What do the numbers mean? (ie. 260E)

[Alpo of the Dogs]

Hi all,

I've always wondered what the model names mean. And what the general classes are for:

C class
E class
S class (etc.)

Also, is there a reference bit that shows all all the engine types, that includes code, displacement, cylinders, etc.?

 

[andy_k]

here's a pretty comprehensive list of engines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mercedes-Benz_engines

as for the cars and putting it very simply the C class is the small/medium sized model range, the E class is a largish saloon/estate and the S class is the "luxury" end of the market

however, for the older cars the number such as 260 signifies the engine size and the E stands for injection, it wasn't until the launch of the W210 range the E class was really created. but normally the W124 models such as yours are referred to as E class (even though that's not technically true)

Confused?

Hopefully not but that's a basic outline

Andy

 

[Alpo of the Dogs]

That makes a good amount of sense. Which models are the performance/sporty models?

 

[Unleashed]

In that sense, I would say the C class, as they're smaller and more nimble, but the E class were known to be good too, however they are slightly bigger and heavier. The S class is just a luxury barge.

In effect, to compare to BMW:
C = 3
E = 5
S = 7

However, if you're looking for sports cars/roadsters then the SL and SLK are what you want, but they're 2 seaters.

 

[Alpo of the Dogs]

so mercedes didn't make a sports sedan?

 

[andy_k]

so mercedes didn't make a sports sedan?

that would depend how you classed a "sports sedan".

Personally I'd call the old AMG Hammer, the 500E or the more modern AMG E55 "sports sedans". You could also include the C36, C42, C55 etc etc etc.

Yes they made (and still do make) sports sedans but you didn't ask that in the first place did you?

HTH

Andy

 

[Alpo of the Dogs]

andy, do you know if it is possible give the W124's the AMG treatment? or fit AMG parts on the W124's?

 

[yvrbenz]

Sports Sedans

Mercedes actually started the whole "sports sedan" phenomenon with the W109 300SEL 6.3. Prior to that there wasn't really a "sports sedan" offered by anyone.

What followed were (roughly in order)
W116 450SEL 6.9
1984 - 1987 W201 190E 2.3-16
1988 - 1990 W201 190E 2.5-16
1989 W201 190E 2.5-16 Evolution I
1990 W201 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II
W201 190E 3.2
1992 - 1994 W124 500E/E500
1995 - 1997 W202 C36
1998 - 2000 W202 C43
1995 - 1997 W124 E36
1996 - 1997 W210 E50
1998 - 2002 W210 E55
2003 - 2006 W211 E55
2000 - 2004 W203 C32
2004 - 2005 W203 C55
2000 - 2002 W220 S55
2001 - 2006 W220 S65

I suppose the above list could be seperated into "Sports Sedans" and "Super Sedans" since the S-Class cars are hardly "sporty" and the E-class offerings are only borderline sporty.

FWIW The AMG Hammer was not an official Mercedes-Benz offering which is why it isn't listed here.

Alpo:
The W124s were among the first (and most famous) AMG modified cars. So, in a word: Yes.

 

[Alpo of the Dogs]

does AMG still offer products for the old W124s? Or are the W124 parts compatible for all the years of production?

I just have to say that this is really awesome info. Thanks a lot everyone.

 

[yvrbenz]

Not sure if W124 parts are still available through AMG. Here in North America AMG's "distribution network," such as it is, is the Mercedes Dealership parts network which tends to be limited to parts for Mercedes/AMG models rather than pre-buyout AMG parts.

You're probably going to have to contact AMG in Germany to get your answer, but be prepared for it to be "no".

 

[yvrbenz]

Passnger car model name overview.

Staring at the top:

S-Class
Started with the old W111 Fintails, which at the time, exemplified what luxury saloons should be. Wasn't actually called an "S-Class" until the W108/109 chassis (The king of the hill version was, of course, the 1968 300SEL 6.3). At the time "S" stood for "Super" Usually an indication that the car was the top of the line, or the largest saloon.

Followed in the 1970's by the W116 chassis which is, perhaps the iconic representation of an S-Class.

Later chassis styles were the W126, W140, W220, and W221.

Other versions iclude
SE = Super, Einspritz
SEL = Super, Einspritz, Lang
SEC = Super, Einspritz, Coupe

CL
Pillarless coupe based on the S-Class chassis beginning with the W126 SEC.

SL-Class
This one hasn't changed in meaning. SL has stood for "Sport Leicht" in each of this Class' 5 generations

SLK
Introduced in 1998 as the R170 chassis the SL in SLK is the same as above: Sport Leicht. Many people believe that the K stands for Kompressor in this context but it actually stands for Kompact.

Current chassis is the R171.

E-Class
Many are of the opinion that the E now stands for "Executive". It USED to indicate a fuel injected motor; Einspritz is German for injection. Actually, a more accurate translation is probably "Spray In" but no one really cares :lol:

If the W111 was the precursor to the S-Class, then the W120 Ponton and the W110 Finnie were ancestors to the modern day E-Class.

They were followed by the W114, W123, W124 (aka 300 series), W210 and W211.

CLS
New for 2005 the CLS is a coupe based on the E-Class platform.

C-Class
Sucessor to the W201 190 Series, the C-Class has been MB's compact saloon since 1994 and is available in a Sport Coupe version as well. Chassis codes are W202 and W203.

CLK
Pillarlless coupe based on the C-Class chassis from 1998-present. Available in coupe or convertible configurations.

 

[Tony E]

In that sense, I would say the C class, as they're smaller and more nimble, but the E class were known to be good too, however they are slightly bigger and heavier. The S class is just a luxury barge.

In effect, to compare to BMW:
C = 3
E = 5
S = 7

However, if you're looking for sports cars/roadsters then the SL and SLK are what you want, but they're 2 seaters.

S class just a luxury barge! Well, it is on the large side and is certainly luxurious. I wouldn't call it nimble but the larger engine models are pretty damn quick and beat most hot hatches. Not sure of performance figures for more recent models, but my 5.6 litre, 300bhp V8 1991 SEC does 0-60 in under 7 seconds and sails to 155mph with no effort at all.

 

[bazza]

Many people believe that the K stands for Kompressor in this context but it actually stands for Kompact.

'K' stands for Kurzschluß/kürzer or small/short. Means the same as compact but actually begins with a K( no such word as kompact)

Bazza