1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL Silver V8 Automatic

1979 Mercedes-Benz 400-Series -- Description

NorCal Motor Cars is proud to present for sale this beautiful 1979 450SEL. This car is believed to be a two owner car that we acquired from a 92 year old man who had owned the car since the late 1980s. The car runs and drives beautifully and starts right up, even if it has been sitting for sometime. All options on the car work as they should, with the exception of the A/C which does not blow cold, the automatic antenna does not go up & down as it should, and the ashtray is missing. The only modifications done to the vehicle were the updating of the tape deck. The former owner installed a removable face plate deck in place of the original stock piece. We have the original books that came with the car, as well as the maintenance book stamped from new through 1982. I have personally driven this car regularly for the last several months as I really enjoy the way it drives.This is a great opportunity to pick up a "practical classic" that can be driven and maintained on a budget. These cars are appreciating and I have also put Hagerty's values below as well. I would classify this car as "GOOD+". Please see below on some history of the W116 Chassis S-Class Mercedes, from Wikipedia. Thanks for viewing and Happy Bidding.
Current Values

• #1 Concours$25,000
• Condition #1 vehicles are the best in the world. The visual image is of the best vehicle, in the right colors, driving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, the vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials used are correct and superbly fitted. The one word description for #1 vehicles is "concours."
• #2 Excellent$17,500
• #2 vehicles could win a local or regional show. They can be former #1 vehicles that have been driven or have aged. Seasoned observers will have to look closely for flaws, but will be able to find some not seen by the general public. The paint, chrome, glass and finishes will all appear as excellent. No excessive smoke will be seen on startup, no unusual noises will emanate from the engine. The vehicle will drive as a new vehicle of its era would. The one word description for #2 vehicles is "excellent."
• #3 Good$10,600
• #3 vehicles could possess some, but not all of the issues of a #4 vehicle, but they will be balanced by other factors such as a fresh paint job or a new, correct interior where applicable. #3 vehicles drive and run well, but might have some incorrect parts. These vehicles are not used for daily transportation but are ready for a long tour without excuses, and the casual passerby will not find any visual flaws. "Good" is the one word description of a #3 vehicle.
• #4 Fair$6,100

The Mercedes-Benz W116 is a series of flagship luxury sedans produced from September 1972 until 1980. The W116 automobiles were the first Mercedes-Benz models to be officially called S-Class, although earlier sedan models had already unofficially been designated with the letter 'S' – for Sonderklasse or "special class."
History

The 'new' S-class generation development began in 1966, which was only a year after the launch of the W108/09. This was the first Mercedes saloon to feature the brand new corporate styling theme which was to be continued until 1993 when the 190 was discontinued. The design, finalized in December 1969 was a dramatic leap forward, with more masculine lines that combined to create an elegant and sporty character. The basic design concept carried through the themes originally introduced on the R107 SL-Class roadster, especially the front and rear lights. As for the SL, the W116 received the ridged lamp covers which kept dirt accumulation at bay; this was to remain a Mercedes-Benz design theme into the 21st century. The W116 was Friedrich Geiger's last design for Mercedes-Benz; his career had started with the Mercedes-Benz 500K in 1933.

The car was presented in September 1972. The model range initially included two versions of the M110 engine (Straight-six with 2746cc displacement)—the 280 S (using a Solex carburetor) and the 280 SE (using Bosch D-Jetronic injection), plus the 350 SE, powered by the M116 engine (V8 with 3499cc displacement). After the 1973 Fuel Crisis, a long-wheelbase version of the 280 was added to the lineup.

Half a year later, in early 1973, two new models powered by the M117 engine (V8 with 4520cc displacement) were added to the range—the 450 SE and the 450 SEL (with a 100mm longer body). The 450 had 225PS (165kW) in most markets, federalized cars offered 190hp (142kW) while Swedish market cars had an EGR-valve and 200PS (147kW) until 1976. The 450s received a plusher interior as well, with velour or leather seats rather than the checkered cloth of the lesser models. The door insides were also of a different design, being pulled up around the windows.

