Test drive Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, 450 SEL 6.9 and 500 E: Stardust

Three heavy-duty limousines have been symbols of technical excellence for more than three decades

Each of these three Mercedes models is the epitome of an ideal fast and comfortable car, considered a sort of master of its decade. It's time to meet the 6.3, 6.9 and 500 E - timeless characters from the brand's golden past with a three-pointed star on the emblem.

Three cars, each of which is difficult to compare with anything. Three elite limousines combining different and special. With a lot of power, a small size for the usual Mercedes series, a discreet appearance and, most importantly, really unusual characters. Three massive sedans that do not rely on muscle display but on timeless, simple elegance. At first glance, they are almost identical to their regular counterparts; they roll off assembly lines in impressive quantities. If these three Mercedes models can handle the 250 SE, 350 SE and 300 E, the chances of impressing you with something exceptional are very slim. Only connoisseurs will find small but important differences that turn the 250 SE into the 300 SEL 6.3, the 350 SE into the 450 SEL 6.9 and the 300 E into the 500 E. The wheelbase increased by ten centimeters in the two S-Classes can only be seen with the naked eye. ...

Perhaps the clearest difference is at around 500 E. He emphasizes his special status with a certain amount of narcissism. And there's a reason for that, because it literally puts (almost) every S-Class in its pocket. The car differs from other brothers in additional bulging fenders front and rear, as well as standard almond-shaped fog lamps built into the front spoiler. Discreet sophistication compared to the standard 300 E is also emphasized by the wipers - the 500 E is the only member of the W 124 family to have them as standard.

The 450 SEL 6.9 also allows itself the luxury of having a slightly different front end layout than the 350 SE. The same is the case with the rear head restraints, which are classified 6.9 and 500 E.

The most obvious feature of the 300 SEL 6.3 is completely different. At the same time, the standard Fuchs wheels are immediately striking, chosen for optimal brake cooling, and not for aesthetic reasons. Other small details that you might recognize it from are the tiny tachometer on the dashboard, as well as the chrome-plated shifter console for the automatic transmission - the 6.3 was never available with a manual transmission. The sophisticated air suspension system, wide rear doors and windshield framed by the windshield are no doubt great things, but we can also find them in the 300 SEL 3.5 - the "civilian" equivalent of the 6.3. The car itself owes its existence to the engineer Erich Waxenberger, who decided to install the V8 engine of the top 600 model under the hood of the W111 Coupé and drove many unforgettable kilometers with it. Head of Research and Development Rudolf Uhlenhout was delighted with the project and quickly decided that the 300 SEL was the ideal base for building a model with a similar concept.

And where is 560 SEL?

Don't we miss the Mercedes 560 SEL? Objectively speaking, it would be the perfect transition from the heavy brilliance of the 6.9 to the timeless simple elegance of the 500 E. It also definitely doesn't lack power, but with 73 copies running, it's just not elite enough to enter the version club. produced less than 945 10 units. In addition, 000 SEL brings to the S-Class an armada of revolutionary technological innovations, but at the same time remains without a sports version.

The 500 E, which, according to the logic of that time, in the designation of the brand's models could be called 300 E 5.0, in turn, since its inception, has become a real myth, in which, by the way, Porsche actively participates.

The first touch of the 300 SEL 6.3 makes us unequivocally understand that this car is not what we expect from it, but a super-comfortable magic carpet without dynamic ambitions. Unbelievable but true - its power is expressed not only in cultivation, but its automatic transmission has other qualities besides comfort.

6.3 - the charm of imperfection

Anyone who has ever driven a 3,5-liter version of the model will be amazed at what the 6.3-liter version is capable of, despite all the undeniable similarities between the two cars. Harmony is not the highest goal here, but the car seems incomparably more direct and sporty, as if it wants to bring the world of racing to the luxury class. The turning radius is phenomenal for a five-meter sedan, and the thin steering wheel with an inner ring for the horn is many times straighter than it might seem at first glance. That doesn't mean the S-Class has turned into a rough racer. The feeling of space and the view from the driver's seat in the 6.3 is absolutely delightful - the mere sight of the three-pointed star rising from the long front cover nestled between the curved fenders is enough to make you feel like you're in seventh heaven. It's a panoramic view that's hard to find anywhere else, and in the foreground you can see the sheen of polished walnut root veneer, elegantly shaped chrome switches and controls. Well, the latter would be even more beautiful if they also had a large 600 tachometer. On the left, in the driver's footwell, the manual clearance adjustment lever is visible - a typical feature of the air suspension versions that later on 6.9 with its hydropneumatic system it becomes a filigree lever on the steering column.

