I'm back in the Mercedes family - 1980 280SE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

thorsen · #1 08-22-2009, 02:06 PM

I picked up a Californian w116 this morning. It's a 1980 280SE in good shape. The paint is faded and it needs a windshield seal but the body is in good shape with almost no rust. There is no body cancer like my 114 coupe had.

I need to replace the brakes (warped rotors) and fix a lot of little issues, but otherwise it's in good shape.

pj67coll · #2 08-23-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorsen

I picked up a Californian w116 this morning. It's a 1980 280SE in good shape. The paint is faded and it needs a windshield seal but the body is in good shape with almost no rust. There is no body cancer like my 114 coupe had.

I need to replace the brakes (warped rotors) and fix a lot of little issues, but otherwise it's in good shape.

Nice. Like the color, what's the inside?

- Peter.

thorsen · #3 08-23-2009, 08:20 AM

The seats and door panels are a deep tobacco color, and the carpet is green.

pj67coll · #4 08-23-2009, 12:27 PM

Interesting. I think those seats and door panels are replacements. Typically with those dark green carpets the rest of the interior would be green as well.

- Peter.

todds · #5 08-25-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

I picked up a Californian w116 this morning. It's a 1980 280SE in good shape.

Nice! Gotta love CA and it's perfect car climate. I remember seeing cars which were extinct ages ago here in NE when I lived in San Diego. Things like Pintos driven by grandmas who were the original owners and 70's AMC products. I even saw a rust-free unrestored Lancia Beta out there.

You'll be much happier than with the other car I think. It's no fun to pour your time and money into something and then end up with a very nicely operating worthless rust-bucket which disintegrates right underneath you. I hear the w116 chassis is one of the best for driving characteristics and a short wheelbase 6 cyl model should be nice and easy to handle. Kinda like a w123 except wider looking and faster. Fuel injection's a great thing too, except you probably have a bunch of smog gear inhibiting the m110. How does it drive?