For sale 1984 280e Euro four speed, driven only on weekends by a Grandfather.

[t walgamuth]

Rebuilt motor with about 300 miles on it. Driven only on weekends on very short trips by a Mercedes loving Grandfather. Unusually lightweight chassis with minimal options. Ideal for vintage racing duty.

OK I just couldn't resist the grandpa driven thing. This is my dedicated autocross car. I had thoughts to restore the rusty parts and prepare it for vintage racing but I really don't have the time or the desire and can use the garage space.

This is a car that I bought about sixteen years ago and drove for a couple of years. When I sold it I quickly regretted it and contacted the buyer and told him if he ever wanted to sell it to give me a chance. about four years ago I got a call from him and went down and bought it back.

The Bad:
Its fairly rusty, though the floor boards are pretty solid the rockers are pretty bad and there is some rust in the fenders and a little in the hood and trunk. The interior is mostly missing. It was flooded up to the intake before I repurchesed it from the previous owner who parked it by a stream which flooded.

No electrical problems have been noted relating to the flooding since I put it back in service. The ignition, starter, lights, horn and all work fine. The blower does not but I don't think its flood related.

The good:
It has an interesting history. I will tell what I know from conversations with J Frank who brought it into the country. It was bought new to participate in the "Amerithon 84" professional long distance rally. It was one of two 280es bought by a team of Polish drivers for the purpose. They were allowed to test several engines and had the most powerful installed at the factory. The standard euro 280e is rated at 185 hp. I have no figures on this one but it is strong. They took it to a Munich tuner who stripped off the undercoating, installed a roll cage and racing seats plus a sort of bed in the back. It also was fitted with plastic windows everywhere but the windshield. It also had a oil pan skid plate which I removed but hav bought another which I'll let go with the car.

It was fitted with a 369 diff, and (I believe) 15" wheels with taller springs in front from (perhaps) a 126. It had ventilated front rotors when I first owned but they are now solid.

When I first got it it had had all the racing stuff removed and a 240d interior fitted. It has no power windows or seats, no radio and no sunroof, all to save weight.

I have made the following modifications:

1. It has h and r lowering springs.

2. I have had the battery relocated to the spare tire well for better weight distribution.

3. I have removed the ac condensor.

4. It currently has a sport seat installed in the drivers position and a lightweight dune buggy seat on the pass side.

5. It has a custom built limited slip in the diff now which works very well.

6. It has bilstein hd on the front and Koni reds on the back rebuilt in the last two years with only autocross duty on them (maybe 15 to 20 xcrosses max.)

7. I have the original Euro lights with an extra set of virtually new lenses.

8. I have at least three rustfree doors and a rustfree deck lid that I will include as well.

The motor has been gone through and is very very strong. It was stuck due to gunk in the cylinders with minimal rust. It cleaned up nicely and new rings seals and a valve job was performed. Whatever was needed to make it a reliable autocrosser was done. It does not smoke (except the rear tires on takeoff.

I have a complete black tex interoir from an 83 300d euro which has adjustable lumbar and heated seats. I will let it go with the car depending on the final price.

I also have a 369 welded diff which I will let go with the car.

I have a series of wheel spacers and lug bolts that I will let go with the car from 5 mm up to 30 mm thick.

I have a spare 280e motor from a salvage yard. The compression readings painted on at the yard when it was removed vary from 170 to 180 psi. It is a us spec motor.

I have a set of 6.5 inch bundts which I will let go with it or the lighter 6" wide wheels, your choice.

The exhaust system is stock euro 280e.

I have a factory skid plate that I will let go with the car.

I probably have other things that go along with it that I have not thought of.

It was a fun autocrosser and would make a nice vintage sedan racer, fitting in a class possibly with bmw 2000 ti and such I believe.

I am thinking of $3500 for the whole schmear. Depending on what is included or not included I will happily negotiate.