As somebody already said, this is Citroen CX' suspension. This suspension was used under license by Rolls-Royce on the Silver Shadow and its derivatives, and the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9.
I have got a very good hint for you to keeping the nice old Benz Engine in good shape with todays ultra dry eco fuels: Use 1:100 API TC two stroke oil / fuel mix as regular driving fuel, that keeps the old fuel-system gaskets, rubber parts, alloy parts etc... and cast iron metal surfaces of those vintage engines in excellent shape...and it also lubricates the valves and upper piston regions. Most Mercedes vintage owners in Germany do so :) Also keeps carbs and EFi injectors clean as new!
You probably never drive in modern Mercedes S500 or Audi A8.
In 1975, Mercedes developed many innovations on 450SEL 6.9 like this suspensions and mostly fantastic for me is dry sump. So 450SEL was in 1975 better than anything, but today is just an old timer. You can't compare older cars vs new.
@2jzgtejza80 yes you are right but I thought compare this old merc to newest cars like opel astra ,volkswagen golf and so on ,just average cars with no-air suspension.Current luxury clas cars are of course better
200,000km if accurate is not too many, the problem is that it is difficult to know exact kms.
The suspension, if left to loose all pressure will be quite low, only perhaps 8cm from chassis to ground, Driving like that is very uncomfortable.
It can be expensive to maintain because the parts are exclusive to the model, some are shared with the 6.3 and some with the 116 series but many are unique and therefore expensive.
@adriangtzmb Hello the suspension is all in all under license from the french Maker Citroen. Cause Citroen still maintain the patent on this particular system on MB, means all spares will do come from Citroen, which had benn installed on 6.3 and 6.9 Models only
@adriangtzmb Hello the suspension is all in all under license from the french Maker Citroen. Cause Citroen still maintain the patent on this particular system on MB, means all spares will do come from Citroen, which had benn installed on 6.3 and 6.9 Models only
I have got a very good hint for you to keeping the nice old Benz Engine in good shape with todays ultra dry eco fuels: Use 1:100 API TC two stroke oil / fuel mix as regular driving fuel, that keeps the old fuel-system gaskets, rubber parts, alloy parts etc... and cast iron metal surfaces of those vintage engines in excellent shape...and it also lubricates the valves and upper piston regions. Most Mercedes vintage owners in Germany do so :) Also keeps carbs and EFi injectors clean as new!
@adriangtzmb I'm confused. I own a 1977 280SE, and it 100% has hydraulic suspension. It raises and lowers itself depending on speed or gear, and will self-level when anything heavy is placed inside it. Were SOME of these cars made with hydraulic suspension, or is mine modified or something?
@Glitchhog No, no worries MB developed a own hydraulic support suspension system which had been prior used in MB Ambulances on the back wheels. This MB system works different to that which was in use on 6.3 and 6.9 models (Citroen derivate of the hydroneumatic suspension system)
There is a significant difference between Hydropneumatic and just Hydraulic systems
W220 has air springs on top of electrically adjusted hydraulic dampers and on the W116 the system uses hydraulics to adjust height and damping. On W140 and W126 this way available on the rear axle only.
Full hydropneumatic suspension was an expensive option on early W126 500SEL models but, many were simply fitted with self-leveling rear suspension only
Hello. My father have a S320 CDI (W220), and it have airmatic suspension, with 3 levels of hardness and with the up and down system. Can anyone tell me the differences between the 70's system and the 90's one? And why the W126 and W140 didn't have this system and the W220 displays it again? Thank you very much.
the airmatic uses air, this uses oil and nitrogen gas which is always equally compressed (with the same load). this is the citroens design, while the airmatic is not.
I owned one of these (was my granddad's when new). It was a great ride...the only thing that was awfully wrong on M-B's design part (and that I absolutely hated) was the climate control system.
pull the actuator from under the hood and replace it with a 1986 Toyota corolla heater valve and run a cable to the dash board. If you pull all the vacuum lines the dampers will default to vent open and defroster on. wire a switch to the fan and it will work with manual controls. much better than paying $2000 to fix it and having it fail 6 months later
That 6.9 suspension is still a marvel even today. It's reliable ( and that applies to everything else on a Mercedes ) if driven regularly. I loved this car in Ronin.
