Is this a good deal? 1975 280C - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

drzbob · #1 01-18-2011, 01:55 PM

Hi all great forum, so I could buy a friends 280C hardtop,auto, 1975, built in 12/74. Very clean shape with no rust with 109K miles, inside looks perfect with no seat wear. So he wants 2500, i'll think less but what can I look forward to after i get her home? I read the carb is a big problem, and the auto tranny has problems but any other issues? Seller tells me someone years before him took the Cat. Converter out removed the guts and welded it back and re-installed. Here in NY we have no emissions ( to old ) so no real problem with inspections.

alabbasi · #2 01-18-2011, 02:07 PM

For a rust free runner, in my opinion, heck yeah, but I am partial to these cars.

WANT '71 280SEL · #3 01-18-2011, 02:13 PM

Yeah, don't ask Al, because he'll just about always tell you to buy one of those things. Might as well ask him how many he has...

Regards,

David

Stretch · #4 01-18-2011, 02:17 PM

Sounds good to me too - interior and trim is always expensive to replace and it makes a car if it is all there - the only thing I will mention is that it is often best not to buy or sell cars from friends and family - if or when things go wrong there are often complicated emotional problems... (Oh and welcome to the forum)

alabbasi · #5 01-18-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

Yeah, don't ask Al, because he'll just about always tell you to buy one of those things. Might as well ask him how many he has...

Regards,

David

You know what David, you need to buy one of these instead of the Buick. If you have concerns about reliability, then you could mitigate the risk by buying two.

79Mercy · #6 01-18-2011, 02:55 PM

I think it sounds like a good car, and to be honest 2000-2500 sounds like a fair price. However we would need pictures to allow us to give you better advice. Good luck!

cth350 · #7 01-18-2011, 03:00 PM

keep the guy as a friend, get a PPI from a 3rd party.

The car MUST go on a lift and the underside get inspected. This is a unibody car and NY comes with plenty of road salt. The car my look lovely, but if there's serious underside rust, it's a parts car.

Good luck with the car and do be sure to join the MBCA.

-CTH

JMURiz · #8 01-18-2011, 03:09 PM

Sounds like a good deal to me, wish I'd have bought mine for a price like that...

WANT '71 280SEL · #9 01-18-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cth350

keep the guy as a friend, get a PPI from a 3rd party.

The car MUST go on a lift and the underside get inspected. This is a unibody car and NY comes with plenty of road salt. The car my look lovely, but if there's serious underside rust, it's a parts car.

Good luck with the car and do be sure to join the MBCA.

-CTH

Did you hear that, Al?, he said a parts car!

I think Al has a parts car for you

It does look good and drive well, though.

Best Regards,

David

drzbob · #10 01-18-2011, 05:53 PM

Thanks guys, I'll include a pic, hope it loads. I looked under it and the fuel tank was real clean with no rust. I do need it looked at by someone knowledgeable, the wife wants a Mercedes Tech. but that's $$$. will see. thanks again

alabbasi · #11 01-18-2011, 07:39 PM

If that means a dealer tech, then probably a waste of time. But look in the "good mb shops" section of the forum for a shop in your area and make sure that they are familiar with cars of that era.

WANT '71 280SEL · #12 01-18-2011, 07:43 PM

I second what Al says (this time) and don't think you should go to a dealer. Keep in mind that most MB dealer techs are under 40 and weren't even born when that car was built. That's why I (like Al) would recommend finding a good independent MB shop in your area. See the aforementioned "room" for suggestions; plus, such places are MUCH cheaper than the dealership.

Best Regards,

David

strelnik · #13 01-18-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drzbob

Thanks guys, I'll include a pic, hope it loads. I looked under it and the fuel tank was real clean with no rust. I do need it looked at by someone knowledgeable, the wife wants a Mercedes Tech. but that's $$$. will see. thanks again

There are obvious things that any good mechanic can see, and a road test will tell you things as well.

Carbs can be replaced, I am always a little skittish about these early automatic transmissions

drzbob · #14 01-18-2011, 09:00 PM

Good advice, thanks all. This will be my first Mercedes, but i have to give up my first love a 505 Peugeot. Salt is eating her alive.....

pj67coll · #15 01-19-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drzbob

Good advice, thanks all. This will be my first Mercedes, but i have to give up my first love a 505 Peugeot. Salt is eating her alive.....

Good god! You have a Peugeot 505 in New York and it's still on the road! A true miracle.

Dump it and get the Mercedes, but be sure about the PPI and a thorough RUST check. On a Mercedes the rust you can see is what you DONT have to worry about. It's the rust you CANT see that's the killer.

- Peter.