For sale: 1985 SS
Specifications
Mechanical (all from W140.de):
This section provides a summary of the mechanical specifications of the C140 Mercedes coupe, including specific specification changes that were made throughout its production. If you have further information about the changes, or know of additional changes, please contact the author of this page or give classic register a call so we can improve this guide.
1. Engines, power and handlng specifications:
- Note, on the engine specs on the early cars, despite having the same power, the compression ratio is 10:1, vs the later cars 11:1 (by later cars, I specifically mean the 1999 CL guide for USA and 1992 brochure USA)..
- Also, rear axle ratio in 1992 USA brochure car was 2.64:1. On later cars (1999 brochure), it’s 2.65:1.
- Note also, the 1992 early brochure here states a weight for the 500 of 2,170KG. The later brochure 1999 states a weight of 2,130.
- Complete elimination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the A/C system
- Petrol engines with DOHC four-valve technology and adjustable intake camshaftst
- Parameter steering with speed-dependent steering torque
- Suspension is double wishbone with gas charged shocks, coil springs and stabliiser bar used in the front suspension.
- The rear suspension is a 5 arm multilink system incorporatating anti lift, anti squat and alignment control. Coil springs, stabliiser bar and self levelling shocks are fitted. (above two are confirmed by the motorbooks reference buyers guide printed in China).
- 1995-19999 coupe height: 56.7 inches. https://www.benzworld.org/threads/w140-introduction-for-newbies-read-this-before-posting.1412506/
- Xenon headlights with dynamic headlight range control was introduced from 1996, as standard on coupe. Headlights with free-form reflectors (from 1994)
- Brake assistant BAS (introduced in December 1996), confirmed by both google Play book and w140.de.
2. 140 series accessory changes over time:
Mercedes Benz made over 1,700 changes to the S-class over its production run. A number of those changes were designed to streamlinethe productino process and reduce costs, while many changes also simplified over complex engineering systems, added functionality or addressed quality issues in the early cars.
- M119 V8 Cam sensor / adjustor cover:
Early veghicles had black plastic covers at the front end of the heads, covering the cam adjustors/sensors. This have the engine heads a cleaner/neater appearance, at the expense of convenience and serviceability. Later vehicles (late 1995 and onward) had exposed cam adjustors (presumably, for easier servicing). The earlier model of course is neater by design.
- M119 V8 ZF/Bosch power steering pump:
Early vehicles (up to early 1995) utilised a ZF power steering pump with part number 1404600580. This pump type had a distinct metal cylindrical canister at the top. From late 1995, an upgraded ZF/bosch pump was applied. For non-self levelling suspension cars, this pump had part number A1404666201 (the new replcement Bosch/ZF part number of KS01000307). This later pump type has a square plastic canister for the power steeting fluid at the top. Refer to images for a comparison.
- Transmission (4 and 5-speed automatic)
A 4-speed automatic transmission was standard on all C140 models until September 1995, where it was replaced with the new 5-speed automatic. The 5-speed transmission was introduced on the V12 in May/June of 1995, but not until September on the V8 vehicles. The new 5-speed gearbox is an electronically controlled unit that was made up of 40% less parts than the previous 4-speed. It was lighter and smaller than the 4-speed, reduced fuel consumption through a slip-control torque converter and lock up clutch, and importantly was compatible with the new Electronic Stability Program.
- Electronic Stablity Program ("ESP")
ESP was introduced on the C140 at the same time as the 5-speed automatic transmission was introduced. ESP was standard on the V12 from May/June 1995, and optional on the V8 from September 1995.
- Engine wiring harness / wiring loom
Early vehicles (up to late 1995) were fitted with biodegradable wiring harnesses. The degrading of the harness was supposedly accellerated in warmer climates, and Mercedes' decision to use these biodegradable materials on the earlier cars has made buyers cautious to check that their prospective purcahse has been appropriately repaired. The early cars had a neat plastic casing that contained and hid the wiring harness at the rear of the engine bay (refer images). The casing was accessed by hex key, and kept the actual harness hidden.
Later vehicles (from late 1995 onward) fixed the problem of biodegrading, and at the same time the design of the harness fitting was revised. On V8 models, the neat plastic casing that ran along the top rear of the fire wall on pre-facelift cars was deleted, and replaced by simply having the upgraded (non-degradable) wiring loom encased in a mesh webbing, and zip-tying the webbing to the fire wall. Note however that V12 vehicles retained the wire harness plastic casing, so had a slightly neater appearance.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/w140-buyers-guide.1484464/
Vehicle location
Australia , South Australia , Wynn Vale
This 85 VK Brock SS was advertised on Carsales.com.au and in several other spots in late 2022 - asking $145,000 AUD. One of the best looking of the 80s SS cars, and I particularly like this in silver (you just see so many in Blue!). The car looks in excellent condition - with a few comments from the seller in the original ad extracted and pasted below:
The seller noted that the car was originally ordered from Station Motors in Collie, WA. Owned since 2001, the seller is just the third owner. It's a matching numbers HDT Brock Commodore, and comes with HDT Certification and archive paperwork. It has the engine option "V7X" 4.9lt (304cu) with a M21 Aussie 4 speed. It's finished in Asteroid Silver which is in perfect condition, and the interior is like brand new. It has the optioned 16 inch Aero Rims with a complete set of Caps. The spare however is a 15 inch Aero rim. Comes with invoices and receipts as far back as 1999 including the original service book for the car. Heaps of spare parts were also noted as being included.
A great 80s Aussie muscle car classic. See the original listing here.