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| NZ Benz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320 Posts: 2555  | The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? Well what do you all think? Yes or No? As far as I am concerned never before has a production car embodied the sense of luxury, comfort and presence that the W140 has. If it were put on sale as a new car today would it sell well? I think this car belongs to a lost era, designed during the late 80's when it arrived in the 1990s to go on sale the times that it was designed for had moved on. This car projects images of power and wealth in a way that has become unfashionable during the 90s and even more so now. I worry about what I will do when I need a new car, as at 13 my car is not that young, I think I will get a later W140 but then what, will I upgrade the W140 as someone on BW is? I may have to; I don't think I could move to a newer MB or another car after my current 300SEL  . A friend took a ride in mine the other day and even though I think the front shocks in mine need re-doing he said it rode better than his mothers brand new Honda. It is for this reason that I think that the W140 will have its own place in history. Sure the W126 is perhaps "The last true MB" but nothing was and ever has been like the W140 as to develop a cult following like it has today, I think I will cry when I have to get rid of mine. It matters not that it is perhaps becoming a little dated, everyone still knows what emotions and feelings it brings up when they look at it. The main reason for this long ramble is to ask will the historical place of the W140 be one of admiration of a great car or of a car that came along ahead of its time when times such as attitudes to ostentatious consumption and the like were moving against it? Also what will all you other people think about getting after a W140?  | |
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| Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? Pfffft...get a W163 or W211 or W221.  On a more serious note, I too agree the W140 deserves it's own place in history. Most, if not all the officials in the Middle East use W140s. That says something. Same with oil tycoons over there. | ||
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| Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? No, I don't think I will ever be able to live my life without a W140. These cars are just so good. I probably eventually will get another Merc, but I never want to get rid of my W140, or my W126 for that matter. They are just such good cars, and I love them so much. I have had 2 W126's, and 3 W140's, and they have all been superb, and they are exceptional in every way. O.K. Guys, the following are my opinions, so if I offended you, please don't take it personally, because I am just expressing my thoughts on whether or not the W140 deserves a place in history. The W126 is a very well made car. Just by opening and closing the doors give you a sense of happiness, pride, and safety. Despite coming from the 80's, the W126 was a very advanced car. The only thing that the W126 doesn't have, that the W140 does, is cupholders. And I really don't even care about cupholders. The car is very modern, and has many of the things that modern cars have. It has been said that the W126 is "The Last Great Mercedes-Benz" but I have to disagree. I think that the W126's replacement, the W140, is definitely worthy. Yup, I think that the W140 is "The Last Great Mercedes-Benz". The W126 is certainly very well made, and it is very hard to beat it's rock solid reliablily, and strength, but I strongly believe that the W140 was "The Last Great Mercedes-Benz." The W140 is a very well made car. It has everything that someone wants in a luxury car. Space, Comfort, and Presence. The W140 is a car looks good everywhere it goes. Whether it is speeding on the freeway, parked in a run down neighborhood, or parked in front of a fancy restaurant, it looks good wherever you go. It is a car that is useful all the time as well. It has plenty of room to haul around five people and all their baggage, in comfort all day long. It is a car that is superior to many new cars today as well. Although it is already a 15 year old bodystyle, it still looks good parked up next to a new Mercedes-Benz. It is a car that is superior in any place, and any time. The W220 does not compare at all to any of the S Classes. It is one of those very badly and cheaply made cars with a Mercedes-Benz emblem on it. As far as I am concerned, it is not even a Mercedes-Benz. I think it was the worst made S Class ever, and although it does have a couple of nice technology bits and things, it is certainly not very good at all. I feel that the W220 does not even deserve the three pointed star. I feel that it was car that was made with no passion involved at all, but simply to save a couple of bucks, and throw out a new car. Even though it was one of the most successful S Classes that was sold to a lot of people, what does that show? It certainly doesn't sound like quality to me. It sounds like something that was made with business involved rather than time or passion. And that is exactly what it is. I feel that the W220 isn't even a Mercedes-Benz. I feel that it was a cheaply made car with an S Class badge stuck on the back. The W221 is certainly an improvent from the W220, but that isn't much to brag about. I mean, the W221 is much nicer, and I am a fan of it, but they need to up the quality just a bit more. On some of the switches, and hooks inside the W221, I feel that I can just rip them off. I didn't see anyof that in the W140 or W126. The 221 definately has a lot of nice things to distract you from the cheap parts of it, such as the Satellite navigation, and radar guided cruise control, or things like the massaging seats. You also can't forget about the new command system that they have in it, (Similar to BMW's iDrive, but much better and easier to use) because that is a wonder to use, and I absolutely adore it. Hopefully the next S Class, (Probably called the W222  will be slightly better than the W221, but it isn't that big of a jump. It just needs to be slightly better made, and that's it. If they do this, the W222 could easily be one of the best S Classes. Back to the W140's place in history though, Yes, I believe the W140 does deserve a place in history because of the many things I said about it. It is a very good car, and it deserves to have a good place in history. | ||
