1973 280

[jpococke]

Wanting to buy a 280 with 47,000 miles on odometer. Has been in storage since 1976. Asking price is about 3,000.00 (US).
Any suggestions or commments on this particular model would be greatly appreciative.
Thanks

[ctaylor738]

They are great cars but they like to run, not sit!

The alternator, AC system, and starter are probably hosed. Be prepared for a lot of work on the fuel and exhuast systems and brakes just to get it drivable. They are fierce rusters, so if you want it to last, don't drive it in salt. Check the rockers and cabin and trunk floor for rust.

Lots of used parts available (adsitco.com, tmc.com). New parts available, but getting expensive.

Stay in touch!

Chuck

You have asked for some pretty serious advice with out giving a lot of information! Here is advice that I hope will help guide you to the decision that is right for you. The previous post was pretty good and should give you a bare minimum of what to expect for a car that has been sitting that long. There are probably a ton of other little things that need fixing too.

What is your motivation for buying this particular car? If it has just kind of landed in your lap and you think it might be a good deal, do some more homework and don't rush in. For $3,000 I think you can get a nice daily driver that is less of a gamble/risk. Also, while a very nice looking car in my opinion, they are not collector's cars, which is how I could afford to buy mine. While 46,000 miles showing makes it sound very attractive, again, check around and look at all things on this car before plunking down the money.

Another serious question I would ask yourself is how mechanically inclined you are and how much time you can spend on the project (never mind about the money at this point). If you can't do most of the work yourself and enjoy doing it, I would have to say stay away. As the previous post said, parts are readily available, and you can get whole parts cars very cheap. If your car has any rust, this could be a big chunk of money to fix. There are many Southern/West Coast cars that are virtually rust free, which I would value more than low miles.

I would also take a close look at the wood and interior, these are high dollar items.

To sum it up, I would be leery of a car that sat that long for that much money, but if it really is a gem that just needs dusting off, going through all these systems could be OK if you enjoy doing it yourself. If you plan on paying some one else, you will have a lot more money tied up in this car than you will ever be able to get back out of it.

Lastly, I suspect the owner is fishing for a high dollar based on the MB name and low mileage (unless it really is like new and well preserved). Show him some prices for other cars for sale around the country and have him defend his price, I would think you could get him to come down.

Best of luck to you and let us know how you make out!

------------------
Deezel
87 300TD, 160,000 miles
72 280SEL 4.5, 250,000 miles

[MikeTangas]

13 years of use prior to storage, hmmmm, my bet is the odometer has rolled once. I could be wrong, but an average of 10,000 miles per year puts it close in the ballpark. If it had been pampered prior to storage, and not neglected in storage, it might be worth looking at. On the down side, if it saw any winter use and has sat for 24 years, there could be serious corrosion damage. As Deezel stated, there are plenty of daily driver's out there in great shape. A fine example is Suzanne, Deezel's newest in the stable.

[Larry Delor]

Make sure that the stuffing in the seats are still good. Check that everything works. Check the radiator for deterioration (run your fingernail across the fins towards the bottom of the radiator). Check the floorpans for rust, esp. the rear. Make sure all of the rubber around the glass is good. And most of all, make sure that $%^$&%@ carburator is working in excellent condition. The hoodpad is probably crumbled by now, but they are cheap. Fun car.
-Larry

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03/83 300D 184k
04/79 300D
'88 domestic 170k

[jpococke]

About the mileage it does sound pretty fishy but its the truth. I have looked at vehicle and there is absolutely no rust on floor pans. Nor on rockers. The only rust I see is in the back about the size of a quarter. Both windshield and back glass leaks. Approx 65.00 to repair. Taken a look inside trunk, no holes or rust. This guy owned his own rust proof company and removed all panels to rust proof.
I am a certified Technician and am not afraid to work on my own vehicles. Been doing this for twenty years.
The Carb, power piston is probably shot, hesitates on acceleration. Will need that or a kit.
What I plan on doing is using it for a daily driver, for the wife. We do live in Michigan where the DOT is not afraid to use salt on the roads, so that is a concern. But wouldn't salt effect all MB in a certain way, as well as any vehicle?
I would like to obtain a 300D. But those are few and far between in my area.
My question would be where would I get an honest estimate of the true value. I had it down to 2800 in the summer and now that it is close to Christmas I suspect that he wanted the extra 200 for Christmas, or suffers from some type of lapse of memory.
But anyways I am looking for a daily driver that takes the wife back and forth to work with little or no breakdowns, and with 47,000 miles I probably could not touch a similar vehicle with the same mileage, and excellent body. Would this be a practical vehicle for daily driving?
Comments appreciated.
Thanks
Joe
73 220D doesn't run
77 240D runs working on that for the summer.
73 280?

[jpococke]

Thanks ever so much for the replies greatly appreciate the advice.

[Larry Delor]

Expect mpg to be around 15-17. Not quite like a 240 or 300 D. Be sure to get windshield seals fixed soon..or it will ruin your wood during a downpour, and/or the salt will make it through and pickle it. Also check the doorlocks (vacuum locks).
-Larry

[ctaylor738]

Sounds like a good car. Other problems and negotiating points.

All of the 114 bodies rusted around the rear fenders and front sills. I have not heard of successful rustproofing where a car was driven normally where salt was regularly used. If you drive on salted roads, it is just a matter of time.

There are a ton of 240/300D's in the DC area for $3k-$4K

Have you tried the AC? If it does not work, you are looking at a compressor and drier, plus freon.

Pull the valve cover off and inspect the cam lobes closely looking for wear.

With the low mileage, there will have been lots of condensation which will make adjusting the valves a challenge.

Look under the battery for rust.

I believe the '73 still had the dual Zenith carbs. I the car is running well, and if you need to work on them, try not to disturb the linkage. You can replace the accelator pump without removing the carb.

If the car is running well, do not try to adjust the carbs!

You will get a better running engine if you unplug the retard side of the distributor and run a simple old-fashioned vaccuum advance.

Buy the Haynes manual from books4cars.com. Buy the spare parts book on ebay or from tmcpubl.com.

Good luck. You can call me at 703.593.3479 (VA)

Chuck

[Larry Delor]

My '73 was cursed with the Solex 4A1 4bbl carb.
I just sold it a few weeks a go for only $500.
I do not miss fiddling with that carb whatsoever.

-Larry

[jpococke]

Well I have the price of the vehicle down to 2800. But I am getting the feeling that the amount is still too high, and I should run not walk away from this deal? Is there any truth to this statement? Any really rude awakening points would be greatly appreciated. I would greatly appreciate the honesty.
Thanks for your suggestions and advice.
Joseph

[ctaylor738]

I would not buy this car as a daily driver for my wife. Period. There is just too much that can go wrong, and the wait for parts and diagnostic help will be too long.

As a hobby car, it would be fun. But - the market for these is very thin and you could probably not sell it for more than $3000 even if you gold-plated it. The parts cost as much for this car as for the higher-value cars such as the 250-280C's.


Chuck

Hobby car, hobby car, hobby car, and best to buy in very good condition (running). Or a personal local driver for a tinkerer.

I doubt this guy will be able to sell the car at this price, so if you are patient (a year or two) you should be able to pick it up in the same condition for under $1000.

[jpococke]

Thanks for the replies, I greatly appreciate the input, I think I will skip this one until later....
Thanks
jpococke

Why don't you have the owner post it on the SwapShop? He might find a buyer, if not, it may help you get the price down to an acceptable level for you!