Posting here for discussion value -

I saw an 85 280SEL for sale at a consignment lot in Santa Clara, CA, 169K miles indicated, $4450.

- decent black repaint over camel velour

- M110 with EGR

- Euro bumpers front and rear

- DOT headlights with Euro headlight wipers

- DOT left tail light, Euro right tail light

- ugly chrome bundts (I didn't think chrome could be too shiny)

- no warning triangle in trunk lid

- decent burl wood, velour upholstery, one small dash crack

- central locking, power seats (no memory), power windows

- power reclining rear bench with headrests!

- ACC with a decal strip with button labels in French

- MB tag mfg date 10/85

- tag from some shop in Holland claiming conversion for export

- tag claiming odometer with 0000 miles replaced odometer with 12.606 km

- CA BAR tag (required for smog check stations to test a gray market car in CA)

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

There is a lady (originally from Europe) here locally that drove one of these a while back. It was a 280 SEL (early to mid 80s). What I thought was so odd about hers was the fact that it was a manual shift! I had never see a long wheelbase S-Class Mercedes with a manual shift, but after further investigation, I found out it was indeed possible.

She now drives a 2004 E-Class and the 280 SEL resides in her driveway, beside of another Mercedes. She does not drive the 280 SEL anymore- it is ruining on the drive.....

As far as pricing goes, I have been told that the local 1985 500 SEL that I was considering was way overpriced at $5500 and it had 152K, so I imagine that $4400 for a 280 SEL with 169K would be also.....