What would you call . . .

[Big_Richard]

A long wheel base version of a w116 with a carby m110?

obviously no such car exists..... and it certainly couldnt of been called a 280SL 

did L version w116s only come with highly specified interiors? I don't think I've ever come across an SEL with manual window winders and a basic interior.

Why was there no w116 SDL either? SD's didn't have povo interiors as far as im aware.. Is fuel consumption really that much different between L and non L?

[Squiggle Dog]

That's a good one! I know 280SELs exist, but a carbed one would have to be a 280SL, which could not exist outside of R/W107 form.

They probably didn't make a W116 300SDL for two reasons; one being that it was an introductory/experimental model when it was introduced in 1978 and they wanted to keep it simple, two being that the 300SD was meant to be as economical as possible, so adding a longer wheelbase would hurt the fuel mileage (this is also why the hood and trunk lid are aluminum and many 1980 models don't have sunroofs). I've seen 300SDLs made before, and they look nice. I have to admit that the back seat area on the short wheelbase models is cramped.

[jbrasile]

MT,

That is an interesting point...

I think all L cars even the 280SEL came with the "luxury" interior that included the thick door panels and different patterns on the seats. However it was possible to have a 280SEL with manual windows, no central locking, tex interior, etc...I think 350SEL's always had central locking and power windows.

Tks,

Joe

[KenM]

I've never been able to fathom the logic of the aluminium bonnet and boot lids for the SD's, over the total weight of the car these two items must make a bee's dick worth of difference in the grand scheme it seems to me, the fuel economy gain must be truly infinitesimal, or really small even. And I imagine they would be much more delicate than steel items, easily dented or marked, seems a wonder there are any left at all after these many years.

[TJ 450]

There is actually a fair bit of weight in just those two panels.

The 107 SLs had aluminium bonnets as well... Not sure about the SLCs though.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

i think the steel 116 bonnet would weigh between 20 - 30kg and the boot lid would be 10 - 15kg from memory.

would of been nice if they made the doors out of alu instead as they are much heavier.

[1980sdga]

I've never been able to fathom the logic of the aluminium bonnet and boot lids for the SD's, over the total weight of the car these two items must make a bee's dick worth of difference in the grand scheme it seems to me, the fuel economy gain must be truly infinitesimal, or really small even. And I imagine they would be much more delicate than steel items, easily dented or marked, seems a wonder there are any left at all after these many years.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/cafe/overview.htm

Ze Germans had to comply with US "CAFE" standards    The aluminum parts are supposed to be about 20 kg lighter which offset the added weight of special impact-absorbing appendages required here:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/studies/bumper/index.html

We got special speedometers too...

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/05/don%E2%80%99t-drive-faster-than-your-speedometer-will-go/

[Big_Richard]

gotta love the 85mph speedometers 

The justification for them sounds just about as moronic as the constant drivel that comes from our own red headed waddling duck prime minister.

[1980sdga]

You got 85's Down Under?  Say it aint so...

[Mforcer]

Luckily no. The 85's were USA (Canada?) only.

[Squiggle Dog]

Another interesting bit of information is that the bumpers for the North American market are made of aluminum (they're not as heavy as they look). So, for the 300SDs, we get an aluminum hood, trunk, wheels, and bumpers!

[Big_Richard]

if you have a spare complete front/rear USA spec bumper assembly would you be able to weigh it? But include the bumper shock absorbers as they are not fitted on the normal version cars.

It would be interesting to know exactly what the difference is.

[Squiggle Dog]

I think I have a spare front and rear in the back yard. I'll check to see the weight of each.

[Big_Richard]

it may give you USA spec bumper people something else to brag about, ie "our bumpers are lighter than yours!" 

[KenM]

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/cafe/overview.htm

Ze Germans had to comply with US "CAFE" standards   

Geez Jon, after reading that lot (yes I did) my head is spinning. I thought we were the only bureaucracy to have too many public servants with too much time on their hands so that they were forced to dream up crap like this. No wonder you blokes got shafted with your engine horsepower figures. At least you got the good bumpers.