Did you have to remove the limiter on the top of the Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir to get the ride height feature to work because I am trying to get this function but it was illegal at the time of sale in America and is limited by the valve somehow but I can't quite figure it out.
Oft wurde der 500 SEL (w126 von 1980) mit dem 6,9 verglichen oder indirekt als sein nachfolger bezeichnet. der 500er ist ein super auto. ist er immer noch. vor allem ist er die schönste S-klasse überhaupt. jedoch ist er zum 6,9er nur eine halbe portion. man verzeihe mir es. wer einen 6,9er und einen 500er mal gefahren hat , der weiß wovon ich rede.
Vor allem oberhalb von 200 km/h spürt man den wahren unterschied. Die Werksangaben 225 km/h und die tatsächliche Geschwindigkeit beweisen es.
the 500 SEL W126 is a very dood sedan. But you cannot verify a 450 SEL 6,9 with a 500 SEL W126. this 6,9 is much stronger and better. if you drive about 200 Km/h and push the acalarator you feel the real diverent until 250 Km/h. (if a 500 SEL run 250 Km/h).A better verify is the 560 SEL. But i think the 6,9 is stronger too.
check Claude Lelouch - Rendezvous. it was made with such a car!
zagyex 1 month ago
Very, very nice car dude!
topkartviking101man1 5 months ago
One of the true great cars besides the famous 6.3. I just love those European headlamps.
drafthorselover 6 months ago
yes indeed, the 6.9 had a hydropneumatic suspension from factory
adriangtzmb 6 months ago
Is this stock Mercedes W116 6.9 suspension?
Djordjeblrs 6 months ago
As somebody already said, this is Citroen CX' suspension. This suspension was used under license by Rolls-Royce on the Silver Shadow and its derivatives, and the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9.
nbharakey 9 months ago
@nbharakey true true the suspension on MB 6.3 and 6.9 are just support, as regular springs are still in use, just having the shocks replaced.
Sure, nothing beats Citroen CX, DS, ID, C6 ultimate driving comfort, despite that other good car manfuctures are about...
watchallnet 8 months ago
@glitchhog I have a feeling that yours is modified. My car does not change height with speed, it does however, self level when more load is added.
adriangtzmb 9 months ago
I have got a very good hint for you to keeping the nice old Benz Engine in good shape with todays ultra dry eco fuels: Use 1:100 API TC two stroke oil / fuel mix as regular driving fuel, that keeps the old fuel-system gaskets, rubber parts, alloy parts etc... and cast iron metal surfaces of those vintage engines in excellent shape...and it also lubricates the valves and upper piston regions. Most Mercedes vintage owners in Germany do so :) Also keeps carbs and EFi injectors clean as new!
Pnoerre 1 year ago
This very old ugly Merc is much more luxury and comfort than most modern cars.
sindibadnamornik 1 year ago
@sindibadnamornik
You probably never drive in modern Mercedes S500 or Audi A8.
In 1975, Mercedes developed many innovations on 450SEL 6.9 like this suspensions and mostly fantastic for me is dry sump. So 450SEL was in 1975 better than anything, but today is just an old timer. You can't compare older cars vs new.
2jzgtejza80 1 year ago
@2jzgtejza80 yes you are right but I thought compare this old merc to newest cars like opel astra ,volkswagen golf and so on ,just average cars with no-air suspension.Current luxury clas cars are of course better
sindibadnamornik 1 year ago
@sindibadnamornik
Suspensions in average cars are *ucked up, bad and not durable, even some 270 CDI have worst suspensions.
2jzgtejza80 1 year ago
@2jzgtejza80 This suspension was developed by citroen in 1955 and before, and licenced to Mercedes Benz and Rolls Royce.
zagyex 1 month ago
@zagyex Correct, MB just reworked for 6.9
2jzgtejza80 1 month ago
@sindibadnamornik Ugly uh?
GPatuleiaMarques 1 year ago
This is an original Citroën suspension. MB bought it for this model.
