What he means is that the rear axle ratio for the 6 cyl is 4.08:1. The engine RMP will be high, 3000 or over, to keep it in the optimum power area. These older car's engines can take the high RPM and are made that way. My departed 1989 W126 300SE, M103 6 cyl, ran at 3000 RPM at 60 mph. It was as smooth as silk. BTW, once over 50 or 60 mph, acceleration is quite fast.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Very interesting, thanks. I can't help but think how loud it would be on the freeway, though @ 3,000+ RPM!

Can anyone else chime in?

The eight will probably be more relaxed but use more fuel. The 110 six is a perfectly lovely motor and as long lived as a 617 diesel. The 110 will also pull like a v8.

The six is easier and cheaper to service overall probably but in a car this old the main thing is condition.

I'd prolly prefer the six but would not pass up a nice eight.

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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.

The L6 on W108s is the M130 with mechanical fuel injection pump or carbs.

The L6 has a four speed auto or manual while the 4.5 V8 has a 3 speed auto. But keep in mind that the three last gears are the same on both auto trans ie the 4.5 is missing the first of the L6. The last gear has the same 1:1 ratio. The first gear on the L6 is ridiculusly short and is there to pull heavy caravans while starting uphill. In normal conditions the L6 starts in second gear.

the rear diff ratio is 3.27 on the 4.5 so it drops revs considerably at highway speed compared to the L6.

My '66 250SE Cab turns 4100rpm at 70mph. It's okay with it, but getting it to 75 is a bit of a struggle. Everyone goes over 70 on today's highways.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Maybe in Texas they do! I wish that were the case here. Even non-rush hour traffic can struggle to achieve 60.

As a 4.5 owner, I will say it's not as gloom and doom with D-jet as everyone may make it out to be. I would think D-Jet is easier to maintain or fix than an old carb. Rebuild a carb or clean injectors? I'll take the latter personally. I'd say you want either a 280SE(L) or 280SE(L) 4.5. If you want to break 100 with more ease, or gun it at 80 and have a sweet downshift into 2nd for a nice pull, a 4.5 is the way to go.

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

The 280S 108 with a M130 six cylinder engine is the simpler and easier to maintain model as compared to a W109 . V8. with expensive bits.
The zenieth carbs can be troublesome due to ageing etc, but once
rebuild they are very dependable.
mak
280s 108
300sel 3,5 109

I can confirm that the 4.5 will pull hard from 70 mph.

On two separate ocassions, when cruising on the freeway at 70-ish, I have floored the accelerator to see what the car will do. It downshifts into 2nd gear, and actually chirps the tires, and pulls hard to 90 mph.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I'd agree that condition is most important here. If I found a perfect six for the right price, I'd buy it.

However, the fuel economy is virtually the same between the six and the eight. Look at the fuel economy that D&W (six cylinder) and I am getting (V8). He's getting 12-14, and I'm getting 12-15.

All things considered, I'd go with the V8, hands down.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I have spent a lot of time reading the posts by Mercmad6.3 in Australia. This guy seems to know more about all vintage Mercedes cars that anybody else on the planet.

I copied and pasted his comments on the carb models in this thread:

Possible engine swaps for my 1971 280SE


Quote:
I always recommend using the injected motor because [i] the system is very simple,[ii] the injected motors are more powerful [iii] the carburetor engines are low power units with poor carburetors which are very unreliable [iv] the injected engines only require a pump by the tank utilizing the existing fuel lines and the ignition system is of the pointless type giving great reliability.[v] the injected engines are generally in better condition because the fuel wash down in carburetor engines leads to rapid engine wear .
Unqutoe.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Looks like V8 is the way to go then! I do a lot of freeway driving and I need to be able to pass people if needed without worrying.

The hunt is on!

You would be surprised with the pull you get out of the 6 at highway speeds. You should definitely drive as many as you can, 6's and 8's. that's the best way to work out what you should buy

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1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal

Good luck to you.

I wouldn't limit my search to just the V8. Condition is what's most important here.

What kind of budget are you working with?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The 4.5 (if perfect mechanically) is a great engine They never have a lack of anything once going. from 55mph to shift-out of 2nd gear will scare the girls and thrill the guys, (i have done that letting them drive (just keep your foot into it, honey)).

A short wheel base 4.5 is an excellent choice,
need to come to San Diego for a test drive?

We were going down Hwy 1 in Baja and she said "oh, look we are doing 110 like the sign says."
that sign was KmPH in an MPH car.

The main thing is the visibility through the front window.
Oh yeah, the Star too....

Given the age of these vehicles the most important thing is condition, condition, condition. I owned a 71 280S, twin zenith carbs. It was not US spec so not sure if the rear axle ratio was different than US ones or not, but I never had the slightest difficulty keeping up with, and often exceeding, speed limits on highways. Cruising at 75mph was a leisurely affair for this car. The carb's were dead reliable, Never had the slightest trouble with them, but of course it's now almost twenty years on since I owned it and thus available examples will have that much more wear and tear on them. The four speed tranny starting out in 2nd and only kicking down if you floor it to the kickdown switch was a feature I liked. It was unique and when utilized correctly could cause some surprise to ricers sitting next to me at traffic lights to put it mildly. You really should attempt to test as many different examples as you can before deciding. The 108 is probably still my favorite Mercedes.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S