

those caps on the 190D are an ealry 202 hub cap.

I don't think the flat style was ever fitted to the 210's or 202's

CME4BENZ

Just want to see my new avatar