Old vintage Mercs were just terrific, built like tanks, the build quality was on another level.

@ianmangham4570

4 жыл бұрын

SWEET German quality

@bobbuilder5362

4 жыл бұрын

Not quite tanks compared to modern cars. Panels are heavy, but they crumble to bits in even a modest collision with a modern car.

@michaelcraigjesso6043

Жыл бұрын

@@bobbuilder5362 While true for most cars of the era, those old S class will still hold up really well.

@shaunjeffery8889

9 ай бұрын

That's actually untrue. These were really built for impact safety with crumple zones and super tough cabins....ie.... running them into concrete walls at 160kmph and then checking if the doors will open.....they did. Very safe cars, comparable to modern standards..... indeed, these set the standard along with volvo and saab in the day.

Those old Mercedes are so fun to drive, my dad has one and the suspension is so soft and the seats have springs in it so that it feels that you drive on a cloud

@atos.nympha3451

8 жыл бұрын

very true

@bimosalexandres

8 жыл бұрын

the seat have spring?

@Gaba_Ghoul

8 жыл бұрын

We share the exact same opinion, dude. I always loved the springy seats on the old Mercs.

@jimidean

7 жыл бұрын

My dad got a 1977 450 SE when I was 17. It WAS like riding on a cloud and a dream to drive. I had a 2005 C230 Kompressor for several years but still pined for the 450!

@atos.nympha3451

7 жыл бұрын

Jimi Dean can't beat the s classes they definitely will ride smooth

The 450SEL is a truly beautiful car - and the whole of the W116 lineup. I had the 450SEL (like the one shown here) and the 280S and loved both. Anyone who has ever driven a W116 will tell you its an outstanding driving experience.

i love the looks of the SEL's, that was back when cars are slim, square and attractive in general, cars these days look really fat and bulky

@arazonashd5633

4 жыл бұрын

@chow tt We got one in blue with the same engine

@joebutlersnr7017

3 жыл бұрын

I could sit and look at that old w126 all day , I wouldn't give the new one a second glance.

@karstent.66

3 жыл бұрын

@@joebutlersnr7017 It's a W116. The W126 was the following model from 1979 to 1992ish.

@joebutlersnr7017

3 жыл бұрын

@@karstent.66 Of course it is thanks , both beautiful cars .

as some say.. OLD IS GOLD

450 sel is Real Mercedes!!!

@mitsoskati2695

7 жыл бұрын

ε κατι κανει αδερφε...

@user-ss9wm6ut3g

7 жыл бұрын

+SSophisticated_GR ks

As the old saying goes "There is no replacement for displacement."

@buca9696

9 жыл бұрын

Do you even Formula 1, bro?

@buca9696

9 жыл бұрын

***** Lol, they aren't using V10 engines since the mid 90s and even those had 3.5l. These days they use 1.6 V6s so YOU don't know what you're talking about.

@buca9696

9 жыл бұрын

***** So your point is?

@buca9696

9 жыл бұрын

***** Hybrids are for that category mate.

@Varinki

9 жыл бұрын

tavi921 I'm talking about road cars not race cars.

Wow! The old beast is awesome!

I had a buddy who had the 450SEL and it was one heII of a car. Built like a damn tank.

the old car did very well considering it's got a 3-speed automatic.

My buddy had a 450 back in the day. This car was built like a tank. The noise the doors made when they closed was like a bank vault.

THE TITLE AND COMMENTARY IS INCORRECT. It's the Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 which is featured in this video, NOT the Mercedes 450 SEL. The Mercedes 450 SEL is a 4.5 litre V8. The Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 is the 6.9 litre V8. Thank you.

@orenthalboysenberry

9 жыл бұрын

thanks for the clarification, couldn't wrap my head around it

@salimtufail

8 жыл бұрын

I noticed that the erroneous title has still not been changed!

@evanbarr9270

4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome ,that 6.9 needs a tuneup .

I love these series. Keep up the brilliant work!

Both magnificent cars!! but there's something alluring and captivating about the 1970's and 1980's Mercs. I really think car manufacturers should consider manufacturing and re-issue their "best classics" alongside their latest models I really think there's a market out there!

