Gettin my bonus in March and am thinking about buying a classic Benz. My stepfather owns a Benz, Audi, BMW, and VW shop and will assist me in restoring the vehicle mechanically. Ideally I'd like to get a Benz with a straight body/no rust with mechanical issues as I can remedy those things very cheaply. Convertible would be nice but probably out of my price range considering about $2K intial investment for purchase.

Any ideas on which models I should look at?
Also good web sites for pricing would be appreciated.
Thank you.

My advice: get a 70 280SL fully restored and then enjoy the upkeep. Alternatively make sure the body and interior are close to perfect. Engine work can awlays be done more cost-effectively.

Good luck,

Peter Kaufman (in the middle of restoration)

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'70 280SE Cab. (111)

You won't find any convertible for $2k.

First thing to look for on any vintage Benz is rust. If any, reject the car. There are plenty available of all sedan types. Sometimes you have to be patient and look around.

For price and condition advice info, there is a good source on the ponton page: www.pontonpage.com.

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Douglas
1959 M-B 220S cabriolet

$2k is a tough number for a non-rusty Benz, but I would look at a 6-cylinder W108 sedan as a good starter car. This is a late '60's-early '70's large Mercedes (e.g., 250 S, 280 S, 280 SE). Avoid the 300 SEL of this era unless the expensive-to-repair hydraulic suspension is 100% perfect, and then STILL avoid it on your budget. The "S" models have dual carburetors that can be finicky to set up, and are prone to heat-induced warpage. Look hard at a car that "needs a little carburetor work". The "SE" has fuel injection with more power, but a little more complexity. Make sure that the heater fan blower works and the climate control levers are unbroken, slide easily, and do their job, as in-dash/underdash repairs can be a lengthy process due to the relative inaccessability of these components. Watch for rust.

These vehicles are large, roomy, mechanically relatively straightforward (buy manuals on the fuel systems, though) and built like a tank. Take a look at the Amazon website for a book (Mercedes Benz Buyer's Guide?) by Frank Barrett that discusses the strengths and weaknesses of most MB's sold in this country until the late Ninetie's.

The early Sixties models known as "Finbacks" (e.g., 220 SE, 230 S) are also built like tanks and are available for low prices relative to their value. Most people find them pretty dowdy-looking, but if you can get past that, a very good car.

Finally, the w123 models are pretty much indestructible (late '70's-early '80's 280 E, 240 D(iesel) 300 D, 300 D Turbo), particularly the diesels. Arguably, this may be the best value found in a vintage Mercedes. The 240 D is pretty slow with a manual, suicidally slow with an automatic, but very durable. The 300 D Turbo isn't bad at all, a good highway car (One just blew by me yesterday at 80+MPH), the non-turbo 300 D is in between.

The only $2,000 MB convertibles for sale today are those that happen to be on fire at the moment, those that went for an impromptu swim, or those whose owner tried to play chicken with an immovable object. Maybe you'll get lucky and score one of the above models with a sunroof.

Good luck.

Didn't think I had much hope for a convertible, but that doesn't mean I still don't want one. Looks like a 250C is probably my best bet. Those finacks don't seem very available.

Stepfather is trying to talk me into a BMW 2002 but I think there are already plenty in the family (he's got a '72 2002 SCCA club racer and my mom has a racer that's a '75 and my brother has a '74 tii). Someone's gotta represent Benz and it looks like that's me (with my '91 190E). I appreciate the info folks.

If you decide on a pre-1970 model try to find a stickshift. I think my 'dowdy' 1960 220S 4 speed is more fun to drive than my 1972 250 'slushbox'! (Though my 250 automatic works alot better than my former '66 230 automatic which used to shift 'like whiplash'!)

Happy Motoring,
Mark

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DrDKW

PAULC~
Was that me driving past you at 80+ the other day?
You in Ohio?

Yes, and the vortex you created at that speed spun me around so much, I thought I was auditioning for that Tiger Woods/Buick commercial!