Am I crazy? Help me get my head around these vintage gas mercs... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Cazzzidy · #1 06-07-2006, 09:53 PM

Hey guys,

I have had a few Mercedes over the last 6 years. A 190 that, in retrospect, was pretty damn reliable ... and two older diesels. First: a W115 220D... it was pretty much a lemon, started falling apart the moment I got it home. It had to be crushed. And then a W123 300D, which is also a rolling disaster - huge oil leaks keep popping up, massive timing chain stretch, low compression, blown headgasket... its ready to die any minute.

I know I should buy a new Honda Civic and forget about it.... but something deep within simply will not let me. I need another old Mercedes. As much as I hate working on cars (though I am totally competant), I can live with more work if it means I get to drive a beutiful old tall grilled Benz around.

My plan is to buy the best specimen I can afford - no rust, good mechanical condition, low miles, service history. I see them come up all the time on ebay for reasonable prices and I understand the value of having a solid start with these cars.

So, I am interested in the early 70s sedans and coupes. I want a gas car. I love the look of the W114/115 and W108 but have an open mind. I just want a car that is going to get mileage in the 20s on the highway. I can't morally, principly, or financially justify rolling around in a 300SEL getting 10-12mpg.

So, what engines should I look for? I don't care much about power... I have heard the carburated six cylinders are low teens vehicles, the fuel injected 6s are better, and the four cylinders are all good. What specific models should I be looking at? What engines should I avoid? What is the best fuel economy for this era?

Any words of wisdom? Any one have a list of chassis and their available engines?

Thanks in advance for your feedback,

Cassidy
Reluctantly happy to be back at mercedesshop.

mgburg · #2 06-08-2006, 11:52 AM

You're going to be looking for the 110 series engine - I6 series.

I'm getting approx. 24 mpg w/combo city/hwy driving.

senorunimog · #3 06-08-2006, 12:32 PM

Any of the eary 70's cars will have abysmal milage. I have a 71 280SE, and currently I get about 12mpg, but I have all sorts of wear and problems so that is a very low number. From the factory they were supposed to get about 18 or so, This is for the M130 engine. V-8's will be worse of course. The M110 can apparently fit in a w108 without any problems. This is all hearsay, but tranny, motor mounts, even the exhaust pipes should line up perfectly, the air intake is on the other side, but it has a pancake air filter so that shouldn't be a problem

#4 06-08-2006, 04:56 PM

21mpg highway driving for a w114 with a m110. 72 (or 73?) is the optimal year for this model because of the m110 engine was just introduced and the body had yet to be "updated." Andy by updated I mean hit with the ugly stick: Bigger bumpers, inelegant (probably safer) tail lights. Adding insult to injury, they even took off the wing vents in the front doors.

The w114 rocks the house because of 4 wheel disk brakes, independant rear suspension and a ride that (according to some) is better than the w123. Get as much manual stuff as you can! No power windows, locks, seats=less to break!

My dream w114 has a m110 with a stick...some day i'll put one together.

wbain5280 · #5 06-08-2006, 11:55 PM

Stay away from the 6 cyl in the 300SE, non V-8 models, type M189. They are very low production, all aluminum. The air suspension will eat up many $$$, unless the PO overhauled it already.

The 280SE engine will fit right in but the air suspension pump will need a mounting place.

Cazzzidy · #6 06-09-2006, 03:43 AM

Appreciate the responses guys.

Yeah, I am definetly interested in another 114/115. I absolutely loved the ride in my old 220D... and the gutless four cylinder with a stick has a strange charm. Merging onto the freeway at 40 mph with your hand out the window in panicked "please let me in" motions is kind of fun, really.

I think I am going to shoot for a 114/115 gasoline 4 banger 220 with a stick or an automatic I6 M110. Either would work for me.

