S-Class (W116) 1972-1980: 280S, 280SE, 280SEL, 350SE, 350 SEL, 450 SE, 450 SEL, 450 SEL 6.9, 300 SD

How reliable is the W116 dual cam6 motor?

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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 09:53 AM
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How reliable is the W116 dual cam6 motor?

What should I look for when purchasing a benz with this motor in it?

What do I need to do to keep it alive?


What are the achilles heal of these motors?

the one I'm looking at has 227,000 miles on it.


talk to me. any info is appreciated?
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 12:47 PM
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It changes all the time
First of all I'd stay away from any M110 engine with a Solex carberator. Second of all I wouldn't waste my money on a W116 chassis when I could buy a far superior W126 chassis for a few more dollars. A 300SE or 300SEL would be a far better choice in my opinion based on the fact that I have owned them all over 30 years.
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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 04:34 PM
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Audi 100 TQ Sport Exklusiv
The M110-engine was a relatively moder engine in its day, but it had its faults.
It will consume some oil even when the engine is in good nick,
and you will have to use good quality synthetic oil with frequent oil changes. The problem with the M110 is wear of the exhaust camshaft,
and you won't want that. The D-Jetronic of the early w116 cars is reliable, and the K-Jetronic of the later cars is also reliable.

I'd rather buy a w116 with a shot engine and a good body, than a good engine and a rusty body...
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Old May 11, 2011 | 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by hineywineries
First of all I'd stay away from any M110 engine with a Solex carberator. Second of all I wouldn't waste my money on a W116 chassis when I could buy a far superior W126 chassis for a few more dollars. A 300SE or 300SEL would be a far better choice in my opinion based on the fact that I have owned them all over 30 years.

ok. good advice thanks
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Old May 11, 2011 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by little_e
The M110-engine was a relatively moder engine in its day, but it had its faults.
It will consume some oil even when the engine is in good nick,
and you will have to use good quality synthetic oil with frequent oil changes. The problem with the M110 is wear of the exhaust camshaft,
and you won't want that. The D-Jetronic of the early w116 cars is reliable, and the K-Jetronic of the later cars is also reliable.

I'd rather buy a w116 with a shot engine and a good body, than a good engine and a rusty body...
thanks for the info. I've since moved on from that vehicle as I discovered a laundry list of issues to fix on motor. the car was a W126 380 SE with a dual cam6 in it. I figured it was a engine swap but the guy selling it said it was orignal motor for the 380. but how is that when "380" means 3.8liter aka V8. I think the guy was trying to sell me a lemon.

I've since moved one to looking at another W126. looking to go with a 300SE or 420SEL.
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Old May 11, 2011 | 11:06 AM
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It changes all the time
Based on your last post I have no idea what you were looking at. I don't think the body and engine configuration you described existed. It is a moot point now, but if you supplied me with the VIN,I could tell you exactly what the car was. I think moving on to the 300 or 420 is a good bet. I would suggest a 300 SEL over a 300 SE.They are basically the same car except the 300 SEL is 4 inches longer in the rear doors and makes a much smoother ride. Getting back to twin cam and single-family engines, many people get confused. A twin cam engine means to cams per cylinder head. As an example: a 420 SEL has to cams under the hood, but it is considered a single cam engine, because there is only one cam per head. Good luck in your search for a nice 126. Once you find a car that you are interested in I suggest you have it checked out professionally.

Post script: There is no difference between an 86 and 91 W126 except slightly differnt upholstery. MB continued to upgrade the W124 chassis up until its end in 95. That is not the case with the W126. So take whatever year comes your way.

Last edited by hineywineries; May 11, 2011 at 11:13 AM.
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Old May 19, 2011 | 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by hineywineries
Based on your last post I have no idea what you were looking at. I don't think the body and engine configuration you described existed. It is a moot point now, but if you supplied me with the VIN,I could tell you exactly what the car was. I think moving on to the 300 or 420 is a good bet. I would suggest a 300 SEL over a 300 SE.They are basically the same car except the 300 SEL is 4 inches longer in the rear doors and makes a much smoother ride. Getting back to twin cam and single-family engines, many people get confused. A twin cam engine means to cams per cylinder head. As an example: a 420 SEL has to cams under the hood, but it is considered a single cam engine, because there is only one cam per head. Good luck in your search for a nice 126. Once you find a car that you are interested in I suggest you have it checked out professionally.

Post script: There is no difference between an 86 and 91 W126 except slightly differnt upholstery. MB continued to upgrade the W124 chassis up until its end in 95. That is not the case with the W126. So take whatever year comes your way.

so SEL is a smoother ride over SE? I've passed over so many SEL's in the last month because I thought the SE was the best over SEL. I need to go back check those SEL's out again then. thanks.
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