Seller Submission: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL W116

In 1973 Mercedes-Benz introduced the legendary W116 S-Class to wealthy buyers around the world.  In case you are curious, the S is short for Sonderklasse, or Special Class, as in, unless you have a special ability to earn money, you can't afford this.  Today, the W116 chassis is known for its low startup costs, incredibly durable interior materials, tank-like build quality and expensive parts/labor costs if something major goes wrong.  Find this 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL offered for $6,400 in Moon Valley, AZ via craigslist. Seller submission from Daniel.

Moss Green: 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SE W116

The W116 chassis Mercedes-Benz S-Class was presented to the public in September of 1972 with inline-6 and optional V8 powerplants.  It was a huge car in long wheelbase variant and tipped the scales at a healthy 3900 lbs, but is known for a smooth ride and rugged build quality. The 450 SE variant of the W116 is motivated by a 4.5 liter single overhead camshaft (per bank) 90 degree V8 that pushes 214 horsepower and 266 ft-lbs of torque in a 3-speed automatic gearbox.  Find this 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SE W116 offered for $15,900 in Blue Ash, OH via craigslist.

Pick Your Poison: 1980, 1986, 1990, 2005 Mercedes-Benz Diesel

Imagine for a minute that you've got about five large to spend on a daily driver.  You need a car that will get you to your destination with minimal fuss, and maximum class, -- and you don't really care about speed.  Forget the used and abused Japanese late models that litter craigslist and instead buy a used Mercedes-Benz with compression ignition.  The only question is, how old?

Floating City: 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL W116

The W116 chassis Mercedes-Benz S-Class was presented to the public in September of 1972 with inline-6 and optional V8 powerplants.  It was a huge car in long wheelbase variant and tipped the scales at a healthy 3900 lbs, but is known for a smooth ride and rugged build quality.  If you are a Californian and have to deal with the state's draconian emissions test requirements, stick to the 1975 and earlier cars -- like this 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL offered for $3,000 in Marina del Rey, CA via craigslist.

Colonel Mustard: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300SD W116

The Mercedes-Benz W116 S-Class continued the tradition of flagship luxury where the W108 left off in 1972.  Styling was by Friedrich Geiger and it was the first production turbodiesel sedan to be released into the wild by Mercedes-Benz...or anybody else for that matter.  Today's example needs a little TLC, but has plenty of miles under her belt and plenty to go.  Find this 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300SD W116 offered for $1200 in Bothell, WA.

Special Sauce: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 280SE W116

The W116 Mercedes-Benz S-Class lives in that wonderful depreciated zone of classics where the sting of three figure repair bills overcomes the narcotizing waft of nostalgia.  People haven't forgotten how horrible these cars were when new and it'll be a few years before the inevitable price wars escalate prices to the stupid zone.  But before that happens, pickup a nice W116 like this 1977 Mercedes-Benz 280SE offered for $5,900 CAD ($4,452 USD) in Kitchener, OH Ontario, Canada via Kijiji.ca.  Tip from JohnU.

1k: Roadkill: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300SD W116

There are those old cars that you drive by on the side of the road every few days, cars that catch your eye but don't really snap your neck.  But one day the owner has a for sale sign in the window, and suddenly you stop, and take a closer look.  Like this 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300SD W116 found in Redondo Beach, CA offered for $900.  Roadkill is a DT special feature where we post cars that are seen on the side of the road by our readers and staff.  Just be sure to include contact info for the seller if  you submit some roadkill. 

5k: 570SEL: 1980 Mercedes-Benz W116 Chevy V8

In 1973 Mercedes-Benz introduced the legendary W116 S-Class around the globe.  In case you might wonder, the S is short for Sonderklasse, or Special Class, as in, unless you earn money like a special body parts doctor, you can't afford this.  Today, the W116 chassis is known for its low startup costs, incredibly durable interior materials, tank-like build quality and expensive parts/labor costs if something major goes wrong...unless you've removed the costly Mercedes-Benz engine and shoved something cheap up front.  Find this 1980 Mercedes-Benz W116 with Chevy V8 offered for $4,000 in Rockland, NY via craigslist.  Tip from Cory.

5k: Old Faithful: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL W116

The W116 generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of those old stalwarts of the industry that won't let the public down.  The W116 is tough and reliable icon in the same vein as Gotham City's Batman, Red Meat's Milkman Dan or Toronto's Rob Ford.  Like an old high school football buddy, it'll be there when you need it, to fight crime, scare your neighbors with a pig mask/cattle prod or help you dispose of a body.  Find this 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL offered for $3,500 in Auburn, CA via craigslist.

12k: Legendary Lunacy: Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9

The flagship car is one featuring cutting-edge technology, performance, and aesthetics that will one day power entry-level commuters is everyone's favorite trickle-down theory. Deep in the 1970s fuel crisis, Mercedes curiously began the practice with a tank of a car accompanied by a bewildering price tag. Even today, the now-infamous 450SEL 6.9 commands a premium over its W116-chassis siblings, but this is one of the cheapest driving examples we've seen. Find this 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 in San Francisco, CA for $12,000 via craigslist.

5k: Future Fossil: 1973 Mercedes Benz 450 SE W116

In 1973 Mercedes-Benz introduced the world to the legendary W116 S-Class -- S standing for Sonderklasse, or Special Class, as in, unless you are special, you can't afford this.  The W116 is known today for its low buy-in costs, incredibly durable interior materials, tank-like build quality and relatively expensive parts/labor costs if something major goes wrong.   Find this 1973 Mercedes Benz 450 SE offered for $6,200 in Pasadena, CA via craigslist. 

5k: Blue Plate Special: 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SE W116

Imagine, if you will, that you are a well-to-do 60-something with kids out of the house and plenty of money to spend on cars.  You aren't interested in sporty cars, just need something to drive to the bowling alley once a week and pickup a few friends at the senior center. You may find yourself tempted to head to the nearest Benz dealer and pickup a new E-Class for $70,000...but it would be a mistake.  Save your hard earned cash and pickup a inexpensive used classic, and you'll be happy as long as you budget for plenty of maintenance costs.  Your ungrateful, worthless children will inherit a few more dollars when you head to the big junkyard in the sky.  A good cheap example is this 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SE for sale in Vista, CA for $2,750 via craigslist.

5k: Big Benz Bonanza; 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SE W116

For some reason we've been on a classic Benz bender over here at the DT headquarters, located in the alley behind a 7-11.  There is something in the air (other than the smell from the dumpster) that just beckons us to the classic shape, style and substance of an early 1970s Mercedes Benz S-Class.  This 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SE W116 is for sale in Orange County, CA for $4,000 via craiglist.

5k Flash: 1979 Mercedes Benz W116 280SE

More good stuff from one of our favorite ebay sellers, pebbleandrock (aka cerealmarshmallows), this time in the form of a W116 - the original version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class - for Sonderklasse or "special class."  This 1979 Mercedes-Benz 280SE W116 sedan is for sale on ebay for the bargain price of $2,750 buy-it-now in San Diego, CA.

5k: 1979 Mercedes Benz 350SE W116 EuroTrash

The Mercedes-Benz W116 chassis first introduced the world to the legendary S-Class in 1972, S standing for Sonderklasse - or Special Class - as in, unless you are special, you can't afford this.  The W116 is known today for its incredibly durable interior materials, tank-like build quality and relatively expensive parts/labor costs if something major goes wrong.  This 1979 Mercedes-Benz W116 350SE Eurotrash grey-market example is being sold in San Diego, CA on ebay by one of our favorite ebayers 'cerealmarshmallows'.