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  #1  
Old 08-02-2002, 03:20 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Fl
Posts: 140
Smile check out or new project...'72 280SE

I just wanted to share.......

We just got this '72 280SE over the weekend. It's great, I can't believe how great it runs and the fact that everything works (pw, sunroof). The interior is super clean, except for some darkening of the MB text from use I believe (no tears though). Ok the compressor is shot, but we already bought one and its going in next weekend. The paint is not in the greatest shape, but some buffing changed that, and the chrome is in better shape than the '87 we used to have. Obvioulsy some stuff is just old, so many hoses, seals and the sort will have to be replace with time, but otherwise I like it.


hood

side

rear

some interior

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  #2  
Old 08-03-2002, 12:39 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Evansville, Indiana
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Beautiful car, and I think you will love it. Not as fast as the 4.5, but at least yours runs!!!

I'd plan on replacing all the hoses. You need to watch the brakes, particularly the master cylinder for leaks out the rear seal (they are easy to rebuild, and a replacement is only about $100), the brake hoses will probably need to be replaced due to age, but the interior is VERY nice. Check the paint under the power brake booster if it leaks, the brake fluid eats the paint and then you get rust problems.

You should get about 20 mpg on the highway

Watch your speed -- it will creep up on you, I'm sure!

I saw a 280 a couple weeks ago in Louisville, little old guy driving it, had the 250,000 K badge on the grille, he probably bought it new, still looks new!

Peter
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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!
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  #3  
Old 08-04-2002, 10:08 AM
Larry Delor's Avatar
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Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Sarasota, Fl.
Posts: 3,114
I have a '71 280SE, and it sure does like the highway, but there is no way that I get 20mpg...at least not at the speeds I travel at. I think I might be able to get 17 staying at 70mph and drafting behind a semi.
One bit of advice I was given when I bought it from a German mechanic ( who moved back to Germany ) is to lubricate EVERYTHING ...if it can be lubed, lube it. My chrome has held up nicely too, except for the part around the trunk button, and one of the licenseplate lighting fixtures. My A/C works, but it is nothing exciting as far as cooling power goes...it could really use a recirculation feature as found on newer cars.

Have fun with it, and take it out on the freeway to blow the dust off, mine usually runs smoother after doing that.

-Larry
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09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D
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  #4  
Old 08-04-2002, 10:20 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 91
A beautiful car! Looks like you got a really clean example. Do you mind telling us what you paid for it? It's always interesting to know what the really old timers go for!

Thanks
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'93 400E Now DEAD - Rear ended and totalled.
Replaced by '02 C32 AMG - FAST!
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  #5  
Old 08-04-2002, 08:58 PM
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You say project car, boy I wish my project cars in the past would of looked like that. What exactly needs to be done to this one?
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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
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  #6  
Old 08-06-2002, 01:46 AM
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Thumbs up thanks for your replys guys..

We'll see about the mileage once it gets its legs streched, but I must tell you I really liked just looking at this car. It is nice to see others in the same boat . I'll keep you posted on any new developments.

The brakes seem to be fine, no leaks so far, but thanks for the advice. I'll keep an eye on that master cylinder.

We paid $3400 which is not garage sale price, but for the overall condition we thought it was fair. Not to mention the two extra headlamps, new wipers (the silver colored ones), bunch of hoses, at 4 sets of brake pads, and whlole other bunch of useful parts. As far as needs, it could use as mentioned earlier some new hoses (A/C, radiator, heater), a new compressor, engine mounts, front window regulators, and a radio and speakers . What kind of speakers have you guys put in the back? (I bought some 4x6's and cut them a bit to fit, still there is a big hole on the edges). It was also running a bit hot, and found out the radiator was clogged up so it was recored. Also the front engine seal was replaced over the weekend. The wooden window frames are dry and brittle, Is there a way to fix this?

thanks again for your replys...
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  #7  
Old 08-06-2002, 07:05 PM
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Location: Evansville, Indiana
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If the wood is actually cracked, you will need to try to find replacemnts, or make them if you are a woodworker. They are usually poplar of some other finegrained wood with French Walunt veneer (alas, rarer than most veneers these days).

If you just want to refinish, you can strip with any methylene chloride paint stirpper, but DO NOT SAND THE WOOD. The veneer is VERY thin and you will simply sand right through it with a couple passes. Don't even use steel wool. This is particularly true of the dash panel -- it is lovely when in good condition, but is obviously thin veneer (I"ve handled a brand new, uninstalled one, believe it or not!).

