My 1971 280 SE - buy it - rust and rebuilt evereything. S. Cal. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ScooterABC · #1 05-13-2017, 09:11 PM

I'm selling the car that someone else put way too much money into. I bought it for the engine, I no longer intend to use the engine so I don't want the car. Drives great, horrible rust. Read the list of replaced things and if you have any interest let me know.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/6130760450.html

I have it listed for $7000. I don't expect to get that. Although I do wonder what it costs to rebuild an M130 engine today... and transmission... and injection pump... and ....

fonzi · #2 05-13-2017, 10:46 PM

Too bad about the clearcoat. It looks like a great driver. Is it not a good candidate to drive the wheels off it rain or shine?

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Tomguy · #3 05-14-2017, 12:50 PM

The problem with a 108/109 is at this point if the rust has started, driving the wheels off it you'll get 3-4 years before the rust consumes the unibody making it unsafe to drive. That's what happened with mine. It'd be better to rescue it now, stop the rust (assuming the unibody is still sound) and then restore it. Especially if it's mechanically sorted, half the work is already done.

ScooterABC · #4 05-14-2017, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomguy

The problem with a 108/109 is at this point if the rust has started, driving the wheels off it you'll get 3-4 years before the rust consumes the unibody making it unsafe to drive. That's what happened with mine. It'd be better to rescue it now, stop the rust (assuming the unibody is still sound) and then restore it. Especially if it's mechanically sorted, half the work is already done.

I think the cost to repair the rust is more than buying a not-rusty car would be. S. California, particularly the high desert, has lots of dead W108s that haven't been operated in 20 years, and are rust-free. Someone needs to match this car with one of those and end up with a really nice car.

The seller in Portland didn't want me to drive it to Los Angeles. I had it shipped. I drive it around and don't worry much, but I imagine in a bad accident it would fold in half.