Mercedes-Benz S-Class 1979–1981 car dimensions: 5135 mm long, 1820 mm wide and 1440 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,655 kg. Braked towing is 1,500 kg.
The long-wheelbase cabin gives generous rear legroom and high comfort. Velour seats, electric windows all round and central locking come standard. Air conditioning and cruise control are standard. ABS is standard for confident braking. No cameras, sensors or electronic driver aids of later eras appear.
Boot volume is 505 litres with the rear seats in place. The space suits luggage for long journeys.
Braked towing capacity reaches 1500 kg and unbraked 750 kg. Payload stands at 520 kg. Optional hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension aids stability when loaded.
The cabin offers a quiet, spacious feel with strong sound and heat insulation between engine and interior. Velour upholstery comes standard on the 500 SEL, with multi-way power front seats available and a power-adjustable rear bench on the long-wheelbase model. Automatic climate control with temperature hold is optional and also warms the front door panels. A sliding sunroof is available. The overall impression is of solid luxury for long journeys, with thoughtful details like courtesy lights under the doors and rear reading lamps.
Fuel tank capacity 90 litres above the rear axle.
Official fuel use 11.3 / 13.5 / 21.2 l/100 km at 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban.
ABS optional. dual-circuit disc brakes with vacuum booster standard.
Driver airbag optional from 1981 with passenger belt pretensioner.
Crumple zones and high-strength steel in the body structure.
The 5.0-litre V8 returns official figures of 11.3 litres at a steady 90 km/h, 13.5 litres at 120 km/h and 21.2 litres in the urban cycle. A 90-litre tank sits above the rear axle. Later 1981 updates cut those numbers through engine and gearing changes.
Service work follows the factory schedule of care services and full maintenance visits. The light-alloy V8 and four-speed automatic are known for long life when fluids and the timing chain are kept current. Parts remain available and many systems are straightforward to maintain.
Safety rests on a rigid passenger cell with front and rear crumple zones plus high-strength low-alloy steel. Dual-circuit brakes with discs all round and a vacuum booster are standard. ABS is an option. From 1981 a driver airbag paired with a passenger belt pretensioner could be ordered. Seat-belt presenters and door-overlap design aid access after an impact.
Living with the car means enjoying a refined long-distance tourer that still feels solid decades later. Regular oil and filter changes, attention to the hydraulic suspension if fitted, and rust checks in the usual places keep it reliable. The generous standard equipment on the 500 SEL and the wide options list make daily use comfortable.
Length 5135 mm, Width 1820 mm, Height 1440 mm, Wheelbase 3070 mm (S-Class 1979–1981)
Sources: manufacturer data, Mercedes-Benz Classic data sheet, Mercedes-Benz 380 SEC/500 SEC brochure, Germany, December 1984: S-Class sedan luggage volume 0.505 m³, Manufacturer type data lists 5 seats.