1998 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedans

Technical Data
S320 S420 S500 S600
Vehicle Type

Five-passenger, premium-luxury sedan
Engine Inline six V8 V8 V12
Engine material Cast-iron block with aluminum head

Hyper-eutectic aluminum block, alloy heads
Valvetrain

Double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder,

electronically controlled variable intake valve timing
Displacement (cu. in./cc) 195/3,199 256/4,196 303/4,973 365/5,987
Bore (in./mm) 3.54/89.9 3.62/92.0 3.80/96.5 3.50/89.0
Stroke (in./mm) 3.30/84.0 3.11/78.9 3.35/85.0

3.16/80.2
Compression ratio 10.0:1 11.0:1 11.0:1 10.0:1
Horsepower/rpm 228/5,600 275/5,700 315/5,600 389/5,200
Torque/rpm 232/3,750 295/3,900 347/3,900 420/3,800
Engine management/ ignition/fuel injection

Integrated electronic fuel injection and distributorless ignition (one coil per

cylinder pair), knock sensor ME 2.1 for S320; ME 1.0 for others)
Max. engine speed (rpm) 6,400 6,000
Transmission

Five-speed electronically controlled automatic with driver-adaptive shift logic and lock-up torque converter that engages in third, fourth and fifth gears

Gear ratios

1

2

3

4

5

R

R2 ("winter" mode)

3.59

2.19

1.41

1.00

.083

3.16

1.95
Final Drive 3.45 2.82 2.65 2.65
Traction control

ASR standard for all models; uses both ABS brake and throttle

intervention to control wheelspin on slippery surfaces
Suspension

4-wheel independent; ADS adaptive damping standard on S600, optional on S500
Front

Upper and lower control arms ("double wishbone"), coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, anti-dive geometry and positive steering offset
Rear

5-link design, coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers, stabilizer bar,

automatic level control, anti-squat and anti-lift geometry
Steering

Recirculating ball, power-assisted (speed-sensitive)
Ratio

14.0:1
Turns, lock-to-lock

3.2
Turning circle diameter

41.0 ft. (39.9 for std.-wheelbase S320)