The "Unheralded" Virtues of the 450 SEL (W116)

OK. I'm going to go out on a limb here. the 450 SEL ('73-'80) is perhaps, for many reasons, the finest all-around large sedan ever made - certainly during its production run, but also before and even to this day. Many of you will disagree. Particularly relative to this car's rather pedestrian - even uninspiring - styling. But the overall strengths shine through.

Let's start with the heart of the vehicle, the 4.5L 116 motor. Strong beyond compare (save for some instances of camshaft wear), this landmark powerplant pulls with sublime power both off the line and at midrange. It simply asserts its authority at all times.

then there's the tranny. Although only a 3-speed unit, the flip side is beter overall gearing ratios and a longer stay in first that allows for better use of the engine. And less lugging than some later powerplants and 4-speed models.

Moving on to the suspension systems, this model marked the first time that MB switched from swing axles to the more modern trailing arm rear set-up. And it does its job - maintaining stability (albeit with some body roll) as well as superb damping in that old German way. You feel the road - but it's always reassuring and never an unkindly feel.

then there's the body structure itself. Phenomenal!! It absolutely, unequivocally defines what body integrity is - and epitomizes the 'solid-as-a-bank-vault' metaphor, which is too loosely or generously applied to describe other MB models. The car is long, but not too long. Overhangs are limited. The doors. Ahhh-the doors!! They will never again be duplicated. they are marvels of construction.

The interior has both genuine old world charms and craftsmanship as well as modern innovations. Such as useful padding and thick mouldings everywhere. The shift gate is notched, and the shifter handle shape was used for decades beyond this car's production. then there's the dash. 'Nough said.

the use of expensive quality materials is astounding. Even by today's luxury standards.

And overall, the car imparts a marvelous feeling of permanence that you'd be hard-pressed to find in today's models. That it was produced a quarter of a century ago makes this all the more amazing.

I've had a wide range of Benzes, including 3 W126 models - widely extolled for their virtues. Yes, the 126s are very good cars. But, in all honestly and candor, they never quite make it to the W116 level. come on, W126 owners.....we know. The chassis is not quite as sublime and settled as in the W116. Somehow, the extra length coupled with lightened materials in the W126 screws-up some of the weight distribution, so it doesn't feel quite as composed. And the interior materials don't come close. Not by a longshot.

Except that the W126 has - admittedly - the best big car styling ever drawn by MB. Hands-down. But, for me at least, that's not what MB has always been about.

MB, for me, is about having a real car that's always there, and always solid as a rock. Maybe someday the W116 will be recognized as a great vehicle. Until then, I'll enjoy mine quietly.

[pj67coll]

I love 116's too. I've only had a 280S so cant comment on your observations about the V8. And I've not owned a 126 yet so I cant comment on that either. Except to say that I agree about their styling but have to disagree about the interior comments. In what way are the materials used in a 126 interior inferior in quality to a 116?

I was comparing a 79 116 300SD with an 83 126 300SD at a dealers lot recently. They were parked side by side. Both were the same butter yellow exterior with dark brown MB tex interior. Apart from design changes between the two the interiors looked to be essentially identical in terms of both the materials used and their state of preservation.

- Peter.

[ctaylor738]

Now that is a description that would put Charles Schmidt, Hatch & Sons, or Alex Dearborn to shame! I don't know the cars well, but I certainly applaud your writing style.

thank you, gentleman, for your kind and timely responses: both as to the subject matter, and as to my writing style (yes, I am a professional writer!!).

Now....as to the W126 interior materials vs. W116. No offense, but obsiovusly you have not lived with or examined either carefully. Let me guide you.

1. Dash wood: W116 - solid wood plank, about 1/2 inch thick. W-126: A very thin wood veneer, backed with aluminum, which is too glossy and often comes off it's backing and curls.

2. Dash padding itself: W116: Thick padded vinyl, with pebbled finish, used. Less cracking. W-126: much thinner vinyl top side used; often cracks.

3. Interior door mouldings. W126: on area where window meets door, and where you often rest your arm with window open, becomes hard with age. Not comfortable.
W-116: best I've ever encountered. Very wide and thick, and since it's rubbery, it maintains it's soft characteristics.

4. Headliner: beautifully done in durable perforated vinyl in W116; in W-126 sedans, very thin vinyl. Not easily cleanable.

5. Padded mouldings above doors. Exists on W-116, not on W-126.

6. shifter gate: painted metal with chrome trim, as in R107 SLS, in W116. In W-126, piece of black plastic.

Need I say more?

stay well fellas!!!!!

[psfred]

RUST.

Even in Europe where they don't salt the roads, the upper suspension mounts rusted out in a few years.

This is why there are so few around. Don't know if it was the steel or the design, but they rust out horribly, worse by far than the W115 and earlier.

Peter

shhh, you know you all love the W108

[pj67coll]

Cincuenton.

Yes. I believe I do remember my 116 having a thicker plank of wood for it's dash than the 123 I had later which I assume used the same woodworking process as the 126. It too came unstuck from it's aluminum backing. I simply stuck it back with superglue. End of problem.

I can detect no difference between the finish of the wood in either a perfectly preserved 116 or 126. The 108 however is a different story. I have seen plenty of 116's with sun destroyed dashes so I dont agree with you on the quality of the material used there.

One that point I will diverge slightly to comment that my brother is a Jaguar fanatic (unfortunate fellow) and I've seen enough of his toys to know that Mercedes from the time of the 126's mid life upgrade are a poor comparrison to the British marque in the area of wood veneer - if in no other.

As for Manya's comment. My 108 was my first and still favourite Mercedes, but to be honest I have a hard time picking one S-Class above another from the era of pre-eminence. Which in my opinion means 108, 116, 126. Cant comment on the 140 as I have never even bothered to consider one given their price. And probably never will.

- Peter.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

One minor point, It was the W114/115 'New Generation' cars for 1968 that introduced the semi-trailing rear suspesion.
Otherwise, I truly enjoyed cincuenton's celebration of the W116.

Happy Motoring, Mark

1972 250 W114
1972 250C W114
1960 220S W111
1961 180b W120

[suginami]

Here is the ultimate thread on the W116 chassis cars:

What happened to all the W116 - '73-'80 450 SEL's?

[scargo70]

arent we forgetting about the w126
great styling etc....

I like the 116s too, but as Fred mentioned, rust!! If I wanted one to last here in WI, it would have to be a summer only car -- not too practical.