1973 280SE 4.5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rkroel · #1 12-21-2009, 12:48 AM

SOLD

I have too many cars, so this has to go. If I had more time and space I would keep this car indefinitely. However I just took a new job and I don't have time to enjoy the car, so I'm going to sell it so it doesn't get neglected.

I purchased this car in early July, and drove it home 700 miles with no issue.

1973 280SE 4.5
169,000 miles
Located near Phoenix, AZ

Price reduced from $9,200! I'm now asking $8,000.

Car is in very good condition. I would call it a nearly perfect driver. There is no rust, zero, zilch, nadda. It was a California car, always garaged. My very jaded buddies who collect and show old American cars were extremely impressed with the vehicle.

I have extensive documentation for this car. There is a log book, with entries for every maintenance item done on the vehicle since 1987, at which time it had 76,484 miles. It includes everything from oil changes to valve adjustments. Additionally I have receipts from myself and at least 2 previous owners.

The car includes a pile of manuals for the vehicle:
Technical Data, Passenger Cars issue 1972
Mercedes-Benz Model 108 Catalog B, 1971, U.S. Version ( vintage)
Mercedes-Benz Model 108 Catalog A, Edition A (vintage)
Mercedes-Benz Service Manual, V-8 Engines, M116 and M117 (reprint?)
Merceds-Benz Service Manual, Series 108, 109, 111,113 (reprint?)
Mercedes-Benz Service, Air Conditioning System, Models 108,9,11 (Reprint)
Mercedes-Benz service, Model Year 1972, Passenger Cars, U.S.A. (Reprint)
Bosch Fuel Injection & Engine Management, by Charles O. Probst
Chilton's Repair & Tune Up Guide, Mercedes Benz 1968-73

The car also includes 4 boxes of parts and 5 14" unmounted Bundt wheels. The boxes have a ton of parts in them, everything from a brand new hood ornament to a new front windshield gasket.

I would rate the car as follows:
Mechanics 9/10
Paint 8.5-9/10
Interior 9.5/10

It starts up every time you turn the key and runs impeccably. The paint job is a very good respray with some minuscule over spray. You have to look hard to find it. There is one damaged area on the driver's side fender, and a small chip out of the edge of the driver's side door. There is a small crack in the front windshield.

The seats are MB-Tex and were recently redone, and are immaculate. The finish on the dash is beautiful. Has new coco mats. Has an aftermarket wooden steering wheel, comes with original wheel. The ash tray has a crack in it, and I have good spare with the parts.

It handles very very well, with little play in the steering. Tires are in good shape, if a bit old.

The engine runs very well. I had some temperature issues in the 115 degree heat here in AZ, but nothing that couldn't be managed. Once it dropped below 105 I have no issues with cooling. It just started leaking some power steering fluid, looks like a hose, I will repair this before the sale.

I am posting some older pictures tonight, I will post many more pictures tomorrow after I take them in the day light. Let me know if you have requests.

Feel free to post here, call, or email me anytime with questions.

rkroel · #2 12-21-2009, 01:09 AM

Just found some pictures on my trip back to Arizona with the car. These are 5 months old. More to come tomorrow.

rkroel · #3 12-21-2009, 01:33 AM

One of the previous owners put in a Blaupunkt single din radio/cd player (circa 1999) and some aftermarket speakers in the door, along with a subwoofer and amp in the trunk. They also added the chrome wheel arches, a power antenna, and an aftermarket ignition. The fuel tank was refurbished recently. The seats were restuffed with foam. Pretty sure the covers are original. Oh - the wood trim on the dash needs to be reconstructed. The wood trim on the doors is in physically excellent shape, and cosmetically very good shape but not as shiny as they once were I'm sure.

As far as factory options, I'm not an expert and can't recall the specifics. I decoded the VIN at some point, but I can't seem to find the site at the moment. It has the MB-TEX upholstery. I'll keep trying to find the page I used - here is the VIN - 10806712016225.

rkroel · #4 12-21-2009, 10:58 AM

I'm posting more information as people ask questions:

The car has:
Central locking, (pneumatic)
A/C - works well (even in the AZ heat!)
Steering Column shifting (original)
Power windows - standard I believe
Clock works.
Heater levels work are pristine, can't recall if they are original
Newish heater core under the dash (the previous owner replaced it)
The wood dash trim is in a state of disrepair.

pj67coll · #5 12-21-2009, 11:33 AM

Sorry you have to part with it Ryan. It's a beauty all right.

- Peter.

suginami · #6 12-21-2009, 12:32 PM

Looks like a beauty, and the license plate matches the color perfectly, "Fire Engine". Love it.

rkroel · #7 12-21-2009, 06:05 PM

Thanks guys. If I had a separate garage to store it in, I would keep it.

rkroel · #8 12-21-2009, 06:17 PM

Here are some shots I just took with the car out in my garage.

rkroel · #9 12-21-2009, 06:18 PM

Continued.

rkroel · #10 12-21-2009, 06:20 PM

...

rkroel · #11 12-21-2009, 06:22 PM

...

thebenzbar · #12 12-21-2009, 06:27 PM

I like/want/dibs on these 5 "youknowwhattheyare" thingys...

rkroel · #13 12-21-2009, 06:32 PM

For now I would like to keep everything together. I suppose I could be convinced. In that big 'ole pile of parts there are new in bag chrome centers for those wheels too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebenzbar

I like/want/dibs on these 5 "youknowwhattheyare" thingys...

rkroel · #14 12-31-2009, 07:07 PM

Price reduced to $8800.

pj67coll · #15 12-31-2009, 07:25 PM

If you don't mind my asking. Who did your garage floor?

- Peter.