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Mercedes-Benz W126

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Mercedes-Benz W126
1987 Mercedes-Benz 500SE
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-Benz
Production1979–1991 (sedan)
1981-1991 (coupé)
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury car
Grand tourer
Body style2-door coupe
4-door sedan
Powertrain
EngineStraight-5
3.0 L OM617 diesel
Straight-6
2.6 L M103
2.8 L M110
3.0 L M103
3.5 L OM603 diesel
V8
3.8 L M116
4.2 L M116
5.0 L M117
5.6 L M117
Dimensions
Wheelbase2935 mm (280 SE)
3075 mm (300 SEL)
2850 mm (420 SEC)
Length4995 mm (280 SE)
5160 mm (300 SEL)
4935 mm (420 SEC)
Width1820 mm (all SE/SEL)
1828 mm (all SEC)
Height1430 mm (280 SE)
1440 mm (300 SEL)
1407 mm (420 SEC)
Curb weight1560 kg (280 SE)
1655 kg (500 SEL)
1650 kg (500 SEC)
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz W116
SuccessorMercedes-Benz W140
For a complete overview of all S-Class models see Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The Mercedes-Benz W126 was a series of flagship vehicles manufactured by German automotive marque Mercedes-Benz. Premiering at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 1979 as a successor to the earlier W116 S-Class, the W126 was initially offered in standard (SE, SD) and long (SEL, SDL) wheelbase sedan body styles. September 1981 saw the introduction of the coupé (SEC) body style. The W126 S-Class introduced many notable Mercedes-Benz safety innovations, including the first airbag supplemental restraint systems, seatbelt pretensioners, and traction control.

During the W126 twelve year production run between 1979 and 1991, the different body styles achieved a combined sales total of 892,123 units (818,063 sedans and 74,060 coupés), making the W126 the most popular S-Class ever produced.

History

The W126 replaced the 1970s generation W116 (including the flagship Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9), and carried forward the self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension of the 6.9 as an option on the 500, and standard on the 560 models. Following the 1970s oil crisis, Mercedes-Benz made fuel efficiency a pertinent goal of the model, even in the large V8 engined models.

The car was introduced at the IAA in Frankfurt on September 1979. Its appearance differed from the rest of the Mercedes fleet at that time, so some people did not appreciate the design right away. The objective of the design team, lead by Bruno Sacco, was to produce a car that was sleeker, more aerodynamic, lighter and faster than the previous model. The application of lighter materials and alloys combined with thorough wind tunnel testing to reduce overall drag meant the car consumed about 10% less fuel than its predecessor and maximum speed was also increased.

Four years after the introduction of the energy concept, the model range had been reworked completely. In September 1985, again at the IAA in Frankfurt, the reworked model range was reintroduced. Apart from visual changes to the bumpers, side covers and alloys, the changes made to the available collection of engine variants was most visible. Two newly constructed 6 cylinder engines, M103, already used in the new middle class W124 series, replaced the 2.8 litre DOHC M110 engines. The carburetted version was replaced by a 2.6 litre fuel injection engine while the 3.0 litre version replaced the fuel injected M110. New was the 4.2 litre V8 engine, designed to replace the 3.8 litre version used in the S-class limousine, the SEC and the SL. The 5 litre engine was modified to receive electronic ignition and electronic-mechanical fuel injection in form of the Bosch KE-jetronic system. Performance was increased to 245 hp.

The most spectacular new engine was the 5.6 litre V8 that was a further development from the 5 litre version. An increased stroke meant it could turn out a hefty 272 hp. There was a higher compression version available, if required, that produced some 300 hp. This version was only available without catalytic converter. But even without the catalytic converter this ECE version, as it was known, would meet the emission requirements of the European Community.

The W126 generation was replaced by the W140 in 1992, although a satellite factory in South Africa is known to have continued production until 1994.

Models

The W126 series (named in accordance to their engine size) initially included the 260, 280, 300, 380, and 500 series models. Following the first S-Class mid-cycle refresh, the W126 series included 260, 300, 350, 420, 500, and 560 models. Variants included SE (standard wheelbase), SEL (long wheelbase), SEC (coupe), and diesel models.

