Wtb Euro Mercedes W123 Sedan 280e
 

Looking for the needle in the hay stack. WTB a euro grey market late model W123 sedan 280e. Manual transmission greatly preferred. I know these are difficult to find but looking for clean no rust car in good to excellent condition. Located in PA but willing travel for the right car. I've seen a few that sold in the past so they do exist. Anyone know of one?
Thanks long time pelican,
Girt
Pls email.
girt1@verizon.net

I’m not sure whether you are stateside, but there appear to be several available in Europe if not. Here is a link to some:

https://www.theparking-cars.com/used-cars/mercedes-280-e-w123.html

I got a laugh at this picture of one of the cars being advertised:

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTc2WDEwM...f-skK/$_57.JPG

It’s rare you get to see a shot of the moment the seller decided to sell!

Thanks, Laughing at that photo. Have been watching overseas but hopefully something shows up Stateside.
G

If you ever decide you want one that needs work I've got one that does. Blue cloth manual sunroof 4 speed manual windows. Still has euro parts ie bumpers ECT and extra euro engine but car needs a lot of work. In north carolina

Its got rust and will need welding

Its a 4 speed iron box with aftermarket a.c.. The spare engine is a euro as well. I put 14x6.5 rims on it . I think its an 84

Thanks Gary, definitely not looking to get into bodywork. I've learned my lesson with rust. Thanks but will keep you in mind if I find something that is worth swapping a euro motor into. Thanks

I've owned 3 euro spec M110 engines, 81 280E, 79 280TE, and an 85 280SL. All had automatics, though.

In all cases, we loved that unrestricted M110 with 185 hp. Very nice car to run, really sang when you got on the gas, unlike the choked emissions one that was a stateside offering.

I suspect your looking for a needle in a haystack. The few I've noticed in the last ten years have either been very rough or very nice, and the very nice ones we saw were pretty pricey.

If this is what turns you on, they are great running engines, truly the best W123 offered by MB. I'm also a diesel fan and have owned all the W123 diesel permutations, but would stick with the M110 as my favorite power plant in the W123 chassis.

Also, we've owned a lot of stick shift W123 cars, most recently an 85 300TD 4 speed manual conversion. Aside from the slight advantage an overdrive 5th gear would give you, I would be just as happy with the fine 4 speed autobox coupled to the euro M110.

You might also give consideration to a W124 86 or 87 300E with a 5 speed manual. We had an 86 and it was comparable powerwise to the 280E W123, but always felt a bit bulkier when pushing the handling.

Good luck on your quest, I really enjoyed the ones we owned.

Jim

Thanks Jim, your thoughts do reinforce why I was looking for a euro. Plus I believe the later years have the better hvac systems? Auto would be ok if a good looking car is out there. That can always be changed over. Just really like manuals and being engaged with driving.

The only climate system that is problematic is the Automatic system installed on 80 and older models. And even then I wouldn't consider it a dealbreaker.

The automatic system from 81 is good.

But since you're looking for a euro then many of them had a manual system.

What about a 280e euro coupe. I can't recall if it's manual or auto
Still has euro bits

Gary, For some reason I prefer the balanced look of the W123 sedan over the coupe. Plus wanted something with 4 doors for travel. Thx
Also in response to the above, the only reason I was looking at the later years was to avoid the early auto HVAC systems. Would definitely consider any with the manual system.

If a W114 euro coupe 280e showed up I might jump. Is there anything to avoid in those?
Did the W114 have the same problem with detuning for import to USA or did they have the full approx 180Hp of the Euro?

A W114 280E/280CE would be d-jet from the factory. It's the highest HP rating of any of the M110's though. -CTH

I'd be open to a W114 280e sedan also. Any difference between US and Euro versions?

have you seen this nifty search tool a member wrote?
https://cultcars.us/cgi-bin/listings.cgi?q=mercedes+280E&loc=

It does a poor job with pattern matching, but it finds lots of things.
Search for "mercedes 220" and you'll find 220's 220se's and 2200$.
Not ideal, but it works.
-CTH

Yes both the sedan and the coupe 114 only came to the US with carbureted engines. The M110 in the US was both carbureted and low compression. It made 120hp.

The pre-emissions carbureted M114 2.5 and M130 2.8 versions in the US W114 had the same power as euro models. 143hp I think for the M130

FYI: the 71-72 250 models actually have a 2.8 M130 engine so don't let the name fool you

Christuna, Thanks for the helpful information. That helps.

