| Type | 380SEC | 500SEC | 420SEC | 500SEC | 560SEC |
| Series | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Designation | C126 E38 / 126.043 | C126 E50 / 126.044 | C126 E42 / 126.046 | C126 E50 / 126.044 | C126 E56 / 126.045 |
| Production | 09.80 / 10.81 - 09.85 | 07.80 / 10.81 - 09.85 | 08.85 / 10.85 - 10.91 | 09.85 - 09.91 | 06.85 / 10.85 - 10.91 ; ECE: 10.85 - 09.87 |
| Total Number of Units | 11.267 | until 09.91: 30.184 | 3689 | from 07.80: 30.184 | 28929 |
| Engine and Transmission | |||||
| Type / Designation | M116 E 38 / 116.963 | M117 E 50 / 117.963 | M116 E 42 / 116.965 | M117 E 50 / 117.965 | M117 E 56 / 117.968 |
| Number of Cylinder and Arangement | 8 / 90°-V-shape | ||||
| Bore x Stroke | 88,0 x 78,9 mm | 96,5 x 85 mm | 92,0 x 78,9 mm | 96,5 x 85 mm | 96,5 x 94,8 mm |
| Displacement | 3839 ccm | 4973 ccm | 4196 ccm | 4973 ccm | 5547 mm |
| Combustion Ratio | 9,4 | 9,2:1 | 9,0:1 ; from 09.87: 10,0:1 | 9,0:1 ; from 09.87: 10,0.1 ; ECE: 10,0:1 | |
| Crankshaft Bearings | 5 | ||||
| Output (DIN) | 204hp / 150KW @ 5250rpm | 231hp / 170KW @ 4750rpm | 218hp / 160KW (with cat: 204hp / 150KW); from 09.87: 231hp / 170KW (with cat: 224hp / 165KW) @ 5400rpm | 245hp / 180KW @ 4750rpm (with cat: 223hp / 164KW @ 4700rpm); from 09.87: 265hp / 195KW (with cat: 252hp / 185KW) @ 5200rpm | 272hp / 200KW @ 5000rpm (with cat: 242hp / 178KW @ 4800 rpm); ECE: 300hp / 220KW @ 5000rpm; from 09.87: 300hp / 220KW @ 5000rpm (with cat: 279hp / 205KW @ 5200rpm) |
| Torque | 315Nm @ 3250rpm | 405Nm @ 3000rpm | 330Nm @ 3750rpm (with cat 310Nm @ 3600rpm); from 09.87: 335Nm (with cat 325Nm) @ 4000rpm | 400Nm @ 3750rpm (with cat: 365Nm @ 2500rpm); from 09.87: 405Nm @ 4000rpm (with cat: 390 Nm @ 3750rpm) | 430Nm @ 3750rpm (with cat: 390Nm @ 3500rpm); ECE: 455Nm @ 3750rpm; from 09.87: 455Nm (with cat: 430Nm) @ 3750rpm |
| Number of Valves | 1 Inlet, 1 Outlet | ||||
| Valve Timing | 1 OHC per cylinder row | ||||
| Camshaft Drive | Double Row Timing Chain | ||||
| Fuel Mixture | Fuel Injection on Manifold, Bosch K-Jetronic | Fuel Injection on manifold, Bosch KE-Jetronic | |||
| Cooling System | Water Coolant / Pump; 12,5L Water | Water Coolant / Pump; 13L Water | Water Coolant / Pump ; 12,5 L Water | Water Coolant / Pump ; 13L Water | |
| Lubrication | Lubricating Circuit 7,5 L Oil | Lubricating Circuit / 8,0 L Oil | |||
| Electrical Circuit | 12 Volts | ||||
| Battery | 66 Ah | 66 Ah; from 09.90: 74 Ah | 92 Ah | ||
| Alternator | Three-Phase 980 W / ab 8.83: 1120 W | Three-Phase 1120 W | |||
| Starter Motor | 1,5 KW | 1,5KW; ab 01.88: 1,7KW | |||
| Ignition | Transistor | Electronic Ignistor | |||
| Fuel Tank | 90L | ||||
| Driven Axle | Rear | ||||
| Suspension | |||||
| Front Springs | Coil Springs, Rubber Pads | ||||
| Rear Springs | Coil Springs, Rubber Pads | ||||
| Shock Absorbers | Hydraulic Telescope Shock Absorbers | Front: HydraulicTelescope Shock Absorbers, rear: Hydropneumatic Shock Absorbers | |||
| Steering | Power Steering, Recirculating Ball | ||||
| Steering Ratio | 15,06:1 / 2,89 Turns Lock to Lock | 15,06:1 / 3,03 Turns Lock to Lock | |||
| Brakes | Brakebooster, ABS optional (stock from 12.84), four wheel disc brakes ( front ventilated) | Brakebooster, ABS, four wheel disc brakes (front ventilated), optional ASR from 09.85 | |||
| Parking Brake | On Rear Wheels, Foot operated | ||||
| Brake Dimensions | front 286mm, rear 279mm | front 300mm, rear 279mm | |||
| Rims | Steel, Aluminium as an Option | Steel, Aluminium as an Option; from 09.87 Aluminium stock | Aluminium | ||
| Dimensions of Rims | 6 1/2 J x 14 H2 | 7J x 15 H2 | |||
| Tyres | 205/70 HR 14 | 205/65 VR 15 | 215/65 VR 15; ab 88: 215/65 ZR 15 | ||
| Transmission and Performance | |||||
| Transmission | 4-Speed-Automatic | ||||
| Type | Planet Gears | ||||
| Transmission Ratio | I. 3,68; II. 2,41; III. 1,44; IV. 1,0; R. 5,14 | I. 3,68; II. 2,41; III. 1,44; IV. 1,0; R. 5,14 | I. 3,68; II. 2,41; III. 1,44; IV. 1,0; R. 5,14; from 09.87: I. 3,87; II. 2,25; III. 1,44; IV. 1,0; R: 5,59 | I. 3,68; II. 2,41; III. 1,44; IV. 1,0; R. 5,14; from 09.87: I. 3,87; II. 2,25; III. 1,44; IV. 1,0; R: 5,59 | I. 3,87; II. 2,25; III. 1,44; IV. 1,0; R: 5,59 |
| Rear Diff Ratio | 2,47 | 2,24 | 2,47 | 2,24 | 2,65 |
| Maximum Speed | 210 km/h | 225 km/h | 218 km/h (with cat: 210 km/h); from 09.87: 222 km/h (with cat 220 km/h) | 230 km/h (with cat: 220 km/h); from 09.87: 235 km/h (with cat: 230 km/h) | 238 km/h ( with cat: 228 km/h); ECE: 250 km/h; from 09.87: 250 km/h (with cat: 240 km/h) |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h | 9,8 s | 8,1 s | 8,3s (with cat: 8,7s); from 09.87: 8,2s (with cat: 8,3s) | 7,3s (with cat: 8,0s); from 09.87: 7.2s ( with cat: 7,5s) | 6,9s (with cat: 7,6s); from 09.87: 6,8s (with cat: 7,2) |
| Fuel Consumption @ 80 km/h / 120 km/h / Urban ( Euro Standard 80/1268/EWG ) | 8,7 / 10,8 / 13,9 | 9,1 / 11,4 / 15,2 | 8,9 / 11,0 / 14,6 L (with cat: 9,3 / 11,6 / 14,9 L); from 09.87: 8,7 / 10,7 / 15,1 L (with cat: 9,1 / 11,3 / 15,4 L) | 9,1 / 11,4 / 15,4 L ( with cat: 9,6 / 12,0 / 15,9 L); from 09.87: 8,8 / 11,1 / 15,8 L (with cat: 9,4 / 11,7 / 16,2 L) | 10,6 / 12,9 / 17,1 L (with cat: 11,4 / 13,9 / 18,0 L); ECE: 10,5 / 12,7 / 16,8; from 09,87: 10,6 / 12,9 / 18,0 L (with cat: 11,4 / 13,9 / 18,0 L) |
| Dimensions and Weights | |||||
| Wheelbase | 2850 mm | 2845 mm | 2845 mm | ||
| Track Front / Rear | 1545 / 1517 mm | 1555 / 1527 mm | |||
| Total Length | 4910 mm | 4935 mm | 4935 mm | 4935 mm | |
| Total Width | 1828 mm | ||||
| Total Height | 1406 mm | 1407 mm | 1402 mm | ||
| Turning Circle | 11,53 m | 11,5 m | |||
| Gross Weight | 2105 kg | 2130 kg | 2120 kg; from 09.87:2140 kg | 2140 kg; from 09.87: 2170 kg | 2210 kg; from 09.87: 2220 kg |
| Gross Weight Front Axle | 1000 kg | 1010 kg | 1020 kg; from 09.87: 1025 kg | 1025 kg; from 09.87: 1040 kg | 1070 kg; from 09.87: 1070 kg |
| Gross Weight Rear Axle | 1105 kg | 1120 kg | 1100 kg; from 09.87: 1115 kg | 1115 kg; from 09.87: 1130 kg | 1140 kg; from 09.87: 1150 kg |
| Unladen Weight | 1585 kg | 1610 kg | 1600 kg: from 09.87: 1620 kg | 1620 kg; from 09.87: 1650 kg | 1750 kg; from 09.87: 1760 kg |
| Max Load | 520 kg | 460 kg | |||
| Towing Weight with Brakes | 1500 kg | 1500 kg; from 03.89: 1900 kg | |||
| Towing Weight w/o Brakes | 750 kg | ||||
| Prices in Germany | |||||
| 09.81 / incl. 11% VAT | 69.495,00 DM | 73.902,00 DM | --- | --- | --- |
| 09.82 / incl. 13% VAT | 74.071,50 DM | 79.043,50 DM | --- | --- | --- |
| 09.83 / incl. 14% VAT | 77.292,00 DM | 82.422,00 DM | --- | --- | --- |
| 09.84 / incl. 14% VAT | 83.069,00 DM | 88.464,00 DM | --- | --- | --- |
| 09.85 / incl. 14% VAT | --- | --- | 94.563,00 DM | 100.377,00 DM | 133.608,00 DM |
| 09.86 / incl. 14% VAT | --- | --- | 98.867,00 DM | 104.595,00 DM | 136.003,00 DM |
| 09.87 / incl. 14% VAT | --- | --- | 101.517,00 DM | 107.559,00 DM | 139.535,00 DM |
| 09.88 / incl. 14% VAT | --- | --- | 104.652,00 DM | 110.865,00 DM | 143.469,00 DM |
| 09.89 / incl. 14% VAT | --- | --- | 106.818,00 DM | 113.202,00 DM | 146.490,00 DM |
| 10.90 / incl. 14% VAT | --- | --- | 113.544,00 DM | 120.384,00 DM | 155.724,00 DM |
| 06.91 / incl. 14% VAT | --- | --- | 116.964,00 DM | 123.975,00 DM | 160.398,00 DM |
