Think I ran across a 108 or 109 today - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cphilip · #16 04-23-2008, 03:35 PM

What could this car really be? I just happened to go back that way today but in a hurry... again noticed the high headlamps with directionals underneath and lack of any sign of " tail wings" but then noticed that in addition to his "For Sale" and "runs" he had "75" on it as well as the phone number. I did jot down the phone number. What would look like a 109 or 108 and be from 75? did they still make 109/108's in 75?

alabbasi · #17 04-23-2008, 03:37 PM

Did you take a picture?

Arthur Dalton · #18 04-23-2008, 03:52 PM

That is most likely 114/115 chassis...
after 108/109

Here is a nice 114 if the reserve is a decent price..

Does it look like this ??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-280-Classic-1973-Mercedes-Benz-280_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6315QQihZ004QQitemZ140225442120QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

cphilip · #19 04-23-2008, 05:17 PM

Yeppers it sure did look like that... however faded black paint, or could be real dark Blue or Green hiding under that chalk.

What motors came in those? Any Diesels?

And no... I didn't even get a chance to slow down long enough to snap a picture. Just memorized the phone number as I did a slow drive by and wrote it down at the next stop sign. I can't see the rear end badges from the road. Just sides and front.

But yes. It appears it might be a 114/115.

Phil

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

That is most likely 114/115 chassis...
after 108/109

Here is a nice 114 if the reserve is a decent price..

Does it look like this ??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-280-Classic-1973-Mercedes-Benz-280_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6315QQihZ004QQitemZ140225442120QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Arthur Dalton · #20 04-23-2008, 05:28 PM

I could be a diesel, but that would make it a 115. 240D or 300D.

114/115 was a great chassis b/c they had ball joints and no longer used the 108 swing axle / kingpin suspensions..

Nice little car if you can find a rust free one....
Those diesel Benz you see running around the 'Nam War movies were 115s...
Built like a tank...

cphilip · #21 04-23-2008, 05:39 PM

I think I will give the fellow a call... see what it is...

Anyone nearby be interested in it if its cheap, rust free and I pass on it?

If its always been a local car it should be rust free. We don't see any Salt here. Sun Paint fade we surely do see.

cphilip · #22 04-23-2008, 06:02 PM

Ok... here is the story...

It is a W115 300D

Odometer shows 157K but he has paperwork that motor was replaced at something around 50K. he doesn't know what caused that. He bought it from an estate auction from one of our Professors here at the University I work for. It is an automatic transmission. It is Dark Blue. It reportedly runs good and he has redone brakes rotors and some suspension work to it. However he deleted the Oil cooler as he couldn't find one so he bypassed it. But hasn't run it much. He did some hoses etc in there too. He says it does start but sometimes takes a few cranks and it could need glow plugs. Might be original ones. They do glow he says but he thinks it could use new ones.

Body issues are the thing. He says the rear window seals leaked at some point and has some floor pan rust in rear seat area and trunk that he just has never had time to tackle fixing that. Paint is, as I described, very chalky looking but he thinks it has had an overspray and he feels its probably was a cheapo job and not a nice job.

He says he thinks he has $1000 into it and he wants to get $750 for it. Just to get out from under it.

I made arrangements to go see it Saturday Morning. He is a heavy Equipment truck hauler so he comes in and out of town and won't be back until Friday night sometimes. If the rust is not completely too bad I am thinking offer him $500 for it... Maybe go $600 if its not bad at all. What say ye?

Larry Delor · #23 04-23-2008, 10:50 PM

If you are looking for transportation, then it's a decent proposition.
If you are looking to buy it as a collectible, you're gonna have to store it for another 20 years, before it will peak some interest.

cphilip · #24 04-23-2008, 11:15 PM

Looking for it for transportation. However will not even consider it if the rust is extensive.

Well... I take that back... IF a 300D from a 115 would fit into a 123? Then I might consider it for a spare motor and transmission... might consider is the key word there.

cphilip · #25 04-26-2008, 12:28 PM

I visited and inspected it today... I think I am going to pass on it.

The rust is rather extensive. Mostly in the trunk though. The areas under the rear of the back seat floorboard are not into the structural supports and confined just to the rear most lip. However there would be about half the trunk on the drivers side. And the padding in the rear seat is pretty much gone too. A nice almost newish cover over just springs!

The motor ran with little to no blow by. Started third try (has not been started in over a month) Glow plug lamp does not burn at all. Idle controller works. He has bypassed the oil cooler but the coolant radiator is good and it idles good with little to no smoke.

The transmission engages both forward and reverse but I didn't take it out on the road for several reason. Indicated position is not always correct. Linkage is not consistent when putting it drive or reverse or neutral. But you can feel it go and it will drive around in both directions and in all positions. Main reason I didn't then take it up to speed and on the black top is the brake master cylinder needs rebuild or replace. No pedal resistance initially but then respond to a few pumps and brakes then work good. A view from below shows some need for some suspension parts but I didn't go into that completely. Nothing was hanging lose except a missing Exhaust hanger. Engine does shut down nicely. It appears a strong and low mileage motor.

Of course the central locking system does not work. I can see places where the vacuum lines have gaps missing in them. So I imagine its bypassed and inoperable.

All lights work except the two front Fogs. HVAC controls are removed and laying in the floorboard.

The two front seats were excellent. No cracks nor splits and even the arm rest was good. The dash has minimal cracking.

Has Chrome MB Hubcaps in good shape.

Other issues that make me sort of dismiss it. Paint condition is poor. Some trim is faded and even a plastic slat missing in the grill. No Star emblem either. A few, and very few, surface rust places on the exterior where paint is missing. Metal was solid under that though. No ability to test HVAC system since parts of it is removed. It was manual stuff mostly. It all seemed to be there in the floorboard though. Rear dash mat was completely gone.

One bright spot that I liked was a very good condition Becker Europa radio that worked well.

I think what I am going to do is call the guy back and encourage him to part it out. He could get his $1000 he has in it off of parts I think. Or at least get the $750 he is asking. The motor is good. The transmission is probably good. Then there are a good deal of solid parts too.

I want the radio for my 83. What do you think I should offer for that radio if he decides to part it?

I do have phone cam pictures of a lot of the stuff.