Difference between 72 and 73 280 se 4.5

[bracurrie]

Originally Posted by berfinroy

Bracurrie:
I had a low mileage 1976 Euro W116 450SEL 6.9 for several years. Before that, a 1969 W109 300SEL 2.8. Both top of the line models. While the 6.9 drove very well indeed, the interior appointments had been diminished with skimpier wood accents and vinyl door cards where the 300 used more wood and its high grade Roser leather on every surface. I couldn't believe the "bean counters" had gotten their way on Mercedes' top model. I sold the 6.9 and replaced it with a 1972 300SEL 4.5 which I've had for 14 years and plan to keep until they take my keys away.

I get that. My W108 has a quality that the W116s never had. But that zero offset steering and other advanced features made the W116 an iconic car in its own right.

[ejboyd5]

The 4.5 was the last of the hand built cars and is unrivaled by anything newer.

[vandor]

This 'model year' is a US only thing, that is why on European makes often there are changes in the middle of a model year. It is really up to the manufacturer when they start or stop producing a certain model year, I think Federal Law only states that on January 1st of a certain year the production must of the same model year, but on Jan.2nd they could start on next years models :-) Thus it is possible that late in 1972 MB decided to call some of the last production W108s '1973s' so they don't look like leftovers.

[bracurrie]

Originally Posted by berfinroy

Bracurrie:
I had a low mileage 1976 Euro W116 450SEL 6.9 for several years. Before that, a 1969 W109 300SEL 2.8. Both top of the line models. While the 6.9 drove very well indeed, the interior appointments had been diminished with skimpier wood accents and vinyl door cards where the 300 used more wood and its high grade Roser leather on every surface. I couldn't believe the "bean counters" had gotten their way on Mercedes' top model. I sold the 6.9 and replaced it with a 1972 300SEL 4.5 which I've had for 14 years and plan to keep until they take my keys away.

W116 models didn't age well if subjected to heat. All of the plastic foam interior panels would change shape when the moisture dried up. I love the W116 tech, and I love the way a W108/9 looks and feels.
In your case the 300 SEL interior appointments make those very special. My W108 while every bit the excellent machine just isn't elegant like the W109.