Should I buy this car? Your opinions

[Kip Amore]

Hi all. I lurk on here occasionally for info on my 1977 240d. But this question is about a different car...

I was driving around today and I saw a couple of old Benz's for sale. The seller happened to be there, so here's the story. A 72 280 AND a 76 280, plus a big pile of parts for $3000. Parts include (from what I saw) a complete tranny, couple of AC compressors, misc trim stuff, driveshaft, and a bunch of small stuff crammed into the trunks of both cars. Both cars are very good to excellent shape, seem to be rust free, not repainted. The 72 says 40k on the odo which must be 140k, the 76 says 2k which must be 102k. Both automatics, the 72 has a sun roof, otherwise they seem normally optioned. I didn't start or drive them, but I will if I try to buy them. The old codger selling said they ran great.

I know 123 chassis inside and out, but what chassis would these be? All I can find on the web not much. Both cars have what appears to be a dual cam engine (inline 6, "straked" valve cover, gigantic air cleaner, spark plugs in the center of the head). What can you guys tell me about these engines? Anything on these cars I should look for. I looked up parts prices, and they seem as reasonable as the 123 parts are, anything I should be looking for specifically like the leveling pump on the 300TD?

My plan if I bought them would be to sell one and keep the other to recoup. I looked on ebay, and it's vauge as to what they are worth in real dollars. I figure I could safely get $1500 for either one as they seem well cared for and mechanically sound. What do you guys think?

Thanks. I have a feeling I'm about to own 2 more Benz's.
Kip Amore
Akron, OH

[kip Foss]

Kip,

I had a 1976 280 slc that I bought when I lived in Dubai. It was a great car and very, very fast. From what I understand the 280 engine is pretty bullet proof and when needed is easy to work on. The 280 is an inline 6 cyl. dual overhead cam engine. I had mine up to 140 mph and it seemed like there was still some left in it. I didn't keep the car long enough to have a track record of repairs but while I drove it it was as smooth and responsive as any engine I have ever driven.

If the cars you are looking at don't have a 100k digit on the odometer I would be suspect of the mileage. '72 and '76 year old cars with only 100k on the clock is a bit odd. Still Mercedes owners are a bit odd about driving their cars. Some put them in the garage and only drive the occasionally thinking that they are museum pieces. If the current owner can prove the mileage they might be worth the price. Unless the car you plan on selling is in spectacular condition I wouldn't plan on being able to sell it anytime soon to recoop your costs. Check sites like www.collectorcartraderonline.com and see how long similar cars have been sor sale.

Your seller is probably in not too good a position as far as being able to sell these cars goes. I don't know how long he has had them on the market but if the cars were all that valuable they would be gone by now. Knowing this gives you a good bargining position. Offer him $2k and let him talk you up to $2,300.

Good luck.

Kip Foss