300se: eye candy du jour

[73MB280SEL]

Howdy,

This car (1965 300se 5 speed convertible) showed up in Hemmings a couple of months ago. Just thought the vintage MB community would like it:

300se


Now, if I just had a spare $75k lying around....


Sholin

[hill]

Here is one that I was watching.

http://cgi.msn.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=6329&item=2450409782

[73MB280SEL]

Hill,

That's a very nice one too. Here's a coupe that I called on when it was for sale by europeancollectibles.com about 2 years ago:

green coupe

I know everybody wants the 3.5 low grille models, but I like the earlier ones without the rubber inserts in the bumpers and with the wood instrument pod surronds. I also like the manual tranny.

European collectibles wanted 14k for their coupe way back when. It sold off ebay at that time, but I guess the owner traded it back in.

Sholin

[Mark DiSilvestro]

I always look for the stick-shift ones.
There have been a few manual-shift Coupes on Ebay recently, including a 3.5 with a 4 speed. A couple of years back a nice looking, 5 speed 280SE Coupe went on Ebay for $4300. It looked pretty good in most of the photos except for the undercoating (rust-hider?) in the engine comparment!
As for that 5 speed 300SE, it will have to wait untill I get a garage like Jay Leno's.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[73MB280SEL]

I'm with Mark, I always wanted a manual tranny one. The Auto trannsmissions like the one in my '73 aren't bad (mine is a 3 speed whereas most of the 6 cylinder cars had 4 speeds), but every auto starts to misbehave at some point. The auto's in these older mercs do shift differently than modern auto boxes. Mine holds a lower gear longer than you would expect from a modern tranny even though it is a V8 with a pretty healthy torque curve.

One thing about the convertables is that the tops always seem to fit so well (if not poorly restored). It is amazing how the top looks just like the coupe when it is up.

One other thing about the convertables: I've heard many folks buying the less expensive coupes and chopping the top to make a convertable. One ebay car was that way a year or so ago. You've got to be careful because the convertables are going to be alot more expensive than the coupes.


Sholin

[Q45Denver]

Originally posted by 73MB280SEL
Hill,

I know everybody wants the 3.5 low grille models, but I like the earlier ones without the rubber inserts in the bumpers and with the wood instrument pod surronds. I also like the manual tranny.

European collectibles wanted 14k for their coupe way back when. It sold off ebay at that time, but I guess the owner traded it back in.

Sholin

Nice to see these old cars selling for some good prices. I always thought that the W111 was the prettiest body style made. Is it my imagination or have values jumped recently. Being in Calf. and the devaluation of the dollar may have some bearing. This coupe looks to be fairly original except for the repaint. I seriously doubt the mileage as the interior looks pretty worn. I'd be very surprised if it brought more than $7000. I can understand asking $14k since it may have cost them $5000 just for the paint job. Apparently the owner didn't agree with you about the bumpers because they are from a 108/109 sedan which also had the rubber inserts. The wood pod is cool but I like the more modern look of the latter model especially with the padded A/C surround and low grill. The 280se 6 cylinder also had these features and is a much better engine than the 250se. Still better than the 300se however, which is very expensive to maintain.

[deanyel]

Seems unlikely to me that a 65 300SE came from the factory with a five speed - never heard of such a thing anyway. Prices have been strong - it's all Europeans, who just seem to have more of an appreciation for the cars. Watch the nice older cars on ebay and you can see that U.S. bidders are in the minority.

[73MB280SEL]

q45,

How much difference is there between the 280SE and 250SE engine? I know the 220/230 engines were 5 main bearing instead of 7 main bearing (two throws between each main) and the 220's had a simpler fuel injection system. Other than that, how is the 280 engine superior? I've never driven either, so I just don't know.

dean,

I think that in the U.S., when you tell the "layman" you drive a classic, they translate to muscle car. People just don't seem to get that there is more to a car than straight line drag racing speed. That is why (IMHO) these cars aren't so appreciated here.

Not that I am anti-muscle car, some of them can be quite attractive. I just think there is more to life.

Sholin

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Someone posted here (I think it was 'naichi')
that the W108 250 engine had a design flaw in the cylinder head cooling passages that led to overheating.
Back in the late '70s My Dad had a '66 Euro 250SE with a stick-shift. It never had any overheating problems but the car was a horrible ruster. The P O had patched and painted it and my Dad had to do the same before he sold it. It's probably long since dissolved away by now.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[Q45Denver]

These cars rust faster in Europe due to the wetter climate. Also driving the Autobann probably takes a toll. Not saying the 250se was a bad engine, but the 280se had a substantial increase in power (about the same as the 300se at 195 hp SAE), better cylinder spacing, moly covered piston rings, engine oil lubed injector pump, viscous fan, and the redesigned cams allowed higher rpms amoung other improvements. A five-speed would definately be a worthwhile option but they are rare and expensive to retrofit. More common in the SL and I'm pretty sure was also an option on the 300se.

[Q45Denver]

Here's a nice one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2452314092&category=6329

Remember the 6 cyl is the identical except for the engine and only about half the price in today's market.

[wbain5280]

At least that last one is listed properly, unlike some posers of recent memory.

[hill]

Originally posted by 73MB280SEL
Hill,

That's a very nice one too. Here's a coupe that I called on when it was for sale by europeancollectibles.com about 2 years ago:

green coupe

I know everybody wants the 3.5 low grille models, but I like the earlier ones without the rubber inserts in the bumpers and with the wood instrument pod surronds. I also like the manual tranny.

European collectibles wanted 14k for their coupe way back when. It sold off ebay at that time, but I guess the owner traded it back in.

Sholin

Thanks for the referal. But I have to have a slush box for a daily driver.

[250SE]

Yes please :p