I am not too sure where to post this...

I have a 83 300SD, it's the only MB I have ever driven or messed with. I have an opportunity to buy a 74 450SE pretty cheap. How would the 450SE compare to the 300SD?

I know one is diesel and the other gas... let's get that out of the way.
I know we are talking a big power difference, V8 vs diesel. But just how much more power would the 450SE have? I am sure most of you know that in a 300SD you are using about 60-70% throttle from a stop light to keep up with traffic. I am guessing that kinda throttle setting in the V8 would be quite an improvement??

I think the W126 handles very well for a big car. I am guessing the W116 does too.

MAJOR issue: I am 6'7" and fit it the W126 quite nice, I don't even have the seat all the way back, how would I do in a W116? Any other info would be great.

thanks

As with all S-classes, each progression to the next chassis presents us with a bigger, and "improved" car. The W126 can probably beat the W116 in terms in handling, but the W116 could probably do a good job as well if both cars went head to head in a handling competition.

From what I've seen, the interior of the W116 is more like that of a large W123 or W115. It doesn't have all of the amenities like power seats, power mirrors, and such that the W126 had. The interior cabin is probably a bit smaller at that too. You probably won't gain any front legroom with the W116. The W116 also likely has the "Evil Servo".

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I've never driven a 116 or a 126, however I have driven both of the engines you mention. I own a 617 much like the one in your 126, and I drove an M117 powered W108 once. The V8 is massively more powerful. You will pay at the pump.

Some of the discussions I've read here indicate that the 116 chassis in general offers better handling at the expense of a "firmer" ride compared to a 126.

Not sure if a W116 would easily accomodate a really tall person. I'm at the other end of the height spectrum.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

The early w116 450's could do 0 - 60 in approximately 10 seconds, which was decent by 1973 standards, but not terribly quick today.