Purchased a 71 280SE!! (Pics) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TxDave · #1 10-26-2003, 03:37 PM

I recently purchased a 1971 280SE, automatic, 6 cylinder (158k miles). It was originally intended as something to flip since I had been laid off and was able to get it for $900, but a day later I got a new job. It seems to have a lot going for it so now I'm thinking of holding onto it.

Here it is:
http://users3.ev1.net/~eldave/1971MERCEDES280SE/MERCEDES.htm

The transmission seems really smooth and well functioning without any clonks, but between 3rd and 4th it takes its sweet time and revs between the gears (I'm afraid to use the word "slipping"). I'm still learning how to feather the throttle to help the situation. I suspected a vacuum hose could be leaking somewhere or a clogged filter possibly. I know those two things can affect functionality of the trans. I'm hoping it will be one of those freebie fixes. Are there any common causes you have experienced? Good news is my trans fluid is red and clean (thogh it seems to have been overfilled). I'm still analyzing whether it takes too long to get into reverse. It may be taking longer than getting into drive, but I'm just not sure yet cause I'm still figuring out the shifter (the needle doesn't show what gear I'm in). It does seem to really "hit" and lift the car up when reverse engages like there's a lot of torque.

The first car I ever bought around age 16-17 was a 1970 220D, baby blue, 4 speed manual. Man we had some GOOD times in that car. I'm really enjoying reliving my teenage-hood driving around in this new baby. I could overdo it and write a novel since this is my innaugural post and I'm thrilled to have found this site. I'm going to show some restraint and leave the main gist of this post being my transmission inquiry.

tosbt · #2 10-26-2003, 05:19 PM

Nice car hope to see you around town.

TxDave · #3 10-26-2003, 05:42 PM

Tosbt,

Well I had been considering going to the Mercedes club meeting on Nov. 13th. (at 6:30 pm at Brick Oven on Jollyville
Rd. just north of Arbor)

But then I found this board and it is probably as good or better for bouncing ideas off people so the meeting is up in the air for me. Are you involved in any of that?

If not, I live at Burnet & Koenig and should you ever plan on being in the area fire me an email and maybe we can have a beer and stand in the parking lot looking at cars.

Any experience with a flakey transmission? I'm hoping it is overfilled, vacuum leak, or clogged filter as I mentioned. (Oh please oh please

) I'm hoping someone will chime in with the same experience and a magical solution.

Dave

300SDog · #4 10-26-2003, 06:03 PM

"Flaring" is the official word for tranny that requires peddling the accelerator to shift properly. Quick fix can be tranny fluid additive "Trans-X"...... also flush the fluid before and after the additive. Yeah i know, most oil additives are snake oil - but Trans-X has gotten rave reviews on the chatterbox diesel forum next door for solving problems of "flaring" trannies.

$900 throw away car?? Get real !!! - The 108/ 280SE can easily last another 100k miles with proper maintenance and daily driving. From the look of the pics thats a fine unmolested example that just needs elbow grease to perfect the finish with polishing compound, plenty of wax and new floor mats. Also get underneath and grease more than a dozen grease fittings on front suspension.

If you wanna improve the wooden dashboard without tearing it apart - try this...... first rub it down in direction of wood grain with steel wool, careful not to scuff adjoining parts - then hit it with "Butcher's floor wax", same stuff for polishing wood floors. Start with glovebox and ashtray to learn the process.

Once again, you out of your mind to think it's some kinda cheapo disposable car - niether is it rich man's sucker car that will bury you in debt. What the hell have you been driving since the 220D?

TxDave · #5 10-26-2003, 07:05 PM

This car was a cheap grab and I know I'm lucky to have gotten it. The sellers needed money and thought it was going to cost a bunch of money to get this car running right.

The car didn't go over 5mph when I bought it. I didn't hear the engine even reving so I knew it was just a throttle linkage glitch. They also thought the trans was trashed. Handed them $900 cash, got in and drove off thinking I'd have to take the back roads at 5mph. Apprantly, the last jiggle of the throttle linkage freed something up cause I drove off just fine. It was shifting fine too. So I made a B-line for the highway and drove home at 50mph. I couldn't believe it. I later realized I'd bought a $900 car with a $500 stereo in it. Jeez.

When I said I bought it to "flip" I meant I was just gonna turn around and sell it for $2k or so. Maybe more if I got greedy. But now I'm gainfully employed again and actually excited about having it for myself. I may sell it after having some fun since my finances are indeed in need of a boost after the lay off period.

I bought the 220D when I was in highschool around 1990. That was a serious party car. I always had it filled up with friends and we loved it because it was like a "stealth" vehicle as far as police were concerned. The last place the police would think to look for mischevious teenages was in a classic Benz. Not to mention it had tinted windows so all I had to do was keep it between the lines and we were golden.

Anyway, I blew up the 220D driving back and forth from my hometown and college. I actually blew that car up twice. We transplanted an engine but I ended up throwing another rod eventually. So then I jumped into a 77 300D non-turbo. The experience was less than fullfilling (so slow). Then an 85 300D turbo. That was a great car again. Sold it and got into a Range Rover. Totally overdid the offroading thing and now I've decided my fun cars are either roadsters or classics in general.

By the way. I put two "Polk" 6X9s in the original 220D and the acoustics were so incredible it sounded like a professional sound system. This car I just bought has "Polk" 6x9s and sounds just the way I remember. I never had luck getting sound out of the 300Ds. The acoustics in those cars is comparible to a sponge. The older cars are just one big piece of metal. I pulled out an old box from my closet and found the original becker AM/FM from my 220D (I had put a tape player in it since as a teenager I needed my mix cassettes and not talk radio)

So Mercedes are in my blood. Love em. Really having fun cruising in this car. I miss the diesel a little though. Those things elimanate many ways of getting stranded. Especially the 220D. My alternator went out and all I had to do for two months as a poor college student was push start it and pop the clutch. Once the engine is running it needs no electrical charge. I also learned how to manually glow the plugs with a jumper cable to the battery when the glow plug relay went bad. I can't think of any time I needed a tow truck in those cars except for when I blew a motor.

Dave

Catrinus · #6 10-26-2003, 10:50 PM

Boy, I'm going to nominate you for "deal maker of the year"! I think you got an EXCELLENT car at an EXCELLENT price. I have no doubt that you could have "flipped" it for $2-3k -- heck, I would have given you that!

) But now you've "got the vintage MB bug" and from what I understand THERE IS NO CURE. In fact, from what I gather on this site, it only gets worse and worse (but the cars seems to get better and better!).

Enjoy it -- I think you've got the ideal model AND engine AND year in my book! Keep on the forum and let us know how you're doing.

Catrinus
73 280C

pj67coll · #7 10-26-2003, 11:07 PM

You are one lucky dude. My first Mercedes was my 71 280S. Still my favourite and I wish I had one as good as yours. Magnificent car. Enjoy and take care of it!

- Peter.

#8 10-27-2003, 07:06 AM

That car is lovely for 900.00.. ! Iam moving to texas!
My next door neighbor is moving there he got a $80,000
house 1800sq ft. and the best part is it has a new 6 car garage !

Must be the only state that isnt over inflated?