MB is famed for its solid and tight body structure. It is also one of the primary reasons that I like MB so much.

Having an opportunity to read last month Car & Driver comparison tests, they wrote that the W220 body structure flexes every time it goes through bumps or uneven surface? Is that true, or is it just their usual bashing of MB products? Those guys appear to have this "intimate thing" about BMW, but criticize a lot about MB products. I don't ever remember BMW ever get last in their comparisons, but I remember that MB always attain last or second last status in their comparisons.

So, I really doubt their claim. I have read many car magazines and no one has ever said that the new W220 body structure is "soft" or flexes. Almost everyone has this sense of solidity every time they drive the W220.
Contradictory to the Car & Driver test, the new W220 always come out first place in other car magazines. Till today, I still can't believe that Lexus was second and Audi was third and S-Class was fourth in the Car & Driver test. Give me a break!

I still think that MB has one of the best body structure. Even though the new W200 is much lighter than the W140, I don't think the strength of it's body structure has been compromised.

Comment or feedback?

Though I don't have the exact specs offhand I seem to remember reading that the W220 was stiffer than even the "panzer" W140. Some of the interior bits may seem a bit downmarket (plastic bits under the front driver/passenger knees comes to mind) compared to the W140 but structural rigidity never seemed compromised to me. As for why the W220 finished where it did in the C/D article....they always want the sportiest car in any application. (at least my opinion) The car that is the most fun to drive for a short time may not always be the one you want to keep forever! If they wanted something sportier they should of opted for the S500. I will give C/D that MB "under-tires" the W220's but that is still just my humble opinion. The very fact that C/D likes this or that compared to what I would choose is the very reason why many brands exist. (those brands having obviously different "flavors")

Hope this helps...Lee

Johnj,

One thing that everyone has to keep in mind before doing a comparison; BMW is more sport oriented. BMW sure has a chassis build more sporty(or tighter feel). However, tighter doesn't necessary mean it's more solid. The 740 they tested has 18" M-Tech wheels. Get those wheels off, and compare again(or put a set of 18" Monoblock on the S430). And then we can see who's got the more solid chassis.

Lee,

Actually the point here in that comparison is wheel/tire. Low profile tires on tight chassis can make a car feel solid. And since MB has the hobby of use under-rated tire/wheels(E420 still use the same 195 tires as E320!!), I personally think, MB shouldn't have "flex" chassis as stated in that comparison.

Though I always criticized(picky me.. :))on the plastic of the W220s, I still feel the car's as solid(if not more so)as W140s. But time will tell, since any car has chassis flex over the time.....just on what degree a car loose its chassis solidity.....

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo


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<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
<LI>AMG Shocks/Springs
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akry,
As you say, there is a great deal of percieved "tightness". Don't even get me started on my opinion of how much tire should be on what car...j/k. Another point to elaborate on is not just the chassis rigidity, but the resistance of its interior bits to working themselves loose. Though theh W220 may be a stiffer backbone, I'll be the first to admit that some of its interior bits are NOT up to W140 quality. How those interior bits age is an issue apart from overall chassis flex/rigidity.

Lee

ANY OPINIONS OR COMMENTS ON W126 S-CLASS BODY STRUCTURE Vs. W140 ??? Thanks

Hi,
Well, I must say I've had lots of problems with my W126's interior. The interior is put together in such a tight manner until it rattles easily, causing lost of unwanted and annoying noise! There's TOO much plastic (Maybe it's an S-Class trend, with the exceptiong of the W140).
As an owner of both the W126 and W140, the W126 does match in rigidity, it has that "heavy and tough" feel. IMHO, most pre-90's MB's have superb build quality and have tough and rigid chassis. But when it comes to comfort, the W140 will be by far the winner :) Just my 2 cents :)
Regards,
Chung