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Garage => Test Drive => Topic started by: marku on 04 August 2019, 12:13 PM

Title: Classic Mercedes
Post by: marku on 04 August 2019, 12:13 PM
Good write up on the 116 in the current issue about the acquisition of a 280SE. Often wanted to ask what is the driving experience isn't it a little under powered? Would have thought that a car the size of the 116 needed a larger engine.

Also on the S Class. Very supportive on the 116 and its prospects regarding valueand collectors interest but claims the 126 to be the best S Class. Wouldn't argue with its interior compared to the 116 which is very spartan by comparison, but the exterior is quite anonymous where as the 116 has a real presence.
Title: Re: Classic Mercedes
Post by: Randys01 on 07 August 2019, 10:50 PM
I drove a D jetronic 116 280se recently and had to concede it was nippier than you'd expect. the 4 speed box helps.
I'd imagine the later less powerful K jetronic might be a bit ho hum.
I reckon the 350 se is a great combo.
Title: Re: Classic Mercedes
Post by: marku on 11 August 2019, 11:20 AM
Just wondered really as I have always thought that bigger is better when it comes to engines particularly for a good smooth take off. Thought one of the 280 owners might have proved me wrong.
Title: Re: Classic Mercedes
Post by: rumb on 11 August 2019, 01:23 PM
I have a W126 300se Gen II that a good driver has quite decent enough power but I have learned to anticipate and downshift as needed.  I had for a very short time a W126 280SE euro Gen I manual trans and I could not believe they were the same chassis. That 280 with manual almost felt like a sports car.  The 280 is a great engine. I wouldn't mind having a R107 280sl for that reason. I can understand why the W116 280se was the highest number of units built.
Title: Re: Classic Mercedes
Post by: marku on 13 August 2019, 11:31 AM
Good enough I can understand why the manual was more responsive but do you think that it was a better experience than either 350/450/6.9? Certainly a six is inherently a good engine being better balanced. I have had cars with a 2.4/3.4/3.8 and 4.2L versions of the same six engine. All were great drives and all were manual. As far as sales went there were surely other considerations and I think it wasn't chosen on performance. 
Title: Re: Classic Mercedes
Post by: p. rex on 15 August 2019, 11:09 AM
3.4, 3.8, and 4.2-liter straight-sixes?  You wouldn't happen to be a recovering Jaguar fanatic, would you?

Jordan
Title: Re: Classic Mercedes
Post by: marku on 15 August 2019, 12:53 PM
Yes been a Jaguar fan for ever. Only got in to the 116 by accident really and now a real enthusiast. I should have perhaps added to that list a pre-war 3.5 but of course it wasn't the XK engine which was really something. A great design and looked good as well. Rebuilt some of them but they are so expensive now so just memories.