What years did MB make the long body W116 300SD, and are they any better than a W123 (aside from being larger and perhaps a bit less frugal on fuel)?
Part of the reason I sought out a 123 was because the 123 was made for 8 years, therefore more used parts availability. But the big old SD sure looks classy, like the sort of car a diplomat would drive. What are the real differences aside from the obvious 800lbs of weight & more rear seat room? Are there still plentiful parts for these cars? I nearly bought a 1979 300SD with 200,000 on the odo (miles or km., I do not recall), from the widow of the original owner, but while I was dithering someone else snapped it up for $5K Cdn. Was that my loss, or was I spared making a mistake by getting an 83 300D instead for the same price (200,000 miles on it, but well cared for by a helicopter mechanic who knew these cars well)? The guy who sold me the 123 said I was wise to chose a 123 instead of the 116 because the 116 was much harder to find parts for.
Another car I lost because of dithering was an 82' W123 300CD Coupe with 156,000 miles on it; original owner who always used Mobil 1 at 5000 miles, for $4200.00 Cdn. THAT is the car I most wish I had purchased.

Hey Bill,

What would you think if I told you I had an engine-less 450SEL which was just dying for an OM617 engine transplant? I've always thought they should have put the 5 cyl in the long body (in both the W116 and W126 chassis). Yeah, a one-off W116 300SDL would be SWEET! Maybe, just maybe....

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Regards,
Aaron

Granted the W116 SD was only made from '78-'80, but the body itself was made as far back as 1973. Also the engine parts are the same, pretty much, as the W123's which were made until '85. The only thing the W123 has over the W116, body parts wise, is that they were made up to '85. I own both a W116 and a W123 (wagon). The 116 is definetly a bigger car in overall length. It is also wider. Bill is right about leg room, the interiors are the same, except for width. It's the front end and back end that are larger.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Bill,

If you have a good engine, transmission, and interior, I think you should GO for it. Does the car have an engine? If so, you will have lots of spare parts left. I'm sure with the right manual the transmission wouldn't be too difficult or expensive to transplant. And the interior, well, that's not expensive, just time consuming. The seats are easy, door panels easy, dashboard, well... Colour might be a problem, but quite a few junkyards have these cars. I know of several 126 salvage cars here in Dallas that have decent interior parts.

Good luck!!!

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R Talley
88 BMW E32 735i (make it go away)
95 Volvo 960 "Inga" (valve problems)
95 Nissan Maxima (the indestructible)
89 Ford Ranger XLT (ugliest truck in the South)