Hey guys, I recently came across a green 1976 450 SEL 6.9 for sale and I'd like to know just a few basic things before I go in on it. 1st of all, it's a 1 owner car with only 63548 miles on it, reason being is that it has been parked for quite a while due to a suspected fuel pressure pump problem that was never fixed. The suspension is collapsed and I know that will not be a cheap fix, I also know people have converted to springs but that devalues the car greatly. The good (?) news though, is that the owner just wants it gone and is only asking 2000 for it. I've owned a few w116's and never driven, let alone had the chance to own, a true 6.9. The car is very clean inside and out, it was stored inside, clear coat is good, no rips or tears, looks like a 63k mile example. Basically, if I paid 2000 for this car, I'm pretty sure I could turn right around and sell it for 5, maybe less, maybe more, but to the right person, this car could be awesome and I'm not sure that I want to put upwards of 10k into it over who knows how many years. Any and all info, tips, whatever, is greatly appreciated, thanks all!

I have parts from a 6.9 and I love them. The 2:65LSD differential is the bomb in a W123. I have the suspension now on my make shift work table. Rebuilding the struts appears pretty simple. I am stuck right now looking for a real FSM to tackle the other pieces. I would hop over to W116.org and some other forums. A lot of information there.

Awesome, I'll check that out thanks!

PM sent.

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- Brian


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

Replied and emailed!

Love to see some pictures. If its a '76, its a euro car with proper lights, delicate bumpers and little or no smog equipment---all desireable features (I had one).
Another good thing is that it has "conventional" AC controls instead of the problematic "temperature control" system of the '78-'79 US import versions.

Yes, it will be expensive to restore the hydroneumatic up spec, but once done it should be good for years to come.

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Berfinroy in CT
Present vehicles:
1973 300 SEL 4.5
1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I
1959 Ford Thunderbird convertible/430
Past vehicles;
1958 Bentley S 1
1976 ex-Max Hoffman 6.9
1970 300SEL 2.8
1958 Jaguar MK IX
1961 Jaguar MK IX
1963 Jaguar E-type factory special roadster
1948 Plymouth woody
1955 Morgan plus 4
1966 Shelby GT350H Mustang

It is a 76 euro car, has the ABS in the engine bay and oil cooler on the radiator, tiny bumpers instead of park benches, BUT it has the quad round US headlights currently on the car, the great news is that there was a brand new still in the box set of H4 euro headlights in the trunk that will be going on ASAP. I'll post some pics, also, I just bought the car yesterday afternoon

So I can't post pics here, I believe they're just too big

You need to check out this site.... The International M-100 Group

Every M-100 owner should join this group.

Gotcha!

And... If it is a 1976 then it is without a doubt a Euro car since they were not imported to the US by Mercedes until the last half of 1977 and most of them were titled as 1978's.

The US headlights were the minimum you could get away with then under the DOT and EPA rules for importing these cars. There was a long list of mods that had to be made and a great deal of them were just pencil whipped. The headlights were so obvious that they had to be changed out if you hoped to get it inspected or plated.

I knew a guy at imported one of these and I think it would up costing him around the mid 30's to get it all in and done. You could buy a nice house for that price back then so there were not a lot of these that made it stateside until Mercedes figured out how to smog them.

They do ride nice.....

Pics and updates........pretty please

I'll get on it as soon as I can, the car is a couple hours away from home getting a good go through and examination before the restoration starts!

You can resize your pics and make them small enough for the forum. There a number of free programs out there that are available. Go to PCMagazine.com and they have several.