Teach me about the W116 oppo

"V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches" (jbv12)
10/09/2017 at 22:03 • Filed to: None

I want a classic Benz, and a guy near me is selling a mostly intact 450 SEL. It apparently runs and drives but needs some “fine tuning with idling” and has apparently recently had a few services done recently. For $1900 it seems like a pretty safe bet.

DISCUSSION (13)

AM3R, lost another burner > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/09/2017 at 22:10

Also interested in this. From my limited research, they are incredibly reliable.

Steve in Manhattan > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/09/2017 at 22:11

That generation is probably the most bulletproof S Class ever, but if it’s got problems, it’ll cost you bigtime. Loved me a 300SD in the day, but never had one. If you have a mechanic, have him/her give the car a once over. Trans, seals (rear main especially) and diff, and watch MercedesSource youtube channel for advice on buying old MBs.

fintail > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/09/2017 at 23:10

Pros: Nice styling, quite modern car for the era, immense build quality, sometimes interesting color palette, still quite affordable for all but the most concours 6.9s

Cons: hilarious mileage, 1974+ US spec models have park bench bumpers, seat cushions collapse in some climates, cruise control amplifiers and climate control can be iffy, I think 75-76 models can have emissions-related hiccups, low prices mean you can get upside down fast.

If you love the car, go for it, but try for some kind of PPI, and be careful. The idling issue could be FI-related.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > fintail
10/09/2017 at 23:15

This one is a 73. Is the Bosch fuel injection tricky? Also, do all of the 450s have SLS or is it just the 6.9

fintail > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/09/2017 at 23:31

Probably the best year for US model cars, small bumpers and lax emissions. I don’t know if the FI is really difficult, rather than just expensive if it needs major work. But it could be a minor thing - I know the MFI era cars often have a surging idle (my fintail does it on occasion), and it isn’t a big issue.

I don’t know about SLS on non-6.9s, I don’t think non-6.9 cars had it by default, but I think they can have it. I don’t know if it was an option or year difference.

AdverseMartyr > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/09/2017 at 23:56

Not sure how different the injection on this 450 SEL could be without knowing the year, but “fine tuning with idling” for my 1980 450SL could involve a couple thousand in parts for the fuel distributor, and all the rest of the system. It’s a mechanical injection system with lots of pieces that can fail.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/10/2017 at 01:02

A bit tricky, even if you know what you’re doing (good luck finding that guy), and expensive because of course it is. But I think they’re super cool. Way cooler than a 126 or 140.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/10/2017 at 01:32

Hmm. Apparently the guy had the new parts installed and now it’s just getting it to idle properly.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/10/2017 at 02:16

Sounds like it might need an old guy. Or some YouTube research.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/10/2017 at 08:55

I’ll take it to a guy myself, but I’d like to buy a Haines manual and work on this one myself.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/10/2017 at 09:45

The injection system will be the hardest for you to overcome. Then the vacuum system. But I’m sure there’s plenty of information available and you’ll manage just fine if you’re patient about it.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/10/2017 at 10:41

This would be a fifth car, and I’ve got nothing but time to work on it. I’m just about done installing the stove in my shop and I finally finished my bathroom last month, so I need something to occupy my time with.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/10/2017 at 15:22

Do it!