Encyclopedia and public archive have joined the mb-140.school, there is an owner’s manual division in the public archive. Currently it only colleted the cover and basic information, this article will explain the significance of the archive from a simple point of view. I will discuss 140 owner manuals’ covers from different periods in chronological order.
Classic style
The first owner’s manual of 140 was published as early as October 1990, according to the date on the manual, 30.10.1990. At that time, the 140 had not officially entered Halle 46 production and was not lanuched. Its cover art follows the same style as other Mercedes in same model year,which is a sketch of little more than half the front view at right side of the page. Such style started in model year 1983 and ended in model year 1993.
This sketch preserves details that are invisible to the naked eye, such as the ridges on the front bumper. On the sketch, they are like the grooves of the facelift version, but this is just to make the front bumper look more three-dimensional. At the same time, this style also purposely omits some details, such as the sketch of the interior only ends at the front seats, and the rest behind is not shown.
Although this can be understood as a sketch of a prototype, all its details are consistent with the production model. Some vehicles used for press photos in the fall of 1990 were still equipped with the pre-production grille, but the grille in this version is a production design. This version includes all models from 300 SE – 500 SEL is defined as the base version, called DE Ausgabe A.
The English version launched in December 1990, and it follows the German sketch, the only difference being that its sketch has been moved slightly to the right, the center rearview mirror is partially blocked. It is important to emphasize that the English version at this time is also LHD, it will change later. This version is called EN Ausgabe A. The content of the English version is usually the same as the German version, so it is considered a European version on the same level as the German version, which is the base version.
The 600 SE/SEL got an exclusive owner’s manual, and correspondingly, an exclusive cover art. Wipers from the headlight washing system (SA code 600) that optional on other models were added to the headlights on this version, which was standard on the V12. At the same time, a sunroof (SA code 412/414) outline is added to the roof, which is also standard on the V12. The first V12 manual came out four months later on 28.02.1991, right before the Genf 1991.
Shortly after the world premiere, the German owner’s manuals got updated in April 1991. The new cover abandoned the previous sketch, but directly used the previous V12 sketch. This includes wipers from the headlight washing system (SA code 600) and sunroof (SA code 412/414), which is exactly the same as the V12 sketch above. From now, the “lower spec” sketch discontinued.
The manuals for the North Amercia market is considered a independant series because the US, as the most important oversea market, has its own exclusive version. The full North Amercian series was first launched in July 1991, with a total of three volumes: 300 SE – 500 SEL, 600 SEL, and 300 SD. They share the same cover art, this sketch is basically the same as the newest German version, except for a different license plate bracket. One extra thing to note is that the sketch of the 600 SEL and 300 SD is slightly to the left of the cover, so both edges of the license plate bracket are visible, while the 300 SE – 500 SEL can only see one side.
In October 1991, the English version also updated. Compared to all previous versions especially the English version, now the vehicle is RHD, the steering wheel is moved to the right side of the dashboard. The UK is 140‘s largest overseas market in Europe and it seems that its importance is having an impact on the English version of the cover art.
The Japanese version is treated as another independant series, with the slight difference that it is designed and printed locally by MBJC, rather than in Germany. The first Japanese version came out in October 1991 in two volumes, 300 SE – 500 SEL and 600 SEL, which shared the same cover. Note that although Japan is a RHD market, most of the 140s were delivered in LHD, so even though the UK had gotten RHD sketches at about the same time, Japan didn’t do so.
So far, all 3 main series have been listed, namely Europe, North America and Japan, which correspond to the three base versions of 140.
In May 1992, the German version was updated, it was called DE Ausgabe B, by this time the 140 had produced over 80,000 units. The difference in the new version is the upper part of the front windshield, the extra trapezoid means heat-insulating glass (SA code 590). This is still not standard on non-V12 European models. In a word the third optional equipment now added after headlight washing system (SA code 600) and sunroof (SA code 412/414).
It is worth mentioning that all other language versions of the European version are based on the German version, but depending on the importance of these markets, they will not necessarily be updated simultaneously with the German version. For example the first update of the Portuguese version did not arrive until October 1992, it was called PO Ausagbe B, this version is actually DE Ausagbe C, which means the Portuguese market omited one update. And in this new version, the cover sketch was forgotten to be updated, the original 1990 version reappeared.
China is the fourth largest 140 market after Japan, but it’s not an independent series. The Chinese version is printed by Mercedes-Benz China Co., Ltd. that also based on the European version. Although China is LHD market, the manual inherited the RHD sketch from newest English version on the cover. This is because Mercedes-Benz China Co., Ltd. is located in Hong Kong, this version is also used by users in Hong Kong, which is a RHD market.
The classic style sketch has undergone multiple detail revisions and can provide unique sketches for different markets. Despite errors in some less-important market versions, each improvement is overall accurate. It’s an interesting start, it’s clear that Mercedes wants to deliver the most thoughtful products in this period, although this usually goes unnoticed by owners.
New style
In model year 1994, all Mercedes owner’s manuals got a new style cover. It carries over the previous colors and layout, but modifies the sketch. This new sketch uses 45 degrees from front left to draw and contains more detail. The North American market was the first to get the new style sketch in April 1993 due to model year updates, which called USA-Ausagbe C. The North Amercian continues three volumes : S 320 – S 500, S 6OO and S 350 Turbodiesel, they share the same cover.
First, technically speaking, the new sketch has more artistic processing, including the use of shadows and reflections. The front bumper retains the ridgeline that adds dimension, but it’s broken at the left front corner, which suggests reflectors. There is also a white streak on the left side of the front windshield, which is also a reflection. As for the interior, the part behind the front windshield is drawed in dotted lines, while the side glasses reveal a clear interior. The tires, radiator grille and parts of the interior are drawed black.
In terms of vehicle, there is no essential difference between MY1994 and MY1993, so they represent the same car from different angles. The new sketch retains the headlight washing system (SA code 600) and heat-insulating glass (SA code 590), and the 8-loch rims (SA code 652) now visible from the side, but the sunroof is removed. The pattern of the rear seats most likely suggests velour rather than leather.
The European version with such new sketch has not yet been spotted, but it is available in Japan. The sketch may have been launched exclusively for markets with MY1994. The sketch in Japan is the same as in North America, therefore we have an error here. In the pre-facelift period MY1992-MY1994, the Japan-version vehicles used the European license plate bracket on the front bumper instead of the smaller North American version. It was not until MY1995 that Japan began to use North American bracket on the front bumper. In addition, the fender turn signal (SA code 341) required by the Japanese market is not reflected in the sketch either.
If the classic version of sketch is more general because it is simpler, the newer version with more details create problems. The new sketch has a long-wheelbase body, but the S 350 Turbodiesel is only offered with a shorter standard wheelbase. The V12 loses the standard sunroof and doesn’t even get a V12 badge on the C-pillar. The velour seats that have to be ordered specially in North America market make this sketch more inclined to Japan, but it doesn’t have the right license plate bracket in Japan market. Overall, this sketch tries to satisfy two different markets with a single version.
In November 1993, the European version finally got the new style sketch, this time it came with the facelift. Interestingly, the facelift sketch is modified from the MY1994 sketch for the North American and Japanese markets. The lower body has been updated, including new front and rear bumpers and side panels, the front bumper gets the European license plate bracket. An unmodified error detail indicates that it is a partial modification of MY1994 sketch. The headlight is still in the pre-facelift style, which is exactly the same as the MY1994, but the facelift has replaced a new lens and the sketch has enough details to distinguish. The tail lights have not been modified either, the pre-facelift tail lights have three grooves, while the facelifted version is almost flat, the sketch can still see the pre-facelift tail light features. It’s a pity to have to say.
This facelift sketch is used in all markets. Now, the English version no longer provides the RHD sketch, and there is no difference between different trim levels, espicially when the V12 has different radiator grille. The only modifiable place is the license plate bracket. This sketch is also applied to MY1996 without any updates, although the shape of the mirror housing has changed in MY1995. Perhaps we can conclude that Mercedes has started to spend less on the owner’s manual.
The addition of Pullman breathes life into this backwater. The Pullman launched in October 1995 was only a special order, but when the user has enough dignity, Mercedes will make a special sketch. The car in sketch clearly identifies this as the first Pullman, with its extended window pillar near the rear doors, and all subsequent Pullmans near the front doors. The original version of this manual is in Russian because the first Pullman was delivered to the President of Russia.
Although it’s rendered in a similar way to the existing sedan, it’s not a simple improvement, the sketch’s perspective has changed. In addition to the extension part, CTS wheels and corresponding special wheel arches were also added. The updated-mirror that ignored by 1996 sedan sketch is also made up, which could be tell by the groove. However, the sketch retains the general details of the sedan, such as the incorrect lights and grille. Also, Sonderschutz never got the lower trims of the facelift, but here it inherits the lower trims of the facelift sedan.
In April 1996, the cover sketch was remade again, this time for MY1997. Although the appearance of MY1996 is not significantly different from MY1997, the new sketch is made with a new perspective and new rendering method.
The new style is simpler than the previous one. On the inteiror, only the contours around the front windshield have been limited performed, most details are omitted. On the outside, the shading of the wheel arches is no longer filled by black, but creates a shadow for the entire body. Little has changed in the way the bodywork is handled, with the reflectors now only showing up on the grille. The shape of the rim is blurred and it looks like it has 8 holes, but 8-loch is no longer available since MY1997. In any case, it is not similar to the newly introduced 6-loch. Thankfully, the mirrors have been revised and now grooves have been added.
There is nothing special about this sketch, as MY1997 itself has limited improvements. Unfortunately, even though the sketch is a new, it still retains several errors from the previous sketch. This time it receives a new grille, the V12 style, with the pre-facelift headlight still around. The absence of the license plate frame makes this sketch very versatile, it is applied all over the world. In the North American market, it was applied to MY1999 without any changes.
In Europe, MY1998 got a brand new manual in March 1997. It not only has a new sketch, but also a new typography style. A blue car is placed into a smaller frame, which appears to have been drawn by hand and rendered by a computer.
The new sketch finally reflects all the details correctly, including many places that were missing before. The 15-loch is used as the cover wheels, and the grille is correct. The turn signals on the fenders indicate it’s a MY1998, which came standard on the European version. This sketch is only used for the European version, Japan and the United States continue to use the previous version until end of the sale.
In the first sketch of the new style, we can find errors and generality problems, some of the incorrect details may be caused by the early prototype vehicle, because the design of the facelift has been frozen in late 1992. Some of these errors were fixed in the second sketch, and some were still kept in the final version. Overall, the new styling options are minimal and there are few minor revisions. Perhaps we can conclude that since 1993 Mercedes has also cut expense on owner manuals.
The cover sketch is just one page of the manual, and there are many subtle changes in the rest 140+ pages from 1990 to 1999. It can be seen that observing these details and making judgments will not only help to increase knowledge of the vehicle itself, but also help us understand the changes in Mercedes’ operations.
All history are based on limited information, please email me if you have doubts about the veracity of this article. If you want to quote the content of this article, please contact me in advance, please do not use my text for any commercial purposes.