Mercedes-Benz W116 buyer's guide

The first car officially called S-Class — and the first turbodiesel Mercedes.

Years: 1972–1980 · Models: 280S, 280SE, 280SEL, 350SE, 350SEL, 450SE, 450SEL, 450SEL 6.9, 300SD

Overview

The W116 launched the S-Class name in 1972 with a strong emphasis on safety and long-distance comfort. It spans a wide range: six-cylinder 280s, the V8 350 and 450 cars, the dry-sump 450SEL 6.9 flagship, and the 300SD — the first turbodiesel production car, sold only in North America. Early cars rust; later cars are the better survivors, and the model spread makes careful selection worthwhile.

Engines

The 2.8-litre M110 six; the M116 3.5 and M117 4.5 V8s; the 6.9-litre M100 in the flagship; and the turbocharged five-cylinder OM617 diesel in the 300SD.

What to check

• Rust, especially on pre-1977 cars: sills, floor pans, rear wheel arches, the battery tray, and around the front and rear screens.
• The automatic climate control on US cars, whose Chrysler-derived servo unit fails with age and takes heating and air conditioning with it — a known, budgetable repair.
• On V8s, timing-chain guide wear; listen for rattle at start-up and ask when the guides and tensioner were last done.
• On the 6.9, the hydropneumatic suspension: spheres, leveling valves, and the high-pressure pump — the same overnight test as air suspension applies.
• K-Jetronic fuel-system behaviour on injected cars: hot-start problems usually trace to the accumulator and warm-up regulator.

Values

The 450SEL 6.9 is a collector car with prices to match; the 300SD has a devoted following for its turbodiesel milestone status. Ordinary V8s and sixes are still bought on condition: rust-free, late, documented cars command the premiums.

Buying tips

Date matters in this series: later cars resist rust better and have the sorted details. On any V8, treat timing-chain guides as scheduled maintenance and price a car accordingly if the work is undocumented.

See the 25 W116 cars currently listed.