What is THE most luxurious top of the range pre 1990 Merc?

[Zanx]

I have decided that despite the probs with the aircon on my S320, that I rather like the Mercedes marque and will probably move backwards in years but upwards in quality with my next buy. Considering that as a minimum I'll need S320 comfort and ride quality with as many toys as possible plus a tank like build quality (that bit is important to me) and a huge interior with 4 doors, what should I be looking at for that luxury ride? Engine size not a massive issue (as long as it's large), because if it's a cracker, then it'll get LPG'd (assuming it's petrol, diesel is fine too).

I do 2x 2 hour drives a week and little cars are just agony on my neck, hence the joy at the comfort of my S320. It's all a tad confusing with the W prefix on so many Mercs and the model type afterwards.

 

[BlackC55]

S500 W140. There is nothing better for luxury IMO

 

[Mudster]

Pre 1990 was the 560 SEL, the most expensve was the 560 SEC.

 

[st4]

A W126 will fit the bill nicely. However be aware that although nicely made, its still a 20yr old car and as such will need TLC/hands on maintanence/little jobs doing in a way a modern car simply doesn't

 

[The Boss]

id say go for the 300se or 300sel w126. the 500 & 560 might be too much for the current economic climate, but the 300 is seriously enjoyable and a very relaxing drive

 

[kth286]

w126 saloon (560 SEL version) (5.6 litre V8)

this bigger engined version will likely have far more options built into it compared to the smaller engined 300 (3 litre) cars

 

[219]

Another vote for W126 : mine has been trouble free over the 18 months and just over 20,000 miles I've had it . ( Two ABS sensors being the ONLY non-scheduled items I have had to replace )

500's tend to be quite well specced , 560's tend to have just about every option . Lesser models and it is down to luck which boxes the original owner ticked .

Here are a few pictures of my 500SEL

Of course , if you want the ultimate in luxury , only a 600 will do (W100)

More info here The Mercedes-Benz 600 Home Page

Although even its 'lesser' brothers are rather special , too The International M-100 Group

 

[Smarties]

Mercedes 500 SE W126 for sale, classic cars for sale uk (Car: 89167)

Posted elsewhere on this site, but how about this? Last of the W126 (forget the W140, compared to the W126, they were c.....I won't say for fear of upsetting other forum members). W126 was a true MB.

 

[James Rothwell]

W140 is an awesome car but that is post 1990.
Pre 1990 as others have said the W126 is fantastic particulary the 560SEL. I'd love one!

 

[jaymanek]

560 SEC was the 2nd most expensive car available to buy in 1988. I think second only to a Rolls Royce.. in todays money it would be priced at £145K.

 

[Soltan]

So are cars built before 1990 generally considered to be the "bullet proof" ones? Apart from the rust.....

Opinions seem to be divided over the W140's and W126's..... pro's and cons?

 

[Slow Phil]

So are cars built before 1990 generally considered to be the "bullet proof" ones? Apart from the rust.....

Old V8s can get expensive, valve guides can be an issue.

I'd stick to W140, better cars than W126 and more plentiful.

 

[neilrr]

W140s weren't built before 1990. They came after the W126 & started in '91.

 

[johnsco]

My vote goes for the W126.
"Flagship" cars, if ever the name was deserved.

 

[Zanx]

So are cars built before 1990 generally considered to be the "bullet proof" ones? Apart from the rust.....

Opinions seem to be divided over the W140's and W126's..... pro's and cons?

This is kind of what I was getting at with the first post. You hear numerous nightmare stories about modern Mercs, and then people talking about the cutoff point at which the bean counters started running the company. It would be interesting to hear any comments about what year the transition between overengineering and bean counting happened.

The value for money these older Mercs represent is astounding, even the mid 90's S Class Mercs are serious VFM, ok I swapped a '65 Dodge from mine, but to buy second hand it's still under 2.5k. It seems that the backside has fallen out of the big car market.

