I went a tad over 90 in my 72 250 but it was a very white knuckled drive! At 80 it feels pretty good but anything over that and it is really loud and you don't want to let go of the wheel for a second.

__________________
MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

Just got back from a 300 mile run. I kept my 76 300d at 80-85 but managed to top out at about 95. the car was nice and steady and handled well. I have just rebuilt the front end and new tires, makes a BIG difference.

I have on at 115, but I had to brighten it up, which brought it up to 90k. (wish they would increase that, I have lots of benz pictures, but most are over 66k) Very steady at those speeds (steady enough to take a pic!), gives you a sense of what these cars are really built for.

Attached Thumbnails

 

I can get my 1976 230 W115 up to 80 mph and then I'm afraid to make it go any faster (assuming it can !!!)

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230.4 W115 DARK GREEN (825)

1997 E 420 CURISE UP TO 120 MPH FELT PRETTY SAFE THE ONLY THING I DIDN'T LIKE WAS THAT AT A 100 MPH ABOVE THE NOISE LEVEL FROM IN SIDE THE CAR WAS LOUD AND THE STERING WAS REAL SINSATIVE COULD OF WENT FASTER JUST BACKED OFF AND WENT BACK DOWN TO 80 MPH

LOVE MY BENZ DOUG ONLY HAD IT 8 MONTHS

Don't know how I missed this thread when it started way back in May.

I've had the 4.5 up to 110mph indicated, uphill on the interstate, with plenty of throttle left in it. The old gal just flies up the hill. I used to run it up once a month just to blow out the crud, the car likes the run (but the gas gauge doesn't - it really drop fast at that speed).

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

I took my 280 up to 100 for a few minutes. It ran fine, although it was noisy and definitely windy. I managed to find new doorseals the other day, and I am thinking that once they are one there, that the wind noise should quite a bit less.
It will be a while before I find out for sure. At todays fuel prices those same few miles at 100 would probably cost me $5

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Last trip up the coast (up the PCH to San Fran then down the 5 to LA) I ran my 71 250 at a constant 90 - 95 the entire way down the 5 - still had lots of play in the pedal, and was passing many, many new cars. Lots of stares as I blew by the latest Honda!

On the way back to LA, over the grapevine, passed a huge fire in the scrub next to the northbound lane - coolest thing I've ever seen. A glowing red hill, and miles and miles of stopped northbound traffic.

__________________
Joshua

'71 250 - daily driver

This posting kinda of reminds me of a song by the band "The Animals". Hate to date myself, but the song is "When I was Young". Not only for me, but also for my 27 year old 280S.

Recently, after a new timing chain being replaced and a questionable bearing replacement (see previous posts), I decided to take the ol' 280'S or a run. There is a stretch on I-76 in Colorado which as near as to the Autobahn as one can get in Colorado. It is a flat stretch for 30 miles then goes up a grade to a flat plains pass so to speak to the town of Ft. Morgan. Driving the highway just calls for full peg it to the floor acceleration.

A 280S has a kick down on the transmission which in turn allows the secondaries on the the Solex to kick it. Have always thought of it as a secondary booster on a rocket. Got "Leibchen" to get up to ~105 MPH. Passing a Lexus, he/she decided to let their car rip as well. Went back to the traveling lane and the Lexus passed me at above 100 mph. The seemingly "smooth" road gets pretty bummpy at that speed. Let down at that time, but still had room to go before redline. If Liebchen were a little younger and I too, would have taken on that Lexus to the maximum speed.

My '72 will go 62-63 MPH if I have about 2 miles of down-hill, smooth, including-a-tailwind stretch of roadway! It was all of 59 Hp when new (30 years ago).

__________________
1992 500SEL 25K
1995 E320 40K
1995 SL600 120K
2002 JX8 Sport 43K
2005 Volvo S40 95K
2006 Isuzu NPR 304K (Frankencamper)
2007 Crown Victoria 150K
2014 Smart Electric 20K

Sheesh, I've driven my parent's 99 Intrepid at the max speed (governed), 118, and the same with my Jeep (just shy of 115 I'd guess). I hope that my Mercedes can break 140 at least

__________________
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

I've bad my '78 6.9 up to an indictated 145MPH ...I believe they say thats top end for the car, it wouldn't go any faster.....

once had my 1980 300sd up to 100mph.that was one night on the beeline between orlando and coco beach florida.man if she had a set of wings i swear she would fly!

Wow Toxicant 145! I'll bet that felt fast, even in that car!!

My vintage MB's have only been Diesels so 87 is all I can claim in the 300D (although maybe the W123 don't quite clasify as classic either?).

Regards,
- Ryan

__________________
'95 E420 - 'Shadowfax' 138kmi.
'92 Volvo 740Turbo Bard 193kmi
'74 240D - 'Ol' Green' 4spd Manual 104kmi. (sold )
'77 300D - 'Red' 223kmi (sold)
'75 240D - 'Bianca the Blue Bomber' (sold)

...