someone talk me out of it

[Old Hat Shop]

Dear All,

On my continuing mission to wear out the motorways of our country, I came across an aging 280SE, hiding in a barn.

points in favour....

1. I love anything from this era.
2. it will be very inexpensive.
3. its was running when put away nearly 2 years ago.
4. Only a little rust around rear arches, fronts okay.

against....

1. its white.
2. manual gearbox.
3. It's ****** miles away from me.

I only had a quick gander at it, so don't know the mileage. is this the model with the noisy engine? I'm sure that with a set of jump leads and a gallon of fresh petrol it would run and probably drive.

Finally, it's on an X-plate, and it might have been S. African built and\or S. African import. It is a genuine car and comes from a good home.

thoughts, advice or just any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Richard Moakes]

I think you are right you know, the 2.8 engine from that period is the 'rattly' one, thirsty if I remember rightly too.

Is that enough to put you off ?

 

[jibcl500]

Explain to the wife what a good idea it would be!!!!!!!!


jib

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Not to detract from this excellent forum, but this forum will have loads of people who drive those cars and may be a very good source of information for you:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php?f=1

 

[hawk20]

What a wonderful find.
Some thoughts: -
1. They look great in white. White is on the comeback trail having just overtaken silver as the most popular colour in the US and is fast growing in UK too.
2. Think how chuffed you will be if you get it going and reborn in something like its former glory.
3.Great Video Clarkson on SL280 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ry5JIe-9E&NR

 

[Aussie Nick]

You are going to have to spend, time, money, labour and show dilligence, patience and be ready to curse often......Now that is the reality........ But You will love it in the end.

 

[Old Hat Shop]

thanks guys,

My heart says yes, but the head says no. And the missus says NO (but only because its a manual!).

Oh and the rest of the fleet would also not get the attention they are already missing out on.

However, if you know someone that might be interested let me know and I can put you in touch. (It's in Hampshire by the way)

thanks again

 

[Mark280SE]

Here's my 280SE and it's not rattly and it's white and Auto

 

[roofless]

Here's my 280SE and it's not rattly and it's white and Auto

you forgot absolutely stunning

 

[hawk20]

That is drop dead gorgeous Mark280SE. Knockout!

 

[popuptoaster]

Mt 280ce is rattly and thirtsy, it will do 20mpg if you drive it gently but mines an auto so a manaul should be a little better, im gonna LPG mine anyway but im swopping the engine for a V8 first so cant report on it yet.

I will say however that a little rust around the arches could translate into a lot of rust under them, even if it was running 2 years ago, i'd get under it and stab at it with a screwdriver everywhere before buying it, i speak from the experiance of buying lots of cheap old mercs, and when we are talking cheap by the way, make sure your defination of cheap is right, my coupe was running and under 500 quid, my previous 1972 W115 200 saloon was £220, it was tatty but ran, and my lowrider which is solid but has a broken engine was under 700, old mercs should be really cheap with no ticket on em and are easy to pick up from ebay or local ads, dont pay over the odds for it.

 

[Mark280SE]

thanks for the kind comments on my car.. I have yet to bring it home to the UK it's out in Sunny California still. Old lady PO owner from new 61,000 miles. So I am lucky to find it.. my mate is keeping it all going for me and takes her out for spins to the shops to keep it ticking over and all working..

All my other cars are classic Porsches so this modern car Well it is to me 1971 is a family classic. As I fancied a changed..I hope not to encounter too many problems with it they are Merc's afterall.. they are ment to be reliable..The Auto is colum change.

here's some more pic's

inside

all inportant Doors are nice and rust free but I will need some rubbers, where's the best place to buy these? UK or US

close up of the paint and chrome

I will need some new hub caps as a few are abit rusty but I was liking the alloy wheels you can get in 14" they suit the car with out it all being too modern and flash..

 

[Mark280SE]

Great to finaly meet some other W108 owners any in the Southampton area??

 

[jibcl500]

Ive got the grill for one of these hanging on my office wall. Nice car!!!

jib

 

[popuptoaster]

I think you can still buy the rubber from mercedes, i know i can for mine, always worth checking with them first as they do drop prices of parts for classic mercedes cars, as a for instance they do new headlight lenses next day delivery for £16 +vat which is LESS than my local merc scrappy wanted to charge me for a second hand one! Not all parts are so cheap but you dont know untill you ring them which ones will be.

 

[mattsurf]

I am now in Hampshire (moving down from Midlands) and at a loose end most evenings and may be interested. It's been a while since restoring my last car (an MGC), however quite fancy a 280CE, could you please pass on the details

I'd better not tell the wife just yet

 

[Mark280SE]

Hi Matt I am also a ex Midlander.. moved South can't move much more south than the waters edge

The car is not here in the UK yet I will be enjoying it out in Ca later this year up in the napa valley and also a trip to LA in her before I ship her home to the UK.. I also want to enjoy it in the UK before I sell the car...

but if your looking to get involved in a project I am currently trying to sum up some energy to get back out on my 1954 Pre A 356 Project in the workshop..always have lots of free tea and snacks for helpers


thanks for the tip on the seals would be nice that Merc unlike Porsche support their older cars abit.. the more you buy from the MDealer the more the car is kept orginal and the more orginal cars on the road drive the Marketing machine for new cars... Something Porsche don't seam to understand other than MILK EVERY THING............

I will try the local dealer.. I get loads in fact all my parts for the Porsches in the US and ship them back I just asumed I would do the same for the Merc...
where in the US is the best place to get parts from and also UK dealers who is the best non geniune retailer???? I am new to all this ask me Porsches and I will real off info for hrs but anything else and I am stuck..