S-Class (W140) Modern classics: the S-Class Saloons of the Mercedes-Benz 140 series (1991 to 1998)

[Mick Briesgau]

I never liked the exterior design of the C140. The worst looking S class coupé. I’d wish however that the leather quality of today’s S class was at least on par with that of the W/C140.

 

[Merc1]

People complained that the leather back then was too hard and unyielding.

M

 

[Swissbob]

People complained that the leather back then was too hard and unyielding.

M

It is much harder than on a current S-Class I can confirm that.

The CL140 needs big rims to really shine, 19“ Lorinser deep dish are my personal favorites.

The basic 16“ look ridiculous.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

People complained that the leather back then was too hard and unyielding.

M

Last June I drove a W140 600 SEL facelift of a collegue of mine. The perceived leather quality surpassed that of my nappaleather in almost every way. Mine is indeed slightly softer, but I can’t imagine it endures more than 300.000 km. Time will tell.

 

[Merc1]

Last June I drove a W140 600 SEL facelift of a collegue of mine. The perceived leather quality surpassed that of my nappaleather in almost every way. Mine is indeed slightly softer, but I can’t imagine it endures more than 300.000 km. Time will tell.

I’m aware. The leather is the old school kind designed to last forever.

M

 

[Rolf]

I remember in the 90s Mercedes introduced the pleated leather seats (not sure if these were similar to the buffalo seats in the E32 and E34 BMW models) and those felt alot softer than the older models ribbed seats. But amazingly those pleated leather still lasted long without major wear.

Is the new leather in Mercedes latest models perhaps thinner than that in older models?

 

[Mick Briesgau]

I remember in the 90s Mercedes introduced the pleated leather seats (not sure if these were similar to the buffalo seats in the E32 and E34 BMW models) and those felt alot softer than the older models ribbed seats. But amazingly those pleated leather still lasted long without major wear.

Is the new leather in Mercedes latest models perhaps thinner than that in older models

Though I can’t substantiate it with factual figures, I’m sure the leather is thinner. I even thought the nappaleather in the W222 felt and looked better, thicker, less fragile, than that of the W223.

 

[Merc1]

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M

 

[Rolf]

The W140 was a technical tour de force and had so many new Innovations.

However this could be preproduction pics of a basic spec 300SE that had a steering wheel with no airbag, manual controlled cloth seats and also no AC lol.

 

[empower77]

Crank seats on an S? Can’t imagine anyone getting that base spec

 

[Rolf]

Another great looking 600SEL V12 W140.

 

[Merc1]

Looks like a SWB to me.

M

 

[Rolf]

Looks like a SWB to me.

M

Good question as the car I posted is a S600. Its wheelbase does seem shorter.

Here is a 600SEL for comparison. Are they the same?

 

[Merc1]

It’s definitely an ultra rare 600SE, a unicorn if there ever was one. 1994 so it’s labeled S600 either way.

M

 

[Merc1]

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Rare spec, beautiful.

M

 

[Design FIRST]

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Rare spec, beautiful.

M

...and to recall the harsh criticism that the SWB W140 received here in Germany when it was first presented due to it's "excessively huge" exterior dimensions. Fast forward some 27 years to 2018: the SWB D5 Audi A8/S8 which was initially applauded as the "sleek, athletic segment choice" featured a length some 50+ mm longer and a width some 60mm wider.

 

[Merc1]

...and to recall the harsh criticism that the SWB W140 received here in Germany when it was first presented due to it's "excessively huge" exterior dimensions. Fast forward some 27 years to 2018: the SWB D5 Audi A8/S8 which was initially applauded as the "sleek, athletic segment choice" featured a length some 50+ mm longer and a width some 60mm wider.

It's the look. The W140 didn't try to hide it's bulk at all. All those broad expanses of sheetmetal made it look like a tank.

M

 

[Design FIRST]

It's the look. The W140 didn't try to hide it's bulk at all. All those broad expanses of sheetmetal made it look like a tank.

M

I've often thought that the W140 was a fundamantally very clean, arguably "timeless" exercise in exterior design. As you mention, the sheer, at the time, perceived bulk made it so polarizing here in Germany. In fact, I recall accounts from back then expressing "an embarrassment" to be seen driving a W140. "So pompous, so excessive, so "in your face, I'm obscenely wealthy" ". Things that didn't go over so well with the contemporary "German mindset". Hence, BMW benefitted with the E32 and E38 7ers as did Audi with the D2 A/S8. More subtle, more "politically correct".