From the few hours that I was able to actually drive the w126 LWB, I
thought it was a superb car and wanted that model just for the leg
room. It was a pleasure on the highway, but a slug in town. I was
trying to get from Dallas to SEA in three days solo, and the first day
was going to make it a joy to cruise home. then it blew up, Kaleb
offered me $500
Got a W124 E300D for the wife. She loves it to death. I think it is a
mini me for the SDL. Same finish and feel, but smaller and faster.
Drove it across the USA last summer. I was really wanting that extra
room from the SDL. Not as comfort inducing like the SDL for long days
on the road. Lots better mileage.
On Monday, October 3, 2005, at 01:57 PM, Nick Gough wrote:
I own both a W126.125 (1986 300SDL) and a W124 (1993 300E 2.8). Both
are terrific cars.
I like the performance, handling, economy (30mpg on the road), simple
design, reliability, style and comfort of the W124. I have no problem
with the elbow on the window sill, can put the seat back far enough to
cause me to have troubles in reaching the firewall (I'm 6'6" tall),
have gobs of headroom and can put the seat far enough forward and
still be comfy and have legroom in the rear seat for long trips. The
W124 is comfy on the open road, very solidly built, not a fussy car
and definitely not tinny.
The W126 car (300SDL) is an awesome, long-legged highway cruiser with
all of the comfort you could ever expect in a limo. Comfort in the
sense of having gobs of rear seat legroom (an additional 5.5" over a
normal, non "L" based S-class) and a smooth ride. The front seat could
be more comfy for me, the driver, as far as legroom is concerned, but
it is a great road car. It may be slow in reaching 100mph, but once
there, can effortlessly cruise there all day long, or as long as the
23 gallon tank can get you. I can get about 30mpg on the open road in
this car, as well. It is not that speedy going up a hill with a full
load and A/C on, but on the flats it has enough power to pass without
a problem. It is a 4000 lb car with only 148 hp, so expect it to be
slower than a W124. It is a very simple car, mechanically and
electrically, and does not have McPherson struts on the front. The
diesel engine is solid with very few, if any, problems and can last a
very long time without major problems.
It is not a tinny car, either.
Each of these cars are much safer than one would imagine at first
glance, although you would expect a large S-class car to be like
riding in a tank, which is not too far off of the mark. :>)
Someday, I'll be selling the 300SDL, but I've decided to keep it for
now, fixing it up, keeping it in better shape and then sell it when I
eventually get a new C230 sedan (the 2006+ model).
Each of these diesel engined cars (if you have a W124 300D) are
appreciating in value like crazy, so keeping them is cool and buying
one now is also cool, since you will be getting an economical, safe,
comfy car that is reliable to boot.
Good Luck.
Nick Gough
86 300SDL 169k miles
93 300E 2.8 127k miles (?? can't remember... :>)
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--
Clay
Seattle Bioburner
1972 220D - Gump
1995 E300D - Cleo
1987 300SDL - POS - DOA
The FSM would drive a Diesel Benz
