Im about to buy a 1982 w123 280 E, it has about 260k km on the clock its a little rusty but not bad at all, interiour is in great shape, price is about $400 usd.

If i buy it im going to use it as a beater untill i figure out what im gonna do with my broken-down w126(put in a 560 engine or a 300 24valve + a mosselman turbo system)

What should i look out for before buying any tips? I really want this car to last untill im finished with the w126.

Well, the 280E does have 185 hp in the non-US form....look out for speeding tix, I guess.

Seriously, the M110 DOHC 2.8 six has a reputation for blowing head gaskets, and needing valve guides. See if it's had cylinder head work done recently. That's about the only caveat I can think of.
-Sam

Well, my 280E didn't last to 260 KM before the rust finished it off. Only problems I had: the exhaust manifold gasket, the rear axle boots, the center flex joint in the drive shaft.

It was still running well when I sold it (about 170K miles), but the body was shot--danger of falling through the floors.

Mine was a 1980.

what are the symptoms of bad valve guides and about how much does it cost to get them done?

i recently bought a parts 280e for the radiator mount, hood and lights for my 300D (i hit a deer). i will be selling the rest part by part so let me know if you need anything.

its european. i do know that the engine has been replaced with a non original that is locked up. too bad because the car only had 90000 on it. the interior is in great shape and i'm getting a truckload of extra parts with it as well.

jeff

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1984 300D "Brown (and Blue) Betty" Over 200k but the odometer isn't counting

I had a euro 280E for a couple of years.

Similar situation. Bought it originally as a parts car, ended up putting enough work into it to use as a commuter for a while 10 or so years ago, when gas was under a buck.

It was a beat puppy, but it sure was fun! Front end passed inspection, but was pretty loose, and the tranny required a bit of finess to get into 4th (lift throttle), but she flat ran like a scalded dog.

She finally got looking a little too raggy, and I gave her to a buddy who is a bit less, ummm, discerning, and he got another two years out the car before the ignition module gave out, and the cost of the parts exceeded the value of the car.

As I look back, I'm still amazed how much use we got out of that car. Took it up to Washington DC a few times (460 miles RT), and I don't think the car ever left us on the side of the road....

I bought it from the original owner, and he told me the car's name was "Greta" when he handed over the keys. My buddy's last drive was over to the credit union to get a cashier's check for the 92 300SL he had just bought. she would not start when came out.

I think Greta knew.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

the 280e is generally acknowledged by experienced benz mechanics to be about bulletproof. they will run 400K if cared for. the engine is one of a handful of gassers that will pretty much match a 616 for service life. i am not aware of a head gasket blowing tendency or of particularly weak valve guides or seals. at this age it probably need valve seals and cam chain guides. if cared for the bottom ends are about bulletproof. much like the 616 617 engines.

they love to wind and have excellent torque from bottom to top.

they are not really fuel effecient either. mid twenties highway would be about tops unless you happen to have one with a five speed.

very very nice engines.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.