The adage that to foresee the technology in future cars, one should examine the present Mercedes S-Class, has lost its ubiquity. The reason being, contemporary vehicles are now brimming with an abundance of technology, often exceeding practical necessity. This trend has escalated to the point where the quantity of gadgets is used to measure luxury, overshadowing the traditional hallmarks of opulence.
Yet, this Mercedes harks back to an era when luxury was synonymous with premium materials, impeccable construction, and unparalleled ride comfort. The W126 series, introduced in 1979, represents such times, particularly this unit from 1991, one of the last of its lineage. It strikes a balance, featuring sufficient modern conveniences to appear more contemporary than its years would suggest.
Inconveniences
As I ventured into contemporary traffic with this classic, I braced myself for a pleasant drive tinged with the typical nuisances often associated with vintage vehicles. However, my assumptions were quickly proven incorrect.
Once in optimal condition, the robust 3.5-liter six-cylinder turbo diesel engine ignites effortlessly, even in colder climates. The interior climate control quickly adjusts to either warm or cool settings, ensuring comfort. Settling into the ergonomically designed power-adjusted seats, there's no need to fuss over selecting the right gear, sport mode, or suspension setup; simply engage drive and the car handles the rest. Admittedly, the diesel engine and its traditional gearbox emit a noticeable hum during their initial warm-up phase. However, this minor disturbance fades after a few miles, smoothing out the ride to such an extent that one easily forgets the substantial length of the vehicle behind them. This is particularly true for the long-wheelbase model. Despite the engine's modest output of 100 kW, its torque offers a surprisingly delightful experience when accelerating from stoplights.
Magic
One might easily attribute the remarkable comfort and drivability of this vehicle to the prestigious three-pointed star logo it bears. However, truly appreciating the uniqueness of this car and the extensive engineering behind it requires a more hands-on approach. Undertaking its maintenance, even for tasks as simple as an oil change, can be enlightening. Such activities reveal the car's exquisitely crafted components and the high-quality materials used for even the most mundane parts like nuts and bolts.
Consider the intricacies of the interior ventilation and the windscreen washer system's heating mechanisms as prime examples of meticulous design. The vehicle's climate is seamlessly regulated by a vacuum-controlled automatic climate control system, which efficiently distributes air through well-insulated tubes hidden beneath the dashboard. This system quietly propels air not only to the conventional dashboard vents but also through the front door's leather panels. The windscreen washer's heating system epitomizes over-engineering: it starts with a metal antifreeze coil within the washer fluid reservoir, warming the fluid. This heated fluid then travels through additional heated hoses, ultimately reaching the heated nozzles.
Despite things as complicated as the described system some things are done in a simpler manner. The suspension for instance - just a beautifully designed mechanical symphony that makes the car super comfortable and handle pretty good for what it is.
Elephant in the room
This S-Class is equipped with the notorious OM603.97 turbo diesel engine, exclusive to the Canadian and U.S. markets. Some of these engines experienced premature failures, with rods bending as early as around 50,000 miles, and in some reported instances, even as early as ~20,000 miles. Dealers addressed this issue by replacing the affected engines with upgraded versions featuring strengthened internals. Consequently, the models that have endured up to the present day are likely to be more reliable and continue operating without such concerns.
On one hand, this is a somewhat rare car with only about 3000 long wheel base models being sold. On the other - there are plenty W140 S-Classes out there, which are being pulled by the same engine, so parts are available. It's all in the hands of the beholder how he/she maintains it. Some good preventative tips would be replacing all of the old school copper circuit breakers, lubricating things like the electric sunroof rails and not letting the water drains get to dirty.
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