I have realized that if I want a big body benz, I should wait till I have a reliable daily driver then purchase a 300SEL 4.5 or 6.3 as a weekend car. With the air suspension and EFI and fancy gadgets, it just would not be economical to try and make a daily driver out of one of those beasts.

wbain5280 · #7 06-09-2006, 05:55 AM

Stay away from W109 and W112 300SEL's unless you have lots of money:

http://www.300sel.com/pdf/StarBrochure11_05.pdf

blueeagle289 · #8 06-09-2006, 08:36 AM

My 68 Mercedes 230S gets very good gas mileage, about 20mpg on the highway and has a lot of power also. It is a Finnie, or Fintail model -- in very good shape and is for sale if anyone is interested. This one has the six cylinder engine with twin carbs and auto trans -- very nice interior overall, no rust and new tires .... a good buy for someone who wants one to drive it occasionally -- people everywhere stop and look, the car makes a really good
older "Mercedes - like" appearance.

michaeld · #9 06-09-2006, 04:53 PM

Cazzzidy,
You don't mention how many miles a month/yr you plan to drive, but let me hit you with another point to consider:

70's cars are generally NOT fuel economy critters. You will have to look for a Euro (which can be problems to register) 4/6 banger with a manual trans. to get a car that gets high mileage. OR a diesel, but diesels are going for top $$$ these days.

Now, I have a 77 450SEL. I get about 13 total mpg (although most of my miles are highway). That's not so good. I could about get twice that with a smaller/newer car.

BUT... I paid next to nothing for my car, and I get magnificent ride quality and V8 torque, smoothness and power. If you aren't driving a ton of miles, low mileage isn't such a big deal when you consider the low purchase price.

BTW, I paid $801.51 for my one-owner 124,000 mile car with complete service history on eBay. My savings in low purchase price amounts to a lot of fill ups. I watch my miles, try to combine trips whenever possible, but I really don't sweat it too much. And another important factor is that I've really come to love the car. I love to drive it. I love to look at it. I even love to improve it (so I can enjoy driving it and looking at it all the more!). There are a ton of "subjective" factors that enter into play, too.

Good luck with your car search!
Mike

mercmad6.3 · #10 06-10-2006, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbain5280

Stay away from W109 and W112 300SEL's unless you have lots of money:

http://www.300sel.com/pdf/StarBrochure11_05.pdf

yeah,stay away from them!! So people like me can buy them cheap and have the greatest fun possible on the road demonstrating to Modern Hondas etc that grandads ol' Merc is something to be wary of,but if you do decide to "stick your toe in the water" come and visit us here...for a totaly biased one eyed view of the greatest Mercs sold -back in the day.
www.m-100.cc
I drive one because I can't afford a AMG CLK GTR ....

cth350 · #11 06-12-2006, 01:16 AM

sounds like those two dead cars were on their last legs. The down side to buying a cheap benz is that the PO invariably had a hard time maintaining it.

The cost of ownership on these cars isn't simple. You are right to find the best car that you can. A W123 coupe, sedan or wagon that has been respected is a great car. A W114 or W115 is equally so.

The 110, 111 & 108 finnie cars are simple vehicles, but are not exactly thrifty, and at 30+ years old, not exactly cheap when they're in good shape.

Some guys consider the last decent car to be the W124. Others swear by the W126, as long as you don't get a 350SD (the 6 cylinder deisel is just bad news).

If you want a great, simple diesel that will last forever with the right care, find a 2.5 turbo powered 190D or 300D. But the owner knows how good it is, and it won't necessarily be thrifty purchase.

-cth

magnumrick · #12 06-12-2006, 04:19 PM

I recently bought a 1970 250C Euro car with a stick and love it. I was looking for something to drive to work on those days that I don't need my pickup that would get good mileage and be fun to drive and tinker with. It took a while but I finally found a manuel W114 coupe. I have been working through some issues but it sure is nice to go to the station and only put $30.00 in the tank instead of $100.00 plus I actually look forward to my drive. When I was doing my research I noticed that most 114 owners on Mercedes shop aren't complaining and seem to actually enjoy their cars.