A modern S-Class
The first modern S-class was produced between 1980 and 1991. Many of them are still in traffic all over the world. Several cars were - and are still used - in official and ceremonial missions, and thus have low mileage. In other words, it is possible to obtain fully polished examples such as vintage cars - and used cars.
many varieties
The W126 was delivered in two versions, – short and long wheelbase (SE and SEL). There is a difference of about 14 cm between them, enough that the long version barely exceeds 5 meters in length. The engines are mainly the inline sixes 260, 280 and 300, and V8s such as 380, 420, 500 and 560. The S-Class was also delivered with diesel engines, but they were not as common. A check of cars for sale on mobile.de showed that there were 264 with petrol and only 38 with diesel. I would have chosen petrol, and preferably one of the nice V8s. I myself once considered buying a 1983 model 380 SE. A nice drivetrain for the S-Class, but which disappeared from the model program relatively early, partly due to relatively high consumption.
Prices
In terms of price, you can buy an S-Class in the W126 series for prices ranging from scrap to a couple of hundred thousand depending on condition, rust and mileage. I have checked the prices on European car exchanges. You can see a clear price difference between worn-out commercial vehicles and "Survivors" used for prestige missions. For around €20.000 you can get a very representative version of the W126 - garaged - low km - meticulously maintained, - and best of all: All W126s can now be registered as veterans.
Embassy cars
Many Mercedes W126s have a past as embassy cars all over the world. The car in the pictures above, has previously served at the Russian embassy in Oslo, but is now in private ownership. W126s are basically well-built quality cars. Cars that have spent their first decade as representation, and later followed up by enthusiasts, can actually have eternal life.
About the pictures
One dark car is photographed in a residential area in Notting Hill, London. The other dark gray is pictured in a parking garage in a shopping center in Oslo (not exactly a regular shopping car). The light gray with the front forward is photographed at Økern Bilauksjon, Fornebu. The beige-gray is photographed in Ullevål Hageby on a winter day. The green car is photographed in Copenhagen in 2023. It is a 380 SE. The light blue in profile is photographed at Oksenøya outside Oslo. One of our followers has commented that these cars look very good with hubcaps. The ivory white car with American headlights is photographed at Fornebu. The light blue with the front out is a 300 SL photographed at Rud outside Oslo. The gold-colored car in nighttime lights was parked on the street at Majorstua, Oslo, 2024. The former embassy car was on display at Classic Weekend at Bertel O. Steen in Lørenskog in 2025.
SEC – C126 – Coupe
About the pictures (SEC)
The car with registration number "SEC" is pictured at a car meeting at Tretten in Gudbrandsdalen. The black car in the showroom was at Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, UK. It is a 500 SEC.
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