Let's find the average age of w116 owners!

[robgee]

Well I'm up there with the more mature owners and I mean that in the sincerest way not tosound superscilious.Yes I'm 49 and I first took a fancy to the W116 when I saw one way way back in 1973 as a schoolboy, thought it looked so modern I've had my 450SE for about a year now but my daily driver is a W140 S500.Which contrary to s class's problems has been totally trouble free, now has 320,000 klms and apart from regular servicing hasn't missed a beat.
Regards,
Rob.

[michaeld]

Styria,
I noticed, and rather accurately predicted your age-range when I saw you'd responded to the thread.  Sprightly and boyish you may be in both appearance and energy, but you still radiate a little bit of the "old codger" in your posts!

I hope you live forever, if for no other reason than that you are one of the most mechanically sophisticated contributers to the forum.  Many of us count upon your "elderly wisdom" when our cars need fixin'.
Mike

[robgee]

Hi Styria I like the bit about grabbing everything with both hands, how does the saying go "your only as old as the woman  you feel" (sorry about that guys)
I used to be apathetic but now I couldn't care less!
Ha Ha.
Regards,
Rob.

[michaeld]

Styria,
I sincerely intended every word of it, and am glad it engendered positive feelings.  I will have to visit the "lounge section," as I have not done so yet.

Hey, back on thread topic, here's an addendum thought:
To the extent that you are whatever age you currently are, would you have bought a w116 when you were younger, or is the w116 a car "you have to grow [up] into"?

[s class]

You grow into the W116.  I bought mine when I was very young, at the time I was into hot modified Fords.  I didn;t drive the 280SE for a year because I thought it was so slow and sad.  Then I sidelined my daily driver Ford for a year for a complete rebuild.  I planned to drive the "old man" 280SE only until the Ford was running again.  Well that was about 8 years ago, and the 280SE got under my skin such that I haven't stopped driving it.

So I don't think you need to be any specific age to appreciate the W116, yo just have to give it the time to sink in and convince you of its superiority. 

And no, robgee, I'm not bothered by your W140 remarks, I'm happy for you you've not had hassles.  Styria, I'm a lot more boyant about the W140 today.  I believe I have found and solved my long - persisting problems.  The right hand inlet camshaft was opening cyl 1 valves at 50 degrees ATDC, and closing 51 degress ABDC (spec is 30 dec ATDC and 30 deg ABDC respectively).  I found that moving the RH inlet cam sprocket by 1 tooth on the chain has corrected this.  All 4 camshafts are now within 2 degrees of spec timing.

I can't drive the car because I still have no master cylinder and no calipers, but I started the engine and it sounds very different now.  Very potent with immediate response.  I look forward to the first drive!

Ryan

[Nutz]

35 and my first Mercedes was in 1990,a W108 280SE ,white on black  Picked up my first W116 in 2000.

[Brian Crump]

The age of the average 116 owner is in inverse proportion to the frequency with which you drive the car. The more you drive it the younger you become. Thus Styria and I are younger than the average....well, that's my story and I am sticking to it.
Regards,
Brian

[bahnstormer109]

I got my first 116 when i was 21. ive been obsessed with benzes since my dad got a 123 280E when i was 10.
my second 116, i got 2 weeks ago, im now 23.
when i got my first car at 18, a 114 280CE i never came across any benz owners/ enthusiasts who were around my age. most of the members of the benz club here in qld are in their 30s to retirees.

ive been surprised lately to find more benz enthusiasts online in these forums who are closer to my age. its a shame most of them tend to be in different states.

id love to see younger benz owners joining the benz club here in qld and coming to the meetings and runs. we need some young enthusiastic members, or one day ill be the only one left!

cheers,
Paolo.

[ESO]

I am 38, I still remember driving my dad's W116 280S after I got my driver's license 20 years ago. That's one major reason why I always wanted to own one for all these years.

[116.025]

I'm a whopping 23.  I first started to appreciate the W116 after we acquired my Mom's Euro '78 450SEL back in 1989.  Being all of 6 at the time, one of my earliest points of appreciation was it didn't have the silly chrome decoration on the seatback that I would occasionally give myself a headache on that dad's '79 Chevy Malibu did.  I always liked the distinct sound of that M117.  I later learned to drive primarily on that 450SEL, then learned to drive stick a couple of years later on dad's '70 220D.  As you can see from my sig, I liked both enough to get cars of my own of the same chassis.

I first owned a 116 in late 2003, the 280SEL that inspired my handle.  It was rusty, but the M110 mated to the manual 4-spd was absolute bliss to drive, since the mechanics were excellent until I ran in into the back of a VW that slammed on the brakes after a car jumped out in front of it.  Still breaks my heart, since they made fewer W116 280SELs than they did the beloved 6.9s!  I love my 280SE, but I miss the room of the SEL.

[Papalangi]

At nearly 46, I'm on my fourth MB.  I tried a 1970 250/8 and swore never to own a multiple carb'd engine again.  The second was a 1976 280C.  The third is the 1971 250C.  Yes, the twin carb'd M130.

I have tried to sell the 250C a few times but without trying too hard.  The missus says things like "maybe you should keep it and fix it up."  Hmmm....

I picked up the 450SEL as a car seat won't fit in the back of a coupe and I wanted something safe for my first born son to ride with daddy in.

Michael

[robertd]

If you looking for a strong, safe and comfortable car you do better than a W116.
Any of them, but the bigger the engine the more fun they are.
Regards Robert

[adamb]

The tax on fuel has just gone up another 5% in the UK. It's now about US$1.80 a litre. That's a lot of money to fill the 96 litre tank in a W116!

This is why as much as I love london, I could never move back. I just like gas guzzlers too much. Which part of London are you guys from?

Hi Al,

I live near Leytonstone (East End'ish) and work in the City. Just bought a scooter for getting around! 80 mpg is better at 12 and parking is free!

Adam

[Andrew280SEL]

Don't know if anyones still looking at this thread...
Anyway, I couldnt submit a vote being only 16 (17 in March).
Looks like Im the new youngest
But seriously, I feel at my age to be very grateful and fortunate to own one of these great cars. I'll NEVER sell it.

[oscar]

Andrew in Tassie, you've suddenly made all those 20 somethings feel old.  Well done 

Without rereading all the posts, although others had rides in newer 116's owned by family members, I think you may have taken the cake as the youngest outright owner ever.  My first ride in a 116 was when I was 17, but I certainly didn't own it.  At 16, are you allowed to drive by yourself in Tassie, or are you still on your "L's".  Does March signify your legal ability to fly solo?