Hi all! I currently have a 1980 SD which is a fantastic car that I'm really infatuated with. I'm actually thinking about getting another one but want an upgrade for a DD.

I like the simplicity of the 116 but the ACC and steering box have me concerned. I'm actually thinking about replacing my Caddy CTS with an old Benz and sometimes I have to drive about 1000 miles for work so dependability is important!

Sooo...

How do the 617 powered 126s do on the highway and do the AC systems actually work without spending a bunch of $$ on them. I'm in Ga. so AC is sometimes important!

Is there much diffrence in economy/power with the 603 engines to make having an SDS? I'm familiar with the TO and head issues so I'm leaning towards a 617.

I've owned both a 116 and a 126. The 126 climate control system is better but the AC worked fine on my 116. Why are you worried about the steering box? I'd stick with the 617 myself.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Ive had 126's with 617, 3.5 603 and the 500 aluminum v8. I would recommend all but the 603 3.5. I did have a 603 in a 124 and had no issues with that but did not own it all that long.

I now have a 85 with the 617. I like it a lot and am considering a stick swap into it.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My 116 has a good bit of slop and from what I've read I gather that most of them are that way because of the steering box. I was just wondering if the 126s have similar issues.

I'm intrigued with the 3L 603 so an 86/87 SDL is in the running, but I like the 617 engine because of the iron head.

Thanks

Check the steering coupler. My slop was all in the coupler.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

if your steering coupling is worn out, someone on here rebuilt his with bushings, and such... looked like a really good upgrade...
can't find the post right now... I'll keep looking.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Yeah, I think it's Doktor Bert isn't it. I think's he's offering some kind of rebuild thing too. New ones are pretty pricey for such a little part.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I only have about 50k miles on 603's but over 200k on 617's. The 3.0 liter 603 engine is very unlikely to let you down if it has not or is not allowed to overheat. Whether the 603 or 617 is a better fit for you probably has more to do with how you drive. The more aggressive a driver you are the more you are going to like the 603 over the 617. Fuel mileage is marginally better say 2 or 3 mpg better on the 603 so that is not likely the deciding factor but if you are like me and like to make your passes quickly in the left lane and find your sweet spot in traffic the 603 is more your style. I guess what I am saying is they look the same if you read the spec but they drive very differently.

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1986 300 SDL - rolling parts car and test bed.
1987 300 SDL - semi daily driver.
1977 U1000 Unimog
2007 Ram 2500 6.7l

I have had both and there shouldn't be a major difference in the amount of steering play. The 116 might be a little looser, but just a tad.

Beware assessing the feel of a steering box as 'slop', if you have been driving 'modern' cars with rack and pinion. The inch or so of play you get at center in an old Mercedes is perfectly normal and frankly I find it relaxing on long drives.

As has been said, the AC system in the 126 is easier to work on and troubleshoot but I'm not sure how much powerful it would be.

I loved my 116 but found the 126 to be a more enjoyable car around town, and the power seats are a welcome addition for long drives. I know that some people say that the 116 is a superior car for long road trips. Mine was great for sure, but I never had the chance to travel more than an hour or two in the 126 so hard to say.

They are both great cars. The 116 was considered the most advanced production car in the world, when it was introduced. And the 126 is a huge classic in its own right.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Thanks guys! I've re-bushed the coupler on the 116 and it did take up a lot of the play but some is still there. It has 220,000 miles on it so I'm not complaining.

She's a keeper for sure!

If I could find a clean 116 with around 150,000 on the clock I may go that route but there seem to be more "low mileage" 126s out there.

It sounds like I'd be happier with the day to day operations of a solid 603 though because I really like to cruise on the interstate!