@Estillz96

7 жыл бұрын

That is one of the greatest ideas I have ever heard, I would get one in a heartbeat.

@thehenchdude11

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah except safety changes mean that it would be impossible since old cars wont stand up to the new rules and regs for cars.

@S1lverArr0w

6 жыл бұрын

Yep the 124, 129, 116, 201 and 126 series all need a modern rebirth

@ashwynludher8811

6 жыл бұрын

Specifically the 124 in my opinion. I'm driving the 1992 300E sedan till this day. Would love to have a brand new one if I could. Maybe they could add a little bit more safety features to meet regulation but nothing that would destroy its classiness.

@gerdamelle

5 жыл бұрын

I've been thinking for years...BMW E30 M3

This series is a great idea AE - keep them coming!!

I'd take the old beauty every time

IF you had put the 300 SEL 6.3 (1969 - 1971), it would have been much faster than the newer diesel. The 6.3 was legendary in Road and Track tests from the era, with a quarter mile in the 14s. Love the series!!!

these old mercedes were like german rolls royce but cheaper, the quality of the interior still impresses

@JackpodyDK

8 жыл бұрын

jimded The 6.9 was actually more expensive than most Rolls Royces of its time. Same with the 600, which the engine is derived from - it cost around two times what a Silver Shadow cost.

@MaxXTVBlackBerry

8 жыл бұрын

+jimded And it's exactly the same with the W222 S-Class today.

@wholeNwon

8 жыл бұрын

+JackpodyDK Maybe you have different data but, in 1979, the 6.9 sold for about $52,995. The Shadow II was about $65,400.

@JackpodyDK

8 жыл бұрын

Ah, I was speaking on behalf of Danish car prices back then. Due to taxes, the 6.9 was more expensive.

I love the 450 SEL.the old rock never die :)

Damn that older s class still has some kick :)

an old S class auto ! even a 450 SEL, i wasn't expecting this too !

Love this segment, keep it up auto express!!

Fun series, keep em coming! :-)

SEL looks all class.

Wow, I wasn't expecting that. Impressive. Beautiful color on that one as well.

THE EXPRESSION OLD IS GOLD COMES TO MIND

Awesome!

Look at how young Mat is here😂

@masafelipe7033

3 жыл бұрын

Well, he looks the same to me😁

MY DREAMCAR 450SEL W116 AND S320

Didn't expect that result... I guess weight played the deciding factor here. Love these little drag vids. Uber entertaining!

@shaunjeffery8889

9 ай бұрын

I looked it up. The 6.9 is actually around 80 kgs heavier.

as they say"old is gold"

I love the 450 SEL 6.9. It still looks so strong and imposing after all these years. Plus having such powerful and big V8 is priceless. Fuck diesel. The S Class should have never been fitted with a tractor engine...

@josuniunea1654

9 жыл бұрын

exactly!! like the coupe version,CL only petron never diesel

@seanzappulla71

9 жыл бұрын

All the S Class that i have seen here in Australia are petrol V8's over the years. My parents have had S Class Mercedes Benz and all of them have been petrol.

@Ministry_0f_Truth

8 жыл бұрын

+E34Benzin it's because EU pussies in Brussel hate petrol and they push car makes to favour diesels and put them everywhere. They only care about CO2, but actually diesel is much worse for our lungs and for nature as well.

@E34Benzin

8 жыл бұрын

+Free Thinker You're totally right.

@Gottgum

7 жыл бұрын

I just would rebuild the engine and add a turbocharger or a supercharger....or if someone would be crazy enough, why not both? :D I think, that it would be a reliable rocket ;)

These w116 mercs were the best car Mercedes ever made.

I had a 73 450SEL, I think that was one of my favorite cars ever.

Classic car. Stunning condition.

God, I really expected the new one to win. Good girl the old 450

these series are great

I wasn't expecting this :)

I´m a 450 SEL fan. Such an amazing car. August, 9, 2020.

I have to say, when i saw the cars, i thought that it's a pointless test, the S would obliterate the SEL but DAMN! That old Merc is fast!