Cth350- Great link thank you.

if you are ok with shipping i was browsing fb marketplace in france ad saw one. 8500 euro
ive bought crs overseas. you could go checm it out
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/834056923807975/?ref=search&referral_code=undefined

Gary, thanks been watching some of the overaeas sites and would be open to it. How the heck do you manage an overseas purchase? Nice find. Unfortunately the blue interior is just the one color I can't warm up too. Is there some recommendations you can make on purchase, shipping, taxes etc? I there a good company to deal with? Thx again

I had friends in France get a car for me but since guy is outside Paris, maybe fly there and look and pick it up yourself. Id have a mercedes dealer insoect it first.I used a 40 ft container for mine. Make sure you strap car down tight in the container via the wheels and rims.there are shipping companies.

GA:

Since you are open to an engine swap, that avenue is likely to yield a rust free W123/M110 package at rather lower cost than sourcing outside the US.
A 240D from the southwest US would be the starting point. ROTW M110s are available in the US. Crack a pack of Zigzags and roll your own.

Frank, maybe an option agreed. I believe the 240d tended to have manual hvac and windows correct? Those would be perferred. AC for me is nice but optional. I imagine engine/trans/management system would then all have to be sourced. Was thinking a 280e to 280e euro would be easier? Thoughts thanks.

The ranking begins much like real estate (location, location, location):
1) Rust free
2) Rust free
3) Rust free
4) Manual windows
5) Manual HVAC
6) Late ACC (HVAC)
7) Manual trans
8) Wiring & plumbing
9) Originally M110
10) "euro" cosmetics

LMAO, thanks Frank. I hear you.... Big Smiles.

Yes because you will already have: Fuel pump package with proper lines/hoses and fittings, Proper Differential, Proper speedo (No tach on us market 280E sadly), Exhaust?. Also the title will say that it's a gasoline car with 6 cylinders so you won't have to get into all the red tape of trying to change that.

Also you will have another M110 for spare parts etc... to keep your swap going

The 280E was sold here 1977-1981. It made 140hp in stock US form. Had the same fuel injection but was low compression.

Well was hoping something might pop up. If anyone has a really clean US spec. I'd like to hear about it. No rust please. Manual is a bonus in my book but could always swap it out in future. Will probably also start a new wtb thread. Thanks for help so far guys.

Thanks for linking to cultcars.us. I had never seen that site before but they have a great search engine. Clean, fast, and seems to draw from all over. You're right that it's not particularly "smart", but still gets some interesting results.

Hey check this out. Looks like a 280E.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/824151611649618

Good find thanks. I can see the listing but don't have an account that will let me see the contact info. Coukd someone forward that to me. Big thanks.

I don't see it any better. I think that's due to the lack of a friends connection.

I suspect you need to use the facebook messaging app.

-CTH

A CLASSIC 1980 MERCEDES E-CLASS IN GOOD CONDITION AND RUNS GOOD .ASKING PRICE $ 5,100.CONTACT GEORGE PAUL AT 864- 459-9815 OR 864-391-6296 IN ABBEVILLE , SC.

Its white with black cloth interior
Still has euro bumpers
Automatic trans

Manual windows
Manual climate control
Sunroof
USA headlights

Bundt rims
Looks good in pics for price

Facebook is terrible
 

Another one. Unfortunately a great example of how not to photograph a car for sale. Add states auto trans. No direct contact info.



https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/195980085585553


Unfortunately Facebook has taken all the old cars from Craigslist. This is the only reason I ever visit the platform.

GaryD75, Thanks for the info will give him a call. Birthday Thx but noway to contact. It is appreciated.



Found this in Nederlands: Would be pretty close to exactly what I'm looking for. Really like those MB greens..... But its a site that doesn't link you to owner. They want to purchase for you and deliver.

Someone forwarded me this information. Check out Craigslist Seattle, there's a 280TE with a manual 5 speed transmission and A/C, best combination you can ask for.

Snibble, thanks couldn't find it. But really looking for a sedan only.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/d/seattle-mercedes-280te-euro-gas-wagon/7276712431.html

R u sure?

it really does look pretty nice... 15k is way to far north for me tho but I do live in seattle

Nice find. But yes sedan only.