Hello everyone,

I keep hearing that there were a lot of improvements in '86 to the s-class cars. So can someone tell me the major differences between a US version 500SEL (no post '86 US versions, right?) and and 560 or 420 SEL.

Thanks

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Martin

Ummm, new alloy wheels.(was that '86, or did they change that in '88?) I think the old ones were 14", the newer 15 hole flatface ones are 15".

Different headlights.
I think the A/C and the radio(?) changed.

I know someone will list every single difference down to the wattage of the trunk bulb or something, but this is what I know. Hope it helps.

Here's my knowledge on 1981 to 91 US W126 cars - lots of little details:

82 - speedo goes to 160 on 380SEL, no more 85 "max" - this might be the first year for a 2nd gear start?
83 - 380SEL's get double row timing chain - may not be ALL 83's I'm not sure - i had an 83, it was a dual row chain
84or85? - drivers' side seat memory, definitely on 500 SEL anyway, outside temp. display. Trunk lock unlocks the doors
85 - airbag(1) standard in 500SEL, 380SE probably doesn't have it. Never saw any 300SD with an airbag.
86 - new model/engine lineup: 420SEL replaces 380SE, 560SEL replaces 500SEL. 300SDL replaces 300SD
All 126 cars have airbag (1), new flush front headlights with wipers, 15" rims replaces 14"-hard to clean rims, flat lower body side mouldings instead of ribbed ones, 560SEL gets heated seats and reclining rear seats (500SEL had these features, they were optional in the 420 but very rare), 560SEL gets hydropneumatic suspension
Significant improvements in the car mechanically, engine, transmission, etc.
88 - 10 Speaker premium sound optional, rims appear the same but are different size in depth. Also, can't buy a diesel 126 for 2 years. 300SE/SEL is introduced instead
89 - New less springy seats, 10 speaker sound system standard, passenger side airbag optional - it's usually there in 89's
90 - passenger side airbag standard. 350SDL is introduced, 300SE/SEL available,also
91 - traction available, usually found in 560SEL's, 350SD added to the lineup - probably the rarest 126 designation

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2003 S500 Black/Charcoal
1990 560SEL 61k Arctic White/Grey

SOLD:
1988 420SEL Black/Palomino Sold @ 85k
1987 420SEL Midnight Blue/Grey
1986 420SEL Diamond Blue/Grey
1983 380SEL Champagne/Palomino

Thanks Rich,

That's most helpful. One more question: Are any of the "Significant improvements in the car mechanically, engine, transmission, etc." to area that were particularly troublesome before? For example, do the larger wheels go with larger disks/calipers on the brakes?

My question is whether the significant average price difference between a 500 SEL and either a 560 or 420 (which are very close in average price in Southerh California) is worth it. In my view, fluch headleight and heated seats are nice, but not worth two or three grand.

As far as I can see, the year difference in age is insignificant compared to mileage and maintenance. And you can get the very best of 500 SELs for the price of an average 560 or 420, I think.

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Martin

I see your point, you can probably get a pretty nice 500SEL for less than $10,000, where that amount gets you an average 420/560SEL. I'd probably choose a really nice 500SEL over an average 86 or 87. Personally, I would hold out for the best of both and spend more for a really nice 420/560SEL, but that can be much more expensive. I haven't really run across a 500SEL I would take in a long time.

I'm not really knowledgable on what the mechanical differences are in 1986+ vs. pre-1986, as I only owned one pre-1986 for a very short period. Someone else can probably better advise you there, but I know there are some improvements in areas such as suspension, transmission, etc.

Expensive Problem areas in all of them: climate control, oil-leaks, valves and cams can weaken over time, transmissions in diesels or those in any car in which the fluid wasn't changed regularly

__________________
2003 S500 Black/Charcoal
1990 560SEL 61k Arctic White/Grey

SOLD:
1988 420SEL Black/Palomino Sold @ 85k
1987 420SEL Midnight Blue/Grey
1986 420SEL Diamond Blue/Grey
1983 380SEL Champagne/Palomino

For the benefit of others, I thought I'd reply to my own message post what I found out to be the most significant difference between the pre and post '86 126 cars (much as I agree that the old wheels look hard to clean and the new headlights look better)

The early '80's were a tough time for car manufacturers as they scrambled to comply with emmission regulations. I have returned my library cooy of Nitzschke's Mercedes book, but the difference between the European and US specs were uniformly huge. Then new generation of engines were much improved in this respect. Here is a startling fact from that book: a US spec 500SEL has less than 10hp more than a US spec 300SEL! The 380 has considerably less power. And it's not as though you'd get an improvement in fuel economy for your trouble either.

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Martin