Yes, there was a time when it wasn’t exactly hard to identify “the world’s best sedan”, and with the arrival of the newest w116 S-Class Mercedes, it was pretty much a shoo-in that it would claim that title. What else is new? The w116 was a big deal at the time; the first really new bigger Mercedes since the fintail in 1959, since the W108/109 sedans from 1965 were really just a direct evolution from the fintail.
Of course the W116 wasn’t “all new” inasmuch as it shared some elements under the skin and in its interior design with the R107 SL that had appeared just a year earlier. It did have an all-new front suspension, but the semi-trailing arm rear suspension dates back to the smaller W114/115 from 1968. The engines weren’t new. But this latest Benz was definitely bigger, heavier, longer, wider and thirstier; just in time for the energy crisis. And significantly safer; there’s no doubt it was “The World’s Safest Car”.
In Europe, the majority of these were six cylinder versions (280S, 280SE), with the new DOHC version of the Mercedes six, introduced earlier in the smaller Mercedes 280. In fact, initially the 4.5 L V8 wasn’t even offered there; just the 3.5 L version, which was not available in the US, where only the 4.5 was available. The six cylinder 280S and 300SD diesel version arrived a few years later here.
These were also more expensive, listing at $13,491 for the swb 450SE ($85k adjusted) and $14,698 ($93k adjusted). As a point of comparison, the 2022 S-Class starts at $111k. But it’s a bit difficult comparing cars that far apart.
The S Class came fully equipped, with leather being the only option (standard on the SEL). Although the W116 was significantly bigger on the outside, that did result in a corresponding increase on the inside, as these cars featured extensive thick padding on door frames, pillars and other areas. As R&T put it: “It’s just another concession to required crash safety”. This was the era when safe cars were still equated to well-padded crash cells. At least the new S-Class had was attractive padded crash cell.
The interior was laid out with logic as the highest criteria; the steering wheel was so large so as not to impede visibility of the instruments (now you know why). Switches and controls were all well designed and highly functional. The front door panels “breathed” cool or warm air, depending. Seats were typical Mercedes old-school: big, firm and comfortable (for many, if not all), with only manual adjustments. The inertia seat/shoulder belts were praised. Outward vision was excellent. Etc; etc..
“Fantastic” was the only word R&T could describe its handling, but warned that its ride might not appeal to all (especially former Cadillac and Lincoln owners). The Mercedes was designed for the driver that wants to be involved with the actual driving, and not be isolated from it. There’s a big difference. And I know folks who bought them during the Great Mercedes Mania that complained about that. They would have been better off buying another Caddy or Lincoln, but the lure of the star was irresistible.
The chassis was tuned to work with the high speed VR-rated radials, which involved some intrinsic trade-offs, such as whine and a bit of harshness, but the grip was superb.
The steering was deemed “the best in any sedan ever”; both road feel and effort were spot-on. The car’s stability and feeling of security was in a class of its own, no matter what the speed, terrain, in curves or on an endless straight. R&T said that “for 10/10 a Porsche 911 or Maserati will corner faster…bit one must accept nervous, twitchy behavior in all but the smoothest of surfaces. Not so with the big Mercedes; the 450 takes smooth and rough roads with equal aplomb even when driven hard. As a roadgoing sedan, it has no equal.”
That is precisely why I wanted a Mercedes and why I eventually got one (a W124 300E). I needed to experience that for myself, and I put it to the test repeatedly, whether running at 140 mph through the desert or ripping around rough mountain roads.
The brakes were good, and the power from the 190 hp de-smogged 4.5 L SOHC V8 was was not exactly breath-taking, but certainly adequate, especially above 3000 rpm.0-60 came in 10.6 sec.; top speed was 127 mph. Fuel economy was marginal, at 13 mpg. We’ve come along way; the 2022 version does 0-60 in 4.9 sec., and gets 21city/30hwy mpg.
But in 1973, that was what it took to be the best, and the new 450 SE delivered, and then some.
Related reading:
CC Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 – Plenty of Power But None For The Seats PN
CC 1973 Mercedes 450 SE – Hello Darlin’, It’s Nice To See You J. Shafer
I did not know about vacuum operated door locks until just now. Too bad AMC did not spread the vacuum goodness to other controls, like MB.
