Mercedes-Benz
450 SEL 6.9 (W 116)

Why it matters

The 450 SEL 6.9 was the top model of the W 116 S-Class and the successor to the 300 SEL 6.3. Its enlarged 6.9-litre V8 produced 286 hp, and it was the first Mercedes-Benz car with hydropneumatic suspension and level control. Although it cost more than twice as much as a 350 SE, it sold well, and the factory built 7,380 over about four and a half years.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 (W 116) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia · CC BY 2.0
• Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 (W 116) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia · CC BY 2.0
• Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 (W 116) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia · CC BY 2.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The car was presented in May 1975 as the new flagship of the 116 series. The archive lists a pre-series from February 1975 and standard production from September 1975 until May 1980. Its 6.9-litre V8 was developed from the 6.3-litre unit and delivered 286 hp and 56 mkg of torque; central locking, air conditioning and a headlamp washer system belonged to the optional equipment of the production top model.

The archive calls the car an immediate and full success. The list price was DM 69,930 in April 1975 and had risen to DM 81,247 by mid-1979. An antilock system was optional from December 1978. In July 1977 Car and Driver wrote that the car, then newly released in the US, was the best Mercedes-Benz sold up to that time, according to an RM Sotheby's catalogue. A Bonhams catalogue gives 1974 as the first appearance and 7,380 cars made between 1975 and 1980.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The factory type is 116.036 (design name V 116 E 69) with the M 100 E 69 engine, internal code 100.985, in a long-wheelbase body of 2960 mm. Distinguishing equipment includes the hydropneumatic suspension with level control, internally ventilated front disc brakes, 215/70 VR 14 tyres on 6 1/2 J x 14 rims, a 96-litre fuel tank above the rear axle and Bosch K-Jetronic injection. Sheet-steel wheels were standard, with light-alloy wheels optional.

One auction car shows the chassis number format WDB116 036 12 005879, in which the 116 036 portion matches the type designation.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   450 SEL 6.9 / V 116 E 69, 1975 - 1980 Level A Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)

   • Units produced : 7380
   • Engine type : M 100 E 69 / 100.985 (Specifications)
   • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 8 / 90° V (Specifications)
   • Total displacement : 6834 cc (tax classification: 6786 cc) (Specifications)
   • Bore x Stroke : 107 x 95 mm (Specifications)
   • Compression ratio : 8.8 (Specifications)
   • Valve operation : 1 overhead camshaft per cylinder bank (Specifications)
   • Fuel system : manifold injection, mechanically controlled (Bosch K-Jetronic) (Specifications)
   • Rated output : 286 hp / 210 kW at 4250 rpm (Specifications)
   • Rated torque : 56 mkg at 3000 rpm (Specifications)
   • Gearing : 3-speed automatic transmission (Specifications)
   • Gear ratios : I: 2.31; II: 1.46; III: 1.0; R: 1.84 (Specifications)
   • Final drive ratio : 2.65 (Specifications)
   • Driven wheels : rear wheels (Specifications)
   • Frame design : steel unit body (Specifications)
   • Front-wheel suspension : double-wishbone front axle with torsion bar stabiliser (Specifications)
   • Rear-wheel suspension : twist-beam axle ... with hydropneumatic level control (Specifications)
   • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with vacuum booster (Specifications)
   • Steering : recirculating-ball power steering (Specifications)
   • Wheelbase : 2960 mm (Specifications)
   • Length : 5060 mm (Specifications)
   • Width : 1870 mm (Specifications)
   • Height : 1410 mm (Specifications)
   • Front / rear track : 1521 / 1505 mm (Specifications)
   • Kerb weight : 1935 kg (Specifications)
   • Maximum speed : 225 km/h (Specifications)
   • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 7.4 s (Specifications)
   • Fuel tank: position / capacity : above the rear axle / 96 l (Specifications)
   • Fuel consumption : 16.0 l (Specifications)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Mercedes-Benz Classic M@RS archive – 450 SEL 6.9 Level A

   • 7380 units produced

   Accessed 2026-11-12