Mercedes W108 280SE

quenching

Any advice on a 1970 Mercedes 280SE W108 automatic? Saw one today that looks in great condition but haven't driven it yet. Interior looks spotless and can't find any rust other than around a bit of front wing chrome trim. What are the problem areas on these cars?

Seems practical to use as a daily driver, as mileage doesn't bother me and I'm past tearing round corners!

MercMad

I have used a W111 280SE Coupe ( same engine) as an almost daily driver for years, with no problems.

They are mechanically bulletproof and service parts are dirt cheap.

Any rust you see is likley to mean expensive repairs though, and when you take back the paint you will discover the area of rust is probably 5 times larger than the bubbles you suggest.

On W108's all around the headlights, just behins the front wheels, sills and bottoms or doors. Ask for proof of claimed bodywork repairs and dont be afraid to poke around.

Anything shiney is expensive !

quenching

MercMad wrote: »

I have used a W111 280SE Coupe ( same engine) as an almost daily driver for years, with no problems.

They are mechanically bulletproof and service parts are dirt cheap.

Any rust you see is likley to mean expensive repairs though, and when you take back the paint you will discover the area of rust is probably 5 times larger than the bubbles you suggest.

On W108's all around the headlights, just behins the front wheels, sills and bottoms or doors. Ask for proof of claimed bodywork repairs and dont be afraid to poke around.

Anything shiney is expensive !

Thanks MercMad, had a better look today and there's some rust on the underbody - car came from UK, more rust than I'm happy to risk. Another one off the list then!

carchaeologist

quenching wrote: »

Thanks MercMad, had a better look today and there's some rust on the underbody - car came from UK, more rust than I'm happy to risk. Another one off the list then!

The salt on the roads is a killer in the uk.And they seem to be able to do almost structural repairs with underseal over there!!

2cv

carchaeologist wrote: »

The salt on the roads is a killer in the uk.And they seem to be able to do almost structural repairs with underseal over there!!

I love that comment... "salt on the road in the UK"....

is that a bad thing then? compare UK roads to Irish roads and the choice is easily made hey...

potholes the size of Leitrim
cow **** everywhere
women in 4WDs that can't park to save their lives
the list goes on...

i think i'd take a UK car over an Irish one any day (if it was looked after properly of course)

johnf2020

Yeah,,,,give me a UK car anyday. At least they have proper roads over there.
They have had motorways for over 30 years with proper stops(Little Chief etc).
We on the other hand still do not have a complete motorway from one major city to another,,,though I do know that we are nearly there.
Also that MIDWAY in Portlaoise is the only proper! stop is a joke---look at all the money that was wasted during the boom,and as far as I can see ,the condition of the roads has deteriorated again.

Anybody travel the road from Mitchelstown to Mallow and on to Killarney.:mad:
It a wonder more people are not killed. I drove it last weekend I I said that I would not put my car through that ever again:mad:
It was rougher than a bears a***.((no disrespect to bears))

MercMad

No I think I would go for an Irish car every time. You can fix suspension pothole damage easily.

The thing is that most Councils over here have now started to use salt also !

Better buy myself a winter car !!