About a year ago I picked up this sweet little W123 240D Auto. I took a gamble on it since on the test drive i found it wouldn't shift until the highest engine speed, needed two front wheel bearings, a full "diesel tune up", drained the battery constantly, wouldn't shut off, and had about 100 other minor issues.

Dove into the diesel world and for not too much $$ got the car running great. Now its basically my daily driver and I love it.

I really enjoyed learning and tinkering with the little diesel and once I felt it was up to snuff and daily-able it hasn't given me one issue in 6k miles.

(Parked next to my friends newly purchased euro 230E)





Now, I'm looking for another summer project and found this 280SE with an M110 on CL. Its a bit rough around the edges but isn't especially rusty.

I went to take a look at it today to find that the interior is MINT, paint is pretty good too, and with only 50K i'm assuming the suspension components are mint as well.

Downside is the last inspection sticker reads 2006, and the current owner bought it from someone who had it stored so I presume it was sitting a while.

The engine turns over vigorously and seems to fire right up but dies immediately.

I believe it has a bosch K-Jet fuel injection, and the seller believes the no start issue is fuel related. He also states that he tested the compression and the motor has great compression on all cylinders. There was NO coolant in the rad.. thinking someone drained it to store it? I know letting our 54 MB sit with coolant in it for too long warped the aluminum head.

I think they are pretty handsome cars when all cleaned up.




So Mercedes gurus.. What am I in for with this beast? Expensive nightmare or rewarding summer project?

iPhone pics:



[URL=http://s91.photobucket.com/user/mabbonizio189/media/IMG_2469_zps8pakxurx.jpg.html]

m:
Two days ago you started this thread: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/385496-looking-78-w116-280se-sat.html on the same subject.
If you have not abandoned your first thread, consider keeping everything together. And if you have not abandoned the first thread, what were the results?

The W116 is one of the hidden gems in the Benz world IMHO. Parts can be a challenge but they don't seem to get any love from the Benz fans in general who are too busy fawning over ho-hum Pagodas. You can pick them up for a steal and once you drove a nicely sorted 116 you won't want to drive anything else.

Mileage is suspect.

yes, figured there might be more traffic here.. I'll update that thread as well.