Im a pretty savvy MB guy but - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

FarmerDrew · #1 12-21-2004, 08:19 PM

could some one please explain this to me: I have a '85 300 Turbo. I was looking at a wrecked MB that was a '79 116 according to the tag on door frame. It didnt have anything denoting model on trunk lid as it had taken a sizeable lick. The engine looks exactly like mine except for one thing, its layed out different and by different I mean better. The battery sits up front not back next to the windshield and there are no vacuum lines running over the top of the oil filter. It also has washer fluid bucket next to coolant tank. The other thing I liked about this car is that it had 2 levers on either side of the grill for opening hood instead of plastic pull tab that Im sure will break one of these days. So what exactly is this model because I want one now.

boneheaddoctor · #2 12-21-2004, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerDrew

could some one please explain this to me: I have a '85 300 Turbo. I was looking at a wrecked MB that was a '79 116 according to the tag on door frame. It didnt have anything denoting model on trunk lid as it had taken a sizeable lick. The engine looks exactly like mine except for one thing, its layed out different and by different I mean better. The battery sits up front not back next to the windshield and there are no vacuum lines running over the top of the oil filter. It also has washer fluid bucket next to coolant tank. The other thing I liked about this car is that it had 2 levers on either side of the grill for opening hood instead of plastic pull tab that Im sure will break one of these days. So what exactly is this model because I want one now.

W116 Chassis 300SD, also known as the widebody....thats exactly what I own.

FarmerDrew · #3 12-21-2004, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

W116 Chassis 300SD, also known as the widebody....thats exactly what I own.

Thanks, thats what I finally deduced from looking at the parts sites as it was the only 300 that wasnt a 123 and had 617 in it.. So is the 116 a better vehicle and would the seats fit in a 123?

#4 12-21-2004, 08:38 PM

Not sure if I would say the battery out front is a "better location"...I guess it depends on your viewpoint.

Either you want it out front to service it, change it, disconnect it, etc. easily or you want it in back where it is protected from damage in an auto accident, stays warmer in cold climates, or is an absolute bugger to get out of there :p

This applies to a lot of things...I guess I have a weird look on things since I have seen all too many cars folded around, into, or through poles, walls, and other cars.

Saw a Ford Taurus the other day that slide sideways into a ditch..both wheels snapped off on the forward side of the slide and the engine compartment bit it hard agaist the ditch.
The battery was literally squeezed, from the bottom, right out of its home. The top posts were MUCH farther apart than they should have been

Luckily the lady's very young baby in the back seat was alright...she took a hit from the steering wheel or something...but not bad.

The VW has its battery under the passenger seat (not even the fire department knew this one) but we all know that was the eventual demise of many a good old VW as the battery ate the floor away

FarmerDrew · #5 12-21-2004, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon314159

Not sure if I would say the battery out front is a "better location"...I guess it depends on your viewpoint.

Either you want it out front to service it, change it, disconnect it, etc. easily or you want it in back where it is protected from damage in an auto accident, stays warmer in cold climates, or is an absolute bugger to get out of there :p

This applies to a lot of things...I guess I have a weird look on things since I have seen all too many cars folded around, into, or through poles, walls, and other cars.

Saw a Ford Taurus the other day that slide sideways into a ditch..both wheels snapped off on the forward side of the slide and the engine compartment bit it hard agaist the ditch.
The battery was literally squeezed, from the bottom, right out of its home. The top posts were MUCH farther apart than they should have been

Luckily the lady's very young baby in the back seat was alright...she took a hit from the steering wheel or something...but not bad.

The VW has its battery under the passenger seat (not even the fire department knew this one) but we all know that was the eventual demise of many a good old VW as the battery ate the floor away

It looked like a better location for removal. I had a old jeep with the battery up front and I slammed on the brakes and it fell over onto the upper radiator hose and pushed it into the fan.

On the MB I thought with it out front I might pull it out more often for cleaning or what not. Im sure Im not the only one to pinch their hand against the firewall during battery installation or removal.

boneheaddoctor · #6 12-21-2004, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerDrew

Thanks, thats what I finally deduced from looking at the parts sites as it was the only 300 that wasnt a 123 and had 617 in it.. So is the 116 a better vehicle and would the seats fit in a 123?

