How many of you contemporary performance Benz owners have heard of the M100 Series? It started in 1967 as an experiment when a 6.3 liter 300HP engine and suspension from the 600-series was shoehorned into the more compact W109 series sedan chassis. Mated to a 4-speed auto and a special rear axle with a 2.85:1 gear, it posted 5.7-6.3 second 0-60MPH and 14sec Standing quarter miles while posing as Grandpa's Sunday cruiser.
The 6.3 series was discontinued and then reappeared briefly in the 77-79 450 SEL6.9 (which due to "refinements" and a rear axle gearing change for higher top speed posts about 1 sec. slower in the 0-60 fig.s). Though most of the few remaining 6.3s are over 30 years old, they still occasionally emerge at MB events to hold their own against newer, more sophisticated, computer assisted, technologically-advanced Mercedes performance cars.
The fact that these cars are primarily stock,pre-AMG,and aged and are yet still viable competitors is a testament to the farsightedness and solid engineering that still continues at MB today.

I have a webpage to display my own 6.3 pictures 1970 300SEL6.3

Also, if anyone would like to learn more about the M100 Series of Classic Mercedes Performers Mercedes Benz M100 EnginePerformance Series Cars

Of Course I know my own car's grandfather

Nice car-I've only seen 2 or 3 ever, and they were in horrible colors. Is your paint original, or is it the original color?

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

In 1970 I was 18 and working at a ski shop in Lexington , Mass. I was the proud owner of a 1969 BMW 1600 - my first car. There was a customer at the shop who knew I was a European car nut and decided to show off his 300SEL 6.3. It's an experience I'll never forget. At the time, I could only describe it as driving a sports car while sitting in your living room. We went out on the highway in search of some fun - found it in the form of a Malibu SS396. That was a short match-up - I'm sure the SS396 had no idea we were a serious challenge until it was too late. We then got off the highway and the owner let me get behind the wheel. When we left a traffic light he chided me for not tromping the fast pedal hard enough to hop the axle! I rode in a 6.3 as recently as the late 80's here in L.A. They still have it. I kind of prefer the size and handling of my 500E, but my eyes light up every time I see a 6.3 for sale or on the road. A legend for sure!

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Mark Stetson
1995 E320 Wagon Moonstone Grey/Parchment 106K mi.
2007 E63 AMG Graphite/designo 75K mi

Greetings to the 500E owners.

First of all thank you for the kind responses. To answer the question: Yes the color is original 423H Tabakbraun (or Tobacco Brown with speckled Cognac interior. However, it is a respray w/t clearcoat that was done a coule of years ago. Thank you for that SS experience. I agree that your Chevy probably had no idea until it was too late; it is one of the things that I have really enjoyed about driving my 6.3. I love the suprised looks when I pull up parallel to someone in the right line who refuses to change lanes when merging on to the freeway. Traffic is doing 70, there's no room behind him, and he won't let me in or change lanes. I pace him long enough to see his jaw drop when my 6.3 easily jumps from 70 to 100 long before the ramp runs out and I take the spot ahead of him! It is the stealth nature of these cars that inspired me to add (removable) magnetic flames when I show the car; it attracts the curious.
There's something very satisfying to hear the actual gasps from people who start past the car, thinking that they've seen these (Diesel or 6-cyl) Mercedes before, until they see that monster M100 under the hood.
Not long ago, I posted the viewpoint question to M100 ("Grandpa") owners whether they thought that the V140 chassis S600v12 might be viewed as the heir apparent to the 6.3/6.9s. A notable number felt that the E500 was probably more similar choice. I have to admit, like the M100s, it certainly has the similar stealth quality! Except for the fender-flares and E500 badge, most people probably mistake it for the more demure 300E or E320. I'll bet you guys have got some traffic light tales to tell to tell
PS: We hold a on-line Chat at the Mercedes300 SEL6.3 webpage; feel free to register (join) on the site and log on Sat. eve. (Details on the homepage; there is no charge)

1970 300SE L6.3
1985 300SD
Mercedes 300 SE L6.3 Webpage

Nice. I really love the 300SEL 6.3. I have only seen 1. I hope to someday own one, they are beautiful cars. Another good M-100 site is www.m-100.org

I remember reading about them (the 6.9) in Road & Track when I was in high school. Wow! Real muscle -- This is great site: http://www.mbgrand600.com/

They are indeed awesome cars. I am also a member of the M-100 Group and had been planning on attending this past summer's show out in Portland, Oregon until my 6.9's tranny failed the week before we left! Neil Dubey at Star Motors in Endicott, NY is the M-100 specialist and is currently in the process of rebuilding my transmission. The way things look, she will be back on the road next spring. For now, the garage is a nice place to hibernate for winter!