 

[Soltan]

This is kind of what I was getting at with the first post. You hear numerous nightmare stories about modern Mercs, and then people talking about the cutoff point at which the bean counters started running the company. It would be interesting to hear any comments about what year the transition between overengineering and bean counting happened.

The value for money these older Mercs represent is astounding, even the mid 90's S Class Mercs are serious VFM, ok I swapped a '65 Dodge from mine, but to buy second hand it's still under 2.5k. It seems that the backside has fallen out of the big car market.

I've always felt that the newer cars had the better toys, but given the huge bills they often generate I think I have to re-evaluate the older models. Especially in light of the low prices of most of these cars, as you say serious value for the money.

Don't really know much about them so was very happy to see your thread
Interesting how the W140's and W126's have polarized opinion.

 

[219]

Depends on how you're going to run the car : the W126 was the successor to the original S Class ( the W116 ) - both of these models borrow heavily from the legendary W123 : designed by engineers who had the first , middle and last words . These cars were heavily over engineered and are mechanically very robust - due to the ages of these cars , rust can now be an issue , but many are in surprisingly good condition , thanks to the superlative build quality - Mercedes even stated prior to release that they (the W126 series ) were designed to last into the new century - so a lifespan of 20 years or more was always part of the plan ( how many current cars could you say that for ? ) .

A W126 can still be very well equipped , with features such as alloy wheels , central locking , electric windows , sunroof , power seats , illuminated visors , air con being by no means unusual ; and other options such as SLS , fridge , electric blinds/curtains in the rear , individual rear seats and trip computer being less commonly found options .

The later W140 series is still a very well engineered car and certainly has a lot more electronics in it , as well as a longer list of optional extras : features like double glazing , door closure systems ( which can be tempreamental ) more sophisticated heating and ventilation systems .

However to compare a W140 to a W126 is rather like comparing a W124 to a W123 . Certain things have been 'pared down' to save on cost and weight , so the later cars are not quite so mechanically robust as the earlier ones , although they are still very good .

I think I would sum it up by saying - " If you like to get the spanners out and look after your cars yourself : get a W126 ; on the other hand , if you do your maintenance with a chequebook : get a W140 " .

The German S Class club website ( with pages in English ) is a useful resource with an excellent buying guide

Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Club e.V.

Other useful links include the Dutch site

Mercedes S-Klasse Club Nederland - voor alle eigenaren van een Mercedes W116, W126, R129, W140. | Mercedes S-Klasse Club Nederland

W126Club Forumoverzicht

and this one

W126

A useful contact for W140 owners

Mercedes Benz W140 S Class Spares and Parts

Sadly , not so many other sites out there dedicated to this model , although the official club does have a section on its forum dedicated to this model .

The Mercedes-Benz Club

 

[Sorry Pete]

but to buy second hand it's still under 2.5k. It seems that the backside has fallen out of the big car market.

I think that pretty much sums it up. The w126 is a fantastic car for the money. I thoroughly enjoyed owning one, all it needed outside of servicing was a new exhaust during my tenure. Pricey, but nothing compared to new car depreciation, or catalytic converter exhaust systems. Neck on the line here, but I can't see any other than museum pieces or immaculate examples (c. 1000 miles p.a.) appreciating in value.

No one can predict what fuel prices will be like in 10 years' time, but it's certainly not going to be any less than it is now.

As for pure luxury in a merc, what about the Adenauer convertible? Gotta admit though, it looks a bit like nobody told the guy in the design department that the NSDAP had been dissolved ten years previously...

[/IMG]

 

[219]

My favourite Adenauer was the pillarless saloon variant - a grey example of which used to be a regular attendee at club meetings in this country - I always felt that the lack of pillars made it look even sleeker and longer than the standard variants ; also amazing that they could build this without it sagging in the middle !

 

[louisv6]

"Air-Conditioning with Polar-Matic"

:-D

Love it.