Its a better car in that it is better handling, faster,quieter and more comfortible than a 123, but its far more rust prone.

Will the seats fit? I can't answer that....they are more comfortible I understand.

boneheaddoctor · #7 12-21-2004, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon314159

Not sure if I would say the battery out front is a "better location"...I guess it depends on your viewpoint.

Either you want it out front to service it, change it, disconnect it, etc. easily or you want it in back where it is protected from damage in an auto accident, stays warmer in cold climates, or is an absolute bugger to get out of there :p

This applies to a lot of things...I guess I have a weird look on things since I have seen all too many cars folded around, into, or through poles, walls, and other cars.

well if you have to worry about the battery being protected in an accident...even up fron't the car is likely to be scrap if it gets damaged enough to crush it.

Sitting all night in the winter the firewall is no warmer than the front. Thats a non issue, but it won't eat holes into the passenger compartment either.

JimmyL · #8 12-21-2004, 10:25 PM

I thought I read somewhere that the oil filter was much harder to get to in a 116. Do I have my facts wrong? I don't much care for the headlights on the 116's, but I really like the rest of the car. Weird bumper situation, though. 2 sets????

#9 12-21-2004, 10:59 PM

A good seat is the big bumper of the w116

Is that euro or US?

psfred · #10 12-21-2004, 11:06 PM

Good W116 cars are getting hard to find, they suffer terribly from rust. Seats won't fit in a W123, the base is wrong, and the rear is wider than the W123 body.

The newer equivalent is the W126, expecially nice as the SDL with the OM603 in it.

Peter

Palangi · #11 12-21-2004, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I thought I read somewhere that the oil filter was much harder to get to in a 116. Do I have my facts wrong? I don't much care for the headlights on the 116's, but I really like the rest of the car. Weird bumper situation, though. 2 sets????

Jimmy, You're thinking of the 115 series where the oil filter is a bit of a challenge.

JimmyL · #12 12-22-2004, 12:09 AM

Aghhh, thanks for the clarification. There is one in Downtown Dallas that I see almost every day. Outside a resturant and it never is driven. Don't know how it hasn't been stolen or vandilized although it is missing driver window. Crazy bumpers....

**edit**
Why do these cars suffer so much from rust? I always see that in posts, but never the reason. Undercoating, or a lack thereof, or no drain holes??

boneheaddoctor · #13 12-22-2004, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I thought I read somewhere that the oil filter was much harder to get to in a 116. Do I have my facts wrong? I don't much care for the headlights on the 116's, but I really like the rest of the car. Weird bumper situation, though. 2 sets????

I got Euro bumpers for mine.....oh man those are a trip to find.....

And the Euro headlights........I need to post pictures.....those make all the difference in the world.

THe oil filter is no harder than any other to get to.....its a 617 engine, those are all alike basicly.....only minor differences...

boneheaddoctor · #14 12-22-2004, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Aghhh, thanks for the clarification. There is one in Downtown Dallas that I see almost every day. Outside a resturant and it never is driven. Don't know how it hasn't been stolen or vandilized although it is missing driver window. Crazy bumpers....

**edit**
Why do these cars suffer so much from rust? I always see that in posts, but never the reason. Undercoating, or a lack thereof, or no drain holes??

Lots of undercoating and sound deadener.....lots of drain holes....

My understanding is there was a Big German steel strike in the late 70's and they used lower grade imported steel. Now if that is true? I don't know but thats what I understand to be true.

leathermang · #15 12-22-2004, 08:07 AM

" suffer from rust "
A combination of things amplified by time...
Clearly some mistakes were made in design...and some attempts made to correct them by the factory... check the Tech Service Bulletins to see those... they include a retro inside front wheel shield, under rear glass fix...etc...
Many people don't read the PM manual and clean out the drains until they already have rust in areas they should not...
Many people have cars where the PO did not find these things either.... and did not fix them...
Most people are not used to having cars with SO MANY drain holes..