I am thinking about buying another coupe (currently own a 91ce), would you reccomend a 280ce, or I am considering an old 220seb (1962). I know there is a big difference, I like the looks of either, but I am trying to get away from all the electronics, emmissions,etc with the newer ones, (ones enough), I thought the old classic coupe, could be a nice part time fairweather car. But would this be a nightmare to maintain, get parts for?. I realize the old 220 could never be a driver, (or could it). Does one have to have real deep pockets to own one of these classic's,(which I don't). the 220seb is on ebay, what about the wood dashe's are they impossible to deal with, along width the mechanicals? Maybe one mb is enough to deal with, any help would be greatly appreciated, sorry about all the questions, I am new to this forum. Thanks alot
scotty

I would think that the 220SEb is a lot harder to get parts for than a 111 coupe (280SE or, if you're really rich, a 280SE 3.5 ). You can get parts for the 280SE's on FastLane, but not the 220's.
Other than that, it's personal prefference. The only real electronics on the 280SE's engine are the wiring and, on the 3.5, the D-Jet controls. Very advanced for its day, but simple compared to today's engine controls

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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

The 220SEb is still a W111 Coupe. The main difficulty in getting parts might relate to what production changes were made between the early W111 220SEb and later 250SE/280SE and V8 versions. Whatever vintage coupe you select, look for the best condition body, trim and interior, as putting these right would become a major restoration expense. As for daily driving, any one of these cars in good condition can be driven regularly, but I wouldn't have one as my only car and snow/salt will eat them up.

Depending on the weather, I drive my '60 W111 220Sb as often as several times a week and, if I get caught out in the rain, I don't get too upset, but I never drive her in the snow.
From the start, the W111 Coupes came with front disc brakes and that is a big improvement over the all-drum brakes on early W111 sedans like mine.
Another advantage of the early W111 cars, in my opinion, is that they're often found with a manual shift, which I find more satisfying and enjoyable than the automatics.

Some consider the early W111 220 series to be underpowered. They certainly don't have the neck-snapping acceleration of most modern cars but with proper use of the stick-shift, my 220S has no problem keeping up with normal traffic.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I agree with Tomguy that a later 111 coupe would be a wiser move. The 220s are so widely perceived to be underpowered that it's hard to imagine them ever having strong resale. The 2.8s and 3.5s are stronger and easier to maintain. Whatever you get you're going to put some money into it, which is tough to do if the resale value isn't there. This is just personal opinion but it seems to me that the coupes from later in the 70s and early in the 80s lack the panache to ever amount to much.

Always remember, whatever you do to the coupes, it's for love and not money. I am convinced that the enthusiast money goes for the Ponton and 111 cabrios and the 113's. But the good news side of this is that the coupes are very affordable cars.

There are lots of cars in all of the series - 111, 114, 123 - and they range from basket cases to fixer/drivers to amateur restorations to professional restorations to the rare low-mileage survivor. Priced accordingly. I don't think there is much difference in appreciation or depreciation potential, but maybe the earlier cars will do a bit better.

As with any car, you are probably best off financially to buy a car that someone else has put a lot of time and money into. But if you are into wrenching, it can be very dissatisfying to have nothing to do but wash and wax and attend to the occasional small problem.

If this is going to be a weekend car, my personal choice would be to go with a 220 and a manual transmission. Very basic, small engine. But remember, as Mercedes made the engines bigger, they also made the cars heavier.

Good luck and keep us posted!

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Happened to see this one trolling on e-Bay. If it's all true, this is a very nice car. Color may not be to everyone's taste, though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6329&item=2451253311

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

That eBay coupe looks nice, and I do like the color combo - very retro. Too bad I don't have the extra cash laying around.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6329&item=2450415930

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6329&item=2451446323

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

good, old MB coupes :-)

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1974 280C

Chuck: I saw one just like the first one going up the (Morgan) highway right where I live not too long ago, I swear it was the same color scheme even! It looked immaculate, and although I was able to blow him away in my 4.5, I still would have taken that one any day over a 4.5 in mine's shape!

(don't get me wrong though, I'd still rather drive my rolling wreck than a ricer )

__________________
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

An owner of a 220s told me to be be very carefully buying one of these cars if it got a sunroof.
There could be rust in the back of the roof (B-pillar?), hard and expensive to repair.

I would love to have one of those beauties, one of the most beautiful car ever made!

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

I bought my 63' (220s) three years ago for $600. Drove it for a year, then replaced the engine and now drive it as a daily driver (40 miles a day in Los Angeles Traffic). I figure I have about $3,000 invested over a three year period.

I know It's not a coupe or even a show quality sedan but it has a straight body, decent paint, ok interior, and a solid engine. I guess what I'm trying to say (and what others have already said) it's what you make out of it. enjoy.

and my 220 runs up the Sepulveda Pass (local grade) at 75 to 80 mph.

I personally think that the 111 chassis series MBZ's, coupe or cabriolet, are one of the prettiest cars around. As far as price is concerned, sometimes patience will be a reward. I got mine from a collector that ran out of garage space for what I consider a real bargain (in the teens) years ago. I drive it daily when the weather is nice and, except for the fuel injection, find maintaining it simple, very straight forward and passifying. Power is not a strong point but if you are just commuting, driving in the city or cruising, it is more than adequate. The body is built like a tank and even though it is a convertible, there is not one rattle or creak. I haven't had a problem obtaining replacement parts when needed, although dealer prices are exhorbitant. One of the more satisfying aspects is the admiring glances, saves and comments when you drive buy.

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Gregg:
http://photobucket.com/albums/d142/GBambo/

Radical difference in handling and feel between Kingpin suspension coupes of the '60s and your '91........ The older model will track like its on rails and fly straight as an arrow at speed with much stiffer feel - makin you think the entire car was carved from one solid chunk of iron....... an entirely different animal from modern 'designer' MB's that are more like girley cars.

Gotta ask yourself if you'll be happy with old world characteristics in comparison with your '91 ball joint Benz that feels light as feather, much nimbler and more responsive compared with freight train feeling of vintage kingpin cars. