One night in September 2019, my newly acquired not-start 1999 CL 600 was pushed off the trailer by the black pal truck driver.
“Hey boss, you got bulletproof glass, it’s limited edition, are you gonna bring it back to Philippines?”
“Thank you, I am not from Philippines. That glass isn’t bulletproof, and it’s not limited edition”
Describing the 1999 CL 600 as unlimited edition must have been a stretch for some internet community who firmly believe it is 1 of 19. It is certainly not 1 of 19, and it is definitely not limited, even if it is in fact a unicorn. Limited editions are a somewhat cheesy term, they are used to describe a product that is not easily available, usually accompanied by a limited production number. The attributes and quantities of these items can incentivize marketing. Following the above definition, we can find three 140 models that fit this category.
Since the mid-1990s, Mercedes-Benz has launched a dazzling array of special editions. Some are very famous, some are very low-key, and the same is true for 140. In fact, there are not many special editions of the S-Class, and they are obviously regional: from different markets, they may never meet each other. These cars all have an official production number, so we call them limited editions——a designation just to put these cars in the same category.
Note that in the absence of Mercedes headquarters, limited edition descriptions tend to be very vague. For example, Mercedes has never announced that a certain model of the 140 is limited edition, but in local sales training materials and sales staff conversations, they may use limited edition to describe some more special models. For example, in the North American market, some salesman could say that the V12 is limited edition. This is a marketing technique, as technically all cars are produced in limited numbers, either 1 or 1 million. If you heard in a Mercedes showroom in 1991 that the V12 had very limited production numbers, the person who said that was completely unable to give a relatively accurate number, or even say whether it was closer to 200 or 1,000. These very obscure limited editions are not included in this survey.
1. 1997 Exklusiv (PO2)
Before 1997, there were no series-produced special editions of the S-Class, the Exklusiv being the first. Here is a description from mb-w140.de:
Ein auf 50 Exemplare limitiertes Exklusiv Modell der S-Klasse Limousine wird auf dem 67. Genfer Automobilsalon im März 1997 vorgestellt. Es ist als S 500 (kurzer Radstand) lieferbar und weist folgende Besonderheiten auf: Sonderlackierung in einem eleganten Schwarz-Rot Ton (schwaz-rot-met. Code 484), hochglanzlackierte Anbauteile, hochglanzpolierte Alu-Lufteinlassstäbe auf der Motorhaube, hochglanzpolierte 18-Zoll Leichtmetallräder im 5-Loch-Design und Kühlergrillmaske des S 600. Auch der Innenraum ist deutlich aufgewertet: Einstiegsleisten aus poliertem Edelstahl, Leder Nappa Exklusiv in schwarz/schwarz-dunkelrot, ein farblich abgestimmtes Kombiinstrument mit Zierringen in hämatit und weißen Zeigern, mittelbraunes Wurzelnussholz (einschließlich Telefongehäuse), Einlegeteppiche mit farblich abgestimmter Umrandung und eine Telefonarmlehne mit Ziernaht. Die Exklusivausführung beinhaltet diverse Sonderausstattungen: Aktivkohlefilter, APS, Armlehne im Fond mit Fach, Ascher mit Zigarrenanzünder, Autotelefon, zusätzliche Blinkleuchten, CD-Wechsler, Einbruch- und Diebstahlwarnanlage, ESP, Fondlehnenverstellung und Kopfstützen elektrisch, abblendbarer Innenspiegel, Holz/Lederlenkrad, elektrische Lenksäule, Multikonturlehnen vorn, Parktronic, Heckrollo, Schiebedach in Glasausführung, Servoschließung, Sitzheizung vorn und hinten, Bose Soundsystem, Sprachbediensystem Linguatronic, Vordersitze elektrisch mit Memory, Wählhebel in Holz/Leder Kombination und Xenonscheinwerfer. Der Preis beträgt 189.750 DM inkl. MwSt., die Auslieferung erfolgt bis Ende April '97 an ausgewählte Betriebe.
