Hello all. I'm a long time vintage car enthusiast and am interested in jumping in for my first benz. Wanted to get everyone's thoughts.

I'll be using this as a DD in Los Angeles. From everything I've read, it feels like the 280SE 4.5 is very reliable and won't be a money pit so long as I get something properly sorted.

Wanted to get everyone's thoughts on the SE vs SEL and if one is cheaper to maintain / better performance / better daily drive than the other. I currently drive a 2007 Jaguar XKR, so I know I'll be losing a lot in terms of performance, tech etc. However, the Jag, as much as I love it, has become a bit of a pain in terms of maintenance and it's hit to the pocketbook whenever I take it in to the dealer for stuff I can't do on my own.

Appreciate everyone's thoughts and experiences.

I also responded to you in the other thread. They are identical cars, except the L is longer.
Now finding a well sorted example may not be that easy. Be sure that the car you buy has been driven regularly, otherwise it may have rust in the gas tank and gummed up injectors. It might be worth removing the fuel gauge sender so you can look in the tank and check for any rust.
Also understand that these are 40+ year old cars, so every now and then things can fail that are not usual. The ECU in mine would make the car stall intermittently. Took a while to figure it out, because by the time I would tow it home it would always restart... Luckily I have AAA and get 3-4 free tows per year.

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Csaba
1972 280SEL 4.5, silver

I second Vandor's comments. If anything, he didn't go far enough in his cautionary remarks. There are SO many things that need replacing after 40+ years, regardless of mileage. Like almost everything made of rubber for starters. Probably the best thing you can do is have a mechanic who really knows these cars review the service records and thoroughly examine any car that you are seriously interested in.
Parenthetically, it won't be easy to find such a mechanic; he will either be someone who worked on them regularly back in the day....in which case he will at least be in his late 60s, or an unusual younger man like Pierre Hedary in FL who has made it his life's work to preserve these (when sorted) wonderful cars.
Oh, and you know they get lousy mileage, right? Like maybe 15 on the highway at moderate speeds...and probably 10-11 "around town".

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Berfinroy in CT
Present vehicles:
1973 300 SEL 4.5
1959 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I
1959 Ford Thunderbird convertible/430
Past vehicles;
1958 Bentley S 1
1976 ex-Max Hoffman 6.9
1970 300SEL 2.8
1958 Jaguar MK IX
1961 Jaguar MK IX
1963 Jaguar E-type factory special roadster
1948 Plymouth woody
1955 Morgan plus 4
1966 Shelby GT350H Mustang

I would recommend using this forum to find a reputable independent MB mechanic in LA. Talk to friends that have older MB's for their advice. If you don't have any friends with vintage MB's, shame on you, find some!

I was in Palm Springs last year and saw a beautiful 280 SE 4.5 for sale, wished I could have taken it with me!

Your comfort level will be different, drivability will be different but the smile factor will make up for it. What I mean is, your seat cushions might need to be changed out. The MB won't brake or handle like your Jag without updating. Seeing people's expression to your MB compared to your Jag is going to take some getting used to. Thumbs up! Be patient and find a good one.

Go visit the Classic Center in Irvine. They might have an example you can look at.

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John Breslin
93 500E, 92 500E, 86 190E 16V, 62 220SEb
Music City Chapter MBCA

This is all great information. Sounds like the 280 SE(L) is a great opportunity without too much downside. I'm totally used to doing the standard PPI as I owned a 3.2 Porsche and knew all the inherent issues that might come to bear with that car.

Thanks for all the advice (though I'd appreciate more from anyone else who might have it). Now I'll find a wrench for a good PPI and start my search.

The three I'm going to look at this weekend are -

AutoTrader Classics - 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Sedan Blue Other Automatic 2 wheel drive | Import Classics | Marina Delrey, CA

1972 Mercedes Benz 280 SE

1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL 4.5 Super Clean! Collectible Classic!! | Los Angeles, California | Auto Fitness - Classbenz

The two dealership examples feel priced on the high side (no surprise, they're at dealers), but they both look beautiful. Going to hope they have full service records when I go look at them.

I have owned several 108 and 111 SE sedans and coupes and would be glad to look over any car you are considering in So Cal. I can also provide you with the name and address of a good independent Mercedes shop listed in The San Gabriel Valley.

What does that stand for? I didn't think those cars were computerized...

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Thanks for all the advice, guys. Will start looking into places for a good PPI here in LA. As someone that used to own a Porsche 3.2, know the value of a good wrench for all the big work I can't do myself.

Going to look at some cars this weekend. Would love your thoughts. The dealership cars look to be priced too high. Also, will be about them having complete service records -

Thanks

1972 Mercedes Benz 280 SE

1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL 4.5 Super Clean! Collectible Classic!! | Los Angeles, California | Auto Fitness - Classbenz

AutoTrader Classics - 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Sedan Blue Other Automatic 2 wheel drive | Import Classics | Marina Delrey, CA

ECU = electronic control unit (for the Bosch D-jetronic fuel injection).
All w108 and w109s with the 4.5 had the Bosch electronic FI. I assume the 3.5s did too.

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Csaba
1972 280SEL 4.5, silver

When confronted when this dilemma, the answer is simple. Buy both.

I'm tall. I would always go for the longer wheel base if given the choice.

Hello,

So how did the cars turn out? Did you buy one?

I was browsing the local CL and found one that may interest you...doesn't have the price, but seeing that it's being sold at Lexus of SM, I'm expecting it to be high. Good luck with your search.

1972 Mercedes Benz 280 Sel 4.5 L Blue

Appreciate the heads up on the Lexus SM 4.5 SEL. Problem is, the car is 22,800. It looks like it's in amazing shape and only has 45k miles, but still that feels steep. Still, going to go look at it but there is a 4.5 SE in Glendale for only 9k.