116's are the best... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1980sd · #1 05-28-2011, 08:11 PM

They just are. I wonder how many '78 300SD's were produced. You don't seem to see many...

Squiggle Dog · #2 05-28-2011, 09:12 PM

So true!

And rare they are.

#3 05-28-2011, 09:46 PM

If I wanted an s-class diesel, it would be a W116. For a gasser, I would take a W108/109. I don't like any of the W126 and later s-class bodies.

Zacharias · #4 05-29-2011, 03:20 AM

The only ongoing complaints I had with my '79 were the lack of more adjustments on the seat (power seat suits my bad back better) and the problem many have with squeaking/rattling rear doors. My rear doors openings ended up lined with all kinds of felt pads to muffle the noise.

Superb car for long distance driving. Felt less ponderous than a w126 in urban driving too.

Many, many people didn't like them, however. I always loved the design. When they came in out, in my teen years, many thought them to be the most beautiful sedans in the world.

Squiggle Dog · #5 05-29-2011, 03:29 AM

The W116 is the most comfortable and user-friendly car I have ever driven. It's very heavy, yet gets incredible fuel mileage. It's long, yet it turns sharper than a Ford Bronco II. It's old, yet it handles as well as a modern car.

Sadly, they seem shunned in the Mercedes world along with the fintails (my second favorite). They're like a W123 but a little bigger and more bling, like a sporty SLC, only roomier.

They seem to have been built at a time when Mercedes had everything sorted out and before they started to come up with new problems. I'm keeping my W116 for life!

1980sd · #6 06-02-2011, 11:09 PM

Still the best...

Doktor Bert · #7 06-03-2011, 03:30 AM

Between 1978 and 1980, about 28,634 W116's were produced.

My VIN ends with 000433.

Zacharias · #8 06-03-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

Sadly, they seem shunned in the Mercedes world along with the fintails (my second favorite). They're like a W123 but a little bigger and more bling, like a sporty SLC, only roomier.

I fell in love with the w116 when I was about 19 and my boss bought a 450sel. I always wanted one but I knew about the V8's thirst... then one fine spring day 20 or so years later I saw a guy crusing around our local bar strip in a gorgeous w116 with Virginia plates that said "turbodiesel" on the trunk lid.

A year later I bought my '79.

I have never understood the prejudice against them in the Mercedes community either. The shops around here would literally ask "Why do you bother with that thing? Why not just get a w126?"

ashedd · #9 06-03-2011, 02:55 PM

I would like to sit in one. At 6'7" I am curious if it's a better fit than the 126. Do they ride better than a 126? I have pretty much sworn off anything but 124's, but I would still like to have a nice big highway cruiser.

1980sd · #10 06-03-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashedd

I would like to sit in one. At 6'7" I am curious if it's a better fit than the 126. Do they ride better than a 126? I have pretty much sworn off anything but 124's, but I would still like to have a nice big highway cruiser.

I'm 6'2" and usually have seats all the way back on most cars. On my '80SD I keep it forward a little bit.

I have driven a couple of 126's and they have that luxo-barge vibe to me (Which is cool) but my 116 just drives like it's smaller. The 126's I looked at may have had worn out suspension or something but they didn't seem to give the same road feedback as a 116.

Hard to put into words. 116's just feel more "taught" whereas the 126's I've driven felt "mushy".

Ether · #11 06-03-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1980sd

Hard to put into words. 116's just feel more "taught" whereas the 126's I've driven felt "mushy".

That's a good description of how I would compare the ride between my 126 and 116.
Love the 126 on the highway. The 116 is a better town car in my opinion.

ashedd · #12 06-03-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1980sd

I'm 6'2" and usually have seats all the way back on most cars. On my '80SD I keep it forward a little bit.

I have driven a couple of 126's and they have that luxo-barge vibe to me (Which is cool) but my 116 just drives like it's smaller. The 126's I looked at may have had worn out suspension or something but they didn't seem to give the same road feedback as a 116.

Hard to put into words. 116's just feel more "taught" whereas the 126's I've driven felt "mushy".

Sorta like a large w123, which has already been mentioned. I think I get the idea. So are the seats power? Cause I need power seats in order to fit well. That is one reason I do not like the w123.

Ether · #13 06-03-2011, 03:55 PM

The SD's have manual seat adjust like the 123. Not sure about any of the gasser versions but I don't think they have power seats.

compu_85 · #14 06-03-2011, 04:12 PM

On the SEL you could get a power rear seat, but the fronts are manual.

Interesting that they handle so differently. A lot of the W126 suspension bits have 116 part numbers on them.

-J

winmutt · #15 06-03-2011, 05:05 PM

The front end on the 116, 123 and firstgen 126 is the same. The rear on the 116 and early 126 is the same.