My 280SE 4.5 - Request for advise - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dspeer · #1 08-16-2007, 10:19 PM

I brought my 1972 280SE 4.5 to a shop yesterday with the request for some expert opinion. I asked the guy to tell me what he thinks of the frame, the motor and everything else.

On the way there something heavy fell into the drivers side wheel well in the trunk and almost fell all the way through taking a thick layer of black tar stuff and rust with it. I wouldn't say the previous owner had tried to conceal the issue, but it was far from expert repair.

Now the first part of the expertise is in: Compression is fine, it's not running on all cylinders probably because the points and the rotor are bad.

I know that wiring is pretty funky, a wheel bearing is bad and son on.

What concerns me: a small spot of the frame is very rusty and can't just be left alone. I have no experience with frame issues whatsoever. According to my mechanic, American cars have parts available that are just welded over the problem spots.

What does everybody think? Is this a major major issue that should make me keep my hands off this car? The car is in Minnesota, where they salt the roads in winter. Considering that, the Benz is in pretty good shape. From 8 feet away, the body looks very good.

I will go back to the shop on Saturday and try to get some pictures of the problem area. In the meantime: What should I do???

MunichTaxi · #2 08-17-2007, 12:10 AM

POR-15 is a product that encapsulates rust, and stays on extremely well. $42 a quart, about $27 a pint.

From a structural standpoint, you haven't give us enough information to give advise.

pj67coll · #3 08-17-2007, 02:16 AM

Any 108 that's been living in the Rust Belt needs to be "very" thoroughly checked for rust. Especially the steering box mounting area on the chassis box frame. Do a search for steering box mounting bolts and steering shaft snapping etc to see what I mean.

- Peter.