w116 300SD vs. w126 300SD which one best? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

moderne · #1 05-20-2002, 03:34 PM

Which of these two turbo diesels is the best overall? I'm considering buying a 1980 300SD this week but I'm not sure if I should hold out for a 1981-1985 300SD. Opinions?

JoelS · #2 05-20-2002, 04:42 PM

TXBILL - Looking at your profile, I see you have (or have had) both 116 and 126 SDs. Why the preference for the 116? Personally, I think they're (116s) better looking but how are the two in comparison?

I'm new to this forum but have been reading it for a month or so. I've wondered about the 116 vs. 126 SD debate, so I had to register to send this message!

Thanks,

Joel

JoelS · #3 05-20-2002, 05:04 PM

Thanks for the reply, Bill. Chrome, yes, chrome is almost reason enough! I've never driven a 116 SD, though I have driven a 126 one. I like the idea of the manual seats...in fact on older cars, the more 'manual' a car is the better - a friend had one of the 126 body cars and the seat controls gave him fits. I'd have thought the 126s would have better handling just because they're newer.

By the way, nice TD picture. I may be posting questions soon about mine. I'm debating whether I should try to remove the headliner myself to access the bolts for the broken driver's side luggage rails. Any thoughts on whether I should farm this out to a trim shop? I have a fear that I'd tear it up trying to remove or reinstall it!

Cheers,

Joel

mikemover · #4 05-20-2002, 06:18 PM

I agree with Bill (of course!

)....It's all about the CHROME!

Also about the ride...the 126 has more of a smooth, luxury car kind of feel to it, where the 116 has a more direct, solid feel--as close to "sports car" handling as you're going to get out of a two-ton, four-door diesel car!

The automatic climate control IS a nightmare, however. But the 126 system is only marginally better.

Mike

gnolo · #5 05-20-2002, 06:19 PM

What are the differences of performance between the 300SD W116 and W126 ?
The only difference on the engine is the EGR ? Have they both the same power (125hp ?) ?
Is the W126 fastest due to its better aerodynamic?

190D22 · #6 05-20-2002, 06:19 PM

hey bill, you mentioning your car getting a new body brings some questions up about my car. I have some rust. The most worrysome and what looks to be the hardest to repair is in both of my front doors. The passenger door has an external bubble, the driver's door has the inner, front most edge rusting. What are you doing to get all yours fixed? I would like to just get whole new doors... but I don't know. Any tips?

Aaron · #7 05-21-2002, 12:54 AM

Well guys, my $0.02 here....

As BIll has said, the W116 is much more classic looking and sporty feeling than the W126. His W116 300SD used to belong to me and I still miss that car!! It was and is still the fastest 5 cylinder diesel I have ever driven, bar none. That engine was TIGHT as hell!! I recently picked up an '83 300SD and while I do appreciate it's slightly better highway ride, I still lust for the cornering ability of the W116. In my opinion, the ultimate S-Class diesel would be a 1980 W116 chassis, DB904 Navy Blue with Palomino MB-Tex interior, European headlights and European bumpers. That would be sweet.

As for a comparison within the model range ('78-'80 W116), I will have to say that the '80 is the best year. They dropped the manual idle adjustment from the dash and every single quirk (with the exception of the car's hunger for driver's door window regulators) had been worked out. For some reason, 1980 models statistically had the least amount of sunroofs ordered as an option, why I don't know. Mine (Bill's) hasn't got a "hole" either.

The biggest advantage I can see with the W126 over the W116 SD is that the 126s don't rust like the earlier 116s do. Case-in-point, the W116s were rustbuckets. You also may be able to find a W126 300SD with ABS brakes, heated seats and an airbag, if any of that matters to you (just ask Ck42 on this forum).

In the end, my vote still goes to the 1980 W116 300SD. Best car I ever owned! Too bad about the rust.

mikemover · #8 05-21-2002, 01:10 AM

Hi Aaron,

Luckily, my 79 has NO rust that I can find! Not in the floorpans, jackpoints, trunk, anywhere! If it ever had any, it was cut out and repaired pretty darn well, because I can find no trace.

There's a couple of small spots at the edges of the sunroof that are just starting to turn a little brown in recent months, as well as a couple of small spots at the trunk seal. I'm going to have that fixed in late summer/early fall so that it doesn't become a problem. I also plan on moving into a place with a garage as soon as possible, so that it stays rust-free.

I didn't know that the '80 model didn't have the idle adjustment knob...That has never bothered me, though. I've only used it a couple of times, when it was VERY, VERY cold here, which doesn't often happen. What other things are different? I know the 80 has an EGR, which I'm glad the 79 does NOT have.

Mike

moderne · #9 05-21-2002, 01:20 AM

Thanks for the input! The Mercedes buyers guide states the 126 as a much better car than the 116 but I've heard otherwise from actual MBZ owners. It has ACC problems and 300K so I just needed some feedback to keep me from doing an impulse buy.

Yes, I like the chrome. I'll be looking for some euro bumpers too!

mikemover · #10 05-21-2002, 01:31 AM

gnolo,

I think the 126 is a few pounds heavier due to all its extra gadgetry, but also slightly more aerodynamic. The published top speed of a 116 chassis SD was 110mph...I'm not sure about the 126.

I'd venture this educated guess: The 116 SD probably has a slightly quicker acceleration, but the 126 may have a higher top speed, but probably not by much.

Mike

#11 05-21-2002, 09:34 AM

Both are very good cars. That is mostly due to the 617 engine. My preference is the 116. It is more of a bare bones version. The 126 is a nice, nice car. But the 116 gives me the feel of a good old european touring car. The acceleration is almost ridiculously good. The road feel is excellent. There is room for everthing I could want to put in it. Also, it seems to be a very good mechanic's proving ground. I am becoming a better mechanic all the time in this 116. As for the Heater/AC system, it definitely appears to be the weakest link.
My wife prefers the comfort and insulation of the more luxury 126, I like the bare bones 116. I have a great respect for the Series III XJ6 Jaguar. That engine is one of the most successful passenger car power plants ever produced. The 116 SD gives me the strength and feel (heavy, safe and fast) of the Series III in MUCH more durable and roomier package. There are many details to argue, but the 116 is a better driver's car. The 126 is a better rider's car.

revray · #12 05-21-2002, 12:31 PM

Here's another vote for the 116. It's design is timeless. It's appointments are quietly understated. And it's engineered to run, and run, and run. It doesn't shout, "look at me," but rather, it whispers, "here I am." I love this car!

Aloha,

gnolo · #13 05-21-2002, 12:39 PM

I need to find one W116 for me, definitively !!! I ove its look with plenty of chrome.
The only problem is to find a 300SD W116 in Europe will be a nightmare and import one from the US will also be a nightmare.
What can I do ?

rickjordan · #14 05-21-2002, 12:39 PM

To give you an example of the performance of a W116 SD, I tell you what me neighbor did in his '80 SD. One day we driving inhis car and decided to floor it from the get go. Well the car actually chirpped the tires when the car shifted from 1 to 2. We both looked at each other like what the hell was that? We could not believe that you could chirp the tires in a 4,000 lbs car with a diesel engine. My SD has yet to do this, but that has to do with the fact that my transmission won't downshift into 1 when you lean on it, as it should. Apparently this is a common thing for the W116 cars. Even with that though my SD will beat my TD with out question. All I can say is drive one that is in proper running order and you will be amazed.

Smokey · #15 05-21-2002, 02:25 PM

Did they actually make the w116 300sd's with a 5sp manual?

Speaking of chirping the tires, I have been working with my daughter on the art of clutch control and smooth starts when shifting a manual, she often chirps the tires in our old 75' 240D, she says she can't help it ! Must be the inertia of the revved flywheel, certainly not the hp!!