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| NZ Benz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320 Posts: 2555 | Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? AsianML - 6/10/2006 12:00 AM Pfffft...get a W163 or W211 or W221. On a more serious note, I too agree the W140 deserves it's own place in history. Most, if not all the officials in the Middle East use W140s. That says something. Same with oil tycoons over there. I have been in all those cars bar the 221, but I have been in a 220 and I don't like them, they are ok but there is no space in them, same with the CLS which I have also sat in, I think I could live with a Jag as my next car but would rather a MB, I may just end up with a 220, wouldn't be perfect but hey what is? | |
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| Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? S500, I'm going to have to disagree with you on the W220 and the W221. They are very much worthy of the three-pointed star. Sure they aren't as reliable. Blame Schremp. It has been admitted that they had to cut down on quality in order to lower prices to compete with the other automakers. Imagine if quality hadn't been lowered? Regarding it having no passion. IMO, it has the most passion, even more than the W221 IMHO. You probably will never see a car with a ride as nice as the W220. Now don't even get me started on the M thing. | ||
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| NZ Benz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320 Posts: 2555 | ||
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| RE: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? I don't know where i got this pic. It's in my HD for years. If i do recall, this car is a MB museum car maybe? (W140_215.jpg) (W140_216.jpg) Attachments ----------------  W140_215.jpg (205KB - 2 downloads) W140_216.jpg (171KB - 1 downloads) | ||
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| Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? S500, no idea what you meant by passion, so I just wrote something down. Have you tried driving either the W221 or the W220 with the ABC suspension? Makes all the difference in the ride. | ||
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| NZ Benz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320 Posts: 2555 | Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? AsianML - 6/10/2006 10:27 AM S500, no idea what you meant by passion, so I just wrote something down. Have you tried driving either the W221 or the W220 with the ABC suspension? Makes all the difference in the ride. Thing is though all the W140 cars are getting old so the ride will not be as good as the 220 or 221, I would say that brand new the air ride suspension on the W140 would be just as good. | |
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| Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? NZ Benz - 6/10/2006 2:57 PM AsianML - 6/10/2006 10:27 AM S500, no idea what you meant by passion, so I just wrote something down. Have you tried driving either the W221 or the W220 with the ABC suspension? Makes all the difference in the ride. Thing is though all the W140 cars are getting old so the ride will not be as good as the 220 or 221, I would say that brand new the air ride suspension on the W140 would be just as good. I fixed the hydraulic suspension on my S500, and replaced the shock absorbers along with the "Nitrogen Balls" which somehow improve the ride, and my S500 just glides down the road perfectly.  | ||
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| NZ Benz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320 Posts: 2555 | Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? 1996_S500 - 6/11/2006 10:59 PM NZ Benz - 6/10/2006 2:57 PM AsianML - 6/10/2006 10:27 AM S500, no idea what you meant by passion, so I just wrote something down. Have you tried driving either the W221 or the W220 with the ABC suspension? Makes all the difference in the ride. Thing is though all the W140 cars are getting old so the ride will not be as good as the 220 or 221, I would say that brand new the air ride suspension on the W140 would be just as good. I fixed the hydraulic suspension on my S500, and replaced the shock absorbers along with the "Nitrogen Balls" which somehow improve the ride, and my S500 just glides down the road perfectly. :) I am toying with the idea of having mine re done, I will do the front ones when I go home this summer, But I do want to upgrade to a newer W140 in the next few years but then I may keep my 300 because my next one I want to be a 420 or a 500 so for a daily driver perhaps I could keep the 300 and the extra expense would be worth it? | |
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| Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? NZ Benz - 6/11/2006 9:54 PM 1996_S500 - 6/11/2006 10:59 PM NZ Benz - 6/10/2006 2:57 PM AsianML - 6/10/2006 10:27 AM S500, no idea what you meant by passion, so I just wrote something down. Have you tried driving either the W221 or the W220 with the ABC suspension? Makes all the difference in the ride. Thing is though all the W140 cars are getting old so the ride will not be as good as the 220 or 221, I would say that brand new the air ride suspension on the W140 would be just as good. I fixed the hydraulic suspension on my S500, and replaced the shock absorbers along with the "Nitrogen Balls" which somehow improve the ride, and my S500 just glides down the road perfectly. :) I am toying with the idea of having mine re done, I will do the front ones when I go home this summer, But I do want to upgrade to a newer W140 in the next few years but then I may keep my 300 because my next one I want to be a 420 or a 500 so for a daily driver perhaps I could keep the 300 and the extra expense would be worth it? :confuzed: That sounds like a good idea. Get a 96 S500 or whatever year you want... | ||
