Nooo! Bad idea! The w114s are horrible, horrible cars! I wouldn't buy one for anything over 500 dollars! They rust because of the russian steel, the m110s spin their bearing caps, and the 240s have no power at all! Horrible, horrible cars! Stay away!

Ok, yeah, i'm kidding...just getting sick at watching the w114 prices rise. A w114 4-door manny-tranny gets my vote as 'best old benz' to own and work on. It seems that a 'd' shows up every now and then on ebay with high miles, no rust and few owners...i'd take a look at something like that, with a stick.

On the other hand, take a look at the w114 280 (with the m110 engine) if you want something peppy but smooth (even at 120mph) I really do like this chasis (manual heating controls, independent rear suspension, disk breaks all the way around, classic shape), but watch the rust.


cheers,
dan r.

Russian steel...?
Surely this is a joke!

I never imagined the w114 would be such a sweet ride. Until I got one.

My limited experience is with w123, w113, and w114 (of recently), all excellent rustfree examples. I vote:

Durability w123 (mine was 300TD wagon)
Class & Drive w113 (manual tranny, P/S with the early 230SL interior trim/no emissions)
Simplicity/enjoyment w114 (mine is a coupe and autobox but a nice ride around)

The w113 is a money pit in a completely voluntary way, the w123 was not but it was no stranger to maintenance.

__________________
w113 230SL [Manual-4sp Silver/Black] 81,000 miles

Apparently a psuedo urban legend (like the cam lobes dying in the 280 and the lack of acceleration in the 240).

The story goes that the german steel union strikes starting in 73 forced benz to use a mix of russian and italian steel, which rusted horribly. I did a google, but couldn't find mention of it...

Hey diesel dog, do you have any sources for this? I could have sworn you mentioned it in the thread i'm thinking of.


cheers,
dan r.

Sorry no online source Dan, this was 20 yrs before internet got off the ground.

German steel workers strike ran 1973-1979. And crummy steel went into sheetmetal parts, not engine blocks from what i understand. The strike kinda hurt all of Europe at reshuffling trade agreements. It was newsworthy item at the time. Steel is *major* export product for Germany.

And it wasnt just steel workers, but blue collar labor in general took a beating. Those were political times when Germany was becoming more expansive and reaching into global economies, outsourcing alot of labor, trying to establish foreign trade agreements etc. Back in the olden days all MB's were built in Stuttgart or assembled in Brazil and then never left South America. Now its said to be just the "S" models with others built in Spain, USA, etc.

Anyone around Santa Rosa wanna give a ride in a 108?


Sure, PM me with your phone number and we'll swing up there next time we go down to the city. We've got a 72 280SE 4.5, and I have a line on a few reasonably priced 108's on this side of the hill. Found a nice 6cyl with a recent valve job for a decent price. Plus I'll give you the contact info for a great MBZ mechanic in Berkeley.

Or, if you choose, come on over to Winters and we'll take 'er up the road to Berryessa.

I'm passionate about 108's, this is my 3rd one now, and first 8.

Look forward to getting you hooked!

-Brad

Although I do generally love my daughter's W123 280CE, for its driving characterictics and screaming M110, have to sadly admit my 70 W114/M114 250/8 has rusted away in too many places. HOWEVER, in addition to its lovely ride at highway speeds, there are two sea stories about its handling worth consideration: Once, while out in Shenandoah area, going up toward Skyline drive, someone had apparently amused themselves by removing a Sharp Turn Ahead sign. In the dark and drizzle, at about 60, suddenly came upon a distinct lack of road in front, as it broke 90 deg to right, banked wrong. The old dear nearly buried bumper as those lovely Teves grabbed hold, followed by a glued-on turn to the right. Another time, an idiot in pickup pulled out from stopsign on two-lane country road, then froze in RH lane as his eyes grew large viewing an approaching tristar. Approaching traffic was in other lane, and I worked the binders, but although dramatic, it wasn't going to make it - so elected a Left/Right switchback around him and back into my lane just in advance of the approaching car, to the huge amusement of my daughter in her car seat and the horror of my wife, who was driving behind us. When we got home, she opened her mouth in her still blanched face and said, resolutely, "We're KEEPING that car!!!"
Well, she's now retired (the car, not the wife) but her M114, which I had sleeved (ate a ring sideways at 248,000mi) and bored and totally rebuilt, with Webers and Crane, is going into the 72 250C to replace a tired M130. Also adding AMG suspension from a 73 250/8 280, and looking forward to many more years of lovely soft ride and precise handling. In my opinion, one of the best rides I've ever driven (and I've loved my W111 250SE/c as well), and in the "common" small chassis. Just one of those classic designs where they Got It Right.
So if ya find one that ISN'T rusting out, they're wonderful cars.

__________________
stanbabu@3bubbas.com
59 300d
65 250SE/Cpe
70 250/8
72 250C
78 280CE

What about a 1988-91 300SE? The w126 tank chassis combined with a relatively simple-to-maintain six?

Tristar,

Could you say some more about the AMG suspension from the 72 250/8 280; what was included?

Brakes? Springs? Shocks? Just a big ole' AMG badge on the trunk? (kidding!)


cheers,
dan r.

Prior owner (formerly of Mercedes Alternatives in Richmond) sourced them as originally for a 560SL - only springs and shocks. Remembering, a W107 and W114 used the same type front subframe, although the 560's was strengthened and buttressed some. I never rode in car prior to its destroying back end of a Volvo, but it is reputedly much stiffer and firmer than stock, corners like a dream, especially with an M110 or M114 six vs a 5.6L V-8; and we have thicker rubber shim sets to get the height I want (part of the problem was that the nose was too low and bumper rode under Volvo's).

But of course, I'll follow up with AMG badges, foot pedals, shift knob, dash decor, wheel covers, seat covers, floor mats, T-shirts, and sneakers..(NOT!!!!!):

__________________
stanbabu@3bubbas.com
59 300d
65 250SE/Cpe
70 250/8
72 250C
78 280CE

One more vote for the 108 if you want a sedan. Dad's first MB was a 280SEL he bought new in '69, and it remains my all-time fave of all the cars he, and I, have had. Excellent (at least for the day) handling and a superb ride with a wonderful sense of riding in a rolling bank vault, even more than any other MB I've been in save a late 60's 600. Delightfully quirky and completely not like an American car of the same vintage.

__________________
Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)

have had more close calls in a benz than i can begin to list. incidents that i firmly believe that most cars would have not been able to take care of me with their safe predictable handling even when i get in way over my head.

of course since i know this i drive a benz more aggressively than i would about any other car. bmws are very competant too, and i had one incident in my 74 bmw bavaria which would probably have been same result if in a benz.

some time when i am not this sleepy i will post a thread with some.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.