Mercedes-Benz S-Class W126 Market Index1980-1991

About the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W126

The Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class was introduced in 1980 and is widely regarded as one of the finest luxury sedans ever built, reinforcing the S-Class’s position as the global benchmark for safety, engineering, and refinement. Produced in sedan (W126) and coupe (C126/SEC) forms, the W126 brought major advancements including improved crumple zones, airbags, ABS, and exceptional aerodynamic efficiency, while offering a broad range of inline-six and V8 engines across two series (Series I and II). Built until 1991 before being replaced by the W140, Mercedes-Benz produced over 818,000 examples, making it the best-selling S-Class generation of all time. In the Australian market, the W126 is highly respected for its durability and understated luxury, with V8 models and SEC coupes increasingly recognised as modern classics with strong enthusiast and collector appeal.