I think I've lost my mind...need opinions on w108...

[pj67coll]

Sounds like an interesting project. But I'd be weary of going from a fuel injected car to a carbd one. Also be very weary of rust. Especially where the steering box mounts to the chassis box section.

- Peter.

[Mike D]

I know it's a misspelling but "weary" is such an appropriate description.

[450SLave]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Sounds like an interesting project. But I'd be weary of going from a fuel injected car to a carbd one. Also be very weary of rust. Especially where the steering box mounts to the chassis box section.

- Peter.

I've owned a few cars with carbs....I think there are Zenith carbs on it? Are they especially finicky or once they get set up properly are they pretty reliable? This of course begs the question of whether or not they can get set up properly...I've read that there is a very specific procedure...

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I've been in your position--trust me, pass on it. It's at best a thousand dollar car. Spend 4-5 and buy a nice one. No one wants a 250. The fact that it has rust means there's way more rust. There's nothing more disappointing than putting a bunch of time and money into a car only to keep finding more rust eventually some that's terminal. Take your time and buy a rust-free one if you're sold on a 108. There are still quite a few 108's for sale so you're in luck.

Best Regards,

David

[Adv_rider]

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

I've been in your position--trust me, pass on it. It's at best a thousand dollar car. Spend 4-5 and buy a nice one. No one wants a 250. The fact that it has rust means there's way more rust. There's nothing more disappointing than putting a bunch of time and money into a car only to keep finding more rust eventually some that's terminal. Take your time and buy a rust-free one if you're sold on a 108. There are still quite a few 108's for sale so you're in luck.

Best Regards,

David

This! ... And still, the 4-5K Car will give you plenty to work with.

[450SLave]

Yeah, I need to stick to my usual plan of a decent car with needs....thanks guys for giving me some perspective!

[450SLave]

Posted this on the "other forum" as well:

The search for a W108 project continues....

Found another car through a friend.. here's what I know:

1. One owner car, son now owns it, it was his father's...spent whole life in PacNW...central Oregon. Full service history from new, maintained by local mechanic here in Portland until about a year ago.

2. 1972 280SE 4.5 white with blue interior, floor shift auto, sunroof. Paint faded and cracking, one small spot of surface rust. No major cancer on rest of car, in wheel arches or any of the usual places, some surface rust in trunk, but no holes. Front seats ok, back seat ripped...most likely rear seat needs replacing. Headliner looks ok but needs cleaning (like everything else). All trim and chrome good and straight.

3. Car has not been driven hardly at all in 18 months since his mother passed, son starts it up and drives it once and a while around the block, drove it to work occasionally about 6 months ago for a bit...it turned over but did not start when I saw it, battery was dead. Fan worked, electrics seemed to work for a moment. There are signs of recently replaced hoses, etc. that show there was someone looking out for the car relatively recently.

4. In last 18 months it has been sitting outside...now has wonderful collection of dirt, green crap and what appears to be the start of some mold on the door panels...carpets are dry and in very good condition. Wood on doors bad, dash wood ok, some cracks here and there....one crack on top of dashboard.

5. Engine bay very dirty and full of tree seeds, pine needles, definitely some oil leaks here and there.

Bottom line: the son is not a car guy, but doesn't want to see it get worse and wants to know what I can do with it....he works for my neighbor who knows I have a sickness for tinkering with old Euro cars... I told him it's probably worth $1000 to $1500 as is....deciding what I want to do. Guy is in no rush and has given me first right of refusal....

What do you W108 guys think is a decent price to offer? The car is not too far gone, but is on the cusp of becoming a parts car if not rescued soon.

Thanks,

John

[pj67coll]

You mention that there is no significant rust. Are you quite sure? Have you pulled the carpets and crawled under it to poke with a screwdriver etc? Reason I ask is for a car to have lived it's entire life in the P/NW and be rust free sounds miraculous to me. I lived in a similar environment when I had my108 and learned about rust the hard way when my steering column snapped. If it really is physically solid, then indeed, I'd say it has potential.

- Peter.

[450SLave]

Did the crawl with an expandable mirror and a LED flashlight and poked around with a large screwdriver...didn't see anything bad aside from surface rust. Did see a brand new exhaust. Car spent it's whole life in SunRiver, near Bend in central Oregon, which is actually very dry, so the majority of the "wetness" it has experienced has been in the last 18 months where it has sat where the pics show, by a container under huge pine trees. Car was actually purchased new in Chicago, then driven out to Bend, OR in 1972.

[vandor]

I think for that kind of money you can't go wrong, as long as it runs and drives you can get your money out of it. If you just clean it up and make sure it runs OK it will double in value...

Csaba
72 280SEL 4.5

[Tomguy]

I agree, this car sounds much better than the last one you were considering, and it sounds like it needs much less work. You can determine if you like that latter bit or not

[Tony H]

Bend is a pretty dry climate-if it's been there since '72 it should be pretty clean. I can't tell you how many old MB's I have looked under at the Pick and Pulls here in the Great state of Northern Ca that are 100% rust free. My coupe came to San Francisco in the early 70's and has some rust-not serious but mostly in the fender wells and headlight buckets. There cars are VERY prone to rust.

[450SLave]

Thanks guys for weighing in...I've convinced the owner to let me take it for a few days to give it a good once over and get a better idea as to what condition it really is in. I'm planning on documenting the "rescue" as much as I can.

John

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by 450SLave

Thanks guys for weighing in...I've convinced the owner to let me take it for a few days to give it a good once over and get a better idea as to what condition it really is in. I'm planning on documenting the "rescue" as much as I can.

John

Good. This one sounds like it's got potential.

- Peter.

[450SLave]

Got it running this morning after charging up the battery....throttle sticks. Have to put my toe under the pedal to bring it back. Lubed up the linkages with silicone spray...will see what happens in the morning when I bring the flatbed over. Oil pressure good, idles ok. Brakes seem ok, did more checking for rust...nothing major so far. Went in reverse and into drive no issues, HVAC I'm a little concerned about...the ac actually works a bit and the fan blows, but the heat/defrost levers seem to be a little sticky...didn't force them. Defrost worked I think, them the window got a bit foggy. Hope the heater core is ok. Drivers door very finicky and won't shut without fiddling with the lock pull and lever...only tried the driver rear door...no luck. I assume the locking system is buggered somehow. Belts and such look good, no cracks. Radio even made some noise.

Slowly getting a picture of what I may be getting myself into. I'll begin searching in regards to throttle, doors, and HVAC....wish it hadn't sit for so long...dirt, gook and various crap everywhere and I'd be shocked if there wasn't a mouse or something that hasn't been a resident at some point.

John