The above is a press release from Genf 1997. In addition to the specifics of the model, it also includes the quantity, time and price: 50 units, April 1997, 189.750 DM. We will investigate later whether these numbers are realistic. The following is a production order taken from one of the 50 units. In theory, they are 50 identical cars, so this production order describes in detail the specifications of all 50 units.
%ZU992 LACKIERUNG S-KLASSE
%CODE Z98
SONDERLACKIERUNG METALLIC
SCHWARZ-ROT METALLIC MB 484
LIEFERANT: BASF FARB. NR. FQ 954401
SONDERLACKIERUNG - ANBAUTEILE IN WAGENFARBE
SCHWARZ-ROT MELALLIC MB 484
DIE LACKIERUNG DES FAHRZEUGES ERFOLGT IN ABT.
OFD DECKLACKIERUNG BAU 44
MO/MANU BEACHTEN (FA. WEISS)
STOSSFÄNGER VORN U. HINTEN, SEITENVERKLEI-
DUNGEN, SPIEGEL, LÄNGSTRÄGER LI. U. RE.,
KENNZEICHENBLENDE U. GEHÄUSE KENNZEICHENLEUCHTE
IN WAGENFARBE LACKIERT.
BEI CODE 351 (APS) ABDECKUNG GPS IN WAGENFARBE
LACKIERT.
MO/MANU SONDERWUNSCH KOORDINIERT UND LIEFERT
DIE TEILE AM BAND AN.
AUSSTATTUNG NACH CODE 511 LEDER EXCLUSIV
SCHWARZ
JEDOCH ABWEICHEND DAVON:
SEITENBACKEN DER SITZANLAGE IN LEDER NAPPA
SCHWARZ
SITZMITTELFELDER UND KOPFSTÜTZENMITTELFELDER
IN SONDERLEDER WEINROT MIT KUPPENDRUCK
POMPARDOURTASCHEN IN SONDERLEDER WEINROT
MIT KUPPENDRUCK
FONDARMLEHNE MIT FACH IN SERIENLEDER NAPPA
SCHWARZ.
EINLEGESCHLAUFE IN SONDERLEDER WEINROT
MIT KUPPENDRUCK.
LIEFERANT: FA. ELDRA
TELEFONARMLEHNE VORN CODE 326 IN DESIGNO-LEDER
SCHWARZ MIT ZIERFADEN IN DESIGNO-LILA !!!!!
LIEFERANT: ATK
TÜRMITTELFELDER IN SONDERLEDER WEINROT
MIT KUPPENDRUCK.
ALLE ZIERFÄDEN IN DESIGNO-LILA
(TÜRBELAG BESCHAFFT KOMPLETT JIT/LMS)
LEDERLIEFERANT: FA. BADER
ALLE HOLZZIERTEILE IN WURZELNUSS HELL
%CODE 284 WÄHLHEBEL IN LEDER SCHWARZ/ WURZELNUSS HELL
%CODE 289 LENKRAD IN LEDER SCHWARZ/WURZELNUSS HELL
SCHALTKULISSENABDECKUNG IN HOLZAUSFÜHRUNG
(WIE V 12 ) WURZELNUSS HELL
TELEFONHÖRER IN HOLZAUSFÜHRUNG WURZELNUSS HELL
ASCHENBECHER FONDTÜREN IN HOLZAUSFÜHRUNG
WURZELNUSS HELL
LIEFERANT: HIB
KOMBIINSTRUMENT:
OPTISCH GEÄNDERTES KOMBIINSTRUMENT
LIEFERANT: VDO SACH-NR. A 140 440 5311
KÜHLERGRILL WIE V 12 AUSFÜHRUNG
GITTER AKTIVKOHLEFILTER MIT ELOXIERTEN LAMELLEN
LIEFERANT: FA. SCHADE SACH-NR. A 140 830 0613
SONDERRÄDER 5-LOCH FELGE 18" HOCHGLANZPOLIERT
FELGENLIEFERANT: FA. RONAL
KOMPLETTRAD VON FA. CONTINENTAL
KOMPLETTRAD SACH-NR. A 140 400 3600
FELGEN-SACH.NR. A 140 401 1302
EINLEGETEPPICHE: VELOURS SCHWARZ MIT
DESIGNO-LILA FADEN EINGEBÖRDELT.
LIEFERANT: ATK
These cars are truly special, offering many special interior parts that you can’t get on a regular 140. Models like this full of special equipment can be produced in series since the designo department started operating in 1995. But even if a customer finds designo, they can’t customize such a complex car.
There is no doubt that the Exklusiv is a special model, it has SA code P02. So the production figures and models are more interesting. At Genf 1997, Mercedes published the above information, that is, a total of 50 cars were produced based on the standard wheelbase S 500 (140.050). These descriptions were correct at the time, because other models and subsequent production had not yet taken place. However, other models and larger numbers were indeed produced later.
As early as August 1996, the first Exklusiv sample was produced, and this car was not included in the 50. As a sample car, it has some differences from the later production models. The following is its production order:
ZU 991:
NACHTRAG 1 !!!!!
BEARBEITER: H.EBERWEIN LPR TEL. 86849
H.HOCKER MANU TEL. 90326
W 140 E 50 MIT SONDERLACKIERUNG UND SONDERAUS-
STATTUNG
DAS FHZ IST IM HAUPTBETRIEB IN ZUSAMMENARBEIT
MIT DER MANUFAKTUR AUFZUBAUEN.
VOR ROHBAU SOWIE VOR INNENEINBAU/MONTAGE BLEIBT
DIE KAROSSERIE GESTOPPT !
DIE FREIGABE ERFOLGT DURCH LPR !
FOLGENDE ÄNDERUNGEN SIND ZU BERÜCKSICHTIGEN:
--------------------------------------------
LACKIERUNG S-KLASSE
05737002 SONDERLACKIERUNG METALLIC
SCHWARZ-ROT METALLIC BASF FQ 954401
05737005 SONDERLACKIERUNG - ANBAUTEILE IN WAGENFARBE
HOCHGLÄNZEND
SCHWARZ-ROT METALLIC BASF FQ 954401
DIE LACKIERUNG DES FAHRZEUGES UND ALLER GRUN-
DIERTEN ODER GEPRIMERTEN ANBAUTEILE ERFOLGT
IN ABT. 0LM.
M0-MANU SONDERWUNSCH KOORDINIERT DIE UMFÄNGE
U. LIEFERT DIE TEILE AM BAND AN.
LVS BEACHTEN:
STOSSFÄNGER VORNE U. HINTEN, SEITENVERKLEI-
DUNGEN, SPIEGEL U. LÄNGSTRÄGER LI. U. RE.
IN GEPRIMERTER AUSFÜHRUNG BESCHAFFEN.
CHROM- U. BEFESTIGUNGSTEILE SEPARAT BESTELLEN
U. LAGER 476 ANLIEFERN
(ANSPRECHPARTNER H. BAUMGARTL, TEL. 3004).
LDM BEACHTEN:
KENNZEICHENBLENDE U. GEHÄUSE KENNZEICHENLEUCHTE
BESCHAFFEN (ANSPRECHP. H. ENDERS, TEL. 83113).
BEI CODE 306 ODER BAUM. 056/057/063/070/RL/076
GITTER AKTIVKOHLEFILTER IN GEPRIMERTER AUS-
FÜHRUNG BESCHAFFEN.
BEI CODE 351 (APS) ABDECKUNG GPS GEPRIMERT
BESCHAFFEN.
AUSSTATTUNG NACH CODE 511 NAPPA LEDER EXKLUSIV
SCHWARZ
JEDOCH ABWEICHEND DAVON:
SITZMITTELFELDER UND KOPFSTÜTZENMITTELFELDER
IN SONDERLEDER TIEF ROT (NICHT PERFORIERT)
ZIERFADEN IN DESIGNO LILA BEI ALLEN TEILEN MIT
ZIERNAHT !!!!