W126 (1979-1985)

Chassis code Years Model Engine Notes
W126.021 1981-1985 280SE M110.987 2.8L straight-6 World excluding US
W126.023 1981-1985 280SEL M110.987 2.8L straight-6 World excluding US
W126.12 1981-1985 300SD OM617.951 3.0L straight-5 diesel USA and Canada only
W126.032 1984-1985 380SE M116.963 3.8L V8
W126.033 1981-1983 380SEL M116.963 3.8L V8
W126.043 1982-1983 380SEC M116.963 3.8L V8
W126.037 1984-1985 500SE M117.963 5.0L V8 World excluding US
W126.037 1984-1985 500SEL M117.963 5.0L V8 for US and Canada '84 and '85
W126.044 1984-1985 500SEC M117.963 5.0L V8 for US and Canada '84 and '85

W126 (1986-1991)

Chassis code Years Model Engine Notes
W126.12 1986-1991 260SE M103.941 2.6L straight-6 World excluding US & Australia
W126.024 1989-1991 300SE M103.981 3.0L straight-6 '89-'91 US
W126.025 1988-1991 300SEL M103.981 3.0L straight-6 '88-'91 US
W126.125 1986-1987 300SDL OM603.961 3.0L straight-6 diesel
W126.134 1991 350SD OM603.97 3.5L straight-6 diesel
W126.135 1990-1991 350SDL OM603.97 3.5L straight-6 diesel
W126.034 1986-1991 420SE M116.965 4.2L V8
W126.035 1986-1991 420SEL M116.965 4.2L V8
W126.046 1986-1991 420SEC M116.965 4.2L V8
W126.036 1986-1991 500SE M117.965 5.0L V8 World excluding US
W126.037 1986-1991 500SEL M117.965 5.0L V8 World excluding US
W126.044 1986-1991 500SEC M117.965 5.0L V8 World excluding US
W126.038 1986-1991 560SE M117.968 5.6L V8 n/a in US, Australia
W126.039 1986-1991 560SEL M117.968 5.6L V8
W126.045 1986-1991 560SEC M117.968 5.6L V8

Features

Novel luxury features/options included the following safety, comfort, and technological features. Whilst almost all of these features are available on modern luxury cars today, each in its own right was considered very significant in the 1980s. The harmonious and "matter-of-fact" way which these were combined, as well as their renowned durability, has added to the appeal of W126.

Safety

  • Airbags, as an additional measure of occupant protection. The driver side airbag premiered on 1981 models, as an optional extra (standard from 1985 on 500 SEL and 500 SEC), and the passenger side airbag premiered in 1986 (as an optional extra; due to its expense, few early production W126 cars were thus equipped).[1]
  • Traction control ASR to prevent wheelspin (a Mercedes first). Available on European models only until the 1990 when it was available to 560 SEL customers in the United States.
  • Seat belt pretensioners ETR enabled all seat belts (with exception of rear centre lap belt on sedans) to tighten when the car sensed conditions that could lead to an accident; such as sudden, forceful braking.
  • Anti-lock braking system ABS brakes (as introduced by its predecessor, the W116)

Comfort and convenience

W126 interior
W126 interior
  • Courtesy lights on the underside of the doors, to enable the occupant to see the ground when exiting the vehicle in the dark. And on sedan models, individual, rear cabin reading lamps aimed at the rear seat occupants' laps so as to avoid distracting the driver at night.
  • Eight-way powered, dual stage heated front seats, with two setting memory functions for both front occupants to retain positions of power adjustable steering column and seat position for driver; and seat position for front passenger. The seat heaters were standard on the 560 SEL, and an option on other models.
  • Two-way powered, dual stage heated rear "Chesterfield" bench seat (pre 1990 SELs) with four-way manually adjustable rear headrests that was standard on flagship 500 SEL and 560 SEL models.
  • As an option on the 500 SEL and 560 SEL, individual, power adjustable rear seats were provided with a burl walnut grained centre console that replaced the centre seat to allow for a 2 + 2 seating format.
  • Fully automatic climate control system that used an interior temperature sensor to more accurately climatize the cabin. This sensor was mounted near the sunroof so that when the roof was ajar, the sensor would detect cool windchills and call upon the system to adjust heat flow accordingly.
  • Exterior temperature sensor with display set in main instrument console below the speedometer to inform the driver of exterior conditions.