When driving with a lot of gasoline, the 250 SE more and more clearly begins to remind you that it was his technique that was taken as the basis for the creation of 6.3. The raw eight-cylinder engine sounds closer to its not-always-tactical six-cylinder cousin, and twitches are noticeable when shifting gears from the four-speed automatic. Air suspension has advantages over the traditional design of base models, not so much in comfort, but especially in the field of road safety, because with it the car remains unshakable in almost any situation. Above 3500 rpm, the 6.3 finally casts the 250 SE into the shadows. If you decide to use the shift lever and shift manually, you'll be surprised how fast this V8 revs with its huge thrust. Despite some subtle trappings of luxury, after 6.3 km, the austere sports sedan is increasingly felt - noisy and unrestrained. Where is the Porsche 911 S now, with which this mastodon competed on the tracks?

Finished Perfection: 6.9

The 450 SEL 6.9 differs significantly from the improvisation stemming from 6.3 in its hard-to-find perfection. Because this car was way ahead of its time. The style is fully sustained in the spirit of the new decade, the sound of closing doors has become even more solid, and the space inside is even more impressive. The desire for better passive safety has brought changes not only to the exterior, but also to the interior of the car. Here, first of all, functionality and clarity prevail - only the walnut root brings nobility. Passengers sit on the seats, not on them, and the surrounding plastic landscape may not create exactly home comfort, but exceptionally high quality. The automatic transmission console has been preserved, but there are only three steps. Thanks to a modern hydraulic torque converter, shifting at 3000 rpm is relatively imperceptible. It is at these speeds that the maximum torque of 560 Nm is reached, which accelerates the extremely cultivated 6.9 at incredible speed. All you have to do is step on the accelerator a little harder and the heavy limousine will turn into a kind of rocket. On the other hand, the 6.3 subjectively feels more dynamic and alive - because its immediacy is much more palpable than its refined and incredibly comfortable successor. In addition, the additional 36 horsepower from the K-Jetronic M 100 equipped with a modern fuel injection system does not feel much, since the new model is much heavier. However, there is no doubt that long transitions from 6.9 points are overcome much less than from 6.3. The car is definitely not a champion in fast corners, although the new rear axle makes it much more predictable and easier to drive than the 6.3. Up to 4000 rpm, the 6.9 behaves extremely politely and almost does not differ from the refined manners of the 350 SE - the real differences appear just above this limit.

Peerless car

Mercedes 500 E is a representative of the W124 generation - with all the positive aspects of this fact. And yet, in character, he is radically different from all his fellows. Even the 400 E doesn't come close to being a flagship with its V8 four valves per cylinder, four camshafts and 326 horsepower. The 500 E seems incredibly powerful yet so subtle in its manners - by adding the great acoustics of its eight-cylinder engine, the picture becomes reality.

500 E: almost perfect

Whether you're going to use it for dynamic city driving, for chasing someone with a BMW M5 on a mountain road, or for a holiday in Italy, the 500 E is equally well equipped for each of these tasks. This is an extraordinary versatile talent that is so close to absolute perfection that it is almost unbelievable. Against him, even the all-powerful 6.9 ceases to seem so elusive. The 500 E boasts an extremely modern chassis design and tweaks made by Porsche, and the result is amazing - great handling, great brakes and great driving comfort. While the car is not as soft as the 6.9, it is an ideal vehicle with a large trunk and huge interior space, which, thanks to a wheelbase of 2,80 meters, is comparable to the wheelbase of the 300 SEL 6.3. In addition, the aluminum V8 is impressively efficient, delivering the 500 E's temperament far beyond the 6.3 and 6.9. The top speed is 250 km / h, and the four-speed automatic allows the engine to reach 6200 rpm if necessary. The only thing we would like from this car is a five-speed automatic transmission with slightly longer gears. Because the rev level at 500 E is in most cases one idea higher than necessary – just like at 300 E-24. Another thing we've at least partly changed is the style of the interior - yes, the ergonomics and quality are top notch, and the leather upholstery and noble wood appliqués offered as an alternative to the standard checkered textile look really great, but the atmosphere stays very close. to each other W124. Which doesn't change the fact that this is one of the best cars ever built.

Conclusion

Editor Alf Kremers: Until recently, I can say without hesitation that my choice - 6.9 - is practically the only Mercedes model of its kind. The 500 E is an amazing car, but at least for my taste, it's too close in appearance to the 300 E-24. This time, the real discovery for me is called the 6.3, a car with inimitable charisma, coming from perhaps the most impressive stylistic era of Mercedes.

Text: Alf Kremers

Photo: Dino Eisele

technical details

Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 (Out of 109)	Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 (Out of 116)	Mercedes-Benz 500 E (W 124)
Working volume	6330 cc	6834 cc	4973 cc
Power	250 k.s. (184 kW) at 4000 rpm	286 k.s. (210kW) at 4250 rpm	326 k.s. (240 kW) at 5700 rpm
Maximum torque	510 Nm at 2800 rpm	560 Nm at 3000 rpm	480 Nm at 3900 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	7,9 with	7,4 with	6,5 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	no data	no data	no data
full speed	225 km / h	225 km / h	250 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	21 l / 100 km	23 l / 100 km	14 l / 100 km
Base Price	€ 79 (in Germany, comp. 000)	€ 62 (in Germany, comp. 000)	€ 38 (in Germany, comp. 000)