Mercedes Benz S-Class built today compared to the ones built in the pre 2000's (W140).

I think Mercedes Benz quality started falling off in the mid 1990's. MB in the mid 1990's started building cars to a price point and NOT to a Standard. This all happened because Lexus introduced a cheaper and more reliable product the Lexus LS400. Introduction of the LS 400 caused a lot of panic at MB Germany, they introduced cheaper plastics, electronics, and cut corners everywhere in an attempt to compete with Lexus. They then made the ill fated mistake of buying Chrysler, all in an attempt to get maximum efficiency from their production plants. It FAILED! The W140 models suffered from a whole host of electronic, A/C, transmission issues. The last best Mercedes Benz S class models built in my honest opinion was the W126 model. The last best E class built were the W123 and w124 models

Has anyone wondered where the Mercedes Benz ad moniker used up to the mid 1990's "Engineered like no other car" in ads" has gone. MB knows their products since the mid 1990's have been lousy.

I agree, but to their defense at least MB realized it and is on its way back to quality-built cars. The current C class and the new E class fit the bill. The current S class needs a fix or two that I'm sure the next gen will be on par.

Re richard112360's comments -- The Deutsche Mark also strengthened a fair bit in relation to the US greenback during that timeframe, making expensive German cars waaaaay too expensive. They had to reduce the costs, and cut corners, or be priced out of the market. MB and BMW quality suffered from that, starting in the late 1990s.

I believe not. My father owns the 1998 MB S600 and it runs great, never had a problem with it for like what?.. 15 years? And also he didn't do many check ups on the vehicle. No sensor problems or computer problems... You guys simply were unlucky with your W140. W140 are tanks, they are made to last and take hits. Unlike most cars now that use fiber glass and plastic for exterior, MB still used Metal for the exterior of the W140. Also the W140 M119 engines, were reinforced Metal to take hits during Head on Collisions. So the Point that you just made on 1990s MB using Plastic is wrong. The Other Models other than the W140 were made in plastic.

I also think is true but I also believe they are taken a right direction now, just wait and see what happens.... I read a post that they going to bring theirs engines to Nissan I don't like that but will see what happens at the end.

I think the new W221 are on par with the W140 with respect to engineering, design, as well as build. I have owned a 1995 S500, a 2007 S550 and currently a 2007 CL600. The S500 (140) had presence which the next generation S-class (W220 US MY 2000-2006) lacked (too effeminate and Jaguar-esque in design). My S500 had no electrical problems and its fit and finish were spot on. The W220, however, had too many joints, too packed yet-to-be-proven electronic aids, and not enough "king of the road" styling for a top model MB, which was later regained by the W221s. I think the W140 and W221 are natural S-classes for their respective eras.

Having owned a 126, 140 and presently a 221 S Class. I think the subject is comparing apples to basket balls. The 221 is clearly superior to the other 2 in terms of technology and in my opinion the fit and finish is far superior. The 140 was an attempt to showcase the technology of the car but in terms of reliabilty the technology was horrible. The 126 was a great car but was not what you would call a tech whiz kid but everything worked and the build quality was great but not showy. The 126 is almost 20 years old (the 1991 model being the last). The 140 is almost 10 years old. Comparing these to the 221 is like comparing the I Phone to the bag cell phones. There aren't many things that have not changed over that time spectrum.

I completely get what your saying. The cars are incomparable because the amount of tech in the current models runs circles around the 140 models. If you take technology out of the equation and focus on build quality (such as choice of materials - plastics, metals, sound-deadening etc.), does the current model stand up to the 140?

I believe it does. I have never owned the current model but I did own a 1998 S600 for a while. The build quality seemed...good. The electronics were a complete nightmare and I mean a COMPLETE nightmare. I usually drove the car on weekends or special occasions but towards the end and when the car was just about 4 years old, every time I took it out, something would go wrong. To name a few things - 3 out of 4 power windows failed, the rear defrost stopped working, the AC had a mind of it's own, the power mirrors would work when they wanted to (always when I was trying to demonstrate the problem to the dealer...the mirrors knew when I got back in front of my home they could relax and stop working again if we tried to adjust them), the memory functions on the passenger seat never worked and I had multiple problems with the steering. There is more, but this is off the top of my head. I figured it out and towards the end, the car would go into service every 150 miles. Other than that, the car was extremely sturdy and felt very solid. The engine was a beast. There were a few things that struck me as a few cheap touches in terms of plastic, but not many.

I think the 1999-2005 S class was the least reliable Benz. Lot of personal experience with that model. Also the S55 AMG.

JUGNU

But it's one of the best looking S-Classes every designed.

Actually through 2005-2006, the W220 S-Class had no recalls and since we got a second-hand 2006 model last year with 50,000 miles, I can say it's still running strong right now.

w140 MADE S-class the Benchmark...FACT

It still is the benchmark. Everyone loves to hate it. Everyone hates to love it. When you think luxury sedan the S-Class comes to mind first as well as that Merc logo.

I own a 1994 W140 S350 Turbodiesel that had only 59,000 miles when I purchased it. It now has 116,000 miles, looks and runs like new and is the finest and most comfortable car I've ever owned. The build quality is without peer, and contrary to some owner's experiences, I have had minimal mechanical issues. I sure wish I could afford another W140, as I would definitely buy a second one!