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

[DjordjeC63]

BMW E32 had ASC+T before 1995.

 

[J.E]

In 1995, three automobile manufacturers introduced ESC systems. Mercedes-Benz, supplied by Bosch, was the first to implement ESP with their Mercedes-Benz S 600 Coupé. Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system appeared on the Toyota Crown Majesta in 1995.

Electronic stability control - Wikipedia

 

[hannaz]

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[Merc1]

Those Old Benz Club videos are terrible.

M

 

[Rolf]

Those Old Benz Club videos are terrible.

M

Their inclusion of some loud music tunes sometimes annoys me. They could have just shown the nice car pics etc with some spec sheets would be enough without the music.

 

[Rolf]

The W123 looks really tiny compared to the W140. It is much higher, wider and longer, so looks like a much bigger car.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

The W123 looks really tiny compared to the W140. It is much...

There's something about that photograph that appears "off". While the W140 was truly a gargantuan automobile for its' time, the way in which the W123 appears absolutely dwarfed doesn't seem to reflect reality. Or DOES it ??

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

There's something about that photograph that appears "off"....

Oh, sure it does. I remember when I saw it for the first time, that it looked almost surreally enormous. In every dimension, especially in height. when it was parked next to a E32 7er, the BMW looked two classes below.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Diminishing all exterior dimensions by, say, 2-to-2.5% would have provided quite a handsome W140, I reckon. The fundamentals of the exterior design are very clean.

 

[Merc1]

I wish Mercedes would create something as arrogant as the W140 again. I know they hate retro but there would be a huge market for something like a modern 140 or 124. IMO.

M

 

[empower77]

I wish Mercedes would create something as arrogant as the W14...

This IS the quintessential S class. This IMO was the pinnacle of S class design. Ruthlessly vulgar in every single way totally brilliant because of it. Seeing one even today gives me the fizz. This and the R129 were Benz’s FU moment to the auto industry elevating them to mythical heights in the then rarefied luxury space

 

[Merc1]

I loved that era too, but I'm not sure what the backlash would be. There would be an immediate chorus of complaints about it looking dated and that Mercedes is stuck in the past. I want them to do one retro car. The next E-Class could be a throwback, but I'm sure the design is too far along by now.

M

 

[empower77]

I loved that era too, but I'm not sure what the backlash woul...

I’m not sure about resurrecting old designs even with a twist. I think that tends to dilute the original masterpiece although I will be the first to admit that the BMW 507 homage, the Z8 was a masterpiece

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

This IS the quintessential S class. This IMO was the p...

The strange thing is, that the W140 is the least successful S class saleswise. By far.

 

[Rolf]

I loved that era too, but I'm not sure what the backlash woul...

For me personally the best era of Mercedes models was from early 70's to early 90's, with star cars such as the W116, W123, R107 SL/SLC, W126, W201, R129 and W140 were the master class of Benz models, with rock solid build and material quality, incredible over design and engineering, aerodynamic perfection and they were comfort kings to drive, From W202 C-class onwards in the 90's once cost cutting took over my liking for Mercedes diminished a little, but I once again loved the design (although still didnt like the quality) of the late 90's models starting from the first SLK, W220, W203 and W211 and R230 SL were beautiful styled cars.

 

[Merc1]

For me personally the best era of Mercedes models was from...

Yeah Mercedes has such a storied past and a few ups and downs here and there, I've had my eye on them since 1986 when I first saw a "300E". For me the W201, W124, W126, R129 and W140 just sit above anything else they've made since. The way these cars smelled, went down the road, looked, the thunk of the doors, different size exterior review mirrors from one side to the other, single blade wiper setup or the double/one swing on the W140, the seats, steering wheels, the stuffiness of their brochures, the boasts about quality, reliability and resale value. Yes that was Mercedes-Benz.

M

 

[Deleted member 1071]

For me personally the best era of Mercedes models was from...

The Mercedes-Benz automobiles that left the greatest impact on me were:

W198/198 II 300 SL coupe + roadster

W111/112 220-300 SE coupe & cabriolet

W126 S-Class

W/S/C124

C219 CLS

 

[Robbie]

The strange thing is, that the W140 is the lea...

I think there are a few factors that caused this:
1. The W140 was launched as the World went into a bit of a recession.
2. It was much more expensive than the W126. In a recession...
3. It was much bigger than the W126, when the world and Germany in particular was becoming obsessed with conspicuous consumption, and not in a good way

However, the W140 was simply a breathtaking vehicle. The performance for the time was unbelievable, the handling was like a car two classes down, and the build and quality were amazing.

I also love seeing them today and think they still look good.

 

[Grosser]

No one disliked asymmetrical interior of W140?

 

[empower77]

The strange thing is, that the W140 is the lea...

# of years plus the late 90s economic crash. Same thing with the 8 series from the 90s