The 300 SD sedan (American market only) had a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-five diesel engine developed from the C111 experimental vehicle. In September 2013, a 1979 W116 300 SD was campaigned in the 24 Hours of Lemans at Carolina Motorsports Park, where it completed 166 laps at an average speed of 54.8 MPH. It won the highest prize of the event, the Index of Effluency. Other than mild issues relating to brake and tire wear, no mechanical issues were encountered. After numerous modifications to handling, the car was again run in February 2014 at Barber Motorsports park in Birmingham, AL. It placed 44th, but turned 281 laps at an average pace of 59.6 MPH. One of the key advantages of the 300 SD is its exceptional fuel economy on track, where it burns just 2.5 GPH (Roughly 18MPG). In July 2014 it placed first in class at Sebring. It is still active in the series.

The 450 SE was named the European Car of the Year in 1974, even though the W116 range was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in the fall of 1972. The W116 range became the first production car to use an electronic four-wheel multi-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) from Bosch as an option from 1978 on.

Production totaled 473,035 units. The W116 was succeeded by the W126 S-Class in 1979. The W116 was sold throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia.

Models The entry level six cylinder 280 S was the only model in the range to incorporate a carburetor.

In 1975, the W116 was upgraded with a new fuel injection system to comply with revised exhaust emission standards in European markets. A slight power reduction was a result of this update. In 1978, a series of engine upgrades restored original performance levels with new fuel injection systems.

