1993 Mercedes-Benz 600SEC V12 (C140) - MotorWeek Retro

'BEST OF THE BEST' • LIMITED EDITION V12
6.0L 48v V12 (M120 E60)
The first generation CL-Class was the sleek but hard-lined and redesigned W140-chassis (internally known as C140) coupé of 1992-1999. Designed by Bruno Sacco, the C140's final design was approved between late 1987 and early 1988. Though the coupé's physical appearance changed little over these years, the class underwent a name change several times. The V8 and V12 coupés were called the 500 SEC and 600 SEC, respectively, in 1992 and 1993. The 600 SEC was the first V12 coupé ever offered by Mercedes-Benz. For 1994, the model names were changed to the S500 Coupé and the S600 Coupé. The name CL-Class was adopted in June 1996 (1997 for MY1998 North American models), and the W140 coupés were called the CL500 and CL600. Production ended in August 1998.
The M119 5.0 L V8 engine was regarded as one of the best engines ever produced by the German manufacturer (according to various journalists from automobile magazines such as Car and Auto Motor Und Sport).[citation needed] Being much lighter at the front, the CL500 tended to have better handling characteristics than the heavier V12 flagship. The CL600 powered by the M120 48-valve twelve cylinder engine, developed 394 PS (290 kW; 389 hp) and 570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft) of torque.
Twelve cylinder variants are easily identified by the "V12" emblems at the base of each C pillar, placed immediately behind the passenger windows. An entry level model, the CL420, was available with a 4.2 L V8 engine (with the same architecture as the M119 5.0 L V8 engine) and since it was not available at all markets, it had very low sales compared to its larger-engined siblings. Production ended September 1998 with 26.022 Coupés produced.
The Mercedes-Benz M120 engine is a naturally aspirated high-performance automobile piston V12 engine family used in the 1990s and 2000s in Mercedes' flagship models
The M120 family is built in Stuttgart, Germany. It has an aluminium engine block lined with silicon/aluminium. The aluminium DOHC cylinder heads are 4 valves per cylinder designs. It uses sequential fuel injection (SFI) and features forged steel connecting rods.
The M120 was eventually replaced by the smaller, lesser-powered, short-lived, SOHC, three valves per cylinder, 5.8L, M137 V12 engine. Mercedes ceased production of the M120 because of new emission rules
RETRO ROAD TEST'S & CAR REVIEW'S
#w140

[@trudownsouth8490]

My dad still has his from 1993 from brand new. Mint condition with 73k miles. It was his favorite and I want it. They are not built like this anymore. True automotive tank.

[@dogsandcars202]

So you grew up rich as hell. Good for you

[@trudownsouth8490]

@@dogsandcars202 So you found a way to keep your jealousy triggered. Get therapy.

[@roddydykes7053]

@@trudownsouth8490therapy is a rich person luxury

[@trudownsouth8490]

@@roddydykes7053 Therapy for a rich man is love peace and happiness.

[@nataliealpakli8444]

Let me know if he is willing to sell.

[@roddydykes7053]

“A TRUE EXPRESSION OF THE PHILOSO-BWAAAH-OF THE MERCEDES BENZ” Every copy of motorweek is personalized

[@tedgrove7775]

A gorgeous, stunning car that will forever have a modern look. Like a slick designer's suit. Timeless. ❤

[@Johnathan_Waters]

I have a later model 1998 CL600, thank you so much for posting this!!

[@Johnathan_Waters]

@@72040leon 5 Speed, NAG1/722.6. It really makes a huge difference!

[@DrCharlesMontague]

We had an older 560SEC back in the 90’s and that was one of my very favorite cars ever. Great to drive, fantastic ride, and sooooo many features. Only thing that sucked was gas mileage.

[@davecom3]

The 560SEC is quicker than this car despite the hp difference. The W140 series was a laughably bad car compared to the W126. All tech and no finesse or style.

[@raycroal]

@@davecom3 shite, the 600 is way faster, this car pulled away in second on this video and was still faster than 560 to 60

[@1983jblack]

I'm not big on the German imports but the W140s from the '90s were nicknamed "The Rolling Vault" - Built like tanks and could run with pretty much anything back then. I'm not saying it would beat anything, just that it could hold its own

[@palebeachbum]

Don't confuse vault-like build quality with good mechanical and electrical reliability. These cars had neither.

[@aivaraslabokas7172]

Most ugly

[@razortreadway]

No, but W210s did, they were essentially taxi cabs and the last of the million mile Mercedes, and while they're hard to tune an E55 is still about as quick as a manual Coyote, and CLK55s are quicker

[@hellkitty1014]

@@palebeachbum if you think these were unreliable, the W220 series is certain to make you rethink that notion!

[@MercOne]

@@palebeachbum The mechanical aspect of this car was solid. Electrics could be an issue.

[@bilalahmed2123]

Back when Mercedes-Benz made good quality cars

[@fernandorocha8459]

I love classics Mercedes Benz 1980s and 1990s

[@jaymum23]

Yes but they still make incredible quality, especially the S-class. I’ve had extended rentals of the W212 and W205 (a C63!) and both were incredible, built like tanks, rode butter smooth and still handled sporty.

[@johnclayton5204]

Considering a brand new corvette in 1993 was under 40k, it really shows just how amazing and expensive this 132k tank was! Truly an astounding vehicle.

[@andyleo8418]

$132,000 in 1993. Wow!

[@STEEPPOW]

Love this. Thank you. So nostalgic.

[@Konstantine.310]

I love my 1997 S 600 Coupe!

[@BStick3]

Ross Perot - now that's a name I haven't heard in a long while. Thanks for posting this video!

[@fernandorocha901]

Mercedes classic is my favorites

[@rashidjalaljalaluddin]

I love this all Mercedes plus this v 12 coupe one ❤😊

[@dejanzivanovic8857]

Bruno Sacco masterpiece

[@vengadeshkannavathy7225]

Hope Doug Demuro reviews this.

[@Konstantine.310]

ive been asking him for years!

[@hh90]

Gem of the Gems

[@targetegrat]

I will gladly take this over a new 2023 Mercedes

[@jeffreyo4866]

Awesome content about this car

[@RetroCarReviews]

I TRY MY BEST... 👌

[@theprofessional8966]

That’s pretty nice, I need one of those in my collection.

[@mikee6220]

Gosh what a beauty

[@ferhattje]

There is a white one abandoned in the Hague Netherlands in a car park 😢 such a nice car

[@farinafelix8939]

Algun dia se hara realidad mi sueño de tener un auto asi

[@damieg82]

So sad that after such a long illustrious history of large coupes, Mercedes no longer offers an S Class derived one.

[@sirmoney2762]

They have s550 coupe present day

[@gedaman]

@@sirmoney27622020 was the end of the C217 coupe and convertible.

[@sirmoney2762]

@@gedaman oh wow didn't know that...these automakers stupid.....1st my Lexus GS 300, 400 460, 350 now my CL/ s class coupe...I love them all from 500sec, cl 500, cl 63, 90's s500 coupe, to present day s550 coupe

[@gedaman]

@@sirmoney2762 Yep, it’s a shame. I really loved driving around Miami in a rented 2015 Mercedes-Benz S 550 4MATIC Coupe. It was like heaven! I found a nice certified pre-owned 2020 Mercedes-Benz S 560 4MATIC Coupe recently in blue. I should’ve bought it when I had the chance. It was perfect!

[@sirmoney2762]

@@gedaman it's never to late the price will go down further but they already rare....And u so lucky to had chance drive it....I would of been extra sad on day of return....lol....I hate when I love car designs

[@dogsandcars202]

Got to love it

[@tonychavez2083]

92-93 models were still built with utmost quality components and build quality. These are the last years before they slowly started cheapening them up for 96 M.Y.

[@CaptainInsano-go6vo]

Thats a 30 year old C140 600 SEC id rock to this day! Badass old school Mercedes Benz are made sooooo much better than the cheap Fisher-Price plastic pieces of garbage these days

[@matthewbowen5841]

The videotape screw up made me chuckle! These cars might truly be amazing, but they just look so fat.

[@joshthemediocre7824]

It looks like they were driving the bag out of the 600. It was making quiet sexual noises. lol

[@leeterwilliger2303]

Well, they're not made like this anymore.

[@mihaiciumala9488]

💕💕💕💯💯💯

[@floyd27860]

Is that pilot alive??? He ain't moving 🤣

[@piscatawaymechanic]

Mercedes Benz was a true luxury experience back in the 1990s. With Snooty salesman and all.. but now Benz is just a boring suv and 4 /6 cylinder car manufacturer.. with a to dramatic amg line that looks like something from fast and furious 2 for $157,090 .. lol 😝

[@jasgill7121]

This comment is delusional

[@MandusahRamirez]

Mercedes has been offering FWD & 4 Cylinders for a long time now! They were just the European specs.

[@damilolaakanni]

​@@MandusahRamirez they didn't combine both until the A class came in 1998. Sure, the W202 C class and the W201 190E had 4 cylinder engines, but they were RWD.

[@palebeachbum]

I prefer the proportions and more elegant design of the prior generation.

[@shaunkoger8096]

130k in 1993 yikes

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

This gen always seemed a bit bloated and bland, with noticeably less gravitas than the iconic w126 coupes.

[@dmer-zy3rb]

the v12 wasnt worth it.

[@doug6191]

These were and are simultaneously hideous and boring. It had great features and build quality, though.