When the old finish is completely removed (it is nitrocellulose laquer), stain to restore the original color if you need to (cherry analine stains match well), and re-finish with Minwax Spar Varnish or similar exterior varnish with UV protection. Again, DO NOT SAND or you will very likely cut right through the veneer.

The door moldings may be more substantial, I've not checked mine closesly yet.

The finish tends to turn very dark, opaque brown and sort of shrink and crack, looks like dried mud in patches. This is not the wood or veneer, that is still there. The finish will dissolve nicely in any good paint stripper.

I do not believe that there were originally speakers in the back, but I could be wrong. Mine are certainly replacements, and stick down into the trunk, and I'm fairly certain this isn't factory. I think the factory speakers were up front, in the kick panel on the driver's side and in the AC housing on the passenger's side.

Peter
__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!
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  #8  
Old 08-07-2002, 12:14 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Fl
Posts: 140
Thumbs up thanks for the pointers

Thanks for the woodworking pointers. The wood is cracked (spliting) on the front window suround, but the others are in better shape. Although I don't consider myself a woodworker, I will give it a shot; but I will practice with some cheap wood from home depo. I always get bubbles or small fibers fly in . I tried to refinish the center console in the W124 when I had it, and it didn't come out very pretty.
Regarding the speakers, I think they are original because they are identical (in design and materials) to the ones upfront (which I know are factory. They have the factory connectors, and the cut-out in the rear deck is very precise. It is true they stick out into the trunk, but then the ones on the W123, 124, 201 and 126 also do. The grills are identical to the one on the center dash. Also the wires come from what I think is an amplifier under the dash where (front speaker wire also comes from there).
You are making me doubt now , could it be that they had the center moved to the back (since I didn't find one there), and split the signal? or maybe it was an option :p . I will check with more care and get back to you on that one...
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  #9  
Old 08-07-2002, 12:02 PM
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Buy used wood. It's a lot cheaper than killing the old one. But then again, if the old one is dead, what harm is there ?

If you check the list archives at www.mbz.org and www.mercedes-veterans.com, you'll find plenty of posts on how to refinish the wood. The archives here should also have similar material.

-CTH
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  #10  
Old 08-07-2002, 07:23 PM
Larry Delor's Avatar
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Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Sarasota, Fl.
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rear speakers

Mine has speakers in the rear too. They came with the car, and are indeed an oddball size. There is supposed to be a fellow up the road who can get replacements for these. I haven't looked into it yet, but, if you are interested, I suppose I could inquire about getting a price on them. I don't think they are very expensive. Mine still throw out sound, even though there are a few pieces of paper missing. My real gripe is that stations won't stay tuned in very long... I have to re-tune every 10-20 minutes - sometimes less, sometimes more. I haven't got a clue how it's wired as far as a seperate amp goes or anything... With something this old, I go by the old saying "If it aint broke, don't fix it"

-Larry
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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D
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  #11  
Old 08-07-2002, 07:27 PM
Larry Delor's Avatar
What, Me Worry?
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Sarasota, Fl.
Posts: 3,114
I was wondering...
For the load leveling..Do you have a spring or the Boge-Sachs hydraulic gadget?
And, does yours have a limited slip differential?
FWIW, my radiator was replaced/recored (don't remember which right now) back in the late 80's.

-Larry
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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D
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  #12  
Old 08-07-2002, 07:34 PM
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Location: Evansville, Indiana
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That's good news about the speakers -- I wasn't too happy with the thought of having to weld patches in to fix a rough "professional" stereo installation! On the W115/W114 chassis, the cutouts are round and only go into the air duct (exits by the rear window rather than at the deck lid gap), and the speakers must sit in the factory housings up on the rear shelf -- the bottom side of the duct is in the way. Usually some s.....head goes at it with a power tool and makes a mess so the speakers will fit flush.

There is a balance control on the dash for the speakers, not an amplifier.

The station wander is probably old age -- the tuner is not stable anymore. The only cure is a major refit of the radio, probably iffy by now as most of the parts probably aren't available, or replacement. Mine has a new Kenwood installed (yipee!!!) as if I cared.

Peter
__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!
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  #13  
Old 08-07-2002, 07:46 PM
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Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 4,352
If the radio is a becker, then it's completely rebuildable. Becker still does the work here in the US and rather affordablyl even back to a 50s tube job. Look up Ed Ebel at www.mbz.org.

-CTH

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