Chassis codeModel YearsModelEngineNo. built

W116.020	1973–1980	280 S sedan	2.8 L M110 I6	122,848
W116.024	1973–1980	280 SE sedan	2.8 L M110 I6	150,593
W116.025	1974–1980	280 SEL sedan	2.8 L M110 I6	7,032
W116.028	1973–1980	350 SE sedan	3.5 L M116 V8	51,100
W116.029	1973–1980	350 SEL sedan	3.5 L M116 V8	4,266
W116.032	1973–1980	450 SE sedan	4.5 L M117 V8	41,604
W116.033	1973–1980	450 SEL sedan	4.5 L M117 V8	59,578
W116.036	1975–1980	450 SEL 6.9	6.9 L M100 V8	7,380
W116.120	1978–1980	300 SD sedan	3.0 L OM617 I5 turbodiesel (United States and Canada only)	28,634 Technical data Technical data Mercedes-Benz W116 (Manufacturer's figures except where stated) Mercedes-Benz280S (W116 V28)280SE (W116 E28)350SE (W116 E35)450SE (W116 E45)450SEL 6.9 (W116 E69)300SD (W116 D30A) Produced: 1972–1980 SE: 1972 – 1980 SEL: 1974 − 1980 SE: 1972 – 1980 SEL: 1973 − 1980 1972–1980 1975–1980 1977–1980 Engine: 6-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted 90° 8-cylinder-V engine (four-stroke), front-mounted 5-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted Bore x Stroke: 86mm x 78.8mm 92mm x 65.8mm 92mm x 85mm 107mm x 95mm 90.9mm x 92.4mm Displacement: 2746 cc 3499 cc 4517 cc 6834 cc 3005 cc before 1979, 2998 cc after 1979 Max. Power @ rpm: 160PS (120kW; 160hp) @ 5500 USA: 120bhp (89kW; 122PS) @ 4800 185PS (136kW; 182hp) @ 6000 USA: 142bhp (106kW; 144PS) @ 5750 200PS (150kW; 200hp) @ 5800 225PS (165kW; 222hp) @ 5000 USA: 193PS (142kW; 190hp) @ 4750 286PS (210kW; 282hp) @ 4250 250bhp (186kW; 253PS) @ 4000 1979: 110bhp (82kW; 112PS) @ 4200 1980: 120bhp (89kW; 122PS) @ 4350 Max. Torque @ rpm: 225N·m (166lb·ft) @ 4000 USA: 143ft·lbf (194N·m) 238N·m (176lb·ft) @ 4500 USA: 149ft·lbf (202N·m) 286N·m (211lb·ft) @ 4000 377N·m (278lb·ft) @ 3000 USA: 240ft·lbf (325N·m) 550N·m (410lb·ft) @ 3000 USA: 360ft·lbf (488N·m) 1979: 168ft·lbf (228N·m) @ 2400 1980: 170ft·lbf (230N·m) @ 2400 Compression Ratio: 9.0: 1 9.0: 1 9.5: 1 8.8: 1 8.8: 1 21.5: 1 Fuel feed: One 2-bbl Solex 4A1 Bosch D-Jetronic, from July 1975 K-Jetronic Bosch K-Jetronic Bosch injection pump Garrett turbine Fuel tank capacity: 96L (25.4USgal; 21.1impgal) 82L (21.7USgal; 18.0impgal) Valvetrain: DOHC, duplex chain SOHC, duplex chain Cooling: Water Gearbox: 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic (4-speed auto on the 6cyl 280) rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.92:1 or 3.69:1 (V8: 3.46:1 & 3.07:1) 3-speed automatic rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.07:1 3-speed automatic rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 2.65:1 4-speed automatic rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.07:1 Electrical system: 12 volt Front suspension: Double wishbones, coil and additional rubber springs, stabilising bar 6.9: Double wishbones, hydropneumatic damping, stabilizing torsion bar Rear suspension:: Diagonal swing axle, trailing arms, coil springs, stabilizing torsion bar 6.9: Diagonal swing axle, hydropneumatic damping, stabilizing torsion bar Brakes: Disc brakes (Ø 278mm front, 279mm rear), power assisted, from 1979 on request ABS Steering: Recirculating ball steering, manual or servo-assisted Body structure: Sheet steel, monocoque (unibody) construction Dry weight: 1,660kg (3,660lb) USA: 3,770lb (1,710kg) 1,665kg (3,671lb) SEL: 1,700kg (3,700lb) USA: 3,750lb (1,700kg) 1,725kg (3,803lb) SEL: 1,760kg (3,880lb) 1,790kg (3,950lb) SEL: 1,825kg (4,023lb) USA: 3,843lb (1,743kg) 1,985kg (4,376lb) USA: 4,285lb (1,944kg) 1,815kg (4,001lb) Loaded weight: 2,130kg (4,700lb) 2,130kg (4,700lb) SEL: 2,165kg (4,773lb) 2,195kg (4,839lb) SEL: 2,220kg (4,890lb) 2,250kg (4,960lb) SEL: 2,285kg (5,038lb) 2,420kg (5,340lb) 2,215kg (4,883lb) Track front/ rear: 1,521mm (59.9in) / 1,505mm (59.3in) Wheelbase: S/SE: 2,865mm (112.8in) SEL: 2,965mm (116.7in) Length: 4,960mm (195in) 5,060mm (199in) Width: 1,870mm (74in) Height: 1,410mm (56in) − 1,430mm (56in) Tyre/Tire sizes: 185 HR 14 205/70 HR 14 215/70 HR 14 185 HR 14 Acceleration 0–100km/h: 11.5s 10.5s 9.5s (10.0s SEL) 9.3s (9.9s SEL) 7.4s 17.0s 16.2s (from 10.1979) Top speed: 190km/h (120mph) 200km/h (120mph) 205km/h (127mph) 210km/h (130mph) 225km/h (140mph) 165km/h (103mph) Fuel Consumption (guideline DIN 70030: determined at 3/4 of top-speed (not more than 110km/h), plus 10%): 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres (22.6mpg‑imp; 18.8mpg‑US) 13.0 litres per 100 kilometres (21.7mpg‑imp; 18.1mpg‑US) 14.5 litres per 100 kilometres (19.5mpg‑imp; 16.2mpg‑US) 16.0 litres per 100 kilometres (17.7mpg‑imp; 14.7mpg‑US) 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres (27mpg‑imp; 22mpg‑US) Features Mercedes-Benz 280 SE (France) Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL (Australia) The W116 S-Class incorporated a broad variety of Mercedes-Benz safety innovations. Four wheel anti-lock brakes were first featured as an option on the 1978 W116 S-Class. This system prevents the wheels from locking while braking. The system improves steering control during hard braking situations, and to shorten brake distances. Strengthened body structure. The W116 featured a more stable security passenger cell with a stiffened roof frame structure. High strength roof and door pillars, along with other reinforced zones, provided enhanced vehicle occupant protection. Deformation zones (crumple zones) in the front and rear. A padded dashboard, deformable switches and controls, and a four-spoke steering wheel with impact absorber and broad impact cushion aimed to reduce occupant injury during collisions. The fuel tank was no longer fitted at the rear end, but was now placed above the rear axle for added protection. Wraparound turn signals made it easier to communicate with nearby drivers.