Throwing in the towel on the 280S - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tompaah7503 · #1 06-09-2009, 02:35 PM

Not a fun decision to make but eventually I realized the 280S in my sig is too damaged by rust to be repaired. Where ever I poke new holes turn up. Under all old rust-proofing there's evidence of multiple generations of rust repairs. Small patches, large patches. Gas welded, MIG welded, riveted. This car has them all.

It would never ever be anything else but an expensive beater.
Here's a small video clip of how it looks underneath.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qRHOMnVBw
This is only one side but the other one is even worse.

Good thing is that I can salvage the entire drivetrain off it, which is in fantastic shape. And the nice red interior which I put in it couple of months ago. Some other nice parts as well.

Spoke to some guy yesterday who imports Benzes from California, brings in 4 in a hi-cube container. Has a connection in place that will inspect, test-drive and photograph. I am very tempted. Have been looking around on Craigslist ..

Mike D · #2 06-09-2009, 02:44 PM

Yeah, it hurts when you finally come to the realization that it's just too far gone. I've had to do it a couple of times with some cars I really liked. You put a hundred or so hours into it and then you run across something which will take a whole bunch of more time and money.

Cutting your losses and going still feels like losing. I always take these cars on as a challenge. It's getting to where I don't like being challenged as much anymore. Rust is always the killer. Anything else you can work around but not rust.

Petteri K · #3 06-09-2009, 02:50 PM

Good Grief!

And I thought my W115 was bad with only seven rust-holes:

Well, we botht know the reason: salt is the enemy in the nordic countries.

Dee8go · #4 06-09-2009, 02:59 PM

Maybe you can find another with a good body, but the drive train is shot.

Squiggle Dog · #5 06-09-2009, 04:14 PM

How sad! I'd love to have the flywheel, 5 speed, and rear axle. Finding a donor body should work. I hope Franz is doing okay.

SPDMETL · #6 06-09-2009, 09:25 PM

Ach Du Lieber ! There's nothing to weld to...

gear-head · #7 06-10-2009, 05:54 PM

oy! so did you even take a brief lil ol peak under there before you bought it?! wow, that thing is just about the worst rust bucket I have ever seen! On a much more positive out look, if there's a market for these ol cars there or for that matter anywhere in snow/rust country, ya'll ought to let me know, here in Texas where I live I find pretty good buys on damn near rust free cars all the time, matter of fact I know where to find at least one damn near rust free, about 99% complete intact w108 for $400 right now...

bwostosh · #8 06-10-2009, 06:47 PM

$400 for a rust-free body on wheels, Buy it if you can store it....
Rust repair can cost thousands.

I have bought W108 280SE's at about that price and even had them for free, can't store any more. Southern Cal

alabbasi · #9 06-10-2009, 09:43 PM

I sold my 280sel 4.5 to a German fellow last year who exported it to Spain. He would come to the US every 3-4 months and fill a container full of Alfa's, British cars and Old Mercedes.

I loved that car, i really regret selling it, but it made perfect sense for someone in Europe to buy a rust free Texas car and ship it instead of fighting with rust on a car that's lived in Europe all of its life.

gear-head · #10 06-12-2009, 05:21 PM

omg! Alabbasi, I think that maybe, just maybe, well, did you have that car listed on craigslist with that same photo? Beeecaaauuuse it sure does look familiar, could it be, that maybe I saw an ad you had selling it in the DFW area??

Tomguy · #11 06-12-2009, 06:00 PM

He sure did. I wish I lived closer to him & he was willing to trade @ that time

He let that car go for a song.

alabbasi · #12 06-12-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gear-head

omg! Alabbasi, I think that maybe, just maybe, well, did you have that car listed on craigslist with that same photo? Beeecaaauuuse it sure does look familiar, could it be, that maybe I saw an ad you had selling it in the DFW area??

Yeah, it actually took me a while to get that car sold. I think people could not get past the worn interior. I eventually had the interior redone and the following week it sold!

I must say after the interior was done, I really wanted to keep it!

gear-head · #13 06-12-2009, 07:02 PM

damn, I knew it! I saw that ad and really debated with myself about contacting you, alabbasi, and going to check it out, memory seems to tell me it was priced pretty decent. I'm in Dallas and look at those ad's all the time. I probably wasn't in a good position financially and sometimes I'm too tempted to overextend myself when I find something I'm nutz for!

alabbasi · #14 06-12-2009, 07:23 PM

yep, it was a nice car. I'm trying to sell of some of my cars right now so that I can focus on less cars. I work on my cars pretty much every week but with so many cars, progress is always slow.

My goal right now is to:
Sell one of my SLC's.
Sell one of my 6.9's
Sell the E420
Buy a W126 coupe.

Tomguy · #15 06-13-2009, 12:33 AM

Tomas, I watched your video and I must say that it does look pretty grim for your 108. I just hope that once I get moved into my house and get that settled, once my 108 arrives there and I begin stripping it down, that I do not find anywhere near that amount. It has been sitting for a long time now (for the 3rd time in its life). I can only hope it does not have new holes all over it, but I am not looking forward to the re-examination for sure!