good afternoon...just wanted to make sure this 450 SEL is operating correctly.

In normal driving the temp hovers around the 175 mark and in stop and go traffic it starts to creep past that level..is this normal?

Also, the oil pressure gauge pins itself right after takeoff and comes back to the middle reading if not a little lower upon coming to a stop....hoping these readings are OK.

Today I put a full tank of Amoco Ultimate 93..damn almost 30 bucks!...but it seems to run much better with this higher octane in it.

Sounds normal. If it's anything like my car there's a temperatuire switch that will turn on the electric fan on the front of the radiator if the temp goes over 212.

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MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

My car also has the M117 engine. It displays the same behavior as yours - if anything, it runs a bit hotter in summertime stop and go - close to 200 - but it will drop back down to a hair over 175 if I get out on the open road.

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Tjohn

82 300 SD
77 450 SL (gone)

for the info...I am new to Mercedes so all of this really helps.

robert