Yes, there's still 116 cars out there! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

73MB280SEL · #1 05-24-2003, 10:13 PM

Howdy,

I just got back from an exended work trip to Lompoc, CA. On my way up from LAX, I saw several W116 bodied cars still in daily use. In particular, a very nice 450 SE was parked just down the hill from Pepperdyne University. It had the steel wheels with the three pointed star hubcaps and was very nice indeed.

You people that live in southern/central California are sssooooo lucky to have (1) so many MB's bought in the '70's and '80's and (2) sssoooo lucky to have a climate conducive to keeping them away from the boneyard, I swear. I'm ENVIOUS.

Sholin (Mustang, OK).

psfred · #2 05-24-2003, 11:43 PM

I saw a powder blue 116 at the locak Barnes and Nobles the other day, and a nice chocolate brown one for sale in Highway 41N in Clarksville, TN, today.

Peter

Catrinus · #3 05-25-2003, 12:00 AM

There are quite a few in the Portland, Oregon area. We don't use salt on the roads (hell, it hardly ever even snows here!) so the bodies hold up real well. Plus, we don't get the intense sunshine that So Cal does, so the interiors of ours tend to be nicer (I really don't think that leather in So Cal lasts unless you always garage your car which isn't always practical).

About the only problem we seem to have with our vintage MBs is that the paint can get eaten by tree sap (we have a LOT of trees, even in the city). Also, mold can be a problem for a car that's been sitting a while (mine was parked under a tree for 5 years so I should know).

I think prices seem to be more reasonable in Oregon, too. Supply and demand.

Catrinus
73 280c

pj67coll · #4 05-25-2003, 12:40 AM

Here in Phoenix every now and then my breath is taken away by showroom new 116's. In particular I will always remember a Silver 450SE with black leather interior that looked like it had not even been driven off the showroom floor yet. Saw it in a mall parking lot. And a butter/lemon yellow 300SD Turbo that passed me with a senior citizen behind the wheel who must have been its original owner. Unfortunately Phoenix seems to be a high priced market.

- Peter.

joshhol · #5 05-25-2003, 01:16 PM

I see many more 116's than 108's these days in the North Bay Area. Gang bangers in particular have seemed to catch on to their stylin' and their value. Even saw a ghetto-fabulous 300SD the other day. 108's few and far between, 111's forget about it.

My grandfather passed away but my uncle has his 1974 450SE. It's dark green with tan tex interior with less than 200,000 on the clock. He was really meticulous about cosmetics but he could be a little cheap when it came to maintenance, but it is in fine shape. My uncle, having not cared for MB's changed his tune when he aquired that car.
I'm on his case about making sure he drives it at least once a week, but I know I should get over there and adjust the valves and change the coolant.
When I get a digi cam (looking at a 100 dollar vivitar), I'll post the whole families insanity: 6 benzs between 4 people.
'63 220S, 73 280SEL 4.5, 74 450SE, 76 300D, 85300D(T) and 86 300SDL.

suginami · #6 05-25-2003, 03:54 PM

I see 116's everyday here in Southern California.

What with the dry weather and no salt on the roads, the cars don't rust.

Probably 90% of the 116's I see are 300SD's. I wonder if it's because there were more 300SD's than 450 SE(L)'s, or because people gave up on 450 SEL's because of the poor fuel economy...

#7 05-25-2003, 04:18 PM

I have seen about 4 116s this past month. Around here, that is a lot. They must be coming out of winter hibernation.

I wish I had a 116 car to cruise around in this summer!

73MB280SEL · #8 05-25-2003, 05:46 PM

SUGINAMI,

Yeah, you have a wonderful selection of cars to choose from. One other thing in Cali that helps you is that these cars are desireable there. A well kept '70's or '80's MB is very much appreciated there. Here, I think we are just casual classic car fans and really only appreciate muscle cars and hot rods.

Also, a few months back there was an eBay 300sd in the LA area that was an unusual tangerine color exterior with a brown interior. The exterior wasn't as gaudy as it sounds, but if I bought it, I'd be obliged to perm my hair into a fro and wear the clothes from "that '70's show". It was mighty nice looking, but I think it had approx 300K on it.

