So I went out and bought another 1988 300 SEL and it has the original service records with it.

The owner's manual also states 8 liters (8.5 qts) and on the original service records the San Antonio dealer stuck 7 quarts in @ 1224 miles and 9 quarts @ 7411 miles. The thing lived off Quaker State 20W-50.

I refilled it and stuck 6.5 quarts in and it comes up slightly below the middle of the min/max lines. So it appears a full 8 quarts+ would take it up to the max.

I guess these 88's must have a different capacity than the later models.

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(2) 1988 300 SEL W126