I got this off an internet site, but can't remember which one. My apologies to the author for not being able to give them credit. It's an excellent synopsis of the S class.
1992:
The new S-Class is introduced to the American market, to rather ho-hum fanfare. This new S-Class is larger in most every way than its predecessor. Price is up, too, way up, to nearly $120,000. Few people can stomach that for a Mercedes. Still, this regal new sedan sparks enough interest to satisfy MBNA. 5 models were initially offered: SWB 300SD Turbo-Diesel (not available in CA), 300SE, 400SE, and the LWB 500SEL, and 600SEL. These cars were fitted with every conceivable comfort and convenience: 12-way power seating, which featured a seat-cushion adjustable for length, so that taller drivers and shorter drivers alike could be comfortable, memory settings for 3 people, for both front passengers, and electrically operated rear head-restraints, allowing the driver to drop them when no one occupied the aft quarters. Dual-pane glass, express up and down for all four-side windows and a rear sunshade were also fitted, along with dual-zone ACC and an 11-speaker stereo system. A steel sunroof is STD equipment for the US market, and could tilt as well as slide. On the tail end of the car, to either side of the trunk opening (itself huge) were, what appeared to be little antennae. These are reversing guides, which automatically rose when the driver selected reverse. That is a great feature, making parking easier. Also part of the package, were the most powerful motors ever put into a luxury sedan. These were topped by the 322 hp 5.0L V8 and the 402 hp V12. These cars had traction control and ABS on their huge disk brakes to reign in all that power. Options include 4-zone climate control, 4-place multi-contour seating, activated charcoal air-filters and cell-phones. 4574 500SELs and 1047 600SELs are imported.
1993:
Realizing that there is no need for two SWB petrol models, MBNA dropped the 400SE and supplanted it with the LWB variant, the 400SEL. 3833 500SELs and 521 600SELs are imported this year.
The first W140-chassis Coupes were brought to the US, as well. In typical Mercedes-fashion, these were true coupes, not two-door sedans, because they lacked a B-Pillar. Mechanically identical to the 500SEL, it featured all of the same amenities, plus a few extras: larger, and even more comfortable power seating, more wood inlays, surrounding the shift-gate, the door handles and a few other areas, and more std features, like 4-place seating, ASR traction control, and a rear sunshade. 183 500SECs and 159 600SECs are imported this first year.
1994:
Big news this year: The naming scheme that Daimler-Benz had been using the better part of 70 years has been changed. Instead of models being given a series designation (itself derived from the displacement of the fitted motor), sometimes followed by a class identifier (i.e., S, SL), they are now given a class designation which is then followed by a [more accurate] series denomination. The 300SE is now the S320, the 400SEL is now the S420, and the 300SD is now the S350, reflecting more accurate approximations of their motors' displacements. All models get BOSE-badged Stereos.
4-place seating is now an option reserved only for 500 and 600-owners. Variable intake valve timing is added to both models, yielding better fuel economy, a flatter torque curve and better response at the cost of total output, which drops about 8 hp for the V8, and 13 for the V12. Only 213 S600s are imported (a handful of which, like every other year, are with 4-place seating) along with 2880 S500s.
1995:
Major changes this year focus around the styling update. The public did not take too well to the flat-sides of the S-class, so Daimler-Benz added frilly rocker panels, new bumpers, and the S600 gets a new grille. Also new this year for 600-owners, is the introduction of "Leder Exclusiv" to the US-market. This package included dual-tone leather seating surfaces, a suede headliner, leather dash, a leather-and-wood steering wheel, and a special shift-knob. The S350 disappears from lots in states which adopted CA emissions. All models get a new shift-knob. Cars now get BOSE-badged stereo systems.
The appearance alterations work, and more cars are imported and sold: 5585 S500s and 618 S600s.
1996:
All models lose their pop-up reversing guides, but get all-new ACC, with a DIN-sized controller. In addition, all models lose the steel sunroof, in favor of a glass moon roof, which was a no-cost option the previous model years. ESP is introduced to the US market, as STD equipment on the 600 models, optional on the 500. The V8 and V12 cars get a new 5-speed driver-adaptive automatic transmission. The S320 holds onto its STD 5-speed auto for one more year. The S320 gets Eucalyptus and the S420 gets Burled Walnut to replace the Zebrano wood trim. The S320 SWB drops its STD wiper/washer system, in favor of adding it to the option list. An additional perk to owning an S-class is the addition of an activated charcoal filter, optional for the S320/420, and STD on the other models. Cars are also fitted with glass moon roofs, replacing the steel sunroof. 600 models get a unique "V12" shift-knob. All models get new 6-hole wheels and new headlights and taillights. Xenon HID headlights debut as STD equipment on the 600, optional on other models. 320 models lose the auto-dimming interior mirror, only to have it return the following year. New wheels set these cars apart from the nearly identical-looking 1995 models.
The S350 Turbo-Diesel is gone altogether. Sales were too sluggish for the Petrol-hungry Americans, and US emissions regulations too stringent on the aging 3.5L Turbo Diesel to warrant its continued offering.
Brochures change too - the 600 models get their own brochure this year. These are about 17" high, and 11" wide, and bound, not just glued. It has a yellow cover, with a W100 on the first page! These brochures are very rare.
1997:
There are few changes this year. Parktronic is added to the options list, even for 600s, and so is a "Telefon Handy" [Cell phones are called Handys in German-speaking countries]. All V8 and V12 cars get activated charcoal air-filters. All models receive side-impact air bags, mounted in the doors. The S320 gets more STD features, like wiper-washers and an auto-dimming mirror.
All cars now adopt the 5-speed, driver-adaptive automatic transmission. This transmission has new ratios and electronics, which monitor the way the car is driven, then alters the shift pattern to match those driving characteristics. In addition to the added features, the transmission unit is lighter, smaller, and uses 40% fewer parts than the 4-speed it replaces.
This is the second and last year for the separate 600 brochure. More of these seem to exist. Smaller than the previous year, they have a black, spackled cover.
1998:
The cordless "Telefon Handy" is now the only way to get a MB Cell. Activated Charcoal filters were fitted to all cars as standard equipment. In addition, all S-class cars get a new front-armrest with folding cup-holders and receive new steering wheels: models with parchment interior colors receive a parchment wheel, and 600s have contrasting stitching on the hub.
1999:
A new addition joins the S-lineup: the Grand Edition. This car was designed and built specifically for Americans. Oddly, "Grand Edition" was listed as a $2000 option on the options chart, so one would simply check it off to receive this special (and very rare) model. It consisted of lit-door sills, seat stitching resembling that of the S600, special "Grand Edition" carpeting, Xenon HID lights, and a Maple-and-leather steering wheel. 600 of these special edition cars were imported. It could be ordered in any color, as long as it was black over palomino.
This, the last year of production, saw a new stereo head-unit, which featured an integrated Cell-tel controller (the S-class did not utilize this feature, as the phone controller was fitted to a special compartment above the center vents).
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1995 S600, 1 of 618 (sold)
"Speed is just a question of money...how fast you wanna go?"
Does anyone know how many S500's and S600's were made from 96 to 99? I know MB only made 14 of the 99 S600 and 600 of the 99 S500 Grand Edition, but don't know the numbers for 96, 97, 98, or the regular S500 for 99..... Im trying to get an accurate number of W140 500's and 600's that were produced from 92-99.
Thanks!!
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-Dante
1999 S500 GRAND EDITION 1 of 600 (Currently 96,244 Miles) FOR SALE!! PM ME!
1993 500SEL Black on Black 1 of 3833 (Currently 127,821 Miles): 18" AMG Monoblock Aero II, ECU Performance Chip, K&N Air Filters
Does anyone know how many S500's and S600's were made from 96 to 99? I know MB only made 14 of the 99 S600 and 600 of the 99 S500 Grand Edition, but don't know the numbers for 96, 97, 98, or the regular S500 for 99..... Im trying to get an accurate number of W140 500's and 600's that were produced from 92-99.
Thanks!!
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