Hi another quest for advice,

A friend's beautiful 1972 280E, at least I remember it being an E, ran out of oil a month or two back and toasted the engine.
What would be the best recourse for fixing this very classic car, that is in pretty good shape body wise.
Are replacement engines available and a viable option.
Are these good engines and worth fixing up.
Most likley the work is beyond my stret workshop skills so perhaps the best option for us is to sell the car to someone with more skill and resources. It would be sad to see this car end in the parts bin.
Where is the best place to advertise?

Also what is the chassis number for this car?

thanks Michael

Since there was no "280E", you are remembering any one of the following:

280, 280S, 280SE, 280SEL, 280SE 4.5, 280SEL 4.5, 280SL.
280SE 3.5, 280SE/C, 280SE/C 3.5

To get a model number, just lift the hood and check out the metal plate next to the hood latch. While you have it open, see if the engine is straight 6 or v8. If it's a straight 6, are there a pair of carbs on the passenger side or just a lot of metal pipes that run around the front of the engine that are going to the driver's side (which means it's fuel injected). Lastly, count the number of doors and is it a sedan or a convertable.

The number on the metal plate will be 108.xxx, 111.xxx, or 113.xxx.

Fill in the xxx and we can tell you exactly what kind of car it is. Having the other details won't hurt.

If the body is in truely great shape, by all means, replace the motor. A used one can be installed with relative ease, assuming you've replaced a motor before and you have access to a cherry picker. The cost of a used or rebuilt motor depends on which car it is.

-CTH

If its a 280SE with an inline six, it will be injected, and the first six vin numbers will be W108.018
If it is a 280SE 4.5 the numbers will be 108.067
If it is a 280SEL 4.5 the numbers will be 108.068

If it is a '72 and you are sure about the E part then it is one of those three.

I'd try to keep it...the looks alone are priceless, but then again, I am a bit more biased now that I have a 108 of my own!
-Larry

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

I can't remember, but there may have been a 114 Chassis 280E. It would have been a European model, 2.8 liter six (probably an M130 series motor), with electronic fuel injection. I know there were a few 250CE's (114 chassis coupe) brought in to the US when that model was current in Europe (late sixties/early seventies).

The 280E, 114 chassis coupe came into being in 1973.
There is somebody on the list that has one in his backyard that is going to become parts.

-CTH

Just a thought....I have restored several old cars (57 Belair, 60 Vette etc.) and people will buy a car that has the original engine rebuilt vs one that has been replaced. I dont know if MB engine numbers are tied to the vechile like some American Vechiles..Just something to think about..

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

That would be me. I have the 73 280ce sitting in my backyard. I haven't had the time or the weather to fiddle with it yet. About a month ago I put a good battery in it and drove it around the block a few times. Interested? andy