Is it the sprung seats?
Discussion
About a year ago I bought myself and C124 E320 coupe on a complete whim. For about 3 months the car sat alongside my R129 SL280 until it dawned on me that I wasn’t ever voluntarily taking the SL anywhere so promptly sold it. I appreciate the more upright driving position of the 124 family along with the narrower frame.
Some years ago I owned a curiously orange W123 200 saloon and when parked outside a sandwich shop, a chap in a DS pulled up alongside me. We got talking cars, and he offered to take me out for a spin. I enjoyed the experience but came away thinking that the ride was not significantly softer than my Benz. I have never owned a car since my W123 in which one could quite so easily ignore speed bumps…
A few months back, I couldn't resist a one owner C140 S500 coupe which cropped up on Autotrader. It was in lovely condition and very reasonably priced, so I popped over to see it and didn’t even bother to negotiate on the price. The W140 family is an awe inspiring piece of engineering but the ride just isn’t as good as the W124. I don’t think the spring/damper rates are any firmer on the S class which makes me wonder whether the additional comfort comes from the sprung seats?
Some years ago I owned a curiously orange W123 200 saloon and when parked outside a sandwich shop, a chap in a DS pulled up alongside me. We got talking cars, and he offered to take me out for a spin. I enjoyed the experience but came away thinking that the ride was not significantly softer than my Benz. I have never owned a car since my W123 in which one could quite so easily ignore speed bumps…
A few months back, I couldn't resist a one owner C140 S500 coupe which cropped up on Autotrader. It was in lovely condition and very reasonably priced, so I popped over to see it and didn’t even bother to negotiate on the price. The W140 family is an awe inspiring piece of engineering but the ride just isn’t as good as the W124. I don’t think the spring/damper rates are any firmer on the S class which makes me wonder whether the additional comfort comes from the sprung seats?
My experience is the same as yours. Much as I love my r129, I really prefer the feeling of my s124; and I preferred it to the w140 I ran for a while.
I think you're right, the sprung seats have a lot to do with it. Also the lighter front end (although that possibly does not apply to my diseasel, whose old-school 3.0litre may weigh more than the V8 in my SL). Finally I think the narrower track of the 124 makes a big difference for good, although sometimes it leads to a bit of roll-rock.
It is a real shame the 400 E was not available in right hand drive. I think that would be my ideal car.
I think you're right, the sprung seats have a lot to do with it. Also the lighter front end (although that possibly does not apply to my diseasel, whose old-school 3.0litre may weigh more than the V8 in my SL). Finally I think the narrower track of the 124 makes a big difference for good, although sometimes it leads to a bit of roll-rock.
It is a real shame the 400 E was not available in right hand drive. I think that would be my ideal car.
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