I think I might join the club. Green!

[Sugar Mag]

Heynow,
May purchase a 1972 280se 4.5 later today. Got em down to $2800 and he hit the wall. Seems fair to me. The thing runs great with all kinds of documentation. Two of the windows are whacky (going up and down but not easily) and heater controls are snapped off. Any opinions on these or general issues would be appreciated. I've been looking at this forum for a couple of days, impressive community! I think I may have found a niche. Have Fun.

David

[kpb]

Good luck with the potential purcahse. I found this site the night before I drove 90 miles to look at a (my) 108. It was vastly helpful to read others' stories. Search under various terms such as "108" and "buying" or "looking at" -- you should get a wealth of pertinent issues of importance for these ever so-o-o cool rides.

[Peoria Benz]

Hope to have you among us. The more the merrier. The 108 remains an affordable classic that is straight forward enough that you can actually perform repairs yourself. There is a lot of knowledge in here, so don't be shy.

[Sugar Mag]

Nice Welcome! KPB, I think I read a thread about your Trip. Sounds like your having fun. I had never been in one of these thing until now. Something special about 'em, Huh?

David

[Tomguy]

David: The window regulators might just need to have the old gunky grease cleaned out (30+ y/o grease is more gum than lubricant!). If they jerk or "clunk" on the way up or down though, especially with skipping towards the top, you'll most likely need new window regulators.

As for busted heater levers, it usually comes from stiff cables and valves, and someone forcing the old hardened levers until they crack. Before installing new levers, make sure to clean out the valves and cables so they move freely.

Make sure to take it on the highway and take it up to 80. It should make it there smoothly and easily, and stay there with ease. Look for rust. $2800 is a hell of a deal, gas prices probably brought the price down a lot. Prime 4.5's have been going for upwards of $10k-15k lately!

[katana]

I'm new to this crowd, too. Got my 280SE 4.5 just a couple weeks ago.
Check for rust, rust, rust. Just found a new potential graveyard for my $$. The cross member underneath the radiator has a hole the size of a dime...
Parts seem to be readily available, provided sufficient funds.

Send pics!!!

Fritz