1971 280se 3.5 stick as daily driver - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

magnumrick · #1 08-03-2007, 01:23 PM

I just stumbled on a 1971 280se 3.5 with a stick shift that may be available. I currently drive a 1970 250c euro with a stick as my daily driver but find that with hauling the kids around a four door would be better suited. I was told the car has problems with the clutch not releasing consistantly but runs well. I don't see any rust anywhere but it needs paint, a windshield, and some interior work. It looks like it has been sitting for quite a while. My soon to be driving daughter will be using the coupe so I need to start looking. How good are these cars as daily drivers? I put about 300miles a week on the 250c and so far it has been great. How good was the 3.5 engine? What about the fuel injection system, my 250c has webers.

alabbasi · #2 08-03-2007, 02:52 PM

The 3.5 engine is very robust. This car comes with D-Jet EFI and as I understand the engine is very rev happy. I own a 73 350SE with the same drive train but have not driven it yet.

D-Jet can be problematic if the computer acts up. There are some out there on ebay.

300SDog · #3 08-03-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

How good are these cars as daily drivers?

Molding away undriven Vintage MB's develop most their probs. For example, clutch plates, splines and springs on yer 3.5 are borderline frozen rusty bein unused couple of decades, nothin regular driving caint cure. And with clutch fluid black as pitch with original hydraulic seals and hoses, oughta be glad you've got semblance of clutch at all. Another guy here bought California 60's SE Coupe but apparently got screwed with dead injector pump. Probly died from gasoline evaporating and leavin the pump bone dry with varnish buildup toasting bearings and seals.

No offense but it's ridiculous question to ask if these cars oughta be driven or not. Daily driver well-maintained will give you less probs than one thats never driven. And how far is Upland from Truckee? If its Humboldt County I'll visit the car to give my professional reconnoitring in exchange for a pound of marijuanna plus travel expenses.

lee polowczuk · #4 08-03-2007, 09:21 PM

I drove a 1972 280se 4.5 auto as a daily driver for 14 years...

great car... just have to deal with lousy gas mileage..and premium gas..

however, it was rare when someone would NOT get out of their car to come over and take a look...

...that was worth the price of admission.

sjefke · #5 08-06-2007, 05:20 PM

I use my 111 280SE 3.5 coupe as a daily driver. It is also a stickshift and very reliable. Biggest hassle I have is when it rains and the front window fogs up in traffic. Those old fans just cannot defog that big sheet of glass very fast.

Clutch is a bit heavy, but you'll get used to it. Other than that, they are great daily drivers. I have power windows, power sunroof, power antenna, all the stuff a modern car has, plus the leather, wood, and chrome that everybody wants too. It does have more interior noise than a modern car.

I had a 250C as a daily driver and replaced it with the 280SE 3.5 coupe because the carbs and auto transmission drove me nuts. It all worked, but shifted just not quite at the right moment for me, so I went back to stickshift.

Parts for transmissions and clutch are still available. Throwout bearing about $55, clutch diaphragm about $200 and disk about $200 too. Synchromesh rings are also still available. Gears seem to be long lasting and spare transmissions occasionally pop up (esp in Europe). I have yet to replace the disk, but did have a throwout bearing disintegration last year. Bleeding the clutch is an interesting but doable experience.

How much is the seller asking?

Good luck,

Bert

alabbasi · #6 08-06-2007, 05:27 PM

Man, I would not mind a BGT V8 as a daily. I'm sad to say im parting out a BGT in my shop as I speak. Heart breaking but too far gone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjefke

I use my 111 280SE 3.5 coupe as a daily driver. It is also a stickshift and very reliable. Biggest hassle I have is when it rains and the front window fogs up in traffic. Those old fans just cannot defog that big sheet of glass very fast.

Clutch is a bit heavy, but you'll get used to it. Other than that, they are great daily drivers. I have power windows, power sunroof, power antenna, all the stuff a modern car has, plus the leather, wood, and chrome that everybody wants too. It does have more interior noise than a modern car.

I had a 250C as a daily driver and replaced it with the 280SE 3.5 coupe because the carbs and auto transmission drove me nuts. It all worked, but shifted just not quite at the right moment for me, so I went back to stickshift.

Parts for transmissions and clutch are still available. Throwout bearing about $55, clutch diaphragm about $200 and disk about $200 too. Synchromesh rings are also still available. Gears seem to be long lasting and spare transmissions occasionally pop up (esp in Europe). I have yet to replace the disk, but did have a throwout bearing disintegration last year. Bleeding the clutch is an interesting but doable experience.

How much is the seller asking?

Good luck,

Bert

hill · #7 08-06-2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee polowczuk

I drove a 1972 280se 4.5 auto as a daily driver for 14 years...

great car... just have to deal with lousy gas mileage..and premium gas..

however, it was rare when someone would NOT get out of their car to come over and take a look...

...that was worth the price of admission.

A 1972 450 should have a compression of 8.5/1 or maye 9/1. The number of octane that is required have changed since the car was created. Take the recommended octane and subtract 3. I might have only got 250mil. before it started smoking on startup and full acceleration . But some of it might be dried seals.

magnumrick · #8 08-07-2007, 12:41 AM

Thankyou for all the info, I appreciate it. I was wondering if this particular model has any glaring problems that make it troublesome or expensive to use as a daily driver. I'm not familiar with the 3.5 V8 engine. My 250C gets much better mileage than my F350 and rides better also. My guess is that this car should be an improvement as well. I don't know the price yet or even if it is available. I hope to get by and find out later in the week.

Tony H · #9 08-07-2007, 09:15 PM

I had the transmission in my man trans 3.5 coupe rebuilt by a very well known MB transmission shop in the Bay Area since my car was undocumented with unknown miles when I got it and I didn't want any surprises on the road. Price was $1240-pretty reasonable for what it is but it took 1.5 years to do it. I guess it takes time to get parts for these. And mine was just a standard rebuild-nothing broken.