have the opportunity to buy a project '79 W116 450se with M117 V8 engine needng a fair bit of TLC. It was stored in a barn for a while but has recently (last year or so) been sat outside in a field. Good points are: fairly low miles (125k) engine had top end work done recently and is apparently fine, same with gearbox. Body and frame in generally good condition with no major (inspection failing) rust issues. Pretty much all complete, except carpets are missing. All glass is fine, suspension seems ok from what I could test.

Bad points are there are some patches of rust- worst being under front indicators, front lip of roof at windscreen top, bit around sunroof seal and then some underneath- trailing edges of front lower bumper etc, needs cutting out and filling.
Everything needs a bloody good clean, some rubber parts have deteriorated quite badly, rear silencer needs replacing, paintwork is faded (light metallic green) belts/radiator/battery etc need replacing. Owner seems honest enough- old bloke with a collection of old cars needing work. This would be a project car for me as I like the 116 series and don't mind putting the effort in to get it looking good again and save it from the scrapper.
He wants around £200 ($350) for it, though I get the feeling he'd take less to shift it.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

rust is a big issue with 116s.

mechanically they are very very robust. so once you sort the electrical, fuel issues from sitting and ditto on the brakes, it should provide excellent performance.

the purchase price will be relatively inconsequential compared to the cost of refurbishig.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I would buy it!

The first Mercedes I ever fell in love with was a 116 chassis when I was in high school. It was the same color green as that car and had a green plaid cloth interior. The car got sold before I could come up with the money to buy it.

The 450SE's from what I understand have an engine thats almost as bulletproof as my OM617 in my 300SD. Since this car shares its chassis with the infamous 6.9's you might find some parts to be more expensive than you would expect but probably pretty easy to find replacement parts.