S-Class W140 Modern classics: the S-Class Saloons of the Mercedes-Benz 140 series (1991 to 1998)

[Mick Briesgau]

^ That’s a very tasteful speced 600 SEC

 

[Design FIRST]

The fundamental design, the sheetmetal sculpturing, the proportions of the silhouette on the C140 are epic. However, the car is arguably a tad too large. A wee bit less length and height would have tranformed "epic" to...well, is "mega-epic" even a real term ?.

 

[Rolf]

This is something different and really special, a W140 Estate. I think this conversion looks very well executed.

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[Rolf]

This S70 looks absolutely stunning.

 

[Merc1]

My dream W140.

M

 

[Mick Briesgau]

@Rolf
Thanks for those S70 pictures. Fine specifications.

A few weeks ago I drove a 600 SEL of a colleague. It had the same exterior/interior. I found the brakes, compared to the brakes in modern days cars, to be rather bad. 30 years of developement in braking technology clearly shows.

 

[Design FIRST]

This S70 looks absolutely stunning.

It is quite amazing what proper rims and perhaps a set of 10mm spacers can do for the visual appearance of the W140.

 

[Rolf]

@Rolf
Thanks for those S70 pictures. Fine specifications.

A few weeks ago I drove a 600 SEL of a colleague. It had the same exterior/interior. I found the brakes, compared to the brakes in modern days cars, to be rather bad. 30 years of developement in braking technology clearly shows.

How was the 600 SEL to drive @Mick Briesgau? My guess it must have still felt refined and with a comfortable ride. How does the space compare to the new W223?

 

[Mick Briesgau]

How was the 600 SEL to drive @Mick Briesgau? My guess it must have still felt refined and with a comfortable ride. How does the space compare to the new W223?

Indeed it was, refined and comfortable. When you realise teh car is 30 years old, respect!

You know what, Rolf, it was a different drive compared to my current car. It is very smooth and wafty in the beste sense of the word, but less composed, less tight. Allow me a boat comparison.; W140 is more like Queen Mary compared to my car, that is more like Jeff's Koru. Sort of ...

 

[empower77]

Came across this gem on insta.. didn’t even know this was a thing.

Auto Leitner on Instagram: "V12 powerhouse with AMG details, rear coupe-style seats, and unmatched luxury. One of only a few ever built ⤵️ 1995 Mercedes-Benz S600 Long 6.0 AMG W140"

5,138 likes, 79 comments - autoleitner on September 5, 2025: "V12 powerhouse with AMG details, rear coupe-style seats, and unmatched luxury. One of only a few ever built ⤵️ 1995 Mercedes-Benz S600 Long 6.0 AMG W140".

www.instagram.com

 

[Merc1]

Sigh…..

M

 

[empower77]

Sigh…..

M

Isn’t that absolutely gorgeous?!? I remember the first time I saw a W140 when I was a wee lad.. that memory is etched in my head. Twas a blue 600SEL…

 

[Swissbob]

I prefer the coupe.

Bit I like both.

 

[Merc1]

Isn’t that absolutely gorgeous?!? I remember the first time I saw a W140 when I was a wee lad.. that memory is etched in my head. Twas a blue 600SEL…

OMGEE yes. It’s an epic Mercedes.

M

 

[trader1]

Love how it had an emblem on the interior wood trim (passenger side )

 

[Rolf]

That is one of the nicest looking S600 I ever seen. Love the smoke silver paint and 2 tone interior. The space and comfort of those rear seats must be sublime.

I still remember March 1991, the 600SEL was THE car on the cover of many magazines. The pinnacle car for Mercedes Benz with that fabulous V12.

The size and weight increase with the W126 was one of the main talking points with this car.

 

[empower77]

Bruno Sacco was a bloody genius… The R129 and the W140 are etched in history as two of the most aesthetically pleasing designs to come out of Germany!

 

[Rolf]

The C140 was a fascinating coupe when it was launched in 1992 especially the 600SEC. Personally I liked the C140 but found the bug eye headlights initially unpleasing but I liked the tail lights better than the W140 saloon.

The interior was even more luxurious than the saloon with plenty of wood and leather even on the covering of the steering wheel boss.

 

[Swissbob]

The C140 was a fascinating coupe when it was launched in 1992 especially the 600SEC. Personally I liked the C140 but found the bug eye headlights initially unpleasing but I liked the tail lights better than the W140 saloon.

The interior was even more luxurious than the saloon with plenty of wood and leather even on the covering of the steering wheel

Those pictures are wrong BTW, this rev counter was never installed in a CL140, it’s from a 320.

M119 and M120 always maxed out at 6000rpm.

 

[Rolf]

Those pictures are wrong BTW, this rev counter was never installed in a CL140, it’s from a 320.

M119 and M120 always maxed out at 6000rpm.

Yes you right, the 300SE or S320 S-class has a rev counter up to 8000rpm and red lined at 6600rpm.