W126 vs W123
W126 vs W123
I have never owned or even been inside a 300SD, but there are a couple of reasons, 1, they appear to be generally cheaper in my area than a 123 chassis, 2, it appears to be a bigger, more comfortable car, and since my use would generally be highway road trip stuff, that would be desirable.
Anyone have any thoughts on a comparison of the two models?
So, im keeping my eye open for another turbo diesel powered by a 617 for the future, and im considering looking into 300SD models vs 300Ds.
I have never owned or even been inside a 300SD, but there are a couple of reasons, 1, they appear to be generally cheaper in my area than a 123 chassis, 2, it appears to be a bigger, more comfortable car, and since my use would generally be highway road trip stuff, that would be desirable.
Anyone have any thoughts on a comparison of the two models?
1979 450SEL 6.9 - stock
1960 220SE
111 tube chassis car/undergoing full restoration. Body work in progress. Merging with a 1996 S500 (119 engine, 722.6 trans, and both subframes)
2005 S55 AMG - stock
1999 SLK230 Kompressor - stock
2006 SLK55 AMG - stock
126 body cars are pretty sweet as far as ride quality and possible options, it is a heavier car so you can expect less fuel economy than a 123. Its all your personal opinion on the choice, I prefer the 123 for better mileage and smaller car, but definitely would not mind a 126 for a road trip car.
1979 450SEL 6.9 - stock
1960 220SE
111 tube chassis car/undergoing full restoration. Body work in progress. Merging with a 1996 S500 (119 engine, 722.6 trans, and both subframes)
2005 S55 AMG - stock
1999 SLK230 Kompressor - stock
2006 SLK55 AMG - stock
What about the suspension? is it hydraulic, air, or spring?
How about the space in the engine compartment? Its got that wrap around firewall deal going on I have seen from pictures, but is there additional space in there over a 123 for modding?
Is it a pretty similar drivetrain using the same engine? I know I personally have pilfered an SD rear end for a project, and it was generally identical for bolting up and everything. Do they share similar automatic transmissions?
What about the suspension? is it hydraulic, air, or spring?
How about the space in the engine compartment? Its got that wrap around firewall deal going on I have seen from pictures, but is there additional space in there over a 123 for modding?
Ich liebe meine Autos!
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | 156K Miles | 2nd Owner | EGR Disabled [Removal Pending] | ALDA Removed | Straight Pipes | GT2256V??? | Laser Interceptor | Engine swap over summer, hopefully with GT2256V attached...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Odo Stopped at 160K (at least 50K more) | EGR Disabled | ALDA All The Way Out | Straight pipes | FM-870 Remote Start Alarm System | B100 Biodiesel | AC Fixed x2 | Trunk crushed in
| Retired to garage.Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
Same engine, transmission, lots of interchangable parts. Spring suspension unless you get a 500, which had SLS as an option. Plenty of space in the engine compartment, more than a 123 as far as I can tell.
Ich liebe meine Autos!
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | 156K Miles | 2nd Owner | EGR Disabled [Removal Pending] | ALDA Removed | Straight Pipes | GT2256V??? | Laser Interceptor | Engine swap over summer, hopefully with GT2256V attached...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Odo Stopped at 160K (at least 50K more) | EGR Disabled | ALDA All The Way Out | Straight pipes | FM-870 Remote Start Alarm System | B100 Biodiesel | AC Fixed x2 | Trunk crushed in
| Retired to garage.Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
City economy will be lower due to weight, but highway economy will be better from the aerodynamics.
ForcedInduction
11-17-2009, 01:59 PM
#5
Bigger engine bay, better aerodynamics, more comfortable and more body modification options.
City economy will be lower due to weight, but highway economy will be better from the aerodynamics.
1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
willbhere4u
11-17-2009, 02:52 PM #6our 81 w126 300sd got 23 city and 28 highway on average! great cars
1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
Here are my possible eventual plans for the two model types-
With a W126, I would convert it to manual transmission and start doing basic mods to the engine. The advantage to this body style would be generally decent level of technology, lots of available parts/mods/upgrades, Excellent space, and generally higher starting level of comfort and finish. Plus this car would be basically a daily driver from start to finish
With a W115/114, I would find a parts car, gut the vehicle, drop in a 617 mounted to a manual transmission and over time upgrade and modify. A smaller car would be faster, probably more fun to drive, I personally think is more attractive than the 126, and would be a far more involved challenge for modernization and modification. This would probably be undriveable for quite some time, and require a dedicated personal garage to do it, which I don't currently have.
Drive trains for both options would eventually be basically the same, but would require more or less work.
any opinions?
Ok, so now the dilemma is a W126 vs a W115 or W114.
Here are my possible eventual plans for the two model types-
With a W126, I would convert it to manual transmission and start doing basic mods to the engine. The advantage to this body style would be generally decent level of technology, lots of available parts/mods/upgrades, Excellent space, and generally higher starting level of comfort and finish. Plus this car would be basically a daily driver from start to finish
With a W115/114, I would find a parts car, gut the vehicle, drop in a 617 mounted to a manual transmission and over time upgrade and modify. A smaller car would be faster, probably more fun to drive, I personally think is more attractive than the 126, and would be a far more involved challenge for modernization and modification. This would probably be undriveable for quite some time, and require a dedicated personal garage to do it, which I don't currently have.
Drive trains for both options would eventually be basically the same, but would require more or less work.
any opinions?
However, as any kind of a performance option, it's going backwards in comparison to the 123. It's an uphill battle with a 123, it's an over battle with a 126. Everything you'd do to a 126 to improve it's performance would yield better results with the 123, mostly due to weight. Plus they're generally simpler cars. The 126 is just a 123 writ large - and heavy.
I personally don't find the 123 lacking at all in front seat comfort and I'm 6'2" with wide shoulders. Since I rarely spend the extra money on the road for a hotel, I sleep in the car, and the 123's stock seat is the best front seat of any car I've ever had to sleep in. The back seat kind of leaves more to be desired but that's not my domain anyway
But then again, my previous car was a Civic coupe, so I'm not afraid of a smaller car I guess.
CID Vicious
12-17-2009, 02:28 AM #11If you're just looking for a cruiser and want a bigger back seat, the 126 is great. So long as you don't mind the more complicated, high-end-luxo equipment (or, rather, repairing it), it's not a bad choice.
However, as any kind of a performance option, it's going backwards in comparison to the 123. It's an uphill battle with a 123, it's an over battle with a 126. Everything you'd do to a 126 to improve it's performance would yield better results with the 123, mostly due to weight. Plus they're generally simpler cars. The 126 is just a 123 writ large - and heavy.
I personally don't find the 123 lacking at all in front seat comfort and I'm 6'2" with wide shoulders. Since I rarely spend the extra money on the road for a hotel, I sleep in the car, and the 123's stock seat is the best front seat of any car I've ever had to sleep in. The back seat kind of leaves more to be desired but that's not my domain anyway
But then again, my previous car was a Civic coupe, so I'm not afraid of a smaller car I guess.
CID Vicious
01-09-2010, 04:39 AM #13Assuming CNY is Central New York, that's not a bad price to pay at all. Hell, that's not a bad price to pay out here in SoCal.
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