72 Mercedes, anyone familiar with this model?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

1972 - 280SE CLASSIC MERCEDES BENZ INLINE SIX trade obo

livi · 10-20-2011, 10:03 PM

My childhood friends mother have one of those. Pristine condition. Its such a beauty and it rides phenomenally well. I expect its a solid model quality wise but don´t know any details. Its what we in Swedish call a "CEO-wagon".

dewolf · 10-20-2011, 10:08 PM

Just sold one myself. Fantastically built car. Beautiful cruise machine. Never left a service station/gas station without someone starting a chat about it.

jhynesrockmtn · 10-21-2011, 05:34 AM

I had a 68 back when my daughter was born over 20 years ago. Paid little for it as it needed a rebuilt motor. It was a solid car but mine was tired. If in great shape and well maintained they are great. Complicated mechanicals for their time. Get it checked out by someone who knows these older Benz models. I have no idea on price.

stomachmonkey · 10-21-2011, 06:21 AM

Had one.

Great car. Little bit of a pig off the line but get it out on a highway and it's a beast.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Yes. What are your questions?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

anecdotal comments of personal use, price range, problems with drive train, parts availabilty, etc.

I like old rides but need to know if parts can still be had....it would be a real pisser if it was a one off year for the critical flux capacitor or something.....

hardflex · 10-21-2011, 07:03 AM

I used to own a 72 280sel which was the longer back seat version. At the time they were very highly regarded vs all competition. Bodies were solid.

I had the six, they offered a 4.5 V8 which I used to covet at the time. They both had mechanical fuel injection and were a bit thirsty, about 13 to 15 mpg if i remember. But they were comfortable and had much more road feel than the American cars of the day.

Back then Mercedes had a great reputation.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardflex

I used to own a 72 280sel which was the longer back seat version. At the time they were very highly regarded vs all competition. Bodies were solid.

I had the six, they offered a 4.5 V8 which I used to covet at the time. They both had mechanical fuel injection and were a bit thirsty, about 13 to 15 mpg if i remember. But they were comfortable and had much more road feel than the American cars of the day.

Back then Mercedes had a great reputation.

The w108-bodied 280SE 4.5 could not get 15 mpg if you pushed it off a cliff. 12 mpg coming/going/leaving/staying/you get the picture. I've owned both the 6-cyl. and 4.5 V-8 versions, both in top mechanical condition and they are really well-built cars but ancient technology even when they were new, much less 40 years later. It would take some adjustment for someone jumping from a modern car into one of those. That said, they are very cheap to buy in 4-door version, (compared to coupes and converts), so there is no reason to buy one in less than primo condition.

mskochen · 10-21-2011, 07:18 AM

I currently have a 72 280se 4.5 V8, bought new by my dad. Agree with everyone above - a great cruiser and solid as a rock. Not great at acceleration from the start, but plenty of power on the road. Mileage in the low teens. I love the visibility and road feel, typical German solid but not harsh ride.

Maintenance is key, they won't break the bank if you keep up on them and you can do a lot yourself. Get a good one and you won't regret it.

Gratuitous Pic:

slow&rusty · 10-21-2011, 08:56 AM

I love the stacked headlight S Class...simply sexy! Would love to have one with a six-point-three!

Raced in fury by AMG when they were a two man operation in Afalterbach and put them on the map and BMW on their ass.

Yasin

speeder · speeder's Garage

That looks like a real beauty, Matt. I've had 3 absolute beauties, (IMO):

** 1972 4.5 in medium (non-metalic) grey w/ black interior

** 1970 280SE in white w/ red interior (MINT)

** 1970 280SE in dark (non-metallic) grey w/ red interior

mskochen · 10-21-2011, 09:10 AM

Thanks. All original with no rust, but she's showing her age with worn off paint, nicks and scratches. A few small dents, but there's a story for each one. I grew up in the back seat driving around the country and wouldn't change a thing.

Your three sound great - I love the non-metallic greys, especially with the red. I bet it really popped! To me, the body was serious, all business. You're driving with a purpose, so let's get on it and let the meek get out of the way.

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

A safe bet to buy, assuming its rust free. Plenty of resto parts and specialist out there. There's a few around my area that tease my interest. IMHO, a minty one eludes class more so than a new Benz.

Someone mentioned a 6.3. I remember the first time I drove one... hot rod tire smoker thats now in a whole different collector market. A car one can easily wrench on. Look for worn out and pricey suspension components. Scott

speeder · speeder's Garage

Parts are not a problem for w108 cars as long as you are talking about regular repair parts, (engine/suspension/switches/etc.), trim pieces are more problematic and getting worse as MB's support for the older cars is being reduced. As I said earlier, you do not want to buy a "project car" or one that needs a lot of stuff. You can buy the sedans in very nice quality for $4-5k. I'm not talking showroom perfect but still nice cars.

Zeke · 10-21-2011, 01:08 PM

I had a 250SE sunroof coupe. The MFI baffled me at the time. Same stuff as a 911 but the pump was an inline six just like the motor. So at least you know you can get those worked on.

3 speed auto shifts hard and the car sits and drives like a bus. You don't buy one of these for the gas mileage. I stay as far away from tanks like that as I can.

I could see my 2-door done up like that AMG. Fun to look at anyway. I ought to look and see if I have a pic of the old gal. Silver over black with blackwalls and chrome wires. It was easy on the eyes.

Joeaksa · 10-21-2011, 03:52 PM

If its a diesel, get ONLY a turbo model.

Other than that, check out the prices of parts. You think Porsche is expensive??? MB is very proud of their stuff...

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

If its a diesel, get ONLY a turbo model.

Other than that, check out the prices of parts. You think Porsche is expensive??? MB is very proud of their stuff...

These cars were made 10 years before MB made any turbo diesels. And none of the cars we're talking about are diesels anyways.

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

Here you go 'man of character'. Got to love those early fintails.

The MacKintosh Man Car Chase - YouTube

Scott

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I love those cars! Built like a tank and fantastic to ride in on long trips!!