1990 Mercedes-Benz 300 Series

The Mercedes-Benz W126 was a series of saloon vehicles manufactured from September of 1979, serving as the successor to the earlier W116 line. The W126 was the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz flagship to officially bear the S-Class name referencing 'Sonderklasse' or 'special class.' Models were initially offered in straight-6, V8, and turbo diesel saloon configurations. Compared to its predecessor, the W126 was more fuel-efficient, aerodynamic, mower powerful, and capacious. It also introduced many safety innovations including the first airbag (supplemental restraint systems), traction control, and seatbelt pre-tensioners.

Production of the W126 line lasted twelve years, from 1979 through 1991, the longest of any S-Class generation since the flagship models were first built in the mid-1950s.

In regards to diesel power in the American market, Mercedes-Benz was a consistent leader and developed a strong reputation and following among consumers. Beginning with the 170D in 1949, a thirty-eight horsepower four-cylinder engine, made a virtue of economy, and diesel would remain in the Mercedes lineup from then on.

The fuel crisis of the early 1970s greatly heightened the widespread respect and appeal of diesel power. Their economy, reliability, and longevity were matched by increasing performance. Among the most significant model in Mercedes-Benz's arsenal may have been the 300D, with its inline five-cylinder engine with just over 3-liters displacement, 77 horsepower, and 115-lb-ft of torque. Its four-door sedan configuration was soon joined with the 300CD coupe, the 300SD supercharged sedan with 110 horsepower, and the 300TD station wagon.

In 1990, Mercedes-Benz introduced a new model dubbed the 350SDL. This was the first large chassis Mercedes diesel in three years, with power being sourced from a 3,407cc single overhead camshaft turbocharged inline-6 with 121 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. This was the first turbocharged diesel-engined Mercedes since 1987. Initially, it was offered on the long-wheelbase chassis (indicated by the 'L' in the model designation) with abundant room and luxurious amenities.

The 1990 Mercedes-Benz model lineup included the 190E sedan powered by a 159 cubic-inch inline-6 and priced at $31,600. Offered solely as a gasoline model, transmission options included either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 Series included the 300E sedan with either front-wheel or four-wheel drive and powered by either a 158.6 cubic-inch inline-6 or a 180.8 CID inline-6. The 300TE, again offered with either front- or four-wheel drive, was offered as a four-door station wagon with seating for five passengers. The 300CE was a two-door coupe, and the 300SE was either a sedan or long-wheelbase sedan.

The 300CE used a 180.8 cubic-inch, dual-overhead-camshaft inline-6 with 217 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The 300D used an overhead-camshaft, turbocharged, five-cylinder engine with a 152 cubic-inch displacement and developed 121 horsepower at 4,600 RPM.

The 560 Series S-Class sedan was equipped with a V8 engine with a new fuel-injection system. The 300SL and 500SL were both coupe/roadsters with the 300SL equipped with a 181 cubic-inch inline-6 while the 500SL was powered by a 304 cubic-inch V8.

by Dan Vaughan

Produced between 1979 to 1991, the Mercedes-Benz W126 was an S-class that produced a total of more than 800,000 units in combined sales of various models. This production total has made it the most popular Mercedes-Benz S-Class to this day. The W126 was available as a long- (SEL, SL) ad short wheelbase (SE, SD) sedan, and also as a coupe (SEC).

Unveiled in September of 1979 at the IAA in Frankfurt, many viewers did not realize the appeal of the design at first glance. The design team, led by Bruno Sacco was intending to produce a vehicle that was faster, lighter, and much more sleep than the previous W116 S-class. This intention was met, remaining in production and following twenty years of success in the Mercedes 560.

Replacing the W116, this included the flagship Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9, the W126 brought with it the self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension of the 6.9 as an available option on the 500-, an standard on the 560- models. Making fuel efficiency an important goal following the oil crisis of the 1970's, Mercedes updated even the larger V8-engined models.

New innovative features and technology on the W126 included new airbags, along with driver-side airbags, that was premiered on 1985 models. These became standard on 500SEL and 500SEC, and optional features on the 300SD, 380SE, and 380SL. Following 1990, the passenger side airbag premiered.

A Mercedes first, to prevent wheelspin traction control ASR was introduced. This was available on European models only until 1990, when it became available to 560 SEL customers in the U.S. With the exception of rear center lap belts on sedans, the new seat belt pretensioners ETR was enabled on all seat belts, which made it tighten when the car sensed conditions that could lead to an accident. These conditions included sudden, forceful braking. ABS brakes had been introduced in the W116. In the U.S., rear leveling suspension was made a standard option on both the 560 SEC and 560 SEL. Coupes were only available with this feature from the factory.

To allow occupants to see the ground when exiting the vehicle in the dark, courtesy lights were placed on the underside of car doors. Dual-stage heated front seats, 8 way powered, and with two setting memory functions for both front occupants to retain the position of power-adjustable steering column and seat position for the driver, and seat position for front passenger were made available. A rear 'Chesterfield' bench seat that was 2-way powered, with dual-stage heated (before 1990 SELs) was made standard on flagship 500 SEL and 560 SEL models and came with 4-way manually adjustable rear headrests.

Individual, power-adjustable rear seats were made available as an option o the 500 SEL and 560 Sel. These were made available with a burl walnut grained center console that replaced the enter seat and allowed for a 2+2 seating format.

Utilizing an interior temperature sensor to effectively climatize the cabin area, a fully automatic climate control system was installed. Mounted close to the sunroof, the sensor could detect when the roof was ajar by the cool windchills and call upon the system to adjust heat flow accordingly. Placed below the speedometer, an exterior temperature sensor would display the exterior temperature and be set in the main instrument console.

A topographical sensor that would monitor the vehicle's position, whether on an incline or decline was placed in the four-speed automatic transmission. When coasting downhill, the result was an astounding capacity that would 'hold back' acceleration without using the brake pedal after coming to a complete stop on a steep incline. A 'limp home mode' feature was also installed with would also the transmission to continue working following an electronic failure that was programmed to begin in 2nd gear and would permit for a smooth, wheel spin free launches.

With a cruise control function that allowed for a freedom of the sudden throttle inputs and undesired downhill excesses that plagued many other current cruise control systems, the W12 cruise control function utilized the transmission's topographical sensor to appropriately add and cut back the throttle effectively as needed.

Though most of these features are available on most modern luxury vehicles today, these were considered to be extremely significant features during the 1980's. These innovative features, along with the renowned durability of Mercedes-Benz added effectively to the appeal of the W126.

In 1992, the W140 replaced the W126 generation. Though sales in Mercedes-Benz South Africa continued well into the 1994 year, sales on the W126 were ended in 1992 for the US market.

by Jessican Donaldson