Dear friends:

Do you have any information regarding the maximum weight a 300SD (W116 or W126) can carry without incurring damages to the suspension parts (coil spring, shock absorbers etc...)?

Thanks.

Eric

I don't have any specific numbers, but I've packed my 300SDL completely full a few times and have had no problems at all.

Last time I did, I had about 400lbs of stuff in the trunk and back seat The car actually handles quite well considering how much extra weight has been added! I expected it to handle like a boat but it was just fine for the 100 mile trip at 80-85mph

If you're planning on carrying more than 400-450 lbs or so, check into the weight ratings for your car (perhaps your dealer can help look this up for you or it's listed on your door jamb sticker?)

Anything less than that and you should be fine..

Neal

__________________
'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)

The book says a hair under 950 lbs total - passengers and luggage.

__________________
1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

I have posted similar topic some time ago.
The answer was this.
On the B pillar there is total weight.
[total weight - curb weight]
is what you want.
To get curb weight, you can go to a truck stop and measure your car's weight with full fuel.

Basic version MB's (basic in Germany, no power seat, manual tranny in many engine choices, . . . . ) can carry a lot of weight. However, options rob the load capacity. For example, the current E class 270CDI tested by a German car magazine had only 400kg Zuladung because it had a lot of options installed.

In my car, load capacity is also printed on B pillar. I do not memorize it precisely, but it was only about 880 lbs. Quite small for this size car.

Among current models I am interested in, Toyota Prius has very low load capacity. 350 kg in German spec. 835 pounds in US spec.
Another with low capacity is Mercedes C320, tested by Consumer Reports. Only 865 pounds.

If you see CR, you may find that Audi's have high load capacity.

__________________
1992 300D 2.5 turbo diesel. 319 k miles.
124.128 chassis, 602.962 engine, 722.418 tranny.