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| RE: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? markcedes - 7/4/2006 1:09 PM zeq - 6/10/2006 4:12 AM I don't know where i got this pic. It's in my HD for years. If i do recall, this car is a MB museum car maybe? its bullet proof yup, and it has run-flat tires. It looks really nice. | ||
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| Photoman Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Vehicle(s): 280GE, ML500, 280SE 3.5  | Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? he he he... here we go. (Photoman is hiding under desk). The only thing the 140 will go down in history is being one of the most unreliable Mercs ever made. Funny how people with the same cars see things oh so differently. I reckon the 126s I've owned are way better than the 140. I actually reckon the best was the 124. I really want a 500E Anyway I think the 140 just doesn't quite make it. My mechanic put it this way... he told me that when the 140 was launched he had to take a week off work to recover from all the laughing he did. But I still like my 140. I don't think I could live with a standard one. In fact I know I couldn't live with a standard one. To soft for me. I guess that's why mine is getting a blower and has been lowered 70mm. | |
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| NZ Benz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320 Posts: 2555 | Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? Photoman - 7/5/2006 9:12 AM he he he... here we go. (Photoman is hiding under desk). The only thing the 140 will go down in history is being one of the most unreliable Mercs ever made. Funny how people with the same cars see things oh so differently. I reckon the 126s I've owned are way better than the 140. I actually reckon the best was the 124. I really want a 500E Anyway I think the 140 just doesn't quite make it. My mechanic put it this way... he told me that when the 140 was launched he had to take a week off work to recover from all the laughing he did. But I still like my 140. I don't think I could live with a standard one. In fact I know I couldn't live with a standard one. To soft for me. I guess that's why mine is getting a blower and has been lowered 70mm. Yea the reliability thing is a bit of a bastard. Thing is though if you want a car that will never have any problems buy a Toyota or a Honda. | |
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| Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? Photoman - 7/5/2006 6:12 AM he he he... here we go. (Photoman is hiding under desk). The only thing the 140 will go down in history is being one of the most unreliable Mercs ever made. Funny how people with the same cars see things oh so differently. I reckon the 126s I've owned are way better than the 140. I actually reckon the best was the 124. I really want a 500E Anyway I think the 140 just doesn't quite make it. My mechanic put it this way... he told me that when the 140 was launched he had to take a week off work to recover from all the laughing he did. But I still like my 140. I don't think I could live with a standard one. In fact I know I couldn't live with a standard one. To soft for me. I guess that's why mine is getting a blower and has been lowered 70mm. Where do you want it Photoman? The Head or the Chest?  yea, you are right about the reliability, but as NZ Benz said, if you want a reliable car, go for something from Japan. Yea, the W124 is a nice car, but do you really want a W124 over your massive and luxurious S Class? | ||
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| NZ Benz Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Vehicle(s): 1993 300SEL/S320 Posts: 2555 | Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? 1996_S500 - 7/5/2006 9:06 PM Photoman - 7/5/2006 6:12 AM he he he... here we go. (Photoman is hiding under desk). The only thing the 140 will go down in history is being one of the most unreliable Mercs ever made. Funny how people with the same cars see things oh so differently. I reckon the 126s I've owned are way better than the 140. I actually reckon the best was the 124. I really want a 500E Anyway I think the 140 just doesn't quite make it. My mechanic put it this way... he told me that when the 140 was launched he had to take a week off work to recover from all the laughing he did. But I still like my 140. I don't think I could live with a standard one. In fact I know I couldn't live with a standard one. To soft for me. I guess that's why mine is getting a blower and has been lowered 70mm. Where do you want it Photoman? The Head or the Chest? yea, you are right about the reliability, but as NZ Benz said, if you want a reliable car, go for something from Japan. Yea, the W124 is a nice car, but do you really want a W124 over your massive and luxurious S Class? :) Your desk will not save you my friend, Photoman sleeps with the fishes.  (paulie.jpg) Attachments ---------------- paulie.jpg (6KB - 1 downloads) | |
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| Re: The W140 a Special Place in Auto History? NZ Benz - 7/5/2006 7:08 PM 1996_S500 - 7/5/2006 9:06 PM Photoman - 7/5/2006 6:12 AM he he he... here we go. (Photoman is hiding under desk). The only thing the 140 will go down in history is being one of the most unreliable Mercs ever made. Funny how people with the same cars see things oh so differently. I reckon the 126s I've owned are way better than the 140. I actually reckon the best was the 124. I really want a 500E Anyway I think the 140 just doesn't quite make it. My mechanic put it this way... he told me that when the 140 was launched he had to take a week off work to recover from all the laughing he did. But I still like my 140. I don't think I could live with a standard one. In fact I know I couldn't live with a standard one. To soft for me. I guess that's why mine is getting a blower and has been lowered 70mm. Where do you want it Photoman? The Head or the Chest? yea, you are right about the reliability, but as NZ Benz said, if you want a reliable car, go for something from Japan. Yea, the W124 is a nice car, but do you really want a W124 over your massive and luxurious S Class? :) Your desk will not save you my friend, Photoman sleeps with the fishes. :laugh: well, I guess he's gettin' it in the head.  ] | ||
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