Not that I'm against a good muscle car or hot rod, I just think that the average U.S. car fan is totally focused on the engine. It's funny that a run-of-the-mill 6 cylinder Mustang is worthless but put a V-8 in it and it's worth 50K.

When I was last in Lompoc, there was an older lady driving a Ponton around town. That was a kick. You don't see too many of those either around here.

Of course, on my way back to LAX down HWY 1 on my last trip, I pulled up in my stylish Kia rental car next to a real live Mini.

Sholin

300SDog · #9 05-29-2003, 06:32 PM

Even here in East Coast NYC region, there are plenty of 116's on the road...... and there are so many 20 yr. old 123's that its unusual NOT to see one on the road.

Cant think of any other late '70s / early '80s cars that are so common. Am thinking the general public is not aware just how old these cars really are.

Spoke with the owner of 116 at gas station. The guy couldnt imagine driving anything else. Said he had no intention of ever 'upgrading' into more modern version.

suginami · #10 05-29-2003, 06:51 PM

Yeah, actually, there are more 123 cars on the road here in Southern California that 116 cars.

I see at least 3-4 123 cars on the way to work everyday.

I bet there is at least 1 example in every supermarket parking lot in So. Cal. at any given moment.

About people not knowing how old these cars really are, people are routinely shocked when I tell them that my 124 car is a 1993 model. They usually think it's much, much newer.

73MB280SEL · #11 05-29-2003, 08:08 PM

I agree completely with that. People see the older MB's and can't quite place them in time. Most MB's have that timeless look to them that seems to always look attractive.

I'm not sure that the modern crop of MB's will weather so well. Maybe the current E class, but the M and C coupe look too trendy to me to be very durable. I'm not sure when MB started to sharply swoop the beltline of the car up, but I sure did like to older style of a lower beltline and a greenhouse alot better.

As for 116 cars, just wished the darn things were made out of stainless steel. They could probably also benefit from a little higher quality of interior on some of the plastic parts.

Sholin

300SDog · #12 05-29-2003, 08:44 PM

Suginami..... sad but true - the Amercan market is treated as sucker-market where folks are encouraged to dump perfectly good automobiles after just 8-12 yrs.

Old diesel 123s get kicked around like timex wristwatches, whenever they are unloaded it's usually when owners have no complaint - they just become bored driving the same car everyday..... i dont know why.

This vintage forum is wisely deadlocked at 1979. Arguably the 108 captures high tech '60s performance whereas 116's seize the '70s title. Your 124 might compete for the highest and best of the '80s in another 10 years. For my part, the humble 110 is most desirable Benz of the last 50 years.

The only intelligent way to value MB automobiles is to forget the year and look to the series - kinda like appraising yachts that sail the asphalt highway.

Tastes are changing as folks become more attached to their cars for long-term ownership of, say, 30 year vintage or more.

ckbenz · #13 05-31-2003, 01:22 AM

hmm.............. talking about 116 benzes on the road, well if u are lucky in malaysia, you will see one or two on the road( majority of these fine cars are treated badly here). but i know one which is well taken care of! it must be a 70's model with dark green exterior accompany with grey leather interior. it was owned by one of the many riches around the neibhourhood!( he bought a 200k malaysian ringgit honda civic type r for his grand son and a few camry, altis, lexus and w140 s- class sitting in his drive way)
i recently saw a few 116 for sale in the classified and paid them a visit, i must say they are in horrible condition with cracked dashboard and rusted body and the asking price were between 15 k malaysian to 25 k malaysian ringgit( i us$ is equivalent to 3.8 rm) i tested one and the drive train was smooth but the transmission is rather jerky!

due to the condition of these car, i decided not to get one of these to go with my w115 220. i might need to sell my 220 and get a w126 300se( before 1988 model because only these model are within my current budget)
tough one to decide uh?

FL_116 · #14 05-31-2003, 10:49 AM

Just in case anyone's interested in a brand new 116, here it is, (in print at least).

#15 06-01-2003, 02:59 AM

hello from australia, have been reading your posts about w116,
I have owned mine for 10 months now and the car is performing great. i paid $6000 australian dollars for it. car came complete with 25 yrs service history. but with a different color than when it left the factory. My car is fully optioned as australian delivered cars go (1978) electric sunroof cruisecontrol etc. australian kilometers currently at 337,000. fantastic motor car.