← All Mercedes-Benz S-class generations
Generation 2, W126, facelift

Mercedes-Benz S-class Sedan

04.1985 - 04.1991 · Europe

Go to specifications ↓
No photo available
Choose your specification

Generation 2, W126, facelift

W126.020, W126.024, W126.025, W126.034, W126.035, W126.036, W126.037, W126.038

Compare the engine, transmission and drive layout. Open a version name for detailed specifications and equipment.

View specifications ↓
About this generation

Choosing a Mercedes-Benz S-class

Mercedes-Benz S-class, Generation 2, W126, facelift, Europe market. This overview covers 34 recorded trim entries associated with this generation (04.1985 - 04.1991). The same trim name may occur in several production periods.

Compare the engine, transmission and drive layout within a single trim. Ranges below combine the populated records of different versions; they do not replace the specifications of the selected car.

Overview based on recorded specifications: 34 trim entries.

Seats
5
Engine codes
M 103 E 26, M 103 E 30, M 116 E 42, M 117 E 50, M 117 E 56
Engine displacement, cc
2597–5547
Drive layout
Rear-wheel drive
Transmission
Automatic 4, Manual 5
Wheelbase, mm
2930–3075
Ground clearance, mm
150
Fuel
Petrol

Specifications and technical details

34 versions

2.6 L, 166 hp, petrol, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 103 E 26 · 5-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
260 SE MT 10.1985 - 04.1991

2.6 L, 166 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 103 E 26 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
260 SE AT 10.1985 - 04.1991

3.0 L, 188 hp, petrol, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 103 E 30 · 5-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
300 SE MTBase grade 10.1985 - 04.1991
300 SEL MTTop grade 10.1985 - 04.1991

3.0 L, 188 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 103 E 30 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
300 SE ATBase grade 10.1985 - 04.1991
300 SEL ATTop grade 10.1985 - 04.1991

4.2 L, 218 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 116 E 42 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
420 SE ATBase grade 10.1985 - 08.1987
420 SEL ATTop grade 10.1985 - 08.1987

4.2 L, 231 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 116 E 42 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
420 SE ATBase grade 09.1987 - 04.1991
420 SEL ATTop grade 09.1987 - 04.1991

5.0 L, 245 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 117 E 50 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
500 SE ATBase grade 10.1985 - 08.1987
500 SEL ATTop grade 10.1985 - 08.1987

5.0 L, 265 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 117 E 50 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
500 SE ATBase grade 09.1987 - 04.1991
500 SEL ATTop grade 09.1987 - 04.1991

5.5 L, 300 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 117 E 56 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
560 SE ATBase grade 04.1988 - 04.1991
560 SEL ATTop grade 04.1988 - 04.1991

5.5 L, 272 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 117 E 56 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
560 SEL AT 04.1985 - 03.1988

2.6 L, 160 hp, petrol, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 103 E 26 · 5-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
260 SE MT w/cat 10.1985 - 04.1991

2.6 L, 160 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 103 E 26 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
260 SE AT w/cat 10.1985 - 04.1991

3.0 L, 179 hp, petrol, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 103 E 30 · 5-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
300 SE MT w/catBase grade 10.1985 - 04.1991
300 SEL MT w/catTop grade 10.1985 - 04.1991

3.0 L, 179 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 103 E 30 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
300 SE AT w/catBase grade 10.1985 - 04.1991
300 SEL AT w/catTop grade 10.1985 - 04.1991

4.2 L, 204 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 116 E 42 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
420 SE AT w/catBase grade 10.1985 - 08.1987
420 SEL AT w/catTop grade 10.1985 - 08.1987

4.2 L, 224 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 116 E 42 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
420 SE AT w/catBase grade 09.1987 - 04.1991
420 SEL AT w/catTop grade 09.1987 - 04.1991

5.0 L, 223 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 117 E 50 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
500 SE AT w/catBase grade 10.1985 - 08.1987
500 SEL AT w/catTop grade 10.1985 - 08.1987

5.0 L, 252 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 117 E 50 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
500 SE AT w/catBase grade 09.1987 - 04.1991
500 SEL AT w/catTop grade 09.1987 - 04.1991

5.5 L, 242 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 117 E 56 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
560 SEL AT w/cat 04.1985 - 03.1988

5.5 L, 279 hp, petrol, automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive

M 117 E 56 · 4-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive

SpecificationProduction periodCompare
560 SE AT w/catBase grade 04.1988 - 04.1991
560 SEL AT w/catTop grade 04.1988 - 04.1991

Choose 2–3 versions to compare

Go to comparison ↓
Comparing side by side makes choosing easier

Mercedes-Benz S-class comparison

Choose versions ↑

Compare up to three versions of one model.

Which versions interest you?

Select Add to comparison for the required versions above. Versions from different generations can be compared.

The catalog helps compare vehicles. It does not show availability or the price of a specific lot. Vehicle age is based on the production date; the final estimate is prepared for the selected vehicle.