From jfieber-at-indiana.edu Mon Aug 28 14:59:09 2000
From: John Fieber <jfieber-at-indiana.edu>

On Mon, 28 Aug 2000, john wrote:

> The 300SDs came out in 79 and got a new body style in 81.  They continued
> until 85 or 86, they were chassis 126.

A rough summary S-class chassis:
   116 - 1973-1980
   126 - 1981-1991
   140 - 1992-1999(?)
   220 - 2000-

126 chassis diesels include
   300SD -  1981-1985
   300SDL - 1986-1987
   350SDL - 1990-1991
   350SD -  1991

(source: http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html)

> The 126 chassis is longer and heavier than the 123. 

Bigger, but not much heavier.  A 300D is around 3500 while the SD
is just a bit over 3600.

> The other notable differences, short list, is the heater controls are
> electronic vs. vacuum (126 vs 123).

No vacuum at all?  In my 123, vaccum physically moves the vent
flaps but that is the limit of vacuum involvement.  Everything
else is electronic.

-john