Buying my first 108

[Litton]

First off, I gotta tell all of you that this forum is utterly fantastic. I think I have gone through virtually every thread regarding the 108/109's. I am looking at a '72 280sel 4.5. Have some questions though that I would like to ask:

Hydrocompensator------the one I am buying has been converted to the spring kit as I understand the the origainal are very expensive and very unreliable. What are the pros and cons on this? Are the hydo ones rebuildable?

Transmission-----I seem to get mixed signals on whether this is a 3 or 4 speed.

Wheels----- I read that 126 wheels are a direct replacement. Is this correct, and if so does going to the 15" wheel offer any advantage for 75 - 85 mph cruising. (Arizona freeway speed).

I'm having to buy it pretty much sight unseen but the seller is being very cooperative even to the point of taking it to a mech for me to have him evaluate it.

Outside of a bent grille, (parking lot oops) is sounds to be about 98% so we shall see. A family car since '78 and records to new.

I would appreciate any comments.

Compensator - Supposedly the steel spring substitutes are not very strong and can break.

Automatic transmissions - The 6 cylinder w108-09's have a 4-speed; the V8 models have a 3-speed.

[fema]

Congratulations!

I don't have any answers to your specific questions, however, you'll find a lot of help here on the forum. I looked at these cars for a long time, and ended up with the more complex 6.3. However, from everything I was able to find out through the forum and other resources, the 108's are "bulletproof" in many respects. So, if you've found one that's been maintained properly, you should see many good miles out of her - enjoy, and keep us posted!

[jas2wa]

I have the same car:

Compensator: mine has the spring, from what I have gleaned from various places, it seems that the hydroneumatic version was actually optional, and the spring was standard. No problems with the spring on mine, especially with new shocks- sits nice and high, and rides great with people in back seat.

It is certainly a 3 speed on the V8.

As far as 126 chassis wheels fitting, I imagine the 14" bundt cake wheels off of ANY chassis will fit, as they were optional on the 108 anyway. There seems to be plenty of room for 15 inchers, so assuming the other dimensions for the later 15" 126 wheels are the same (like bolt pattern, offset, etc) then they should work.

If this thing WERE a true 4 speed, it would be truly the most perfect auto on the road- at highway speed, the 3 spd (though geared pretty tall at the rear end) and 14" wheels create slightly higher rpm cruising than new cars. I had a 4 spd 6-cyl. 108 that was a real screamer on the highway, though- the 4.5 is WAY more relaxed, 3 speed and all.

What are the details of this car- color, options, etc? I love these things, and use mine daily.

Good luck-

JAS

[Litton]

Thanks for all the input. Some of the details:

Silver, repainted with original color but probably not to "MB" standards.
All leather (blue) in great shape....no rips, and sheepskin on the front.
Sunroof
All instruments function
Needs Driver side window requlator
Little bit of rust under rear passenger door
Little blisters on left rear wheel arch.
Wood very good with small crack in the windshield piece.
All manuals, spare tire, jack, etc.
140,000 miles
Needs grille replaced and hood has small wrinkle. Supposedly dent buster said no problem for 100.00.

I will get the mechanics report Tuesday. If good, I will have him change all fluids, flush the coolant, etc., then fly to LA and pick it up.

I already found a salvage yard that has a wood piece in good shape, a grille, and even a hood if it was needed. Also found a hydocompensator I might buy just to dissamble and see if they can be fixed.

[ctaylor738]

We have some great resources on the 108. Please keep us posted as you get to know the car.

[Dan Smith]

I had no idea a 108 could have as an option the air ride system. Are they trouble? Not at all if your mechanic knows the system. On the West Coast, there might be 10 shops that know the system. Most mechanics cause more problems than they repair.
Is the spring system more economical? Absolutely, you get what you pay for.
Wheels, can you go 15?. Yes indeed. You can even find, at a price, exact matches to the 14 inch stock. 15 inch wheels give you numerous tire options. You can actually fit 16 inch wheels.
Freeway driving? Just buy a tire one to two inches taller, 29 inch tall tires will fit. But then your speedo is off by the percentage of that tire increase. GPS Speedos are available and advertised in Hot Rod Magazine.

[jas2wa]

The air ride system wasn't optional on the 108, that's what made the difference between it and the 109 (which was only air). The hydroneumatic compenstor on the rear axle (vs. the standard spring) of the 108 is what I think was optional.

As far as which is more economical, I think the steel sprung 108 is way more simple, but even it can be expensive to overhaul- if the kingpins in front have been neglected consistently during chassis lubrications, they are not cheap to rebuild.