Advice on a Mercedes W123

quenching

I know of a 1979 Mercedes W123 280E automatic for sale and thought it best to ask some advice from those who know better. I'm off to see it this weekend and and told its in good condition, only bodywork issues are slight rusting on the edge of doors etc, its been completely resprayed from the original colour. It does however need a new exhaust, rear section. Mileage is around 80-90k miles, but maybe these have a 5 digit odometer and its been around the clock. Interior is leather or possibly MBTex, possibly a retrofit.

Any idea if exhausts are readily available - can I just ring Fast Fit etc? And how much are they likely to be.

Whats a reasonable price to pay for one? Is €4000 about right or way off in either direction?

Did the 280E have power steering as standard or was this an option?

Regards.

2cv

quenching wrote: »

I know of a 1979 Mercedes W123 280E automatic for sale and thought it best to ask some advice from those who know better. I'm off to see it this weekend and and told its in good condition, only bodywork issues are slight rusting on the edge of doors etc, its been completely resprayed from the original colour. It does however need a new exhaust, rear section. Mileage is around 80-90k miles, but maybe these have a 5 digit odometer and its been around the clock. Interior is leather or possibly MBTex, possibly a retrofit.

Any idea if exhausts are readily available - can I just ring Fast Fit etc? And how much are they likely to be.

Whats a reasonable price to pay for one? Is €4000 about right or way off in either direction?

Did the 280E have power steering as standard or was this an option?

Regards.

As far as i know, the W123s all had a 6 digit odomoter, so if there's a 0 first, you're safe, unless it's been tampered with of course.....

You can get exhaust bits from Bosal, and they're cheap too.

As far is i know, all 280E models had power steering....

245

I don't know much about them. I remember reading once that their crash performance was very impressive and that the face level air vents could deliver quite substantial amounts of debris when the fan was on full. Rust can be an issue and parts from main dealers can be surprisingly cheap. A great car - still up there with moderns in a way that most others of that era aren't.

here are some links that might help:

http://www.mercedes-w123.net/buyers_guide.htm

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/archive/index.php/t-6087.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/

There must be loads of them for sale on UK sites - that should give you an idea of a price region.

edit: how recent is that respray? if its recent then rust shouldn't be reappearing and I'd question what else its hiding. A few chips on vertical door edges wouldn't worry me. Rust on the door bottom is a different matter.

quenching

Thanks guys, I'm off to see it tomorrow, plus another older coupe in EP Mooney's on the Naas Road, http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CE/250-C-19/200841190385253/advert

The EP Mooneys one was imported into Ireland about 10 years ago and has been garaged in the underground carpark of EPM since with only the occasional trip out by the owner, a friend of Mooneys owner. Supposed to be in excellent condition, is it worth €9000 though?

8~)

Search this site for W123 advice - there's been lots of buyer advice in the past. Main issue is rust. Check everywhere. Be aware they can hide it well.
I'd suspect if it's rusting on the door edges then the body structure is rusty also. What to pay... anything from worthless to 10 grand. The values vary that much. I think 2.5 grand should get a tidy runner with NCT.

245

quenching wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'm off to see it tomorrow, plus another older coupe in EP Mooney's on the Naas Road, http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CE/250-C-19/200841190385253/advert

Did you have any luck? What was the panel fit like on the EP Mooney one?

shawnee

Those 123s are a great car, but as has already been mentioned rust is a common problem. I have a 280 ce 1978 and love it. Very original with 85 k and two owners with particularily good interior. However it has service history and has had two new front wings a new boot door and I have two replacement doors and two rear arches which will be fitted soon. So all in all there has been a fair bit of rust in a very well minded car. However to drive the engine is bullet proof and spec is excellent for the year. Having elec windows, power steering central locking etc etc.
Sunroofs cause lots of problems with rust at windscreens front and rear and I would say avoid them if possible. Buy one without a sunroof and you will save yourself lots of trouble.;)

quenching

245 wrote: »

Did you have any luck? What was the panel fit like on the EP Mooney one?

Panel fit was OK and it looked great - from 10 feet away. Needs a respray I'd say. Been stored for 10 years and drove like it.

2cv

quenching wrote: »

Panel fit was OK and it looked great - from 10 feet away. Needs a respray I'd say. Been stored for 10 years and drove like it.

You could always make an offer on mine

quenching

2cv wrote: »

You could always make an offer on mine

I was talking about the one in EP Mooneys, it was a 250CE from about '69. BUT, tell me what you've got to interest me??;) PM me the details.