The History of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class from 1951 to 2005
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- This week on TestDrive we're looking at the history of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class all the way back from 1951 until the 2005 model year.
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Our episode of TestDrive explores the history of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class starting from before the S-Class was even a name. Special thanks to Daimler AG for providing us a complete history of the S-Class including outstanding historical photos of the models we're discussing. The S-Class traces its roots back to 1951 when the W187 220 model was launched. Sedans, coupés, and two convertible versions were avaialble during the 3 year production run.
In 1954 the next top-end Mercedes-Benz passenger car was launched, known as the 'Ponton' model as it was the first vehicle in their portfolio to use a Ponton-type chassis design, more commonly known today as a form of unibody structure. The W180 Ponton was sold as the 220 model and featured new technology adapted from the W196R Formula One racing car driven by legendary racing car driver Sterling Moss.
The W180 II Ponton launched shortly after, bringing an optional 100 horsepower engine and two different models, the 220 S, and the significantly less prestigious 219. This 2019 was known internally as the W105. This generation saw a new hydraulic clutch system called 'Hydrak'. The first direct-gasoline injection model was launched later on as the 220 SE and boosted power to 115 hp and came with the internal designation of W128.
The Fintail Mercedes-Benz W111 brought some unique design characteristics inspired by American design trends at the time. This generation brought new safety technologies to the brand and the world, and helped to solidify it as one of the safest vehicles available at the time. The first true predecessor to the S-Class was introduced at this time as the W112, a 300 SE which came equipped with a 4 speed automatic transmission, power steering, air suspension, and dual-circuit brakes. A long version of the 300 SE was announced later on.
As we approach the end of the predecessors of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz launched the W108 in March 1965 as the successor to the popular Fintail. Updated engines and new technology was what distinguished these models from the Fintail, though the design and styling was relatively similar. Later in 1966 the W109 was announced, offering buyers their first taste of long wheelbase luxury that we'd come to know for the next 30 years. The 300 SEL 6.3 brought the L designation to the model line up along with a 6.3L V8 engine which provided enough power to make this Mercedes into a sports sedan.
The first true generation of the S-Class began with the W116. Three models were available to choose from including the 280 S, 280 SE, and 350 SE. Mercedes-Benz followed up the highly successful 6.3L with a new 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9. 7,380 units were produced with this enormous engine, making it more popular than the previous generation's special trim. This generation S-Class was also the first to receive a diesel engine option, and was manufactured specifically for export for the US and Canadian markets.
1978 also saw the introduction of the first-ever ABS, or Anti-Lock Brake System, co-developed between Bosch and Daimler-Benz. 473,035 models were produced during the W116's production run.
We catch up with the S-Class with the earliest model we've personally featured on TestDrive, the W126. The two examples we had were the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL and the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE. Over the course of the 12 year production run for the W126, 818,036 vehicles were built, making it the most successful S-Class produced. New safety and luxury technologies were launched on this vehicle, many of which consumer cars take for granted today.
The W140 succeeded the most successful model with a new design language and focus on aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. We had the chance to feature the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S 600 on a previous episode of TestDrive, and went over the details on the first production consumer V12 engine by Mercedes-Benz. Even more technological and safety innovations were created with this vehicle, even though it was the start of cost-cutting measures felt throughout Mercedes-Benz.
The S-Class we've driven the most was the W220, which we featured three separate times on TestDrive, the most recent being a 2003 Mercedes-Benz S 55 AMG. This new generation brought 4matic 4-wheel drive, an AMG performance model, and the split of the coupé and the CL-Class.
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Fate has brought us together with the S-Class. Since filming this episode, Nile has acquired his own 2013 Mercedes-Benz S 550 4matic SWB, you can watch his first episode of TestDrive Spotlight on it here: ruclips.net/video/q16fb7bbbxM/видео.html
Extremely well done! This man knows his S Class motorcars!
Glad you liked it, thanks! I’d love to drive some more of these, always a treat to get behind the wheel of an S-Class.
@@PRNTestDrive My very favorite was my 1990 560SEC. What a pure joy that car was to drive!
I'm sure!
