Anybody have/had a 280C? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Surf-n-Turf · #1 02-12-2007, 04:14 PM

I have a lead on a real nice 1974 280C. I know absolutely nothing of the W114 chassis. Are they dependable? Any inherent problems? I have not physically seen the car yet. A good friend of mine found it and knowing what a Mercedes freak I am called me about it.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Larry Delor · #2 02-12-2007, 04:58 PM

Others will (hopefully) chime in, but here is what I remember (I had a '73 280).
If it's carbed, it will give you trouble.
Check for rust on the floorboards, especially backseat.
Check the frame where the steering gearbox mounts to, I remember reading that some needed re-inforcement.
MPG isn't the greatest (14-16 ish). Ride is good....especially for longer distances.

DieselBone · #3 02-12-2007, 09:29 PM

Well, the carb problem has already been addressed. They aren't the best carb in the world, I have mine set at the moment, however that could change any given day. I mostly have problems with the idle speed and when the secondary opens up (oh BTW, its pretty much a version of the American quadajunk

) Other than that its a great car, one of my favorite bodies. Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the early M110 have problems with the valve guides getting loose, or am I thinking of something else?

300SDog · #4 02-13-2007, 06:30 AM

The 114 chassis will out-handle the 123's you are used to. Tighter turning radius, about 500 lbs lighter, lower center of gravity w/ trunk floorboard mounted fuel tank, etc. Overall one of the best ballanced cars that MB ever built.

I put more then 180k miles on '74 280/8 over an 8 yr span back in the late 80s and early 90s. It racked up 285k when it finally died of cancer with the engine still running strong. It was my real estate selling car. And over that time it had one valve job and one set of cams replaced. Mine was unusual for having twin zenith carbs, special order or euro model - i dunno. It got roughly 16-18mpg and ran like a bat out of hell, one of the best MB's I've ever owned.

t walgamuth · #5 02-13-2007, 09:18 AM

although i seldom disagree with the dieseldog, we differ on the handling of 114 115 vs 123 cars. i think the 123 handles better. in acuality there is not a lot to differentiate between the two. a benz generally handles a lot like a benz regardless of the year.

i think if you check the weights that you will find that equally equipped cars, meaning a 123 in euro trim vs a 114 115 with small bumpers that the 123 is actually about 50# lighter.

but this is subjective as the weight issue is tricky to analyse with the later cars having more "stuff" in them.

tom w

300SDog · #6 02-13-2007, 11:04 AM

Tom, if you brought 116's into the argument then I'd agree the 116 will out-handle the 114. But the 123 suspension was not even designed specific to that chassis, instead it's just a scaled down version of the 116 control arm & ball joint arrangement that works better on the longer wider wheelbase sedan with zero offset than on the 123. And then there's the issue of the horrible slushy nylon-bushed 123 steering box.

I think you are mistaking decreased road noise and better soundproofed cabin design on the 123 for superior handling. Chassis roll and turning radius are not even close to the 114. It always seems the 123 needs a better set of shocks and/or wider tires to compensate for the chassis swaying and yawing around corners.

Mark DiSilvestro · #7 02-13-2007, 11:14 AM

Some of the twin-cam M110 engines suffered from poor oiling to the valve-train, leading to excessive cam/follower wear, so listen to how it sounds. If it's reasonably quiet, it may be Ok. My ex boss had a '76 that while it ran OK, the worn cams/followers made it sound like a diesel! Also check idle-speed oil pressure on a fully warmed-up engine. I don't like to see readings much below 1/3 of the guage, and it should go to max quickly when you accelerate. Check for fatigue-cracking at the frame-rail, around the bolts that attach the steering box. And of course, check for rust, rust, rust, rust..... The thick undercoating on these cars can hide the cancer until it's really bad!

Happy Motoring, Mark

#8 02-13-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

although i seldom disagree with the dieseldog, we differ on the handling of 114 115 vs 123 cars. i think the 123 handles better. in acuality there is not a lot to differentiate between the two. a benz generally handles a lot like a benz regardless of the year.

i think if you check the weights that you will find that equally equipped cars, meaning a 123 in euro trim vs a 114 115 with small bumpers that the 123 is actually about 50# lighter.

but this is subjective as the weight issue is tricky to analyse with the later cars having more "stuff" in them.

tom w

IMHO,

W114 and W115 cars have a subframe, and when the subframe mounts go bad, the car handles horribly. It's the same suspension used on the R107 SL models. The subframe tends to crack with larger tires and heavy(i.e. diesel) motors. When they were new, they handles pretty good, but after 30 plus years, the age really shows.

I had a '74 240D and remember having to replace and/or tighten the steering box to frame bolts once a years. They do come loose, and if not caught in time will ruin the frame.

Check and see if the heater blower motor works in this 280, if it doesn't and you live in a cold climate, that can be a deal breaker.

Surf-n-Turf · #9 02-13-2007, 12:03 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I just found out he's asking $3000. for the car. I'm sure it's a good deal, but if I spend that much on an older Mercedes....My next inquiry will be about a new place to live.

Momma would kick my butt out. Heck, I allready have 5 MB's. (But I don't have a W114

)

Cephallus · #10 02-13-2007, 12:23 PM

I love the w114. My 280 has been an absolute joy to work on to this point. And I actually get myself into trouble sometimes with the '79 240D, forgetting that the turning radius isn't even close to as tight as it is with the 280. I make a U turn to park in front of my house, and I've had to hit the brakes quickly on the w123 to avoid broadsiding parked cars.

cmcdonnell · #11 02-19-2007, 08:14 AM

I loved my 73 280C. Compared to my 71 250C, the car took off and ran like a whirlwind. I had trouble with the accelerator diaphragm leaking, and was considering a Holley conversion for the Solex carb, but never got around to it. When I got the car it was pumping out tons and tons of blue smoke, but I changed the vaccum pump diaphragm (10 bucks) and all was well. I drove this car from Tucson to San Diego and back eight times through the desert, and then to Naples, FL where I wrecked it beyond repair (ouch). I would love to have another one!
Chris

t walgamuth · #12 02-19-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Dog

Tom, if you brought 116's into the argument then I'd agree the 116 will out-handle the 114. But the 123 suspension was not even designed specific to that chassis, instead it's just a scaled down version of the 116 control arm & ball joint arrangement that works better on the longer wider wheelbase sedan with zero offset than on the 123. And then there's the issue of the horrible slushy nylon-bushed 123 steering box.

I think you are mistaking decreased road noise and better soundproofed cabin design on the 123 for superior handling. Chassis roll and turning radius are not even close to the 114. It always seems the 123 needs a better set of shocks and/or wider tires to compensate for the chassis swaying and yawing around corners.

i find the 115 softer sprung with more sway. i equate turning radius with maneuverability not handling. all mb suspensions are derivitive of each other so what difference does that make? i can feel no difference in the steering box between the cars and i believe they are interchangilble.

but it is all really acedemic since the cars are all well over 20 years old and our experiences with them probably relate more to condition than basic design.

and in the end imho the differences in handling are very subtle. a benz basically handles like a benz.

put a blindfold on and the differences in driving the models would be hard to identify for most folks.

tom w