W116 250?

[Des]

I heard somewhere, I can't recall where, that a taxi model W116 existed with the 250 motor

has anyone heard of this?
Pictures?

 

[Andrew280SEL]

I have never heard this...
I thought there was 250 W123's but W116's....

I'll be interested as well if anyone knows anything.

 

[Des]

...yeah you would think the 280S would be basic enough for taxi duties,

 

[Andrew280SEL]

Absolutely, I'm not sure what a smaller motor would really achieve, especially in a W116 body.

The M110 isn't the most efficient six out there, but the manual version especially, it's quite economical when running in proper tune. My dad swears by his old red manual 280SE, he says it ran on virtually nothing.

(I'm guessing taxis have to be as economical as possible)

 

[116Benz]

I know in Germany if you asked the right question, you could have a diesel 116 back then, no badges to say so, but the bulk of 116's in Germany that did taxi duty were manual 280S, the movie Rheingold has one as the chase car, it was a manual with the thin door cards, back head rests, but had a sunroof.

 

[OzBenzHead]

Never heard or read of a 250 W116, but there was a 260 W126 - which I imagine would have been a bit of a slug.

 

[116Benz]

I dunno OBH, its the same engine as a 300/M103, it shouldnt be too bad. Was supposed to be the replacement for the 280S.

 

[OzBenzHead]

I dunno OBH, its the same engine as a 300/M103, it shouldnt be too bad. Was supposed to be the replacement for the 280S.

Hmmm ... The only W126 300SE I've driven was somewhat less lively than my W116 280SE - despite the weight advantage of the W126. A 2.6 litre version of the same engine in that body doesn't sound too exciting.

OTOH, the W124 300E that I've driven a lot this past month is quite lively - but then it's a considerably smaller and lighter car.

 

[116Benz]

Yeah the 300E was the car they pitched against the 535i BMW, personal opinion was in favour of the 300E, BUT...the M5, hang on I'm getting off topic
The W116 was a great handler too

 

[John S]

About 5 or 6 years ago there was an imported 260 engined 126 series for sale at a Pendlehill car sales yard, on the corner just where the bridge crosses the railway line. Up until then I did not realise that they made a 126 with such a small motor. However, in the 300E there was very little performance difference between the 2.6 and 3 litre engined models.