I've been considering selling/trading off the ol' 240D for a gas model.We live in the mountains about 100 miles north of San Francisco,and I'm tired of crawling up the 11% grade at 30mph!!

My pick would probably be an late 70's coupe,but a sedan would be ok too(and a lot easier to find!!)I remember reading someplace that the 116 was supposed to be a better car than the newer 126.Less "flashy" perhaps,but rock solid.I'd be leaning towards the I-6,but with fuel prices down,maybe a V8 wouln't be too bad???

Living near the bay area,there are literally hundreds of 126's for sale.My only experience with them is a couple of 300SD's and an early 90's 300SE.I do most of my own work,and these just seem a lot more complex than the earlier models.The self service auto wreckers are full of them though,making parts when needed easy to find.

What would be the high/low points between these.Consider that either would be a "daily driver".I've got my 450SL for a weekend fun vehicle.

Well, if you go with a w116 with a 2.8 just make sure you don't get one with a carb! The Solex 4a1 they used is pretty much universally hated. On the flip side, the fuel injected models are regarded highly. A manual 280SE Euro model would be the one I'd go for given a choice but they are obviously rare. An early Euro 350SE would be quite nice but even rarer.

I'm not sure you'll notice a huge difference in MPG between any of them but there will be some. The best would be a Euro 280SE manual and the worst would be a US 450SEL 6.9 automatic in terms of economy. I'm a fan of the benz sixes in general but as with everything condition is king! There are plenty of V8 adherents too and a clapped out w116, not matter what engine it has will be a miserable experience. I can't speak to w126's being any more or less reliable but what I do notice, at least around here, is that it's MUCH easier to find a w126 in good shape for short money than a w116. I think that people are starting to regard the w116 as more than just another beater now which combined with the increased rarity of good cars as time goes on makes the price go up.

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1967 230S automatic
Boston, MA

If you go with a 116, an earlier one will have the manual climate controls, rather then the problematic automatic unit.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

I've owned 2 126s - a 380SE gray market and a 420SEL.
I was never happy with the SEL's ride - it felt heavy, underpowered (people get the aftermarket shift kit controller for better stop and go torque response but I didn't get it), and its AC system was always acting up.

I've owned 1 115 - a 250S with an inline 2.8L(I think) 6 cyl with dual-carb (aftermarkets that replaced the Zeniths). The 250S felt very light and nimble by comparison. I loved driving it and it was very reliable. No AC in mine but everything worked well.

I've had both as well, a 84 Euro model 500SEL (my sister had one too) and my current 79 280SE (also a Euro model). The 280SE is simple and reliable, and I think better-looking than the 126.

The 500SEL was modern, heavy and fast, and complicated, but more modern with and airbag and antilock brakes, and depending on options the hydraulic suspension and other goodies. I loved it but it was just too much car for my needs and needed more work than my 280SE, so I sold it and kept the latter. Be aware that the North American 450SEL has about the same power as the European 280SE, and is heavier. A Euro 450SE, if you can find one ( I passed one up a few years ago and regret it) is an excellent choice.

It's a shame the 116s have been mostly relegated to beater status, because they really are beautiful cars and wonderful to drive when in good repair.

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kalpol
79 280SE
82 Fiat Spider 2000
81 Fiat Brava
04 BMW R1150RT
96 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Love my 1980 300sd. Turning diameter is tighter than a Miata; classic looks that people comment about. I average 21.7 mpg ...all in town short distance driving.
My car is rust free with 113,000 miles.
Bur I'm going to sell it, because now I am driving an Avalon and gas here is 1.40 a gallon.

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"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration...
don't Fail Us Now"

Just saw this on S.F. craigslist.It's down in the San Jose area.Price seems right.We'll check it out over the weekend

1973 450SE.Good looking silver sedan with excellent body. Still looks very nice! Euro car purchased at the factory in Germany and then imported into the USA.

White MB Tex interior is in very good shape and clean. Automatic. Everything works including all 4 power windows, heat, all lights and guages, original radio etc.

Runs and drives very well -- this car is in very good mechanical shape. As a '73 this car is not jammed up with smog equipment so it has plenty of power and gets reasonable fuel economy.

Clean Title and SMOG EXEMPT. Mileage is 141,000 which is not a lot for these Mercedes cars and this one is in excellent original condition.

Asking price is $1,700 and open to reasonable close offers.

The 116 is very susceptable to rust, and a generation older than the 126. I would choose a 126 for sure but in CA you can prolly find rust free 116s left and right.

The best would be a euro spec 126 with the manual heater controls and a stick. Very very nice cars to drive. I've had three of them. They are not really much if any heavier than the 116 if you compare model to model.

They (and all benzes really) feel dull and heavy until you really lean on them and then they get lighter as the speeds rise. They are designed to drive fast safely and really feel a lot better when driving that way.

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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.

Get a euro SLC , 280SLC is nice , 450SLC is sweet and and you can really tear up a hill in a 500SLC

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With best regards

Al

why not get a turbo diesel? A w123 or w116?

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Current:
'95 E300D 282K
'85 300D - 253K

'11 Subaru Forester


Before:
'97 E420 - 135k
'80 300SD - 269K
'66 200D - ???K

Model for model, the W126 weighs less than the W116.
Late W126 cars (86+) get better economy than the earlier ones.

Having owned W109/W116/W126 versions, my current 90 560SEL is my favorite.

However, as mentioned, condition is EVERYTHING!

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles