450 SEL 6.9
Sorry folks...no G link to this question...but please excuse.
I have been offered a Brown 1974 450 SEL 6.9 for not a lot of money. No knowledge of it at all...other than its MOT'd + Taxed....so hopefully not TOO bad mechanically.
Wondering if anyone on here has any experience? Scary stories? Not sure if I want the headache to be truthful...or what I'll assume to be hefty repair bills if its a lemon!
The above just for reference!
Hi Marty the pic is obviously not the vehicle in question..10 miles to the gallon "S" class and "L" so lots of body to polish and room inside to play table tennis. from a good stable with exceptional provenance.. bought by the ton! it could attract a devotee..not in NI maybe....you could look at it for a long time.......
Ye Marty . That looks like a S class maybe 350 but dont think its a sel 450 . Wrong shape
The photo is quite cool still. I love old mercs. Crashed into a solid concrete junction once with a look alike @80miles per hour. Drove the car to the garage to get repaired.
Good Car, my uncle had one for a few years - Amazing if you get all the original foot rests and stuff with it. Expensive if it does go wrong - he had a piston problem and it set him back a couple of K to get it sorted.
Hope the link to Wiki helps...
Merc 6.9 SEL
and
Spider1V
Hi Marty according to MB sources the developement models were built during 1974 with the launch in 1975 ...might be worthwhile putting the vin number into MB customer service on 00800 1 777 7777 for the build date etc......
Hi Marty
The ones pictured are both US LHD models. Less interest to a UK fan. The model is the 116 merc. The 6.9 was the top model in its day and massively expensive. They have hydraulic suspension amongst other interesting features. Search under m100 or something similar, that is the engine type.
Might cost you a lot of time to get it sellable in the UK
Is thus the sane engine that's was in the Pullman, or was that the 6.3 ?
Hi bukalec,
Although nice and tempting model, check very throughly for Rust generally all over but in particular the fuel tank and surrounding areas and rear suspension.
The hydralics is not easily worked on, parts availability can be a problem, especially the hydraupneumatics, if fitted.
Cheers,
Good chase section in "Ronin" if you know the film.
Sorry my mistake
ye as mentioned above its very strong and if had the crash in another car even new merc would have been toast
The engine in the Pullman (600) was the 6.3. The 6.9 was increased in size so has similarities. Both are M100 designated. 6.9 has a dry sump
Hi Marty
Might cost you a lot of time to get it sellable in the UK
Hi Roly, trust this finds you + yours well.....
The one being offered is original RHD...I've heard a figure of 274 were made thus.
Not a fixer up + sell on old girl...more a leisurely Sunday car. Sounds lovely,,,but may bring more headaches than smiles!!
Must factor in £200 for petrol, just to get her home!!
Hi Marty £200 for fuel!!! it must be somewhere in County Down then???
Hi Marty
A lot of car
i had one in the late eighties (it used more oil than petrol)
i have wrecked the place looking for some kodak snaps of it
if it is W116 it should have the m100 engine and badged 6.9
has it got the hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension
not like the 600 (6.3) has the Air suspensions
they have the Big fuel tank like the G wagen 95 or 96 litres
James hunt drove one for a while (i wonder did he take it on the track)
hi marty,
I actually looked at buying one of these once but was really turned off by the suspension (which is similar to the pullman - hydraulic). If this goes wrong, you'll find yourself spending £1000s just for the parts. They drive quite nice, but are not as fast as you'd think. Being built in the mid 70s - and made for the american market really - the emission restrictions took care of these cars not performing as they should. the slightly older 109 model (300 SEL 6.3) on the other hand is an absolute rocket by comparison: no emission restrictions at all! It doesn't drive as nicely in traffic as the 'newer' (450 SEL 6.9) model, but in either of these if you get stuck in traffic you'd want a petrol station nearby.......don't reckon on getting much more than 12 mpg on average.
Hope that helps/ph
Finally got to see her in the flesh....
What a beauty!! 52,000 genuine miles and full leather!!. Spare wheel in boot as new with never used spare tyre!! Originally bought in Hong Kong from "Zung Fu Mercedes" in 1977. Traded back in 13 years later and bought by the MD - who (Upon retirement I suppose) brought her back to UK many years later.
More photos if anyone interested.
Shipping back to Ireland this week...couldn't face the fuel bills to Stranraer!!
Very thirsty! But worth every litre. I've had two, and want one again. Fastest series production saloon car in the world from 1975 to 1981. James Hunt and Emerson Fitipalldi (spelling?) drove them as family cars.
Body panels, hydropneumatic suspension and air compressor are the usual problems, and all fixable.
Biggest expense is if the gearbox goes pear-shaped. I know, I shredded one.
Best of luck with that beauty Marty.
Regards.
Eddie.
Best of luck with that beauty Marty.
Regards.
Eddie.
Thanks Eddie, champing at the bit to get her home....hopefully on a transporter as we speak!!
Marty,
Looks good
&
Health to enjoy her
cheers
Marcus
G's be damned!! :D
Finally got her home this afternoon.....haven't had a smile this wide since the G55 arrived!!
Awesome springs to mind...nearly shredded the back tyres off her when I was a little too enthusiastic with the right foot!! Something this old and this heavy - beggars belief!!:
Careful. No Limited Slip Diff.
Careful. No Limited Slip Diff.
are u sure Eddie? thought they all have one?
Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 is a high-performance version of the ... unique to the 6.9 and a standard ZF limited slip differential both for enhanced ...
You could/should be right. I just remembered my father having an '81 500SE W126 that didn't (lethal!), so I thought I should warn you that it might not.
You will need the best (grippiest and widest) tyres you can get too.
Heres hoping for plenty of SNOW
Heres hoping for plenty of SNOW
Mum and dad took your toys away when you were young did'nt they? :mrgreen:
Spider1V :lol:
Martin
The car looks fantastic - not surprised you couldn't resist buying.
I always think that a well sorted classic is a far better bet for enjoyment than a new expensive item which you have to treat with kid gloves and which costs a fortune in depreciation.
Good luck with it and maybe I'll get to see it and the pick-up some day.
Leo
Thanks Leo....
See your PM
Cheers
Martin that is just naughty, genuinely chuffed you bought it, really like the colour as well.
Something sub zero about an old car that shifts like poop of a well shined shovel, friend had an old 560sel as a courtesy car few weeks back and he was smiling the whole time. take joe's view on fuel, it may cost but least its for pleasure, and im sure if the back end steps out it will give the heart a good work out!
Tom - is going to be working to jay leno's ethic when he's older
Whats "toys" :?: Spider
Martin,
Pleased that you got it home safely. Before you spin up the tyres, check out the price. They are rare and expensive. It's got a LSD.
:D
Keep her Lit
Keep her Lit
great line
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Hi Quinzil...pretty sure this is the right shape..... the 6.9 was a variable of this....read quite a bit about it...another snap:
10 MPG if you're lucky!!. Checking out classic car sites etc... and believe it or not... have seen one for £15k!!
Good chase section in "Ronin" if you know the film.