Drivetrain technologies

Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC coupé
Rear-end of a 500 SEL W126
  • Four-speed automatic transmission with a topographical sensor that monitored the vehicle's position (whether on an incline or decline) and gas pedal position. The result was an extraordinary capacity to "hold back" acceleration when coasting downhill and to maintain the S-Class' position without using the brake pedal after coming to a complete stop on a steep incline. The transmission also featured a "limp home mode" in case of electronic failure and was programmed to start in second gear so as to permit smooth, wheel spin free launches.
  • Self-levelling suspension There were two versions for the sedan, a rear only hydraulic suspension using two nitrogen ballasts to automatically level the car, and a four-wheel hydraulic levelling system that could be set in three positions. The coupes were only available with the rear-levelling from the factory. In the US, rear-levelling was standard on both the 560 SEC and the 560 SEL.
  • Cruise control that used the transmission's topographical sensor to appropriately add and cut back the throttle fluidly as needed in order to maintain the desired set speed. The result was a cruise control that was free of the sudden throttle inputs and undesired downhill excess speed that plague many current cruise control systems.

U.S. grey market models

500 SEL

Gray-market Mercedes-Benz 500 SE

The 500 SEL has an interesting place in US history, since American demand for this particular car drove the establishment of a large grey market. The detuned, yet very expensive US specification 380 SE/SEL/SEC was underpowered, according to contemporary reports, and fuelled demand for the more powerful version available in the rest of the world. 25,000 units per year of the grey market vehicle were sold in the early 1980s, according to contemporary reports in the Los Angeles Times.

Problem models

350 SD/SDL

Some engines had a design defect which causes ovaling of cylinders walls, bent rods, excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 200 miles or one litre per 300 kilometres is not uncommon), and eventually engine failure. Mercedes-Benz did not accept responsibility for this defect, even when problems arose before warranty terms were met. Most of these engine failures have so-far occurred on vehicles driven under high load or city driving, while highway driven engines do not show signs of problems until many miles later, if at all. Fixing the problem can cost the owner more than $10,000 or 8000€ which exceeds the value of the car. Not all 350 SD/SDL's have this issue, therefore a thorough pre-purchase check by a qualified mechanic can give the potential buyer a better idea of what they are getting into. Some 350's have gone well over 400,000 miles, problem free.

380 SE/SEL

Following the fuel crisis, part of the programme was to reduce weight and increase power with decreased engine weight. On early versions of the 380, the engines came with a single row timing chain. These models were plagued with chain failure problems and some of the problems were corrected by Mercedes-Benz, free of charge. Some models, however, escaped retrofit and may at some point fail as a result. All models built in 1985 were equipped with the dual-row chain from the factory.

The reason for the susceptibility of a single row chain on this engine is because of the intricate rails and tensioner design, along with the two tall cam towers the chain must circulate around. Simple single cam engines generally do not have these problems when using a single chain

Special variants

  • AMG, offered Bodykits for all W126 models, as well as a widebody kit for the coupe. Offered many levels of engine tuning, but was most famous for the DOHC 6.0 litre Engine, based on the original 117.968 engine. Also Offered a Gleason Torsen differential in varying ratios, Manual Transmission (extremely rare), and various TV/radio consoles.
  • BRABUS, Offered Body kits Similar to the AMG package and engine tuning.
  • Lorinser, Offered Body kits Similar to the AMG package and minor engine tuning.
  • Koenig Specials, Offered a famous widebody kit, a supercharger, and twin-turbo kits.
  • MKB, Various Engine kits
  • RennTech, Offered most of the AMG engine tuning packages except for the DOHC engine.
  • Carat, Body kits, wooden seatback trays, wood trim, AMG installer/dealer.

Engines

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercedes-Benz W126.

Article citations

  1. ^ S-Klasse Club information

Model timeline

  1. Schlegelmilch, Rainer W. (2004). Mercedes. Könemann. ISBN 3-8331-1056-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. German Mercedes Benz W126 club - buying advice

Specifications

  1. ^ 280 SE wheelbase dimensions also applies to 300/420 SE
  2. ^ applies to 300/420 SEL; 500/560 SEL listed 5 mm shorter wheelbase
  3. ^ applies to 420/560 SEC
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