[Autocar 1969] - Mercedes 300SEL 6.3 (W109)

[karabiner98k]

The fastest sedan of it's time:

[Fleet 500]

Fastest in top speed or acceleration?

[karabiner98k]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Fastest in top speed or acceleration?

I think in both. Several magazines called this car the fastest sedan when tested it back then, including Road & Track.
According to Motor Trend:
"The 6.3-liter Mercedes is the safest, fastest and most comfortable 4-door sedan made today, considering the fantastic speeds you can achieve in full safety and relaxation"

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Fastest in top speed or acceleration?

I think we already discussed that at lenght...

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I think we already discussed that at lenght...

perhaps we can see some clippings from old US magazines, that humiliate this Benz.....

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I think we already discussed that at lenght...

We have and I still have my doubts.
(One reason: 1967 Chevrolet Biscayne 427 4-door sedan.)

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

We have and I still have my doubts.
(One reason: 1967 Chevrolet Biscayne 427 4-door sedan.)

this car must have been overlooked by the Motor Trend people then...

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by henk4

this car must have been overlooked by the Motor Trend people then...

Yes, Motor Trend didn't test one but Hi-Performance Cars did (their Aug., 1967 issue, I believe).
Ran a 13.40 sec 1/4 mile with the optional 4.56:1 gears. Other gears were available, of course... 2.73, 3.07, 3.36, 3.73, 4.11.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Yes, Motor Trend didn't test one but Hi-Performance Cars did (their Aug., 1967 issue, I believe).
Ran a 13.40 sec 1/4 mile with the optional 4.56:1 gears. Other gears were available, of course... 2.73, 3.07, 3.36, 3.73, 4.11.

as you probably will agree with, the 1/4 accelaration time has nothing to do with the fact how fast a car can be in normal traffic, which requires a machine that is able to keep the speed, and to slow down when needed, without cooking the brakes after 10 miles.
But let's not dwell on this, the 6.3 is one hell of a machine, but sometimes I think the later 6.9 model, with its fully Citroen derived suspension is the more comfy and effortless car.

[Commodore GS/E]

but sometimes I think the later 6.9 model, with its fully Citroen derived suspension is the more comfy and effortless car.

But like the Citroen's, the Benzes hydropneumatic suspension will burn a hole into your pocket if it breaks. I've talked to many 6.9 owners at several car shows, and they all said that while the mechanic parts aren't problematic in any form, the electronics are a nightmare if you have to fix something.
BTW, do you know if there is any roadgoing version of the 6.8 AMG racing engine?

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Commodore GS/E

But like the Citroen's, the Benzes hydropneumatic suspension will burn a hole into your pocket if it breaks. I've talked to many 6.9 owners at several car shows, and they all said that while the mechanic parts aren't problematic in any form, the electronics are a nightmare if you have to fix something.
BTW, do you know if there is any roadgoing version of the 6.8 AMG racing engine?

my pockets have been hole-free since 1985.....
Electronics at that time were not part of the hydropneumatic suspension anjd are therefore purely German.....and prone to failure.
There is no road going AMG car.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by henk4

as you probably will agree with, the 1/4 accelaration time has nothing to do with the fact how fast a car can be in normal traffic, which requires a machine that is able to keep the speed, and to slow down when needed, without cooking the brakes after 10 miles.

That may be but I was just correcting the "fastest sedan" claim. The OP was probably not aware of the '67 427 Chevy Biscayne.

[Ferrer]

What if the fastest claim related to the top speed? Or the time to fill the fuel tank? Or the time to open the four windows at the same time? Or the time to lose all its value?

[Commodore GS/E]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Yes, Motor Trend didn't test one but Hi-Performance Cars did (their Aug., 1967 issue, I believe).
Ran a 13.40 sec 1/4 mile with the optional 4.56:1 gears. Other gears were available, of course... 2.73, 3.07, 3.36, 3.73, 4.11.

Wasn't this the Hardtop's time?

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by Commodore GS/E

Wasn't this the Hardtop's time?

I would have to find the magazine, but I quite sure it was a plain four-door sedan.
The engine (427) was available in that body style.