I was just curious if anyone knew or where I could get some production figures for the 116 chassis, particularly the 300SD. I read somehwere that the 300SDs were made just for the USA, due to tightening US fuel economy standards of the time. Mine was made in April of 1980.

------------------
1980 MB 300SD
1999 VW Passat Wagon

Rick,

The W116 300SD was made from '78-'80 for the USA market only. Not sure how many rolled off the assembly line but alot of them have probably rusted out by now (mine's on it's way). My car is an '80 model (built in November of '79) and for some odd reason, like most other '80 models doesn't have a sunroof. '78s and '79s had the idle control knob on the dashboard like the 220 and 240Ds and in 1980 the knob was deleted. The other nice thing is that the '78-'79 models had a 120mph speedo while the '80s had an 85mph unit. Sure wish the '80 models came with the 120mph speedo so I don't have to keep looking at a buried needle on mine!


------------------
Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'86 420SEL
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'84 BMW 745i Turbo

My car does have a sunroof and the 85 mph speedometer. I am guessing my car was built towards the end of the 116's run. If Mercedes had a production cycle like the "big 3", they would stop in late spring, retool the factory and start building the next year's model in the early fall.
Some time back I was thinking of getting a Jaguar Xjs (1985 MY). While researching this car I found out they only produced about 5,000 of them that year for world production. I was just curious if the 1980 MY 300SD were produced in such low numbers.

------------------
1980 MB 300SD
1999 VW Passat Wagon

Rick,
I just got a 1980 300SD after my 82' 300D was hit and killed. So far i like it alot eventhough it needs a lot of work. My understanding is that between 1978 and 1980 just over 28,000 300SD's were made.

__________________
KI6CCA

Current Stable:
1987 300SDL
1980 450SEL

Out to Pasture:
1982 300D KIA (Rice Rocket vs. 123: He hit me at 80-100MPH I walked away he went to the hospital. Sounds fair to me!)
1985 300D EURO Scrapped (got more money from state than car was worth)
1979 & 1980 300SD Great Cars!