Excellent video. Multiple MB & S-Class owner here, I truly believe the S is “Das Beste Oder Nichts.” I might argue that it was not the W140 that marked the beginning of cost cutting, but that it was the very height of a vehicle engineered without cost in mind. Features like interior power review mirror and the telescopic rods that rise from rear fenders when reversing scream expensive engineering. That car was so huge/overbuilt that it truly WAS a bank vault on wheels. Anyway, the next-gen W220 was the one that showed the accountants had interfered, but they HAD to do something to compete with upstarts Lexus and Infiniti. My current W222 is by far my fav of the S vehicles and the 13 MBs I’ve owned since 2000. MB = “Engineered Like No Other Car in the World!”
Thanks for checking it out! This was one of our lockdown-era projects but it became a lot more relevant after I bought my 2013 S-Class, one of the generations I hadn't been able to feature until then. We got to touch on more S-Class history this past week by comparing my 2013 with the 2024 PHEV S-Class we just reviewed.
Great video Nile. Thank you🤝
My pleasure! I now have to figure out how to feature each one of these cars on their own 😃
@@PRNTestDrive Nice problem to have Nile. I am sure you will manage. This will be a huge boost for the channel. Cant wait
Excellent video, PRN! One of my favourites that you've done recently.
I really appreciate that, thanks! Hoping to get back to some regular car content eventually, but I’m still without press cars going into this week ☹️
Absolutely fascinating video full of facts and without any superfluous nonsense. Thanks for posting.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have a green w116, love it so much. Even though it’s quite thirsty and noisy, the ride quality is like a dream
Very nice, hold onto it if you can!
What engine does your w116 have?
Is is the 300SD?
Great job it's awesome video. Cheers Nile.
Glad you enjoyed it! I'm thrilled Mercedes-Benz/Daimler had all these historical photos available, it really made the difference.
Thank you indeed, I'm a Mercedes guy.
Great Job. Mercedes is untouchable. Just can't beat the quality and engineering of a Benz, especially an AMG car.
The S 55 AMG is one of my favourite cars I’ve done so far.
The nomenclature 'S' class started with W116.
We'd love to feature one of those. We bought a W221 recently and have been on the hunt for more S-Class models to feature.
Great review very informative and historical about the legendary S class 👍🏼👍🏼
Nice video! I’d say the 221 generation was the peak of the S in terms of style and build quality. I’d love to see one on the channel, I’ve absolutely loved mine. Best buy I’ve ever made.
I'd love to feature one of them! I've been tempted with getting an S-Class, I was looking at some back in the winter including the W221.
@@PRNTestDrive I’d highly recommend it - mine has treated me very well
I ended up buying one! Funny how even a couple years ago I had my mind on it.
Great video on a great car, your content on this channel never lets me down thank you!
Glad you enjoy it! This was a really fun one to do, I learned a lot about the S-Class putting this together.
The 4.5 liter big block started out as an option in 1971 and 72 on the 300sel w109. There were 2533 made and this was kind of the demo for the w116 engine found in a 450se. I have a 72 300sel and a 74 450se both with 4.5l and an unrelated 87 420sel. Great video, and buyers beware.... any of these old high end s-classes with air or self leveling suspension can be a catastrophic money pit if something goes wrong. The indirect fuel injection and mechanical injection is very expensive as well
Good to know, thanks for sharing!
Best Car ever built Benz S Class Series
Definitely is! That's why we bought a W221 S-Class last year.
Beauty beyond compare
Makes me want to drive all of these classic cars even more now.
Very nice video. How long did the research take you? greetings from germany
I seriously lucked out with this one. Back in 2009 Merecdes-Benz published a massive press kit for media outlining the entire history of the S-Class complete with all of these historical photos & the information they had on them. It really helped me compile everything into the script that I used for this, along with the info I already had. I don't think the video would have come out quite so well or accurate had this information not been made available from the source.
@@PRNTestDrive wow, that is awesome. I never tire of watching old footage, binge watching I should say! Some of the best are the testing done by Ranier of Germany. The footage, testing ground, and the background music is amazing. I need a time machine!!
Great history review. Very well documented and even better illustrated. Well done.
Please more of the same with BMW 7 series for instance.
Thanks, I really appreciate that! I'm definitely thinking about doing the 7 Series, luckily I've driven the newer generations and have some footage to help, I'll have to see how good BMW's historical archives are.
@@PRNTestDrive Please don't thank me. You are the one who's done all the hard work and produced an amazing video.
