[speeder]

I own a 1980 450SL, my dad bought it new in 1979. 1980 was the first year for lambda, (O2 sensor), on the CIS and they do have a slightly higher rear axle ratio but I do not consider it a negative. I drove it x-country to CA last summer and it got 17-18 mpg @ 80 mpg with the A/C on. And it burns 87 octane recommended, (owners manual and fuel door sticker). It is not, "the bad one", as far as emissions equipment. That would be the '76/'77s with their catalytic converters attached to the exhaust manifolds, flanking the heads left and right. 1980 models had a much more modern, (for the time), and simple system.

17-18 mpg not good you say? Early 450SLs with EFI got 10mpg on the highway going downhill. On premium gas. Early CIS cars, (76-79), got 12mpg highway. Yes, they were quicker, especially the EFI cars, but not that much. We had a '76 before the '80 and I did not notice a difference at the time. The 380SL model that debuted in 1981 was noticeably down on power.

The w107 Mercedes was made from 1972 MY to 1989 MY. They sold many a ship load of them, in fact it may have been their best seller ever at the time. Almost all models and years have their pros and cons, and at this stage of the game, condition trumps nearly all. CW says that the 560 is the one to own but I don't agree. But then I don't think that a G-50 Carrera is the "one to own" either. Too heavy and loaded with crap in both cases. Still, like 911SCs and Carreras, they are all alike enough that the condition and color of the particular car is more important than the year, IMO.

They do not ride, "like a buckboard" and they are not slow in traffic. They handle surprisingly well for their weight and cushy ride. The problem with random observations from people who knew someone who had one, etc., is that they are 25-42 years old and their friend might have owned a POS worked on by Willy's BBQ and fitted with shocks from K-Mart. They are still high-end German cars and require proper servicing and parts.

My .02.