Closing in on a 6.9

[Julian]

Hi folks.

I’ve been inching closer to a 6.9 for years. This particular one has been neglected for 10 years which is not great news but looks worthy of saving.

I’d love some information on this and have attached plate details to this post.

I’m pretty sure this is an English import.

Can anyone help with a translation?

 

[c107]

6.9 5464
Your car was made very early 1979.

 

[Michel]

How about some pictures Julian?

 

[Julian]

Edit: teaser photo attached as PDF. It's dark green and has blacked out chrome all around. Plenty of rust.

 

[Michel]

Rust is a specialty in W116s...
Good luck with the purchase.
Please, keep us all posted

 

[ProfessorExperimental]

Ooouuu, amg style...
I see no evidence of this rust, so at least it's in better shape than my car (thats not saying much tho...)

 

[Julian]

Update 2026.
Clearly I am playing the long game here. Not yet mine but I remain keen for this car. I have found a workshop happy to assist with work on this car if I get it.

If you were recommissioning a long rested 6.9 for regular use what kind of things would you start with other than fluids, checking for leaks on the hoist? The reality is that while it was at the workshop that’s the time to do hoses and ignition parts at the same time, and avoid the cost and inconvenience of a breakdown.

Front suspension valve needs reconditioning. Is our venerable team still able to provide such a service- ie Styria?

Where do people get parts from other than the dealer? I don’t mind waiting for international shipping- where I presume much is sourced?

 

[ProfessorExperimental]

Make friends with the local Benz parts hoarder, eg mb classic star or whatever. A lot of the bigger wreckers have closed down so Facebook marketplace/gumtree isn't what it used to be. There are good deals on some parts via ebay from Turkey (the guy with nos door seals and iirc he does electrical parts too is a good seller) and there's a guy in Egypt too from memory.

Mercedes Classic Centre in Germany can be OK to deal with or tedious, tends to be a bit dicey and definitely pricey (I've only had quotes from them), by comparison amg classic are legends (though I've only had information requests from them). I have second hand anecdotes that the classic centre (in person, sadly) can track down an astonishing selection of parts. German dealerships used to hoard stuff too if you sprichst Deutsch.

The Lithuanian euro parts conglomerates on eBay I find to typically bait and switch or intentionally mislead with a lot if their listings. Huge gamble. I've gotten genuine bmw rain sensors for hundreds less than the dealer but also a random bolt instead of wheel centre caps, so months and dollars wasted.

Stay away from classicparts-nrw, I actually have been there in person and it's a terrible chop shop. Which I forgot and then wound up with a useless pair of shocks with stripped shaft threads