Luckily, the people I got the car from kept the body and paint in good shape.

I built the engine/transmission 70,000 miles ago. I change the oil regularly (anywhere between 5000 and 15000 miles depending on how busy I am) and I keep the tappets adjusted, other than that, it is simply driven everyday. I make a lot of trips back and forth from palm Springs to the High Desert to see my family. That's a 217 mile, round-trip daily commute.

Most of that, out through the open desert, is 90-100 mph with the cruise control on and the A/C on max blowing 36-38°F out the vents.

The W116 is rather primitive in nature, but it is a very solid and reliable car.

The seats are really starting to show their age, but they are getting replaced later this week.

I am fortunate that this car spent it's entire life in California and I am yet to find a single rusty area on the car anywhere...

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership