I've read Barrett's books... I find his writings very biased... He's very opinionated and if you don't own a car he owns, you don't own a Mercedes. Read some of the STARs and you know what I mean. He doesn't write much on diesels... He even rated a 300SD W116 a "1" out of 5.... Whatever....

He also says it is very uncommon to find a rusty w116, in the section about 450sel's. Am I missing something?

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1988 420SEL 170K

For some more info on W116's, contact shop member Patsy. Her handle is '79 Super Turtle, she has two W116 300SD's, and she's been posting in the last few days.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

If you have the time, money and space, find a cheap decent running 300D to play with until you leave.

When I decided to get into MB Diesels, I found a cheap 81 300SD that needed a transmission. I didn't put any money into it that I wasn't willing to lose. In the end I got back about 70% of my face value investment and racked up a ton of knowledge... some even useful

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I think your right. As much as I'd like to really dive in the deep end with a cool W116, I think I'll stick with the 123 for now. Its got tons of obvious avantages and there's tons to choose from.

We are debating about getting a 126 also, its a little big for my girlfriend but its safe and I feel comfortable with the chassis because of my 420sel. All depends on price and availablity I guess.

Maybe after I get out to CA, I'll go for my real dream a 1972 W109 300 Coupe. [drool]

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1988 420SEL 170K

The 109s are sedans only. The 112 coupes didn't go beyond 67 or something like that and I don't think any had a V8. The 111 coupes made it into the 70s. V8 option but no air suspension.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Hmmm, you're probably right, I'll have to check my book. I always seem to get conflicting answers about this.

Here's the look I love, though I prefer silver:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6329&item=2411910795&rd=1

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1988 420SEL 170K

Back in the days of sane VINs. 111 tells you it's a W111.

No factory AC (looks like no AC at all).

The shift knob doesn't look right. Looks more modern than the rest of the car but maybe it's the right one.

US cars came with two clear lenses between the upper and lower headlights. Euro cars caime with clear inners and orange outers as turn signals. I don't think any came with amber inners or inners that lighted, for that matter.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Thanks for the info, its good to know. I suspect this is the beginning of a long love affair.

There's a beautiful old 220 coupe down the street from me. The owner parks it on the street and leaves it full of garbage all the time. She's already starting to sag and rust, its a tragity, makes me sad everytime I see it.

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1988 420SEL 170K