Hey D&W

What a classy car - very nice indeed. It is also good to read that you are looking after it. You probably know this - here goes anyway! For spares you sometimes will have to visit the dealer. Most people find that a traumatic experience as the costs can be pretty daft. However, I wouldn't exclude the dealer from your search of more easily found parts as sometimes they come up trumps. For example the brake dust shields on my 300D are cheaper at the dealer than at the Mercedes specialist and the other independent sources I use.

Good luck with the car - not that you'll need it - the way you're looking after it I'm sure it will treat you well.

Thanks Army, yep I have purchased most of the parts from Classic Center (The Mercedes Dealer in Irvine for Classic Benz's) so all the parts are Genuine MB.

I looked into aftermarket parts but found for a little bit extra I could get Genuine. All the fuel hoses, brake rotors, disc's, pads, e-brake shoe kit, hood insulation, horn ring, side reflector are all genuine MB parts.

Let's just say the fuel hoses can be $$.

This little sucker cost $111



And this is the new Satin finish horn ring

So I believe my car has had a respray at some point in it's life.

The original paint code is for Anthracite Gray and is listed on the original data card as: 172- Paint, Anthracite Grey Metallic

I just stumbled on an ebay Auction with a car that looks VERY similar to my colour..

The seller lists their car as 124 Arabian Grey and mentions this was only offered in 1972.... I actually thought Arabian grey was paler and non metallic but assuming the seller is correct my thinking goes....

Comparing photos of the auction car with my car makes me think my 172 Anthracite Grey car may have been resprayed with 124 Arabian Grey.

I will show a 1 for 1 comparison below of auction car in so-called "124 Arabian Grey" and my car - what do you think?

Auction Car

My car

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1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal

There are TWO 172 Anthacite mettalics, one was first issued in 1960,the lighter one, and the second in 1985 which is darker .
go to this page and look down the right. if you click on the paint code numbers you will get a representation of the colour on the left of the page.
http://www.sternschuppen.de/html/farben.html

Well...I have never seen anything like that before! We only got shiny ones here.

Interesting, Arabian grey on that definentely looks non metallic. I'll try and get up to the Classic Center one day and see if they can help tell me if it is still 172 anthracite paint on my car.... I also hope they sell touch up paint

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1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal

Tonight a real helpful forum member and I will be swapping out the Rear axle bushing and installing Pertronix electronic ignition into the 280se.

I hope the new rear axle bushing will eliminate an rhythmic quiet thumping sound that increases with speed coming from the rear of the car...it only happens sometimes...hmmm

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1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal

Good luck with that - post some photos if you get the chance.

It could also be the center bearing mount on the driveshaft. Although they can look good they are often 30+ years old and need replacing. it's very simple job to remove the rubber mount then reinstall a new one.

my 1962 220SE coupe is Anthracite metallic and it's the lighter version. Any auto paint shop can mix the colors as the Herbert brand is now part of the larger SpiesHecker etc group and all paint codes going back to 1950 are available.

Thanks Mercmad. Based on the drive after swapping out the rear axle mount I still have the knocking noise every so often... looks like ill look at getting the center bearing mount done see what that does!

Electronic ignition was installed also tonight. special thanks to Michael for all his work. He sure knows his way around these cars.

I'm definentely going to get some touch up paint made up, thanks for the tip on the paint, very interesting

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1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal

If you aren't sure about the true color/hue of Anthracite, you can view 280SE Guy's pristine, original-paint car:
Her name is Anthracite - The W108 thread

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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

Yea, saw that but thought his looked darker especially in the 1st shot. nice car indeed that one

In any case I'll get it colour matched for some touch up paint

thanks

__________________
1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal

So it seems my center bearing mount and flex disk seem to be in good shape so the noise mustn't be eminating from there.

Rear shock seems to be leaking so I just received some new Bilstein replacements (good source for cheap...I got it next day in CA http://www.partstrain.com/store/details/Bilstein/Shock_Absorber_and_Strut_Assembly/W0133-1612342.html?location=Rear)

So I'll get them swapped out. who knows maybe this is contributing to the noise...

Other than that I had the rotors/pads/ebrake shoes/front wheel bearings installed today. Last night I was getting some softness in the brake pedal and some grinding on braking... I was waiting for this to happen so it was the perfect time to get the new brakes put on.

** Side note, if you ever install Genuine rotors it is recommended to leave the grey coating on them (some people wash it off apparently) the coating will most likely come off very quickly as it is really there to prevent rust while sitting on the shop shelf but they recommend to leave it there.

Car is stopping nicely.

2 random pics

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1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal

1st March;
- Replace split Fuel hose behind drivers front wheel
15th March;
- Complete Service
- Replace rear control arm bushings to eliminate squeeking/creaking
15th April;
- Replace Coil with New Bosch Coil
- New Spark Plugs installed
- Correct Spark Plug leads installed
- New rubber hood buffers
- Replace Mirror Glass and Trim
21st May;
- Idle and Mixture Adjusted
- Pertronix Electronic ignition installed
1st June;
- New rear axle mount bushing installed
- Idle and Fuel Mixture Adjusted
15th June;
- New MB Rotors installed
- New MB Pads installed
- New e-brake shoes installed
- New front wheel bearings installed
30th June;
- Replace all fuel hoses with new MB hoses
- Installed MB hood pad insulation

Car is driving really nicely, idling and cruising well, brakes feel great. Thanks to Michael from here for his help on a lot of the above items

__________________
1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal

1st March;
- Replace split Fuel hose behind drivers front wheel
15th March;
- Complete Service
- Replace rear control arm bushings to eliminate squeeking/creaking
15th April;
- Replace Coil with New Bosch Coil
- New Spark Plugs installed
- Correct Spark Plug leads installed
- New rubber hood buffers
- Replace Mirror Glass and Trim
21st May;
- Idle and Mixture Adjusted
- Pertronix Electronic ignition installed
1st June;
- New rear axle mount bushing installed
- Idle and Fuel Mixture Adjusted
15th June;
- New MB Rotors installed
- New MB Pads installed
- New e-brake shoes installed
- New front wheel bearings installed
30th June;
- Replace all fuel hoses with new MB hoses
- Installed MB hood pad insulation
5th July;
- Remove and clean visors
- Clean Front seats
- Replace Rear Dome light

Amazing how much those visors needed a clean... Used some household spray cleaner and finished with a damp cloth and thorough dry.



Just bought the new dome lamp on ebay

Before


After

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1968 280se Inline 6
Anthracite Grey - Socal