W126 is the bodycode given to the
Mercedes-Benz S-class series, produced from 1979 until 1991. W126 sales were
halted in 1992 for the US market. Mercedes-Benz South Africa continued producing
them for some years, stopping in 1994.W126 is the bodycode given to the
Mercedes-Benz S-class series, produced from 1979 until 1991. W126 sales were
halted in 1992 for the US market. Mercedes-Benz South Africa continued producing
them for some years, stopping in 1994.
The car was introduced at the IAA in Frankfurt on september 1979. Most people did not appreciate the design right away. It's appearance differed too much from the rest of the Mercedes fleet at that time. The objective of the design team, lead by Bruno Sacco, was to produce a car that was sleeker, lighter and faster as opposed to the old W116 S-class it was meant to replace. Now, over 20 years after it's first introduction, it is clear they succeeded in designing and building a true classic.
The W126 remained in production for over a decade and it's design still wasn't oldfashioned when production was halted in the early nineties.
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The decision to give the W126 a more low-profile look than it's predecessor had been based on the fact that in the late seventies owning a big luxury car was considered self-indulgent and anti-social. The foreseen fuel shortages and rising fuel prices forced Mercedes-Benz to rethink their big-engine strategies and the 'Energy Program' was introduced. Although engine sizes were actually enlarged (the 3.5 liter engine became a 3.8 and the 4.5 became the 5.0) MB argued that the engine sizes were actually decreased because the 5.0 liter engine could replace the 6.9 engine and the 3.8 could replace the 4.5
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The new engine line up at the introduction of the car was:
M110 2.8 liter 6-cylinder DOHC engine (both carburetted and with fuel injection)
M116 3.8 liter V8 engine (fuel injection only)
M117 5.0 liter V8 engine (fuel injection only)
During later years, diesel versions followed for the US market:
OM617 3.0 liter 5-cylinder turbodiesel engine
OM603 3.0 liter 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine
OM603A 3.5 liter 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine
And during the midlife update some changes were made:
M103 2.6 liter 6-cylinder fuel-injection to replace the M110 versions.
M103 3.0 liter 6-cylinder fuel-injection
M116 4.2 liter V8 fuel-injection to replace the earlier M116 3.8 versions.
M117 5.6 liter V8 fuel-injection (the M117 5.0 liter was continued as well).
I can be reached at vlimmere@concepts.nl or at g.v.vlimmeren@hccnet.nl .
There is now a site in Dutch for Dutch W126 owners. Check out http://www.mb-w126-club.nl
This woodgrain background used in the button bar is scanned from the wood panelling of the center console of the W126. It makes a great Windows(tm) background :). Alternatively, one could print it out on adhesive paper and stick it on the dashpanels of some lesser examples of the motoring industry, giving them a touch of class :)
Pricing of the W126 S-classes ensured that the car is viewed by many as 'anti-social'. The original clientele of lawyers, politicians, known criminals and shady businessmen did contribute to this 'status'. Although the W126 no longer has the interest of the original buying group, the cars will retain this 'shady' status for quite some time into the future. (not being helped by the fact that Hollywood film makers did their best to make use of this status in films like 'Black Rain', 'Down Town' or the 'Lethal Weapon' series, where the bad guys end up driving them).
Oh, and parking them is a bit difficult at times...
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In 1999, twenty years after the introduction of the W126, the MB-W126-Club was founded in Germany. A link to the club page is available in the links section. We will be actively supporting the club and it's goals. Information about club goals, membership and other issues can be found at the MB-W126-Club website.
Here could be your chance to safely lick a W126 and get away with it. Three separate countries produced postage stamps depicting the W126.
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Malaga sy Democratic Republic
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Gambia
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Lesotho
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Korea
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Mercedes-Benz is a trademark of Mercedes-Benz of North America and Mercedes-Benz A.G.. The words Mercedes-Benz are solely used to identify a make of automobiles and do not imply or indicate any affiliation or relation of the Unofficial W126 Page with the manufacturer or their distributor. All other brands, trademark's and names are property of their respective owners, are solely used to identify their respective products, and not to indicate any affiliation or relationship between the Unofficial W126 Page and the owner. This information at the Unofficial W126 Page is subject to change without notice and is provided "as is" with no warranty and shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection with the use of this material. Several sources were used to construct this page. The main sources were the 1979 Daimler-Benz W126 Press Release, the Mercedes-Benz Collector's Guide part IV by James Taylor, published in 1994 by Motor Racing Publications Ltd and Das Grosse S-klasse Buch (ISBN 3-89365-234-5) by Matthias Rocke, published in 1991 by HEEL-Verlag GmbH.
