They both have the driver side C pillar trim loose? :P Nice find, looks like you've got a keeper.

Time to swap wheels - bundts on the 280E, covers on the D?

Yeah I know... Now I need two of them :eek:

I think the wheel swap will happen soon. I need to check to see what calipers the 280E has anyway since it needs new brakes.

I like the second one... MB MB MB MB MB MB Peugeot MB MB MB MB MB MB Opel :D

Reminds me a little of this old MB TV commercial:
Mercedes Werbung 1990 Willkommen zu Hause - YouTube

Waiting at the DMV now for my tag. The car already passed the emissions inspection which was a surprise to me. I do smell exhaust when the car is running but I guess it wasn't bad enough to fail.

I followed your advice and swapped the wheels today. I must say the 280E rides much nicer now with the bundts than the light alloy wheels. I also discovered I need new brakes rather urgently. The pads are nearly worn down on all 4 wheels.

Changed the Oil to Rotella T Diesel oil after much research and hand wringing and what a difference! The car runs super smooth and is much quieter now.

Today I decided I should go ahead and replace the front brake pads and boy am I glad I did. The pads are worn right down to the sensors and I also discovered that one of the front brake hoses had a very nice bulge in it (thats what she said) and realized I may have dodged a bullet with this repair. Thankfully my local NAPA has a pair of hoses in stock so the job should be done later this afternoon.

Made some progress today...

I removed the rear seat for cleaning & re-stuffing and found $12 in change in the process. I also removed the passenger door trim to investigate the reason for the non operation of the power window and I think I discovered the reason. I have decided to do a manual window conversion and not have to deal with fixing 3 of the 4 windows that dont work.

What's missing here...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps1bd99773.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps178308e6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps4e2ad7d3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps36d74ca6.jpg

Coming along nicely. Will you have it back together by August 24th?;)

I'm sure it will be drivable by then one way or another :D If not we will all come in the 240D.

I have reached somewhat of a crossroad now with this car. I have turned it into a nice albeit rusty driver and I need to decide if I want to find fenders and a hood or just use it till I'm bored of it.

I have installed a very nice bluetooth stereo with all new speakers and detailed the car since the last update. I still need to remove and clean under the driver seat which is going to be swapped with the seat in my 240D since its much nicer and has an armrest.

If i do keep this car long term I will need to replace this fender and whatever else is behind the fender with the rot.

If this car had not been so cheap (can part it and scrap and come out ahead) and in this color I wouldn't have bought it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps58ea817b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps049f4b9e.jpg

The PO was a student at The University of Delaware and the car has some damage from getting hit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps20196acc.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps717ba35f.jpg

This is by far the worst of the rust. Oddly enough the floors are perfect though as is under the battery tray but there is some minor surface rust around the sunroof and rear window.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps3a985b91.jpg

I have a line on fixing the windows with parts from daw but beyond that it may be finished until I get the 240D completely fixed up.

That is such a cool car! I always loved the old 280e s. I like the pic of the 2 in the garage ....the pic taken from behind...I mean they look just alike! :P

Well it sure looks and sounds like you've made a turn at the crossroads and it's towards doing the rest of the work..eventually....to make this car a keeper. Car truely looks great right now despite the dings fron the p.o. college kid. Would certainly think you could flip it for some nice coin at some point. Did you see the NYT article someone posted on PP about the prices a couple of "Benz Addicts" in SanFran were selling restored 280's & 240's like yours for?

You didn't say, or I else I missed it, if you had done body work before or farmed it out?

Keep up the post as you make progress. Enjoying the ride from afar.

Never done any body work. I have always felt that is an art form and I am scared to try it. I'm sure I can do some of the prep work but that may be it.

It strikes me that if you are dependent upon your car(s) for a daily work commute, then having a 30+ year old vehicle probably requires having a back up of some form, especially if you perform many of the repairs.

That said, do you like this car and if the body, seat, and windows were repaired would you be happy keeping it? If so, find a replacement fender and have the front clip painted. Shouldn't be too pricey.