1970 280SE "biodiesel" anyone recognize this car?
 

I just bought this car on eBay, it was donated to a charity and ended up at a tag & title place in Maryland. I haven't seen it in person yet but it appears to have a om617 na in it. The guy at the place it is sitting thought it was the original engine so it must have been done pretty well. Anyone know anything about it?

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Rrr

The rear looks a little light, and the front looks a little heavy. Interesting build. The A/C, when working, probably worked better than the original.

That is a W108 Chassis which was never fitted with a diesel engine from the factory. The 280SE nomenclature would have meant it was "S" for Sonder Klasse (Special Class) came with a 2.8 liter (M127) engine with "E" Einspritzung (Fuel Injection).

The rear axle uses a sophisticated system. Here is an example on Ebay: 1972 Mercedes Benz 280SE Rear End Differential | eBay

I have seen one other W108 six cylinder gas car converted to diesel for sale on Craigslist.

If they get $1250.00 for that differential, I am removing mine, and putting it up for bid :D

The car was jacked up in that pic before I bought it. It sits fine now. Yes you are correct about the w108 not bieng a diesel. The w110 was the diesel until the w114/115 chassis came out, then the w116 was the first s-class sedan with a diesel. The 280se/sel 4.5 with the low number 3.23 or 3.27(can't recall off hand) are the valuable ones. 280se/sel 6cyl were 4.08 or 3.69. 3.69 is usable for a diesel but not nearly as good as the lower ratio. The reason they are so valuable is because it is a direct bolt In for the r113 sl280 and it makes them drive on the highway without the engine screaming.

I am guessing here, but if you have ever priced a used engine for the 280SE you can see where an engine swap is something to think about.

A six from a 280SE goes used for about $5,000. I think you can get a used 4.5 for around $1,000 but the early ones might be hard to find and more expensive.

And when you consider you could pick up a wrecked 300D for $500 and everything you need (almost) is right there......

I am betting this will be quite slow to drive. Let us know what type of MPG you squeeze out of it.

I've seen that car!! There's a some hippy I saw trying to get a similar looking car started near me not too long ago. I'm going to see if I can get more details.

As for the high ass on the car in the pictures, that will happen on any swing axle car when you drop it on the ground after being jacked up, even more modern suspensions, but more so with the swing axle cars. It's the sideways friction of the tires on the ground that hold it up high. I've even dug a hole in fresh blacktop by doing that with a w108.

Well they were just preparing to jump the shark when the pic was taken. ��
I have a 4.5 , soon as I get it out of someone's garage. If you find a good running 280se motor with all the injection parts for 5000$ grab it. The r113 crowd will pay for that ****!!

And what the **** is with this ad **** right here?!?!?
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