I guess we both share a passion for BMW and we surely are not the only ones. I guess many of your subscribers would be delighted to see a BMW history. I still hope that one day you'll review an original 7 series e23. You'll find one eventually...
The older the merc ,the glorious it looks
Can't beat a classic Mercedes!
Agreed!!! And the less new-fangled electronic items to fail and cost the owner $$$$ to fix. I take pleasure in inserting a key, hearing the tumbler, and unlocking the trunk for instance.
YES
That's what I'm hoping everyone thinks when they see this come up in their feed!
It’s said that if you want to see what cars will be like in 20 years, drive an S-Class. You should do one on the E-Class!
Very true about what they say about the S-Class, although I feel like that 20 year gap has narrowed considerably over the past decade. Manufacturers are getting better at reverse-engineering technology. I'm definitely thinking about doing an E-Class history, I'll have to see how much historical footage Daimler has available.
I never remember that steering when in a 126...thats looks like a post 1991 steering wheel to me
Could have been. The 1988 560 SEL we featured had a number of OEM+ upgrades on it like the euro-style lights, the steering wheel may have been swapped also.
Wonderful episode Nile
Thank you! I'm really happy with the way it all came together. Finally got some new press cars on the books this month, so we'll be back to regular content soon enough, but I'm still going to look at doing these.
Very well done! The CL Class is the last Mercedes that appeals to me. Now, I would not have a new one. They have lost their way to say the least.
I'd love to feature one of those!
Beautiful classic M Benz 😘🚗😀 Mike from Missouri
Thanks for checking out the video!
Thanks Neil. Great history lesson on one of the most iconic cars in history... BTW, did you memorize all that script in one shot?
Absolutely not 😂 I can barely get through a sentence or two! For this video and the Infiniti exposé I used a teleprompter app on my laptop after writing the script out. For the most part I stuck to what I wrote, but it's a skill I need to develop further to be more natural at it.
@@PRNTestDrive I thought you did great! It was a good watch.
Can't be expressed in the mere sense of words.. love & respect from Pakistan ❤🇵🇰👍
Thank you!
Nice
So nice!
Merc S-Class, second to none!
Agreed! It's why I own one now.
15:30 That's not the first called CL. Also the coupe of 140 series was called CL - at least in it's last years.
Technically, yes but it wasn't really a true CL-Class. Either way we'd love to feature one of those!
Super! Thanks!
Welcome!
The W140 didn't have ANY carryover engines from the W126.. the M116 & M117 V8 were in the W126 and the M119 was used in the W140... Never in the W126
This was based on direct information provided to us by Daimler.
Wow
I hope a good WOW!
PRN_TestDrive yes love this video great job! I am looking to buy a black 1995 S class v8
Hopefully you can find one! I’d love to own a W140 also.
Wow, those W220's have not aged well at all. The rest are looking pretty nice, if not all ghetto'd up as was popular once upon a time.
We ended up getting a W221 ourselves recently, though we had looked at the W220. It'll always hold a place in my heart but most of them are not in good shape these days.
Great video! Really love my w140. I do like the 100,126& 221. The latest s class looks like Japanese or Korean car😕
I would love to get the chance to feature a W100, it’s probably one of the hardest I’ll be able to find.
@@PRNTestDrive yes it is
W100 is not a s Class, Its a uberklasse
I need to upgrade to S class.. My E class is aging. But aging like fine wine.. Its a Mercedes-Benz.. Best or nothing..
Nothing wrong with an E-Class! We just bought a W221 S 550 back in summer and have been loving it.
@PRNTestDrive Nothing feels better than to be in a Benz. You always get people looking. Specially after the carwash, waxed rims and shiny tires.. 😍
@PRN_TestDrive: DURING YOUR RESEARCH DO YOU KNOW WHY MERCEDES MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT FROM CONSOLE ON THE W220 TO THE STEERING COLUMN IN THE W221?
To save space? My W211 is shift by wire so the controls could be placed anywhere, and it seemed like that was the logical place to move it in order to free up valuable space along the centre console.
So if someone wanted to buy a true quality made Mercedes. What Generations should they avoid. Everything after 1992 or 99? I enjoyed your video and I must say your voice is easy on the ear. I subscribed! God bless...