You will find the same in the high end Citroën models and Rolls Royce rear.
All Citroen patent
rubricen 1 year ago 5
@rubricen
citroen sucks you now that
Freimopp777 1 year ago
@Freimopp777
Yes I see that some say so. :)
It usually make me smile.
rubricen 1 year ago 2
200,000km if accurate is not too many, the problem is that it is difficult to know exact kms.
The suspension, if left to loose all pressure will be quite low, only perhaps 8cm from chassis to ground, Driving like that is very uncomfortable.
It can be expensive to maintain because the parts are exclusive to the model, some are shared with the 6.3 and some with the 116 series but many are unique and therefore expensive.
Bon Chance
adriangtzmb 1 year ago
@adriangtzmb Hello the suspension is all in all under license from the french Maker Citroen. Cause Citroen still maintain the patent on this particular system on MB, means all spares will do come from Citroen, which had benn installed on 6.3 and 6.9 Models only
Greetings, Citroen driver
watchallnet 8 months ago
@adriangtzmb Hello the suspension is all in all under license from the french Maker Citroen. Cause Citroen still maintain the patent on this particular system on MB, means all spares will do come from Citroen, which had benn installed on 6.3 and 6.9 Models only
Greetings, Citroen driver
watchallnet 8 months ago
mercedes benz 6.9 450SEL 1978 Any thoughts regarding this year, I plan on buying on this week, 200 000kms...
How low can we bring down the suspension ?
Is this an expensive car to maintain ?
Thank you for your feedback sir
southernone1 1 year ago
you can up or down the car by the touch of a button?
josemanuel599 1 year ago
@josemanuel599 Yes, there is a button that is pulled or pushed in the dashboard which allows the suspension to go up or down.
adriangtzmb 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I have got a very good hint for you to keeping the nice old Benz Engine in good shape with todays ultra dry eco fuels: Use 1:100 API TC two stroke oil / fuel mix as regular driving fuel, that keeps the old fuel-system gaskets, rubber parts, alloy parts etc... and cast iron metal surfaces of those vintage engines in excellent shape...and it also lubricates the valves and upper piston regions. Most Mercedes vintage owners in Germany do so :) Also keeps carbs and EFi injectors clean as new!
Pnoerre 1 year ago
No, the 280SE had springs. This suspension was only available for the 6.9
adriangtzmb 1 year ago
@adriangtzmb FROM ARGENTINA, I HAVE A W123 250 82 WITH THIS SUSPENSION.
TheNICKMAGIC 1 year ago
@adriangtzmb I'm confused. I own a 1977 280SE, and it 100% has hydraulic suspension. It raises and lowers itself depending on speed or gear, and will self-level when anything heavy is placed inside it. Were SOME of these cars made with hydraulic suspension, or is mine modified or something?
Glitchhog 9 months ago
@Glitchhog No, no worries MB developed a own hydraulic support suspension system which had been prior used in MB Ambulances on the back wheels. This MB system works different to that which was in use on 6.3 and 6.9 models (Citroen derivate of the hydroneumatic suspension system)
There is a significant difference between Hydropneumatic and just Hydraulic systems
Cheers
watchallnet 8 months ago
@watchallnet Cheers for clearing that up. :)
Glitchhog 8 months ago
Does the MB 280se w116 1977 have this type suspension???
GoblinSlasher 1 year ago
They used Citroen's hydropneumatic suspension.
nightwa 1 year ago 2
Thanks to all people who have answered my question!
quilico 2 years ago
super cool
fordcrossie 2 years ago
einfach nur geil!!
humdidoadi 2 years ago
W220 has air springs on top of electrically adjusted hydraulic dampers and on the W116 the system uses hydraulics to adjust height and damping. On W140 and W126 this way available on the rear axle only.
SENYELI 2 years ago
Full hydropneumatic suspension was an expensive option on early W126 500SEL models but, many were simply fitted with self-leveling rear suspension only
panzr 2 years ago
Hello. My father have a S320 CDI (W220), and it have airmatic suspension, with 3 levels of hardness and with the up and down system. Can anyone tell me the differences between the 70's system and the 90's one? And why the W126 and W140 didn't have this system and the W220 displays it again? Thank you very much.
quilico 2 years ago
the airmatic uses air, this uses oil and nitrogen gas which is always equally compressed (with the same load). this is the citroens design, while the airmatic is not.
zagyex 2 years ago
So you're saying that in the W116 you have a switch in the dashboard to control the suspension level like in Citroën? Thank you!
quilico 2 years ago
well, i dont know about thw W116 becaues i have a citroen :)
zagyex 2 years ago
Alright! Thank you!
quilico 2 years ago
@quilico yes that is correct citroen has to garantie to MB for 15 years on each car citroen has to give service at anytime when their where troubles.
citrotube 1 year ago
my dad had on his 1971 300sel it was horrble and all the sus bag gone bad and could not driv any more but the ride was great.
johntaheri 2 years ago
Gee, that was fascinating.
YeliahNivek 2 years ago
I owned one of these (was my granddad's when new). It was a great ride...the only thing that was awfully wrong on M-B's design part (and that I absolutely hated) was the climate control system.
batmanandbobbin 2 years ago
wats wrong with it?
Mcmerc01 2 years ago
nothing, thats how its made.
lilchuber18 2 years ago
pull the actuator from under the hood and replace it with a 1986 Toyota corolla heater valve and run a cable to the dash board. If you pull all the vacuum lines the dampers will default to vent open and defroster on. wire a switch to the fan and it will work with manual controls. much better than paying $2000 to fix it and having it fail 6 months later
owennewton1 2 years ago
That 6.9 suspension is still a marvel even today. It's reliable ( and that applies to everything else on a Mercedes ) if driven regularly. I loved this car in Ronin.
maurinquina 2 years ago 4
I have one of these, same color as the Ronin one, but with U.S. bumpers. It's a powerful beast.
Recently won 2nd in class at the 2008 Mercedes Starfest Concours d'Elegance in San Francisco.
Sadly, I will be selling it soon.
Modern cars may have more horsepower but the brutal torque makes acceleration effortless, even up San Francisco's steep hills.
To the question below, just remove the limiter on the control wire near the hydraulic fluid reservoir to enable the suspension raising. Simple job.
M1GarandPatriot 2 years ago
yeah it's nice but always broken
policegoogle 2 years ago
Did you have to remove the limiter on the top of the Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir to get the ride height feature to work because I am trying to get this function but it was illegal at the time of sale in America and is limited by the valve somehow but I can't quite figure it out.
Moneyismyslave 2 years ago
Oft wurde der 500 SEL (w126 von 1980) mit dem 6,9 verglichen oder indirekt als sein nachfolger bezeichnet. der 500er ist ein super auto. ist er immer noch. vor allem ist er die schönste S-klasse überhaupt. jedoch ist er zum 6,9er nur eine halbe portion. man verzeihe mir es. wer einen 6,9er und einen 500er mal gefahren hat , der weiß wovon ich rede.
Vor allem oberhalb von 200 km/h spürt man den wahren unterschied. Die Werksangaben 225 km/h und die tatsächliche Geschwindigkeit beweisen es.
holzgarten 2 years ago
the 500 SEL W126 is a very dood sedan. But you cannot verify a 450 SEL 6,9 with a 500 SEL W126. this 6,9 is much stronger and better. if you drive about 200 Km/h and push the acalarator you feel the real diverent until 250 Km/h. (if a 500 SEL run 250 Km/h).A better verify is the 560 SEL. But i think the 6,9 is stronger too.
holzgarten 2 years ago
cars with history...not a sewason shit like our days :)
alecsgsx 3 years ago
About the same speed as the W126 500SEL a friend of mine had.
compu85 3 years ago
I absolutely agree with
Bongachong,More vids please!!!
alpinabmw323 3 years ago
does it settle on the bump stops if you don't start it for a week or so?
acalthu 3 years ago
Not this one, it takes over a month for it to lower to the bumps. It probably loses about an inch of height every couple weeks.
adriangtzmb 3 years ago
Great! More vids of yr 6.9 plz!
Bongachong 3 years ago 10