w116 v w126

[Ryan1980]

hey guys,

i found a bargain 1982 w126 in the paper today and was just wondering if parts were generally interchangeable between the 116 and the 126? Things such as body panels, interior (Seats, door trims) ? The reason i ask is i already have a spare parts 280SE 1974 car.

Also the major differences between the two models? They look similar but im not sure if i like the pastic bumpers on the w126!

Ryan

[alabbasi]

Anything can be made t fit, but it is certainly not interchangeable.

[Big_Richard]

aparently the seats are a direct bolt in swap - but they are a different style.

Also - some w126's have elecectric seats.

The 2.8 litre engine is also modifiably interchangable if they are both 280's.

[alabbasi]

I think the seat bottoms on W116's have W123 part numbers. It seems like all US spec cars have electric seats.

[nathan]

body panel wise will not fit, hence the different chassis code!
if PB says the seats bolt int, this must be one of the very few parts that do...
all other interior trim will not fit (maybe gear lever!) as the cars are of different proportions and shapes...the 126 still looks relatively modern compared to out 116 which is slowly fading into classic styling in the eyes of most...gone went the chrome bumpers and metal hubcaps with the 126 - two of the best features of the car!
keep us posted and good luck

[Ryan1980]

yeah your right nathan - i really do like the chrome bumpers!

Think ill probably stick with a w116.

[WGB]

I actually like the 126 but the 116 has some features eg copper radiator and less troublesome airconditioning evaporator and electronic A-C controls which along with it's status being nearer to classic can be a little more endearing.

It is getting harder to find a usable 116 now but they are still around.

I think if you are going to go the 126 way either very cheap 280 or get a good 560 now while they are getting near the bottom of the interest tables.

Bill

[Des]

W116 = classic 



W126 = plastic 

[Andrew280SEL]

In my opinion, although w126's are nice enough looking cars (to me) a nice w116 just has a real aura about it. Like magic, a perfect balance of classic and modern drivability.

That's a really nice w116 BTW Des, it illustrates what I'm saying about the w116. And I'm sure we would all agree that the w116 has FAR better rear tail lights. I personally think the rear of a w126 in comparison is quite ugly.

[Des]

I would have to agree

maybe if the bumpers had a chrome strip along them, through the middle it would have looked better.

[Andrew280SEL]

Yeah I've been right behind a w126 (the one my dad's supposed to be buying) and in comparison the back end looks really narrow (and unattractive) with those smaller tail lights and the little plastic bumper.

Having said that, I've got nothing against the front end except for the weaker plastic bumper.

[Des]

Having said that, I've got nothing against the front end except for the weaker plastic bumper.

Oh I wouldn't say that

Yes I dislike plastic bumpers but if I had to have an accident in ether a W116 or a W126, I'd go the W126



A 500SE S-Class (W126) does well in the frontal offset crash test with 40% overlap and 55 km/h (or ~35 MPH). It's the first vehicle specifically designed to withstand offset crashes, and uses a forked front end structure to distribute the collision energy across the front of the hardcore passenger safety cage. It works.

[Des]

You are going to feel somewhat worse, I don't know how much worse with the more rigid structure of the W116, as you body is going to stop quicker in the impact with some more severe jolting



A 350SE after a 50 km/h crash test - the passenger
section remained intact".
  The photo is from 1972 and the car obviously was
  frontally crashed into a wall. 

[Andrew280SEL]

Wow, I didn't know that. I guess it's logical in a subsequent model.

Thanks

[WGB]

The 126 bumpers although plastic are not weak as they have a very strong metal sub-structure and will take quite substantial impacts with little visible damage. The earlier ones were all painted in a very tough grey coating that was almost indestructable in normal minor shunts - I hit a concrete pillar twice while parking in a 1987 300SE and never marked the bumper on either occasion.

The one big advantage of a 126 over a 116 is that the 126 is widely available with ABS.

Bill