This is Why I'd Rather have This Old S-Class Over any New Luxury Car. A Review of the Mercedes W126

I spent 2 weeks with this old Merc. Wasn't expecting to love it at all.
In fact, my friend asked if I could review it, and I wasn't very enthusiastic
about it at first. But the more I drove it, the more I feel like I have to say.

Eventually, I sort of fell in love with the car, and I decided to do a scripted review of it. My first attempt at one.
Took way more time than I liked. Hope you guys enjoy it.

00:00 Intro
00:45 Introduction to the W126 and Interior appreciation
01:42 Wonderfully tactile switches and controls
02:52 This car is from a different era
05:00 Thirsty but charismatic. The M116 420 Engine
08:42 The old school 4 speed slush box
09:40 How does this car drive? and handle
12:38 How about the steering?
13:24 What about the brakes?
14:21 Comparing to a modern SUV
14:42 I appreciate slow and fuzzy car now
16:06 A soulful car? and Outro

[simonhodgetts]

There’s no denying that older cars knew how to do luxury. No silly gimmicks or gizmos, touchscreens or driver aids. Just superb build quality, materials and ambience. To operate a switch or dial, and feel the work that went into making that experience reassuring, or just how robust the switchgear feels - goes to show that cars don’t need lots of trinkets to feel luxurious!

[mikebcivility]

The W126 has more presence and elegance than anything MB produces today.

[pellepop]

Excellent review! Or should I say declaration of love; no real technical details but rather a story about how you feel when you own and drive the car and what the car does to you. Just perfect!

[ranger_who]

By far the most impressive video review of the W126 I have seen online. The choice of filming angles inside and out, the well written narration, the right music at the right volume, all that help the audiences, experts or new novices to W126, to truly immerse themselves as if they were sitting inside the cocoon of the world best luxury sedan of all times, the W126, and listen to the amazing story of this car when Mercedes was at its peak, and had soul.

[GlassedXKE]

What a beautifully done video. My grandparents and great grandparents always drove Mercs and I remember the day they took delivery of their brand new 380SE in 1985. That car was just magnificent to ride around in, even the creaks of the leather made for such a unique experience. And the smell, I’ll never forget the smell of new Mercedes interiors. I loved these cars so much that I ended up working for MB just at the tail end of the W126 era and carried on with them for many years until I was disheartened enough with the subsequent cheapening of the brand that I left, but still adore their products of old. Too bad the bozos who run Mercedes nowadays will probably never see this video, and if they did, wouldn’t care that they’ve ruined a once magnificent marque. Anyways, well done, a most enjoyable 17 minutes of my morning!

[jward]

A lovely tribute to not a car but a luxury conveyance. A modern car is like watching an UHD TV controlled by your remote. This is like going to a theatre, at which you can smell the performance.

[cjscorah]

Very high standard of car journalism. Almost impossible to find this elsewhere

[ronalddean]

Impressive video review of the W126. everything about it fits the car, elegance, laid-back, and easy on the eyes and the ears. The narration was great, you pulled me into the car for the ride. This is luxury at it's best, with good proportion, good placement of switches and layouts.

Not one LED light, or strange body panel fitment, or silly electronics that distract the driver from the road. I understand as I recently drove a 126-SEL and almost bought it, but decided it was really too large for my needs. IF some gave me a new S-Class, I would have it up for sale so fast it would make your head spin, and the next step would be to step back in time and find a jewel like this. Keep up the great work!

[TheGammelfjols]

old school luxury cars like this Mercedes are like an old luxury hotel that has that feeling of luxury that you don't find today.

[davidantiwan]

You are brilliant, in your description of the W126
from Detroit as a car loving teenager in the 80s grew up in my parents, Cadillacs and Lincoln’s and driving muscle cars. In 1987 my uncle bought a new SEL.
I drove a w126 for the first time
I was astonished at the build quality
The Car was a tank and after that experience every other car felt like a piece of trash after driving the W126 it was that much better.
And over 35 years later, I got to experience a w126 again the same quality feeling as in 1987.
You said it for some reason after getting into my 2023 car I started driving like an asshole again
W126 is an experience that slows life down
126 helps you breathe and enjoy driving life to its fullest knowing what passion was put in to designing the 126, And you should never drive it fast you should just cruise and stare at the three pointed star on the hood feel every bit of excellence and love that brought the w126 into existence

Every real car fanatic should experience a W126 it is second to none.

[stoicthedog]

What a beautiful experience, that was! I feel like I've just sat through a review of the liner of my favourite vintage jacket, narrated by a weathered jazz club journalist who was enjoying a pleasant, mellow weed high, reminiscing about the highlights of his life experiences. Man, keep it up, that was the most relaxing bathroom break ever.

[and]

One of the best videos I've watched in a long time. I echo your feelings about this car and the era of Mercedes on display here. I had a period of 15 years where Mercedes from 1979 through 1994 were my automotive world, 190E through to 600SEL with one particular 300CE being with me for 11 years and 100, 000 miles. I think a 450SEL W116 needs to return to my garage soon, thanks for providing the inspiration.

[klauswassermann]

"A car that makes you a better person", loved that. The ultimate reason for driving cars like this. Starting to contemplate changing over to a late straight six W126 :)

[JBOsurf]

Beautifully presented. I feel calmer now than when I started watching!

[DonAl]

You took the right decision. Todays Mercedes are not of the same quality. I had a couple over the last 20 years and each had its issues. Mainly when the were equipped with the V6 3 Litre Engine. Such an S Class will last forever, any Garage can fix it. And don’t be upset about the fuel consumption. This car is timeless beautiful and will always be. Bravo from Germany. 😊😊😊

[alfierees-glinos]

Thank you for this excellently presented and very relaxing video. It's a large barge but at the same time, it epitomises old school class. I love the 190, W124 and W126 Mercedes Benz cars-a golden era for that manufacturer.

[mbogaba]

This is not a review.
This is a love letter.
This is a poem.
👇❤

[stevenwilhite]

One of the best car reviews I’ve ever watched. I could listen to you and the background piano all day long. Look forward to more.

[TheGabe]

Love your descriptions! Driving these cars feels like having a good conversation.

[andrewtreble]

This video and commentary is as smooth as the S-Class being reviewed. Well done.