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Regards,
Aaron

Our mechanic [Northstar Motors - Redding, CA] had one of these when we dropped our 300sdl off the last time. They were more than happy to fire it off for us. Truly incredible sound. My grandfather bought one new in 1968, and picked it up in Europe before shipping it home. I've been told that [in germany in particular] people would immediately start to gawk at the sight of the motor under the open hood. It, sadly, was sold during the oil crisis of the 70's/80's.

-James

James,

I can tell you first-hand that the stories you've heard about gasps when the hood is raised are no idle talk. One of my favorite pastimes, when I display my 6.3 at car shows, is to see people start past the car while mumbling something like..."Hmm a Mercedes..." or "...So-and-so had one like this...." and watch the look of utter disbelief when they catch sight of those twin intake manifolds of that detroit-scale V8. I haven't seen or heard reactions from guys like this since Sharon Stone unlocked her knees in Basic Instinct. I suspect to someone who was expecting to see a demure 30 year-old 2.8 liter I-6 with a traditional pan air-cleaner, the sight of that totally unconventional 6.3 must be close to a sexual experience of a kind. I believe that this is more uniquely a 6.3 thing too. Since the 450SE L6.9 has a more conventional appearance (with a pan air-cleaner and black powder-coated valve covers etc.) the effect might be expectedly a bit more subdued.

So, the stories you've heard are true. I wouldn't have believed it myself but, like I said, it really does happen all the time!

---Brad-----

6.3 - that was my first inspiration. I have a 3.5 litre 280 SE from 1972 and I wanted to swap it a few years ago. I found a car and had my first drive in 6.3 and I was very impressed, even though the car was a tired example.

The acceleration is quite something - unfortunately haven't driven it recently to be able to compare to my E500.

At the time, I didn't find it much faster than my 280SE 3.5 - but it might be down to manual versus automatic difference and my inexperience when it came to the latter. Also, it's only a credit to 3.5 which still feels unbelievably quick for its size and the relatively low bhp output (200bhp).

Anyway, when I came back home after the drive, I was sufficiently excited to write a little article and post it on my website.

http://www.motorsnippets.com/cars/mercedes/merc_300sel63.htm

Feel free to criticise me and correct my mistakes!

Regards
Martin Wollny
1993 Mercedes E500
1972 Mercedes 280SE 3.5

There is an excellent story told by Rob Walker. In addition to running a race team, Rob Walker was proprietor of the Chequered Flag car dealership in London.

In the early 70s, a wealthy customer couldn't decide between a Ferrari Daytona and the MB 300 SEL 6.3

Walker dispatched an example of each car, driven by professional race drivers, to visit the customer in the countryside. On the country roads, the Ferrari was unable to get away from the Benz.

It's not just the huge engine, either, that chassis, in good condition and well-driven, can humble many "greater" sports machines.

Nick

Martin, thanks for the motorsnipets link. According to the figures I've seen your E500 has similar performance figures to my 6.3.

As Nick's story bears out, (in harmony with the motorsnipets site) the 6.3 could "hang" with the best of them. I am not familiar with the Ferrari Daytona, but the Dino 246GT and the 308GTB both posted 6.8-7.1 second 0-60 times. The Mercedes could manage 5.7-6.5 second 0-60 mph acceleratons with 135-144 mph top speeds.

Some of my comrades are still pulling 15.1 second standing 1/4mile times out of these over 3 decades old 6.3s!

Please feel free to visit my album site at
http://communities.msn.com/Mercedes300SEL63

Brad 6.3 003724

Well, the 246 Dino would certainly outhandle the Daytona and the Benz but it had nowhere near the power or the grunt.

If my memory still serves me, the Daytona could 0-60 in something like 5.5s and top 170mph but it was a big car and may have cornered quite well but was not so chuckable.

nk

I was checking out your site, and noticed that you said that purist take offense to your flames. I welcome them. I think you should flame the front. There are plenty of stock examples out there of w108/9's, but I would like to see more nontraditional versions of the w108/9's. It's surprising that more of these cars are not fixed-up more with curves of the fender, the ample grill, and the low stance like the American street rods. After all, these cars were created to compete or surpass the cars of this era and before. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my opinion. Keep showing your car, Brad, it looks great; I love your individuality. If we had more owners like you, maybe we would see more examples, or any example of these great cars at shows.

This is the car that started AMG.
http://mbspy.bacosys.be/w109amg.htm