“difficult comparing cars that far apart” yeah Paul, you’re right – plenty from 50 years ago still around – none from now will be here in 2072.
Easy to say, but doesn’t ring true. Look at it this way, 30 year old cars today are heavily computerized and yet I see more ’92s in daily use now than ’62s were then. I’d say there’s a good chance that today’s cars will be more common in 50 years than ’72s are today.
Thanx Dave – I agree, in some respect. But not with MBs.
However much you may see in the appeal of an XJ12, 733, Silver Shadow or Cadillac, for a daily use use practical vehicle there’s really little reason not to choose this piece of thorough engineering.
Sparse interior equipment (leather extra, so plastic standard? doubtful radio, just one exterior mirror) aside, it seems a slam dunk. And built like a bank vault. Those US spec headlights do it no favours though
The European headlamps might’ve looked a bit sleeker when switched off, but the big main high/low beam reflector was set inboard, so when switched on they make the car look unsettlingly fat and cross-eyed.
I do sort of wonder what this car might’ve looked like with quad rectangulars rather than quad rounds, but the rectangular sealed beams were still a few years in the future when the W116 came out.
Let me free of that rectangular wondering: it would look hideous!
Completely agree, Roger. However, that Car comparison we saw of the XJ12 and 6.9 (and Seville) rated the Jag the best car, and though it could have been nationalistic bending, the reasons they gave were objective enough: better, much quieter ride, better ultimate handling, much quieter engine that was also faster, more usably comfortable seats.
Of course, that was for a new car, not one, say, a year old, by which time many things would sadly not be in order in the Jag. And for build, and modernity, the Jag just looks practically amateur, which is why I completely agree with you. Sadly.
It is amazing to look at the trajectories of Mercedes and, say, Cadillac in the decade between 1963-1973. There are hard-core MB fans who will argue that a large Benz sedan of 1963 was better than a Cadillac, but there was at least as good of an argument for the Cadillac. By 1973 the argument for the Cadillac was mighty thin, and its only real advantages were ride, air conditioning and service costs.
You’d have to include initial purchase price in there as well. In 1973 a person should have been able to walk out of a Cadillac dealer for about $8K for a Fleetwood, and $7K for a DeVille.
Ironically, In the GM line, the new Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon was a more competitive package, and you could have ordered two of them loaded, and picked up a lightly used ’71 Cutlass for junior for the price of the Mercedes.
For the money, Mercedes definitely gave you swagger and exclusivity along with a well engineered car. .
In 2022 it can be argued from a performance standard that the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 Blackwings are superior to the Mercedes C class and E class as well as the BMW 3 and 5 series
Perhaps but the larger problem is that the market does not look at Cadillac as having any performance credentials whatsoever. Sure they competed at LeMans and sure some of their current cars are quite fast and powerful, but the message has been so mixed over the last thirty+ years that most credibility is gone. Cadillac IS the Escalade and I think Cadillac has realized (or not?) that’s where the money has been coming from for quite some time now.
And now with the announcement that Cadillac will be going all EV, these particular cars are dead men walking, in fact their factory has just been shut down again due to parts shortages, i.e. their chips are more profitably used in a Silverado etc. which shows you who the real performers are at GM, and it’s not the flagship brand. Some people will maybe buy “the last of the line”, but on a world stage, these cars are non-players, more akin to random British kit cars. I assume the 3-series and C-class you are referring to are the M3/4 and AMG C-Class as well as the M5 and E63AMG for the larger car, but as with what I mentioned below, those people seriously considering many of those cars really don’t care about the pricing; rather the brand, history, and perceived prestige along with the very long established unassailable performance history of those cars lets them pretty much sell themselves. The Cadillacs will sell to those that look at a 911, playfully consider a Ferrari, maybe a Lotus, and ultimately decide on a Corvette. (Not that there’s anything intrinsically wrong with a Corvette but all the “superbudget-supercar” similes are starting to perhaps give it generic alternative vibe, maybe the Corvette should be priced at x1.5 or x2 its actual price just because, although being parked in the same showroom as a Spark is not a way to sell a world-class performance car)
It’ll be interesting to see the electric Cadillacs, my prediction has long been that they will fizzle quickly too (I could be wrong), but the Cadillac name simply does not resonate with those looking at Teslas, E-Trons, Polestars, the newer Volvo EVs, and whatever else is out there now and/or coming soon.
