1980 Mercedes-Benz W116 Sedan Diesel review from North America

On my first test drive, I fell in love with the smooth ride of the car.

I never had driven a diesel or a Mercedes for that matter, so I didn't know what to expect. My husband of 3 years was in the back seat and he said to the owner, "we'll take it". It was the first thing we agreed on in our marriage. Paid $2500 and drove home.

The next day the car stalled 3 times on the way to work. $3500 later...

The valve cover gasket was replaced. Both fuel filters packed with filth replaced.

The fuel tank was like a pool of sludge and was emptied, cleaned and resealed.

Power window switches changed out.

I purchased the car to be able to use Bio-Diesel in it... So after 3 months of using bio-diesel my car thought it was still ignited, even after I had turned it off and removed the key. I had to lift the hood and push the red diamond shape switch to shut off the engine. The mechanic said that gunky carbon deposits were landing all over the plastic lines and stuff all under the hood from the motor cleaning itself, at least that's how it was explained to me. My car was in the shop a week while they cleaned the carbon deposits and replaced most of the vacuum lines and such that connect to the stuff on the dash board. A $1200. cost to impacting the environment with chicken fat bio diesel.

About a year later I began losing power again and the fuel injector pump went. This cost about $1100. to have rebuilt, since the part is $4000 new.

The oil cooler needed to be replaced too. This was a few hundred dollars too.

A few months later started losing power and next went the turbo charger. Purchased a used one in good condition for $265 and had it installed.

The tach sensor is being replaced now.

The rear seat looked perfect, but was actually dry rotted. I have an upholsterer who will repair the one I picked up at a junk yard, which is in better condition than the one in the car for about $250.

I had a leak into the trunk which appeared to be from the rubber seal that was drying out, so I had the shop replace the seal and when they removed the glass and seal, there was some rust in a few spots. So, they cut out the rusty areas, welded new metal, repainted the entire roof and new seal and trim to the tune of $700.

She was not starting and I would have to jump her. Well, she needed a new battery. She requires a large battery to keep her power up and going.

The air conditioner wasn't blowing real cold. The part that holds the freon had a big leak that was getting worse, so that was replaced for $500.

A few months later no cold air, it was an A/C clutch connector that needed to be replaced, $120.

This car is my baby. I take care of her and basically have been restoring her since we got her about a year and a half ago.

Since the first time she broke down, a year and a half ago - she has been amazing... and has never broke down or left me stranded since, and has always forewarned me when she needed special attention or something replaced.

I travel 70 miles an hour using her cruise control on Alligator Alley from Ft. Lauderdale to Naples, and she is a smooth rider and loves the open road.

All in all I have spent about $11,000 including the $2500 purchase price, and I wouldn't trade her in. She's a keeper!