Morning folks,

I'm new around here as I'm finding it difficult to find local info on W108's, not that many here in Ireland! Hopefully someone can advise.

While looking for a W115 280CE I came across a 1970 280SE W108 (in Ireland but imported from England a while back), I'm told its the 2.8L engine. Looks to be in great shape, no obvious rust apart from a tiny bit of surface rust around the chrome strip on one front wing. I've arranged to drive it later today but I'm assured it drives perfectly and the only issue is the back section of the exhaust (muffler) may need replacing as it can be a bit noisy, baffles inside might be damaged. Interior looks like new and it shows 99k miles, not sure what documentation there is to back it up though. Chrome all looks good too, and there's no sunroof to worry about. Never got a chance to check the door/window rubbers but the boot (trunk) seal looks reasonable.

What are the major expense areas to look for, and are parts readily available if needed, and if so anywhere with an online catalogue that I can browse? Any parts particularly difficult to get?

Is this a practical proposition to use for a daily commute of 12 miles total in light/medium traffic, 30 minutes each way? Or am I looking at a huge bill every 6 months for a part that takes an age to source?

Regards to all
Q

Q, you would be surprised how many 108's are running around in Ireland.
I know, I was ......and I have researched bringing mine there from Australia.
I may decide to live there for a few years, but that's another story.
You will find the 108 an extremely robust car. Generally there are enough old mechanics in Ireland who understand this era of mechanics. (Quite simple by todays standards). As with any motor vehicle, keeping it nicely tuned and all the mechanics in A1 condition is the key. You will find its a pleasure to drive even on Irelands rather narrow roads. I hope the heater work well.
I have found (internet searching) spare parts are plentiful in the UK for this model, and generally the pricing seems reasonable.
The 99k on the odometre is what many of this vintage seem to get stuck on. Who knows how many times around its been. Any decent mechanic can advise you on the condition of the motor, just by doing a few simple checks. This model is fairly bullet proof as long as you don't drive it like a new Ferrari.
You mention the car is needed to drive about 12 miles (1/2 hour) each way daily. To my mind, thats very low mileage, so I wouldn't consider petrol to be an issue, and normal wear and tear would hardly come into the equation, doing such short trips. Do you have a picture of the car to upload?
good luck.
mrkozzy (Australia)

This is a tricky question that can be impossible to answer.

It's a 40 year old car (give or take a few years). If proper ongoing maintenance was performed on the vehicle it should be fine as long as you keep up on it.

If proper maintenance was NOT given to the vehicle then you will find it being a money pit if you use it as a daily driver - belts, coolant hoses, brake hoses, brake fluid flush, master cylinder rebuild if the original fluid is still used to stop the car (especially in the damp climates of England and Ireland), valve cover gasket, thermostat, water pump, coolant flush, door seals, window seals, windshield seals, subframe mounts, swaybar mounts, shocks, control arm bushings... you get the point!

Get a pre-purchase inspection done with a car of this age and if your mechanic says it's well sorted, I'd buy it

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

In the introduction to this web site portal "Tom's 108" you will find a pretty good checklist for deciding on a 280se. I have found that getting a good 'parts guy' on your side is really the ticket. So far, I am enjoying redoing different areas of my 71 280se 3.5.
I hope you enjoy your car if you decide to jump in.
Turner

It can be run as a daily driver and will probably do much better then most 80's British cars such as Cortinas, Escorts Cavaliers etc.

Parts will be super expensive, especially the FI parts when compared to the D-Jertronic powered 250CE. It won't handle as well either.

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With best regards

Al

Thanks guys, all advice much appreciated, this was a terrific find, lots of useful info. I'll have to bear all the advice in mind for a future 108 though as after getting under this one yesterday its not an option, lots of visible rust along the sills and jacking points. And from what I gather the rust I see is only 20% of what's likely to be there. Seller wasn't keen to bring it to a specialist for an inspection either, always sets alarm bells ringing!


Mrkozzy, its very hard to find a low rust older car here due to the climate so if its financially viable to ship yours to Ireland if you come I'd do it, annual road tax is €48 per year for a 30+ years car, a newer 2.8l would cost you about €1500. Make sure you check out www.revenue.ie for info on import tax and duties, we have some strange rules for importing cars from outside the EU.

Yep, nothing rusts like an old Mercedes in an island in northern Europe! When I first restored my 250CE in the UK, I found filler, spark plug packets, news paper and half a bucket that made up many of the panels.

I ended up selling my 73 280SEL 4.5 to a German fellow who buys cars in the US and ships them back to Europe. Most of the cars that he was buying were Italian cars such as Alfa's and the odd MB. He bought mine to take back to his friend.

Given the strength of the Euro at the time, he got a heck of a deal!

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With best regards

Al

Thanks for the return information Q.
I will add it to the"'research" I am doing at the moment.
As to financial viability........I'd say probably not. Its just that I found an extraordinarily good car without any underbody issues, such as rust etc.
I figure if I can get it to Ireland, then my intention would be to drive it. (Tour old Europe even?). I am acutely aware of project cars turning into endless money pits.
If it doesn't work out........then I will leave it here in Australia on bricks and undercover.
Cheers

I personally would not use a car like that as regular commuter. My minimum critieria for commuting and daily driving are ABS, air bags and good emissions, with bonus points for a good climate control system and stereo. Drive it to work on a nice day, absolutely, but not all the time. These old cars are great as a hobby, but not something to depend on day in and day out.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Differnt strokes etc...

ABS, air bags, emissions mean nothing to me. I used a 108 as a daily driver, and for some long trips for several years back in South Africa some years ago. If I were to try and duplicate that today the only thing that would worry me would be the effects of wear and tear on a car that's now 40 years old. And particularly, rust, more than anything else. That's if I was in a cold climate. Living as I do in Phoenix I'm afaid A/C is critical and in that respect a 40 year old car is problematic to say the least.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S