Didn't expect that!

That's great performance for a 5000 pound 258 hp turbodiesel It's also great performance for a 34-year-old 4000 pound car Great series I wish they do more!!!

@shaunjeffery8889

9 ай бұрын

They're actually the same weight...the 6.9nis heavier though, but only by 80kg

I agree. We need more series like this. Just to see how much we've advanced in 30 ish years. I agree with the looks of the older Mercedes is very stylish and the interior of the new one well, no contest there. But, the old one I bet is made to last.

6.9=king

That is pretty impressive. Those old S-classes just rule.

I did not see that one coming I must admit, quite surprised.

Wow... I wasn't expecting this...

Really didn't expect that

I have two of the 450SEL 6.9's. One is a Euro Spec, in Brown. As in the movie Ronnin. Would not part with it. Its instant torgue off the line at idle, wins most traffic light drags. Long before most modern smaller turbo's engines spool up their turbo, i am long gone. I think the one in the video is the lower compression version, as mine spins both rear wheels if launched, in almost silence.. leaves a few stunned at the lights.

"Pitting old performance cars against some far more economical models from today". He says it in the start.

@gta4crashesmods212

2 жыл бұрын

I dont think 3000cc is economical

@JackpodyDK

2 жыл бұрын

@@gta4crashesmods212 Did you check how old the video is before commenting?

I have owned both of those cars now. Technology has certainly moved on, but there is nothing quite like driving the oldies

6.9 V8 286 HP vs 3.0 V6 235 HP...

@E34Benzin

10 жыл бұрын

7 speeds vs. 3. The 70s vs. the XXI century.

@0595michal

10 жыл бұрын

Yes, exactly.

@Ministry_0f_Truth

8 жыл бұрын

Diesel fanboys always talk about amazing torque of diesel engines and how amazing is an acceleration thanks to that torque, but in fact, every time you compare naturally aspirated petrol with turbo diesel - when petrol has more horsepower, it always wins. No matter that diesel has much much more torque. Somehow it doesn't help to beat petrol with much less torque, but a bit more horsepower.

@PedroTRamos1

7 жыл бұрын

LOL your comment is retarded, do you have any idea how much heavier the new s class is? Plus dont you think its kind of amazing that we know extract roughly the same power from a 3 liter that used to take a 6.9?

@E34Benzin

7 жыл бұрын

They don't drive anyway near the same. The turbodiesel doesn´t have the instant power delivery of a big displacement petrol V8, nor it has its smoothness and amazing sound. My daily driver is a V6 turbodiesel, and I love it, but if money was no object I´d rather get the big V8. They made it that big intentionally. Mercedes could have reached that power figure from a much smaller engine even back in the 70s.

That is a quick diesel. Damn. (Sweeet 6.9, that color!)

That 450 SEL is beautiful (though the interior of the new one is better). I love old Mercs

Cool, did not expect the 70's S to hang with the new 350 TDi, impressive! I assume it weighs considerably less though, like half the new one :)

i think this is mat watson first drag race video recorded in youtube

يسعد دينك , قديمك نديمك لو جديدك أغناك :)

It felt sooooo good seing that SEL win

You can't improve on perfection.

There's a reason why C'était Un Rendezvous and Ronin was so awesome... ;)

My Grandma had that car! I only rode in it a few times...don't remember much. They sold it in the 90's because it had engine problems.

The 450 SEL is a legend.

I love that S350. The 450 SEL'S for the states looked great.

Bearing in mind the old 450 has fewer ratios with wider gaps between them it is even more impressive.

I very like these new videos. Gut who invented it should get a bonus.

W116 Merc-Benz will always be a hero car for me....

I'll live and die in Lexus cars but that old Benz - that car does something to me - so much character , absolutely beautiful

Totally agree for so many reasons. With classics one can do a lot of their own maintenance. Way less complicated, more style, more customization, more character, more individualistic, hold value, and are just cool ;-)

gold. i don't think he knew about the car though. its a 450sel 6.9, not a stock 450sel. a standard 450 has the 4.5L V8, the 6.9 was a very special car. 20mpg would be stretching it, it hits only ~15mpg though! nice to see it put through its paces. i have a couple of videos on our 6.9s on youtube

ohh yes the good old cars

Yes.

