78 450SEL is this one a euro?
 

The cluster is in mph but the upholstery and maybe bumpers look euro. Don't know about the lights from that year/model.

Sorry, but no photo came through. A VIN would also tell a lot.

A lot of Mercedes were gray marketed during that time frame. Look around and see if you can find a sticker that say it was imported by or converted by or something to that effect.

These are the euro bumpers, almost flush with the grille.

http://gallery.w116.org/dl/13275-4/W...tch+Noir02.JPG

The interior has many configurations (velour/fabric/MBTex/Leather), but if it has anything woven, it is 90% guaranteed it's a Euro:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...Interieur1.jpg

Hope this helps!

OOPSY, forgot the link

1978 Mercedes 450SEL

Euro (or 1973-only U.S.) bumpers, U.S.-spec headlights. Probably brought over here and federalized.

A few thoughts here, on this vehicle.
 

It's DEFINATELY a euro-spec w116, not only because of the euro bumpers.

The reason I know it for 100% certain is that I used to own a 1978 US spec dealer's showroom brochure for that year of S class, and the cloth upholstery was NOT available to U.S. buyers.

The reason for this is that the marketing mavens of Mercedes benz correctly believed that most U.S. buyers of the S class believed it was not a luxury automobile unless it had leather upholstery.

That perception pretty much hold true even today.

~~~

Rust has always been a severe problem with the w116 cars, not too many survive. Virtually none remain in Europe for this reason, today.

But this one is an Arizona sun baked example - so it likely should be ok. But still, check underneath, around the glass, the jack holes along the side rocker panels, and under the bumpers anyway for the dreaded tinworm.

The clearcoat that has been ruined by the Az. sun is an ok trade-off for lack of rust, I think.

They are real gas eaters, but were space-age modern when new in 1973, and marvelous long distance cruisers. And still are today, if they have been kept up.

Good family cars because not only the room and comfort, but they are incredibly safe. The w116 sedans, In fact, are modeled very closely on the ESV (Experimental safety vehicle).

Make sure that the air conditioning blows cold, if the evap goes, it is very pricey. As a euro car, the AC will have the more reliable and simpler dual control knob AC, whereas US spec ones got the pushbutton climate control, I believe, which is more finicky and less reliable and far more complex - another plus in a '78 euro-spec 450SEL....

Parts are pricey but all are still available from the Mercedes Benz Classic Center in Irvine, CA.

If you like the car, then go for it.

Those cloth seats are actually a LOT cooler than leather would be in hot Arizona summers, too.

And while the miles are absurdly low, without documentation and receipts, because of whatever possible kms put on the car in Europe might not have been added onto the US spec speedo when it was converted, something to watch out for on Euro cars.

A car like this today is VERY rare to find in the USA today.

Yes, it's likely a euro. I really dig the velour seats as in the picture way above over the cloth. Those are US spec lights.

Ad doesn't mention the AC at all, which is not encouraging. Here in AZ you ALWAYS mention the air conditioning. I don't have time to look at it till next week so it may be gone, although he's had it advertised for some time.

How bad a gas hog? 8? 12?

At $4k, you don't need to be in a hurry for this gobbler.

Jim

If you have to ask you cant afford it :D

It's a euro all right. Might even be that it has no A/C. Though for a 450, even a euro I'd find that strange. I'd be extremely concerned about rust. No telling how long it has been in Europe before being brought here and Sedona is not as dry a climate as down in the valley. Remove the back seats to check under them. Pull up the carpets. Inspect the jack points and rockers very carefully. Especially the underside that you can get to for what that undercoating might be hiding.

- Peter.

Just given the condition of the cosmetics, that's a sign that the mechanical systems have likely been neglected as well.

Hand crank windows too. Definitely a Euro car. Note that 136K is the miles since it was converted, does not include the factory original kilometers.

My friend drove a U.S. spec '73 450SE in high school. It got 12MPG. All the time. City. Highway. Everywhere.

I'd look under the hood of that car to be sure there's a V8 there. Cloth upholstery with manual window winders could well be a 280SE.

Your friend may have reported it always got 12 it is assured that around town you'd be lucky to get above ten and i would expect 12 to 13 highway. it will no doubt take premium too.

Am I correct that only the 6.9L beast had the hydraulic suspension?

Yes.