A gasser question on a diesel thread.

[chasinthesun]

Ive got my eyes on a 280 car ,has the same body as the 84 300d model ,has the automatic trannie and is in nice shape .How does the 280 motor perform in mpg, get up go ,and long service life?I have never driven this particular model and was hoping for more input ,thanks.

[Skippy]

I haven't had one but I'm told they get around 16 mpg. A little faster than a turbo 617. Long life, but not as long as the diesel. Worth having if you can get one cheap enough, but inferior to a 617 turbo IMO.

[DieselPaul]

I wouldn't use the word inferior, a well tuned up 280 will blow the doors off of a 300. And on the highway it'll run faster.

I had a '78, the fuel economy is in the mid teens, its bad.

I really liked it, a 280CE with the windows down and the runroof open. Good power, they rev out pretty well, I'd love to buy another.

However, I treated it like my SL, it was a weekend toy, I wouldn't daily drive it.

Try to find someone local with one and go for a ride, a gas 123 is totally different from a diesel.

[SD300]

thats a high performance engine, love to rev, twin cam.
w 123 body?
u need deep pocket for benzenes.

[t walgamuth]

my 84 280e euro had a five speed od but ran a 369 diff. got low 20's hiway. mid teens around town.

a 110 motor will last as long as a 617 imho with good care. a slight amount more maintenance. smooth powerful and torquey.

only real drawback is petrol consumption.