The name is the issue more than anything else, the generation that posts right here at CC that is in general favorably disposed towards the Cadillac name is just as virulently and vocally anti-EV anything so that’s not going anywhere. And those buying the other EVs mentioned above have plenty of bad memories of 70s and 80s Sevilles and tacky (to them) Fleetwoods etc. GM needed to rename Cadillac or start with a new EV division instead, a clean slate.
But that’s just my rambling musings, to tie it back together, with the coming EV-ification I predict that Mercedes will still be walking all over Cadillac again within the next decade, even if the Lyriq EV is a good car, at least it sports the current shape du jour as opposed to Mercedes’ newest S-Class EV, which as a sedan is slightly hobbled, but will (crucially as with this featured S-class vs the Cadillac and Lincolns) actually be able to sell worldwide.
Harsh, but accurate.
I only know from what I’ve read about Mercedes-Benz historical design philosophy, but that reading definitely included a discussion with an actual Mercedes designer who said that the large steering wheels were used because they encouraged better posture and holding the wheel with your arms spread and your chest open to promote good breathing and the increased driver performance that came from good breathing and posture.
I visited an old girlfriend the day before yesterday who told me that the MB-Tex driver seat of her low mileage, garaged 2014 E350 has a large tear or split. I’ve watched Mercedes’ decline in durability over the last twenty-five years, but I really didn’t think I’d see the day when they ruined MB-Tex.
And they knew the correct wheel angle, too.
Steering wheels were big for safety-reasons: I failure in power steering would happen; you need more strength to operate the steering wheel manually. Easier with bigger diameter. Later they considered this less relevant.
I have one 1979 SE in my garage in Buffalo Grove Illinois America I inported in 1985 from Studgard Used .
Need some work!
Mercedes 450SE 1979 !
Anybody interested call and leave a message.
Joe B.
847 975 9981
Somewhere in my files I have a 1973 Consumer Report comparison road test of this MB vs the 1973 Cadillac, Lincoln and Imperial sedans. The Mercedes made the Americans look rediculous, swollen, under engineered parade floats. From today’s point of view, the American cars were anachronisms, the MB was like a car from the future sent to show us how things should be done. The difference was stunning.
Of course the Big Three still made significant sales, demonstrating that not everyone recognized or embraced the future.
In that regard, this Mercedes is similar to the 1955 Citroën DS in America, simply too different in its sheer logical advancement to have universal appeal in the market place.
I remember an interesting CR test between the then-new Seville and a Mercedes a few years after the one you mention. If I recall correctly, the Mercedes won, but CR thought the typical buyer would get much better value from a Caprice than either of the tested vehicles.
You’re not wrong about the cars’ relative merits, but:
…or perhaps demonstrating that even the top-of-the-line American cars were a fraction of the price of a Mercedes.
…or perhaps simply too sparsely supported for most people to take the gamble on getting a Citroën serviced quickly or competently at any random service station in 1956, let alone finding a dealership.
the 3.5 L version, which was not available in the US, where only the 4.5 was available.
I remember a lot of fuss over the new 350SE (corrugated taillights, oooh!), but I don’t remember them saying it was Europe-only, and I thought it was sold here. Was there a delay in importation or announcements, so they didn’t actually know?
Agreed on the moniker “world’s best sedan” in 1973 and for all the years until the introduction of the W126 – and that the 126 was also the world’s best sedan during its run.
Since then has there been any car (Mercedes or not) so superior as these S class Mercedes to clearly merit that title?
Yes, and though I dread to say it from my dislike of its progenitor, it’s the Tesla model S. Completely new tech, instantly the quickest and quietest luxo car, proved totally reliable, seemingly fine build quality, industry-equalling dynamics, looked (looks) quite good, upended the industry for good. Straight out of the blocks, it was a stunning achievement, and the biggest makers have only recently begun matching range and such.
“I visited an old girlfriend the day before yesterday who told me that the MB-Tex driver seat of her low mileage, garaged 2014 E350 has a large tear or split. I’ve watched Mercedes’ decline in durability over the last twenty-five years, but I really didn’t think I’d see the day when they ruined MB-Tex.”
