Powerful, highly comfortable, prestigious: the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 is a genuine top-class power saloon. The top model of the 116 model series captivated the trade press when it was launched 50 years ago. And customers, of course: Anyone who drives the "six-niner" signals supreme superiority. Powerful vehicles inspire fast drivers. No wonder that numerous Formula 1 champions of the time drove a 450 SEL 6.9 as their private car. Even today, this luxury saloon full of character is still a modern and elegant sight on the road and impresses with its comfort.
"The 450 SEL 6.9 is the top-of-the-range version of the S-Class of the time and has therefore always been highly desirable. This is also reflected in the price development of recent years: Classic Data 2015 quotes an average price of just over 50,000 euros for a vehicle with a condition rating of 1 - today, ten years later, it is already over 80,000 euros," says Patrik Gottwick, Head of Vehicle Sales Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH.
Setting standards as a high-performance luxury saloon
The 116 model series is the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz luxury class to bear the name S-Class. It was launched in September 1972 and received numerous awards, including the 450 SE being voted "Car of the Year" in 1974. In May 1975, the 450 SEL 6.9 rounded off the model range at the top end, with the press launch taking place in Le Hohwald in Alsace. With a top speed of 225 km/h, the "six-niner" was one of the fastest vehicles on the roads in the 1970s. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds was also only achieved or exceeded by very powerful sports cars in the mid-1970s.
The 450 SEL 6.9 came with a very extensive range of standard equipment, which was standard on other models as optional equipment in 1975. For example, air conditioning, central locking, cruise control, electric windows, headlight cleaning system, velour upholstery and automatic seat belts both on the front seats and in the rear are always on board. There is plenty of space in the rear seats, as the top model in the 116 series is only available as a long version. Equipment options included the electric sunroof (DM 987.90) and the Becker AT 160 S car telephone (DM 13,542), which was extremely rare at the time. Price list no. 16 from January 28, 1976 lists DM 69,930 as the base price for the 450 SEL 6.9, which is more than twice as much as the 280 SEL, the entry-level engine of the 116 model series.
The "six-niner" can be recognized by three external features. Below the radiator, it has a crescent-shaped dust cover that increases the air flow for the powerful engine. It rolls on wide 215/70 VR 14 tires - the other eight-cylinder vehicles in the 116 series have 205/70 HR 14 and the six-cylinder models 185 HR 14. At the rear, a larger diameter of the twin-pipe exhaust system indicates the top-of-the-range saloon. Contrary to popular belief, the characteristic forged aluminum wheels from Fuchs are not part of the standard equipment of this vehicle: they are also listed as optional equipment in the price list for the 450 SEL 6.9 at DM 1554.00.
An eight-cylinder engine with plenty of power and torque
The M 100 E 69 engine is a highlight of the 450 SEL 6.9. This eight-cylinder unit is based on the V8 engine of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100) representative vehicle. With the same stroke, the cylinder bore was enlarged from 103 millimetres to 107 millimetres, giving the 450 SEL 6.9 a generous displacement of 6834 cubic centimetres. This M 100 produces 210 kW (286 hp) at 4250 rpm and reaches its maximum torque of 550 Newton meters at 3000 rpm. The three-speed automatic transmission basically corresponds to that of the eight-cylinder models with a displacement of 4.5 liters, but is adapted to the higher output and greater torque of the "six-nine".
When it comes to maintenance costs, the 450 SEL 6.9 has various strengths. For example, the hydraulic valve lash adjustment makes readjustment work superfluous. Thanks to a newly developed cylinder head gasket, the usual retightening of the two cylinder heads is no longer necessary. And dry sump lubrication not only enables low engine installation, but also oil change intervals of 15,000 kilometers.
Mercedes-Benz has taken a new approach to suspension in the 450 SEL 6.9. Instead of the air suspension of the 184 kW (250 hp) 300 SEL 6.3 (W 109), the new top-of-the-range model is equipped with hydropneumatics with hydraulic level control. Four spring elements also take on the role of shock absorbers. A pressurized oil system balances the oil volume in the suspension struts. This results in a constant vehicle level and the full suspension travel is always available.
Well-stocked spare parts warehouse directly from the manufacturer
Exactly 7380 vehicles of the 450 SEL 6.9 were built between February 1975 and September 1980. Today, Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts also provides a comprehensive range of spare parts for this model, ranging from the on/off switch for the air conditioning system (item number A 000 820 79 10) for 17.47 euros to the specific steering gear (item number A 116 460 12 01) for 3756.20 euros. The spare parts service helps to keep the brand's classics in authentic condition over the long term.
A detailed driving report on the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 can of course be found on Zwischengas.