It's hard to say exactly, some say the 99+ generation, W220s weren't overly reliable, but the W140s have also had some issues. Any S-Class will require extra maintenance and cost to keep it on the road, but they're worth it. I've done a number of episodes on some of the older models, we talk about the reliability and maintenance for them. Definitely check those episodes out on the W126, W140, and W220s we've done!
Everything after 1995
Just be aware of the W140 diesel. MB crammed an extra cylinder into a block meant for five only and it created engine failure for some owners. I learned of this through a Mercedes forum some years ago. I have always liked the W140 but it is a nightmare if you don't find a well-maintained one.
The R129 is also unforgiving if scheduled maintenance is not performed properly. Talking with owners of them, they say it is almost impossible to play catch up later on. So buy the best one you can find with verified service records. Personally, for me, I like most from 1951 to 1989.
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Fair enough
What a great review. You put in a lot of hours to put this together. Once they named the coupes separate from S class Sedans, the coupes got lost in the lineup. At some point the mechanical excellence gave way to some gimmicks. But advent of huge SUVs like Navigator, Range Rover, Yukon Denali and Escalade, have made S class a bit irrelevant.
Thank you! I'm lucky Daimler made an entire media package available about the history of the S-Class, and I was able to use that first-party information to build the script up. I agree that the big SUVs now dominate, though I see a lot more GLS SUVs than S-Class sedans, I don't feel the GLS has the same prestige and presence as the S-Class. Nothing can change that for me I don't think.
@@PRNTestDrive Of course not I agree. SUV's are still just a truck with expensive options added to them. S-Class rules!
Thoughts on the 200 Automatic Tailfin with the side marker lights? Thanks 😊
Thoughts are it's awesome! If you find one to buy you should jump on it!
Oh I think you missed one S class, the 1938 one?🤔 aka the “XXXXXX mobile”🤔
Haha! Interestingly there's a large gap in files available on the MB press website from 1938-1946.
The title says "The History of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class from 1951 to 2005".
Nice bro 🇩🇪👍😊🦁
Thank you!
i think they got rid of the cylinder deactivation on the facelift w220
The only note I can find online was the Active Cylinder Control system originally on the V12 models for 2001 and 2002, however the 5.0L V8s list it as an optional feature.
I wish I could buy a brand new W123. The S class went down after the W140. I’ve had both new and now I drive a Tesla.
Come back to Mercedes...Come back to Mercedes!!
Nile bought a W221 last year, no regrets. Low mileage, good shape overall. Very well equipped.
I guess you forgot to mention the 90s S-class coupe.
I skipped over it mostly because Mercedes-Benz didn't even bother to acknowledge it in the W140 press kit. I had a few clips for the W126 coupe as it was the first time it was introduced, and only mentioned the C215 for the W220 because of the nameplate change. I'm still hoping to get the chance to do a full episode on the W140 coupe at some point!
@@PRNTestDrive A beautiful luxurious coupe IMO.
Salut my friend super car super video subscribe subscribe ...
Glad to have you on board, thanks for subscribing!
Narrow field of research and than getting so much wrong - especially what is shown in the video (one example: 600 series never had the tail lights as was shown here)
Literally every single photo, and every single detail came directly from Daimler. They had an entire history of the S-Class on their media site and I wrote my scripts off it, and fact checked all of it.
@@PRNTestDrive Right from the horses mouth....lol.
considera una parte en español
Fair enough
6:40 doesn´t anybody realize the misscarriage....?
What do you mean?
@@PRNTestDrive The wrong back lights, or were they really standard equipment of any MB 600?
All of the images came directly from Mercedes-Benz’ corporate archives, and the labels for each vehicle from them too to ensure accuracy.
@@PRNTestDrive OK but there is no hint in the net that such a version of MB 600 officially existed. I would be grateful for any proof. I know vintage Mercedeses quite well and I have never seen this.
Like I said, all the still images came from Mercedes-Benz directly. They have a press website that had a complete history of the S-Class including all these images and documentation behind it to explain the history. If you’re able to get access to that you should be able to find more info.
You did not show original w126 models, cmon bro. Gotta properly respect the Benz brand by accurate representation. Disappointed
I showed footage of W126s I actually filmed. Don’t like it? Go find your own and make your own videos. I don’t need this negative energy in my life.
Many of us learned something and appreciated the effort...