We own a 2013 E350 BlueTec with nearly 76k miles now, the MB-Tex still looks brand new. No complaints about the car over the near decade we’ve owned it. The overall quality still shines through.
Hers has maybe a bit more than half that mileage. I have no explanation. Every year Mercedes is better than the next though, so perhaps they increased the recyclability of MB-Tex for 2014.
Wait a sec…better than the next? Or better than the previous?
Not a fan of “There’s Something About Mary,” I see.
The “Best Car In The World” in 1973?
If it really was – where’s the Di-Noc, velour and wood applique?
That car looks so – serious.
NAH – Best Car In The World is easily the Lincoln Mark IV! Longer than that Mercedes, but with the exclusivity of having interior room for two people. And that faux Continental deck lid! ELEGANT!
There isn’t even a single opera window, opera light or shag carpeting in that Teutonic road machine!
One SINGS opera – and certainly not opera light, it’s all Wagner – in the Mercedes whilst on the way TO it, rendering the window a superfluity, and shag is not an activity to be even thought of in so serious a vault, whether carpeted or no. Vinyl is quite correctly applied only to the seating and not the roof, for one does not sit there (it is for other types of cars and buyers to use the sunroof arpeture for that purpose when becoming over-stimulated by the novelties of a big city and cheap champagne).
Velour was in fact an option, but not offered to the Americans, as it was known for them to consume entire meals in the course of driving anywhere, the “foods” of which said meals contained substances unknown to nature and thus deemed irremoveable from anything not hoseable if spilt.
If you are not going to take this car seriously, you may leave the class.
The early years actually predated the predominance of the drive-thru, the almighty cupholder, and leather seats in luxury cars, so there must have been another reason for them withholding the velour. True luxury is not caring what happens to your upholstery, no matter the activity.
Try again Mercedes!
Better luck next year!
Where’s the pretend aluminum plastic and lit-up STAR?
Does it even have a glued-on TV screen on the dash?
Where’s the BLING?
Fun. Today I discovered the CAPS LOCK.
Or how about the blue LED mood lighting through the interior to mimic a terrible nightclub bar?
Classy.
hehe!
This car is Simply. The. Best. Always loved seeing any w116 as a kid. Taxi company I drove for in the late 2000s had a diesel one and it was so much better then my w123 for highway trips. S class. Stately.
It legitimately is/was the World’s Best Sedan, as well as being sold and desired the world over. Of course those that could afford to purchase could also afford to maintain, so it’s fairly irrelevant that it cost more than whatever GM or Ford had to offer at lower prices (here). There’s a point at which the comparison shopping based on a hard budget stops, and an S-Class of any generation wasn’t (still isn’t) generally bought depending on the monthly note… At the end of the day, the Mercedes (any Mercedes?) sold more units to owners in countries other than that of its manufacture than any Cadillac or Lincoln likely ever did and I’d surmise that servicing a US-made car in a foreign country is probably harder and more expensive than doing the same with a Mercedes almost anywhere.
All that being said, most any Mercedes, at least from a purely mechanical standpoint, is generally surprisingly easy to find parts for at reasonable prices and service and/or repair at home by anyone with relatively basic mechanical skills.
Jim, I agree with all you wrote.
I think the 116 and the 126 were extraordinary in their times – so very much above anything any other company offered. Nothing else has been so much better since. The Rolls Royce Silver Ghost was that exceptional car in the first quarter of the last century. Since the two S class cars -nothing has been so clearly great.
Got to agree too (tempered only by my view of the Tesla S above).
You have to drive one of these to grasp how good they were .
The HVAC was the Chrysler Corp’s. Air Temp II under license, when new it was fantastic, equal with GM’s Delco -Aire systems but saddled with the finicky and temperamental Evil Servo From Hell .
The hood star on these is brass with chrome plating, they’re still sold, about $50 .
MB – TEX was discontinued long ago, why the older cars still have nice seats and your 2014 has a split .
The 6 cylinder engine, DOHC, M110 was nice and powerful but *very* thirsty .
Maintenance and repair of these fine cars is comparable with a late 1960’s GM product, rather simple and always very well designed with good quality control .
Too darn big for me ~ I prefer my W123’s over these and junked one with the diesel engine and low miles not long ago, a shame really .
-Nate