Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W116 or Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W126?

1972–1980 vs 1979–1991 · Sedan vs Sedan/Coupe

In short

Length: S-Klasa W116 5,060 mm, S-Klasa W126 5,135 mm — a 8 cm difference.
Lowest consumption: S-Klasa W116 10.5 l/100 km, S-Klasa W126 9.5 l/100 km.
Power: S-Klasa W116 85–210 kW, S-Klasa W126 92–220 kW.
Standard equipment: S-Klasa W116 19 items (Standard), S-Klasa W126 18 items (Standard).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W1161972–1980 · 6 engines · Standard, Lang, 6.9Specifications →Listings →

Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W1261979–1991 · 11 engines · Standard, Lang, ExklusivSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W1161972–1980no listings	Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W1261979–1991no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,960 mm–5,060 mm	Length4,910 mm–5,135 mm
Width	Width1,870 mm	Width1,820 mm–1,828 mm
Height	Height1,425 mm–1,430 mm	Height1,406 mm–1,446 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,865 mm–2,965 mm	Wheelbase2,850 mm–3,075 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance150 mm	Ground clearance145 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume500 l	Trunk volume470 l–500 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,655 kg–1,935 kg	Curb weight1,510 kg–1,800 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank96 l	Fuel tank90 l–100 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1972–1980	Production years1979–1991
Body type	Body typeSedan	Body typeSedan, Coupe
Number of engines	Number of engines6	Number of engines11
Power	Power85–210 kW (116–286 hp)	Power92–220 kW (125–299 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.7–6.8	Displacement (l)2.6–5.5
Fuel	FuelPetrol, Diesel	FuelPetrol, Diesel
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxAutomatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption10.5 l/100 km · 300 SD Turbodiesel	Lowest consumption9.5 l/100 km · 300 SD Turbodiesel
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h7.4 s · 450 SEL 6.9	Best 0–100 km/h6.8 s · 560 SEC
Top speed	Top speed225 km/h	Top speed250 km/h
Trim levelsStandard · Standard
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim19 · Standard	Items in the base trim18 · Standard
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim24 · 6.9	Items in the top trim27 · Exklusiv
Equipment · Comfort5 · 5
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning✓	Air Conditioning✓
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Rear Power Windows	Rear Power Windows✓	Rear Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Equipment · Interior4 · 4
Grey Interior	Grey Interior✓	Grey Interior✓
Velour	Velour✓	Velour✓
Rear Armrest	Rear Armrest✓	Rear Armrest✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia1 · 1
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights2 · 2
Halogen Headlights	Halogen Headlights✓	Halogen Headlights✓
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors✓	Heated Side Mirrors✓
Equipment · Safety2 · 2
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Equipment · Anti-theft2 · 2
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior3 · 2
Steel Wheels	Steel Wheels✓	Steel Wheels—
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R14 Wheels	R14 Wheels✓	R14 Wheels—
R15 Wheels	R15 Wheels—	R15 Wheels✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W116 or Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W126?

Length: Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W126 5,135 mm, Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W116 5,060 mm (a 75 mm difference). Wheelbase: 3,075 vs 2,965 mm. Boot: 500 vs 500 l.

Which uses less fuel — Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W116 or Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W126?

The most frugal Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W116 uses 10.5 l/100 km (300 SD Turbodiesel); the most frugal Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W126 9.5 l/100 km (300 SD Turbodiesel).

Which is more powerful — Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W116 or Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W126?

The strongest Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W116 makes 210 kW (286 hp) (450 SEL 6.9); the strongest Mercedes-Benz S-Klasa W126 220 kW (299 hp) (560 SEL).

Other comparisons

S-Klasa W116 vs BMW Serija 7 E23 S-Klasa W126 vs Jaguar XJ40 S-Klasa W126 vs BMW Serija 7 E32 S-Klasa W126 vs Lexus LS XF10 S-Klasa W126 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Klasa W124 Compare cars →