Nice 👍

Didnt expect that

what is the color on the 450 sel?

Very nice!

Wow, I didn't expect the 450 to win that at all!

very unexpected! Awesome!

450sel and s65 6.0 v12 are the same?same motors?same injection?etc...it s65 old car??

Love the old big block 6.9 and with AMG cams it goes even faster. Just because it's older doesn't mean it wont beat the newer models. At the end of the day there's no replacement for displacement and that old cast ion block will out last newer blocks too. I didn't think the power to weight or gear box proved to be that much better from the diesel anyway. Still, it's amazing what MB does with their new diesel technology. 6.9 undefeated. :)

Gorgeous W116.

What a beautiful piece of german enginnering! A classic look in this gorgeous blue color. When Mercedes was the best car. Today, only plastic and iPad gauges. Throw away in 6 years. The w 116 will continue to show her grace for a century.

The emissions equipment doesn't strangle things like in the 70's when the convertors came out. We are talking 400, 500, 600 hp and more now a days, that doesn't seem strangled to me.

What MPG does the S350 get you didn't say?

yes

AE could do 2 races, so they will be able to do test with changed drivers.

Pretty good for the old 6,9 taking into consideration that that had an old GM torqueflite derived MB 3 speed automatic compared to the new S-Class 7 speed unit

@JackpodyDK

10 жыл бұрын

Pretty sure it had Mercedes own automatic transmissions, as Mercedes made their own transmissions since 59.

@STEFAZON500

10 жыл бұрын

The W3B50 Transmission was a Mercedes version derived from the Turbo Hydramtic 400 Transmission since it and the Chrysler Torqueflite were the only few automatic transmissions that could handle the power and the torque of a big engine and technically they are pretty close together, Mercedes made a few changes themselves to the original tranny.

anyone noticed the hydraulic suspension on the 6.9 at the start? it is just to cool...

They aren't too bad to maintain. If you opt for the 6.9, then it'll be expensive but not too bad to do. I own a W108 280 SE 2.8 from 1970 and it's pretty simple stuff, albeit it being a Mercedes with fuel injection made in 1970 though.

The 12V socket didn't work? No chance. You didn't engage it correctly when you opened the ashtray door.

wasn't expecting that

@leenevin8451

7 жыл бұрын

is it not a 4.5litre?

What about a 190 E (2.3 cossworth) vs a modern C220 CDI?!

Originally I expressed surprise that the old car was faster than the new. After you pointing out that it was more powerful and me looking up the specs of each, I couldn't understand how it could be faster. Didn't suggest anywhere that the video was fake.

Beautiful cars

Also it may be worth pointing out that the 450 SEL is more powerful than the S350. The 450 SEL 6.9 was the fastest 4 door production car in 1969 and for a couple years after.

First auto express THEN carbuyer AND NOW carwow

450 sel 3 speed automatic weight 2 tons

W116 ftw!

Considering they both have about the same weight and the 450SEL does not have a power train as efficient as the 350CDI, that's quite an impressive performance! But, yeah, the 450SEL is a legend, after all...

@shaunjeffery8889

9 ай бұрын

It actually comes down to power delivery. Ir, how the vehicle gets power to the wheels. On these oldies, the injection system is not tuned for max economy. Even though the new diesel has more hp snd torque coupled to a 7 speed auto, it just can't complete with the old large cubed motor with a stac6of fuel in it....but.... The new car would perform a heap better with a few mods to the EMS. That's all. Just change some parameters, namely, more fuel.

Jeeeezzzzzuuussssss!!!!! How I would love to own one. They ride so smooth that I would say they are superior to modern Benz ride quality.

The 450 SEL 6.9 was the gold standard of luxury cars in the 1970s, but of course it cost as much as a Rolls Royce. I admit though I didn't think it would win the drag race against the modern Mercedes, but it did! Only try to imagine how awesome it must have been in it's days in the 70s, compared to all those crap cars of that era. It was the true King of the Autobahn!