TÜRBELÄGE NACH CODE 511 MIT ZIERFADEN IN
DESIGNO LILA
TÜRMITTELFELDER IN SONDERLEDER TIEF ROT
(FERTIGUNG DURCH ATT) WERDEN NACHTRÄGLICH UM-
GERÜSTET.
POMPARDOURTASCHEN IN SONDERLEDER TIEF ROT
FONDARMLEHNE MIT FACH
(EINLEGESCHLAUFE IN SONDERLEDER TIEF ROT)
HOLZAUSFÜHRUNG:
001817 HOLZT. WURZELNUSS,HONIGFARBEN, MARKANT GEMASERT
%CODE 284 WÄHLHEBEL IN LEDER/HOLZ KOMBINATION,
%CODE 289 LENKRAD IN LEDER/HOLZ KOMBINATION
SCHALTKULISSENABDECKUNG WIE V12 IN HOLZ
ASCHENBECHER FONDTÜREN IN WUZELNUßAUSFÜHRUNG
SONNENBLENDE UND HALTEGRIFFE DACHRAHMEN
IN AMARETTA GRAU
(TEILE IN AMARETTA DUNKELGRAU BITTE IN DAS
FAHRZEUG LEGEN , ANSPRECHPARTNER MO/MANU)
KÜHLERGRILL
WIE V12 AUSFÜHRUNG
EINLEGETEPPICHE: SCHWARZ MIT SONDERLEDER
EINGEFAßT
ANSPRECHPARTNER: DE/DA H.HEJTMANEK
TERMINE
FERTIGSTELLUNG DES FHZ. BIS SPÄTESTENS 12.7.96
FÜR ALLE UMFÄNGE DIE OBEN BESCHRIEBEN SIND WIRD
KEINE NACHARBEIT BEI BEANSTANDUNGEN AUSGEFÜHRT
DAS FAHRZEUG WIRD MIT KLEINEM STEMPEL BZW.
VERSUCHSSCHLUßABNAHME FERTIGGESTELLT.
NACH FERTIGSTELLUNG WIRD DAS FZG ÜBER DIE
WAGENAUSLIEFERUNG AN DEN VERTRIEB ÜBERSTELLT.
ZUS.VERTEILER:
HERREN BECKER LPE B253
BERNHARD, DR MOS E270
BOLLMANN DE/DP1 A101
HEJTMANEK DE/DA G282
IHLEIN OFD E403
KEICHER MOSP E152
MÜLLER MANU E276
MANGOLD VP/P3 O617
PFEFFER OFA E200
DR.REISS OFG E402
SCHÄFER OLM E203
DR.STEEGMÜLLER OGM E201
Fortunately, this sample car was not destroyed, it survived and was found in Russia:
This is the car in the press photo. The sample car has several differences from the production model, the most obvious being the lack of fender turn signals, which were fitted to the production model (but oddly, this sample car that survived in Russia had fender turn signals). Also missing is the Linguatronic, which was introduced in March 1997. As a sample car, it does not have the SA code P02, but it should certainly be considered an Exklusiv. Thanks to this car, at least 51 S 500 Exklusivs have now been produced.
This sample car was a hidden car until March 1997. Subsequently, 50 were produced in April and May for the German home market Exklusiv, but there were more. In May-June 1997, 10 140.050s and 12 140.051s were produced for the Swiss market. In Germany, only the standard wheelbase S 500 was offered as Exklusiv, in Switzerland the long wheelbase version was added and was more popular than the standard wheelbase. These cars of course also had the SA code P02, so they were indeed Exklusiv, so there were already an extra 22 cars on top of the announced 50.
Still not the end. Since May 1997, Exklusiv also started delivering to Middle Eastern customers, named “Exclusive-LTD” . 23 of 140.051s and 5 of 140.057s were delivered to 28 customers in Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai. Yes, the V12 eventually joined the Exklusiv camp, too, only 5 were produced. Below is a Middle East 140.051 (judged by without seat heater) spotted in Japan.
If SA code P02 is used as the Exklusiv marker, then the three models (140.050, 140.051, 140.057) add up to exactly 100, twice the sales volume in Germany. If the sample car is included, the total is 101. 140.051 and 140.057 are particularly special in this series due to the lack of official introduction from Mercedes-Benz.
2. 1999 Grand Edition (909)
In February 1998, Mercedes-Benz North America announced the 1999 S 500 Grand Edition, with 600 units being produced. The press description are:
"Grand Edition" Added Package
The "Grand Edition" pays tribute to the Mercedes-Benz Series 140 S-Class -- the flagship sedan of the Mercedes-Benz model lineup since the 1992 model year. A special group of features, including some not previously avaiable on the S-Class, form this unique package for a limited number of 1999 S 500.
All 1999 S 500 "Grand Edition" models include:
Exterior
Obsidian Black Metallic Exterior Paint
Mercedes-Benz' blackest black was chosen to enhance the distinctiveness of the "Grand Edition."
AMG Monoblock 8.5" x 18" Wheels
An inch wider and two inches larger in diameter than the S 500's standard 7.5" x 16" wheels, these special AMG units add to the "Grand Edition's" bold apperance.
255 /45 ZR tires
Compared to the S 500's standard 235/60 ZR 16 all-season tires, these low profile performance tires add to the "Grand Edition's" aggressiveness and improved handling.
The SA code for the Grand Edition is 909. For all US cars, MY1998 and MY1999 are exactly the same, except for the S 500 Grand Edition, which is defined as MY1999. Unlike the Exklusiv, from February 1998 to May 1998, the Grand Edition was indeed produced in 600 units, including 5 sample cars, which were subsequently sold. Only the sample cars had production orders, which shows the difference between them and the regular S 500:
%ZU 992
%ZU 909 VORAUSFAHRZEUG ZUR SONDERSERIE "GRAND EDITION"
AUSSTATTUNG NACH CODE 235
ABWEICHEND DAVON
%AT KOMPLETTE SITZANLAGE EINSCHLIEßLICH
KOPFSTÜTZEN UND BELEDERUNG DER SITZVERKLEIDUNGS
TEILE EINFARBIG IN DESIGNO-LEDER CHAMPIGNON
ZIERNAHT DER SITZANLAGE IN STEINMITTEL 8F86
%AT FONDARMLEHNE MIT FACH IN
DESIGNO-LEDER CHAMPIGNON
%LMS TÜRMITTELFELDER IN DESIGNO-LEDER CHAMPIGNON
(TÜRBELAG BESCHAFFT JIT/LMS)
%HIB ZIERTEILE IN DESIGNO ARTLINE SCHWARZ
INCL.
HOLZ-LEDERLENKRAD UND HOLZ-LEDERWÄHLHEBEL
%MANU BELEUCHTETE EINSTIEGSLEISTEN 4 FACH
RÄDER NACH CODE 799
ANSPRECHPARTNER:
HERREN HOCKER, 90326 T
MARTINI, 90109 B-SCHICHT
CALMBACH, 90109 A-SCHICHT
Nappa Excluive seats in SA code 235, previously available only on the coupe in the US market, are now exclusive to the Grand Edition. The SA code 799 AMG 1-piece wheel is also available only on the Grand Edition. The interior trim, consisting of SA code 732 Birdseye Maple, including the steering wheel and gear lever, illuminated pedals and “Grand Edition” floor mats, are integrated as SA code 909. In the end, there were no production orders for the 595 production Grand Editions, which were built in Sindelfingen as regular models. All special equipment can be identified by the SA code:
227 ASHTRAY AND CIGAR LIGHTER IN THE REAR, ILLUMINATED
241 LEFT FRONT SEAT ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY FEATURE
242 RIGHT FRONT SEAT ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY FEATURE
249 AUTOMATICALLY DIPPING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
251 RADIO MB-EXQUISIT - USA
302 FOLDING ARMREST IN THE REAR WITH STORAGE TRAY
306 ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FILTER (ODOR FILTER)
414 ELECTRIC TILTING/SLIDING ROOF IN GLASS VERSION
441 STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILEAGE READING READING AND ENGLISH LETTERING
480 SELF-LEVELLING SUSPENSION
494 CALIFORNIA VERSION
501 OUTSIDE MIRRORS LE/RI WITH MEMORY
524 PAINTCOAT PRESERVATION
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
551 ANTI-THEFT WARNING SYSTEM
600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER
634 ELIMINATION OF FIRST AID BOX
636 ELIMINATION OF WARNING TRIANGLE
668 662 + 666
799 AMG CPL. WHEELS, 4 PCS. 8.5 X 18 ET47 255/45, 1-PIECE
809 MODEL YEAR 1999
810 SOUND PACKAGE (BOSE)
872 ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER FOR REAR SEAT BENCH, LEFT AND RIGHT
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
883 CLOSED AID FOR DOORS AND TRUNK LID
909 SPECIAL EDITION V140 "GRAND EDITION" - USA
In the sample car production order, the seat leather color was emphasized as 8F86, which was the color of the MY1998-MY1999 dashboard, which was darker than the regular 235. But the production car used the regular 8H10. We once worked on a Grand Edition, and the interior of that car was completely disassembled. The only special part of the whole car was the designo label stapled to the seat covers.
600 is a pretty big number compared to 100 or 101 Exklusivs. So it probably shouldn’t be described as a rare car, meaning there were 600 identical cars. In fact, the S 500 Grand Edtion was the most produced model in MY1999, with 3085 1999 S 500s sold, including Canada, so almost every fifth S 500 was a Grand Edtion. And the Grand Edition didn’t get the special paint and equipment that the Exlusiv did. This is perhaps ironic, since the US is the largest market for the S-Class, but the number of options is pathetic, so when MBNA makes 600 copies of a car with whatever equipment European owners can choose, it will still be considered a rare item by American owners.
3. 1998 Limited
In July 1998, MBJ launched the special edition “Limited” in the Japanese market before it was discontinued. The following is the press description:
メルセデスベンツ日本株式会社は特別仕様車「Sクラスリミテッド」を7月1日より200台限定で発売した。ラインナップは「S320リミテッド」（840.0万円）「S500リミテッド」（1190.0万円）「S500Lリミテッド」（1280.0万円）だ。内容的にはどのモデルもベース車に対して装備を充実させたもので、「S320リミテッド」は前席シートヒーター、ブラックレザー内装、ポップアップ式ガラススライディングルーフ、本革/ウォールナットのステアリングホイールとシフトノブ、イルミネイテッドステップカバーが備わる。「S500リミテッド」および「S500Lリミテッド」には、ブラックナッパレザー内装、パークトロニックシステム、本革/ウォールナットのステアリングホイールとシフトノブ、イルミネイテッドステップカバーが備わる。車体色は3モデルともにブリリアントシルバーとエメラルドブラックが用意される。価格はそれぞれベース車両の10万円高で抑えられているという。
Features additional equipment compared to regular models. The “S 320 Limited” equipped with heated front seats, black leather interior, pop-up glass sliding roof, genuine leather/walnut steering wheel and shift knob, and illuminated step covers. The “S 500 Limited” and “S 500L Limited” are equipped with black nappa leather interior (SA code 231), Parktronic system (SA code 220), genuine leather/walnut steering wheel and shift knob (SA code 289 and 284), and illuminated step covers. All three models are available in 744 Brilliant Silver and 189 Emerald Black.
Therefore, compared with the Exklusiv and Grand Edition, the Limited has very limited changes, and does not even require the construction of any sample cars. A typical “S 320 Limited” data card is like:
227 ASHTRAY AND CIGAR LIGHTER IN THE REAR, ILLUMINATED
241 LEFT FRONT SEAT ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY FEATURE
242 RIGHT FRONT SEAT ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY FEATURE
249 AUTOMATICALLY DIPPING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
284 SHIFT LEVER IN WOOD/LEATHER COMBINATION
289 WOOD-/LEATHER STEERING WHEEL (ﾘ 390MM) AND LEATHER GEARSHIFT
306 ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FILTER (ODOR FILTER)
350 COMMUNICATION UND NAVIGATION-SYSTEM (CNS)
414 ELECTRIC TILTING/SLIDING ROOF IN GLASS VERSION
441 STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
498 JAPAN VERSION
501 OUTSIDE MIRRORS LE/RI WITH MEMORY
524 PAINTCOAT PRESERVATION
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
613 LAMP UNIT, ASYMMETRICAL, L.H. TRAFFIC
649 LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS 6-HOLES
668 662 + 666
731 WOOD TRIM, BURRED WALNUT ROOT
761 RADIO REMOTE CONTROL REDUCED RANGE WITHOUT PANIC BUTTON
808 MODEL YEAR 1998
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
987 BATTERY CUT-OFF SWITCH FOR VEHICLES TO BE SHIPPED
A typical “S 500 Limited” or “S 500L Limited” is like:
220 PARKING AID
223 REAR SEAT BENCH ELECTRIC ADJUSTMENT
227 ASHTRAY AND CIGAR LIGHTER IN THE REAR, ILLUMINATED
241 LEFT FRONT SEAT ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY FEATURE
242 RIGHT FRONT SEAT ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY FEATURE
249 AUTOMATICALLY DIPPING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
284 SHIFT LEVER IN WOOD/LEATHER COMBINATION
289 WOOD-/LEATHER STEERING WHEEL (ﾘ 390MM) AND LEATHER GEARSHIFT
302 FOLDING ARMREST IN THE REAR WITH STORAGE TRAY
306 ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FILTER (ODOR FILTER)
350 COMMUNICATION UND NAVIGATION-SYSTEM (CNS)
414 ELECTRIC TILTING/SLIDING ROOF IN GLASS VERSION
441 STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
480 SELF-LEVELLING SUSPENSION
498 JAPAN VERSION
501 OUTSIDE MIRRORS LE/RI WITH MEMORY
524 PAINTCOAT PRESERVATION
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
582 AIR CONDITIONER IN THE REAR - MODEL W/V140
600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER
613 LAMP UNIT, ASYMMETRICAL, L.H. TRAFFIC
649 LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS 6-HOLES
668 662 + 666
731 WOOD TRIM, BURRED WALNUT ROOT
761 RADIO REMOTE CONTROL REDUCED RANGE WITHOUT PANIC BUTTON
808 MODEL YEAR 1998
810 SOUND PACKAGE (BOSE)
872 ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER FOR REAR SEAT BENCH, LEFT AND RIGHT
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
987 BATTERY CUT-OFF SWITCH FOR VEHICLES TO BE SHIPPED
Despite the announcement that only 200 were produced nationwide, far fewer cars were actually built. Production began in April 1998 and ended in July 1998 with 117 “S 320 Limited” cars produced, 46 in Emerald Black and 71 in Brilliant Silver. 13 “S 500 Limited” cars, 5 in Emerald Black and 8 in Brilliant Silver. 56 “S 500L Limited” cars, 24 in Emerald Black and 32 in Brilliant Silver. A total of 186 “Limited” cars were produced, 14 fewer than announced.
However, the availability of both right-hand and left-hand drive may mean that the Limited must be ordered by customers, making it more of a premium than the Grand Edition. The Grand Edition is built in batches of 600 cars and then allocated to dealers, and the Limited has not even reached the expected numbers – there are not so many orders from actual users.
Although fewer were made than the Grand Edition, and not even that many more than the Exklusiv, the “Limited” distinction made them easily lost among regular Japanese cars. It’s probably harder to find a “Limited” today than either the Exklusiv or the Grand Edtion.
All investigations 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.