Nothing better than my 79 300sd - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jason SVO · #1 07-20-2011, 10:58 AM

After driving an 82 300sd, 93 300d, and a couple of 87 300td's, I decided to go ahead and keep my 79 300sd. Sure, I experienced some better handling and power up hills in these other cars. However, it is sad to say that none of them could beat my 79 off the line, felt anywhere near as roomy or as easy to drive. They all had their quirks - didn't drive straight, slow off the line, broken door handles, etc.
If I get a new paint job, shocks, injectors, seat rebuild, headliner, radiator and fix the oil leaks, my car will be mint. I know it sounds like a lot, but AC works, compression is 350, fast, interior is nice, sunroof works, nice veggie setup got some bass in the trunk. I can't tell you enough how nice it is to have the car respond the instant you step on the "gas".

leathermang · #2 07-20-2011, 11:03 AM

Is this related to another thread where you were trying to decide which to keep? If yes, you should put it at the end of that one so people can see the end of the story ....

1980sd · #3 07-20-2011, 09:53 PM

116's are the best!
All the 617 powered cars are OLD, you're not fooling anyone so you may as well drive the coolest

suginami · #4 07-20-2011, 10:18 PM

I've always loved the styling of the W116's: the chrome and the upright grill.

It's a shame that they are basically overlooked by so many of us. It's all about the W123's, the W124's and the W126's.

boneheaddoctor · #5 07-20-2011, 10:22 PM

I love mine....but I hate the Climate control system with a passion....but I think its a far better driving....and handling car. You have a road feel that the W123 and W126 lack even given its size and weight.

Unfortunately the others have superior anti-corrosion measures built into them. Fewer have survived. But then the Diesel W116 was only built 3 years (78-80) but the gassers date back further......and the newest are 31 years old now. And were a more expensive car when new.

leathermang · #6 07-20-2011, 10:25 PM

Love that Type One AC on my 123....
The other major factor... is that the 123 was the largest total production number... meaning parts cars are way more plentiful...and mine was the cheapest too...

boneheaddoctor · #7 07-20-2011, 10:27 PM

Yeah...I guess its something you either love or hate. Not much middle ground with that Chrysler designed monstrosity. I'm not a Mopar guy if its not obvious

1980sd · #8 07-20-2011, 10:57 PM

ACCII is an absolute marvel when working properly

boneheaddoctor · #9 07-20-2011, 11:01 PM

Mine is working fine....I just am not a huge fan of early 1960's electronics and vacuum controls.

leathermang · #10 07-20-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1980sd

ACCII is an absolute marvel when working properly

And when was it documented that it worked properly ?

The diagnostics section of the FSM JUST for the dash buttons.. is 80 pages long...

1980sd · #11 07-20-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

Mine is working fine....I just am not a huge fan of early 1960's electronics and vacuum controls.

Mine isn't

Had I not experienced it working well I don't think I would be going through the trouble.

It's just neat to me the way modern ACC systems use digital controls and computers while the Chrysler system used vacuum and clockworks. It's a shame it's so troublesome...

I like tube amps and mechanical watches as well, so I guess I'm just strange...

leathermang · #12 07-20-2011, 11:17 PM

You said it ... not us.....

1980sd · #13 07-20-2011, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

And when was it documented that it worked properly ?

The diagnostics section of the FSM JUST for the dash buttons.. is 80 pages long...

The vacuum diagram for the ACC is 1 page... For Gods sake man! If you make something impossible it'll be impossible!

Fixed this:

Replaced this:

Tested like this:

Vid about midway through troubleshooting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBpNvtWGG4w

I documented my ACC adventures on another forum...

Took the car on a 5 day 1300 mile work trip when all was well and flooded my floor with condensation due to plugged drains.

Dried it out and sorted that over about a week and went back on about the same route and the compressor bearing gave out the last 50 miles of the last 300 mile leg...

Temps were between the 50's in the mountains of Tennesee and the 90's near the Ga./Fla border. The ACC system seduced me during that time. Yea it's funky, yea it's clunky, but it was gee-whiz stuff for it's time!

Backroads, interstate, Metro Atlanta, it did great and got decent mileage. A joy to drive! The car just has the coolest vibe

I'm also fascinated with the door locks. I didn't know the fuel flap locked until I had it sorted. Friggin' genius! Cruise works OK running flat lands.

116's are the best...

Love my radio too:

Been driving my big Caddy while the Benz is in the shop and I miss my Benz...

Doc, If your ACC is working why do you dislike it so much? Waiting for it to crap out again

Mine seemed to work pretty well.

leathermang · #14 07-21-2011, 01:07 AM

I did not make it impossible... I had an 81 wagon which only vaguely acknowledged my desires inputted to the dash buttons... sometimes.. and then sometimes 20 minutes later...
Have you looked at the pictures and diagnosing instructions on those pages ?

1980sd · #15 07-21-2011, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Have you looked at the pictures and diagnosing instructions on those pages ?

Oh yea... With notes in the margins...

It aint Voo-Doo man. You just need good tunes and time...

I found that Radiohead is good for vacuum diagnostics...

I thought this was a 116's are AWESOME thread...