107 280sl ???

[crash9]

I’ve caught the sl bug and am set on finding a 280 Euro, just maybe a 500, but I’m focused on the six. Drove up to Phoenix today to look at one. Please input.
Did the Euro’s have any MPH marking on the gauges – they were all KMH only – right?
I was amazed at how heavy the car felt. Handled OK, but just seemed bulky and heavy steering.
How frequent is this subframe cracking issue – I’m not sure what is meant by “subframe” The owner said the dealer had never mentioned it.
This top end seemed a little noisy and had a vibration in the right bank – the owner new nothing of having the valves set – they’re solids – check 15/20 k mi. – right?
The tranny dip stick was varnished and smelled.
The idle was at 1500
The tranny slammed into reverse.
There was nothing that made me want the car, but how often will I see a 280?
This seems a good time to be toy shopping but I have not seen much out there. After this I can not imagine buying anything sight unseen.

[nobby]

Originally Posted by crash9

I’ve caught the sl bug and am set on finding a 280 Euro, just maybe a 500, but I’m focused on the six. Drove up to Phoenix today to look at one. Please input.
Did the Euro’s have any MPH marking on the gauges – they were all KMH only – right?
I was amazed at how heavy the car felt. Handled OK, but just seemed bulky and heavy steering.
How frequent is this subframe cracking issue – I’m not sure what is meant by “subframe” The owner said the dealer had never mentioned it.
This top end seemed a little noisy and had a vibration in the right bank – the owner new nothing of having the valves set – they’re solids – check 15/20 k mi. – right?
The tranny dip stick was varnished and smelled.
The idle was at 1500
The tranny slammed into reverse.
There was nothing that made me want the car, but how often will I see a 280?
This seems a good time to be toy shopping but I have not seen much out there. After this I can not imagine buying anything sight unseen.

The car was probably "federalized" when it came to the US...thus the MPH.
What year is this car? Subframe issues have not been prevalent on the 280 due to less weight up front.
The M110 engine IS noisier than usual due to the solid lifters. You should be wary if it's quiet. Valves should be adjusted every 10K.
High idle RPM could be a number of things.... from a bad thermostat to a bad warm up regulator.
With that high idle, I would expect the trani to slam into every gear.
If you have to have a 280SL...why not with a 5 speed?


BTW...it is a heavy car. Not a sports car...rather a boulevard cruiser.

[rocky raccoon]

My opinion is to pass on that car. From your description it appears to have had little preventive maintenance which isthe key to longevity in those (or any) cars. It will probably cost you a fortune to get it in reliable condition. Be patient there are many great 107s out there.

[POS]

I used to own a 280E with a 5-speed. The m110 engine was never quiet - it makes quite a bit of racket at idle and under throttle. It's normal. Some sluggishness would be understandable, but it might need some minor adjustments to wake it up. If the sluggishness bothers you, then keep looking until you find a 5-speed. The manual tranny really does wake up the engine quite a bit.

[deanyel]

Was this the midnight blue/tan? Vibration on the right bank?

[crash9]

Originally Posted by deanyel

Was this the midnight blue/tan? Vibration on the right bank?

Yep - no way I'll buy it. I think the owners are good folks, but bought a lemon and didn't drive it much, and also didn't know any better. Spent it's time up in Park City, UT and was serviced there and in Salt Lake - not very often from my take. Great chance for a Kountry Boi to get a DoubleDouble and fries though. I offered $5m to be polite, but hope they lose my number.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by nobby

The car was probably "federalized" when it came to the US...thus the MPH.
What year is this car? Subframe issues have not been prevalent on the 280 due to less weight up front.
The M110 engine IS noisier than usual due to the solid lifters. You should be wary if it's quiet. Valves should be adjusted every 10K.
High idle RPM could be a number of things.... from a bad thermostat to a bad warm up regulator.
With that high idle, I would expect the trani to slam into every gear.
If you have to have a 280SL...why not with a 5 speed?


BTW...it is a heavy car. Not a sports car...rather a boulevard cruiser.

Subframe cracking may not be prevalent, but it happened on mine..... MB is blunt about the fix only applying to the 350/450cars.

Running correctly, the auto 280SL is fine car, I'm happy with mine. I wanted this car with an auto, it's for my wife and daughters to drive. If I want a stick roadster, I'll take the MGB with a 4 speed and electric overdrive.

Jim

[deanyel]

I went to look at it too - not a terrible car, not great either. Not the sort of underbody we're used to here in AZ. And the leather had recently been resprayed with what I'd bet was SEM Color Coat, which is not supposed to be used on leather, looked awfully dry to me.