Mercedes Benz S Class Suspension Comparison & Evolution - WHO'S KING!? - W116, W126, W140, W222

This is the evolution of the suspensions of the legendary Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system was originally used on the Mercedes-Benz W116 6.9. Unlike previous models, which had air suspension. This provided the 4,200-pound car with a smooth ride and handling that allowed it to be "tossed around like a Mini," as automotive journalist David E. Davis put it. The system was pressurized by a hydraulic pump powered by the engine's timing chain, which used a combination of fluid-filled struts and nitrogen-filled pressure vessels or "accumulators" in place of traditional shock absorbers and springs.

The self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension of the W116 450 SEL 6.9 model was carried over to the W126 in 1978. The rear-wheel hydropneumatic suspension system was optional in the W126, as it was in the W116 and W123. From 1981 to 1985, the upgraded four-wheel hydropneumatic suspension system, known as HPF 2, was offered as an extra-cost option for the 380 SEL and 500 SEL, but not for the remainder of the model range or two-door vehicles. In 1985, it was available in 500 SE for a limited time.

The W140 had a newly built front axle double-wishbone suspension and a rear independent multi-link suspension when it was introduced in 1991. The first generation of the hydropneumatic Adaptive Damping System, or ADS, was released in 1991. It changed the shock absorber damping level to help steady the automobile during high-speed driving, aggressive driving, or if the driver loses control. V12 vehicles now have it as a standard feature, while V8 models have it as an option.

Mercedes' Active Body Control hydraulic active suspension was improved in 2014 with a system called Magic Body Control, which is equipped with a load-sensing device called "Road surface scan," which scans the road ahead of time for uneven surfaces, potholes, and bumps. The technology scans the road surface up to 15 meters ahead of the vehicle using a stereo camera at speeds up to 130 km/h and changes the shock damping at each wheel to account for road imperfections. As of Model Year 2017, Magic Body Control is not available on any of the 4-Matic vehicles.

[cesarcortes]

I had a 1983 w126 with the full hydraulic suspension that was one of the smoothest rides ever. I loved the feedback back from the steering wheel felt more in tune with the car and the road.

[allottafahchina]

I'm surprised you guys didn't note the W220. The airmatic system gives the W220 the most comfortable ride of any S-Class that came before it. I should know. I own a W116 & W126 also.

[abzinhokarim]

If you've ever driven any of these models you know what a mercedes classic is.

[hankanddana]

I loved these benzes. I drove a 1977 6.9 for a year. Loved it! The ride was (almost) as smooth as our Citroën DS.

[the]

The new provides peace of body; the old provides peace of mind.

[nzmn]

Which is my favorite S-Class? They’re all so good in so many different ways it’s like asking if blondes are prettier than brunettes. They’re all beautiful, but I prefer brunettes. And the W-126.

[Will__years_ago]

140, 126 hands down. Otherwise the others are unreliable comparably. Also dually noted the new s class is very comfortable. In an all out off road situation it comes down to sidewall aspect which is much better on the older models. A 116 and 140 will drive light-years better.

[AhmedAlshehri]

I know perfectly well the W126 because I own two cars and use them daily, but I think the king of the S-classes is the W116 6.9

[DanielBenzsAMG]

I know the abc in my 07 s65 makes airmatic feel cheap, I almost bought a mint s550, so glad i found the s65 with abc, no comparison in any way including smoothness by far

[luqmanhaider]

In my personal experinces( 4 generations of S class) and childhood memories w116 was ultimate. Most reliable(16 years no suspension works). It flies on poor and off roads, soft on highways. Had body roll but it was soft movement and fun. Speed breakers or even crossing footpaths no problem 😂.
Later w140 was also nice duarable little stiff but more stable. Heavy feeling
W220 was amazing and surprising feeling how air suspension handles situations but untill it fails/leaks 😢highly unreliable. It was END of ability to fly on poor and off roads.
Later w221 : little bit improved but stiff due to low profile tyres. More or less just a highway car. No to off road.
BTW all new modern cars are just highway cars.

[jourwalis-]

Even Rolls Royce had the Citroen hydropneumatic system under licence for some years in the 60s.

[jourwalis-]

There was never any mention that the hydropneumatic suspension on the Mercedes was the Citroen system that Mercedes used under license! Bad research and reporting!
The Citroen DS had the most advanced and comfortable suspension of any car. No one could rival it!
Citroen introduced this self-leveling system already in 1955 (or 1953 on the rear wheels of the B15H).

[charlestimmis]

W126 is the last Classic Mercedes.. nothing drives like a Mercedes after that even the W140 does not drive the same.... the seats, the star, the hood, the dashboard, nothing compares....

[juanacero]

16 Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna. 17 Porque no envió Dios a su Hijo al mundo para condenar al mundo, sino para que el mundo sea salvo por él. 18 El que en él cree, no es condenado; pero el que no cree, ya ha sido condenado, porque no ha creído en el nombre del unigénito Hijo de Dios. 19 Y esta es la condenación: que la luz vino al mundo, y los hombres amaron más las tinieblas que la luz, porque sus obras eran malas.
Juan 3:16-20
Reina-Valera 1960

[thumbsupboy]

nothing will beat citroen hydropneumatic suspension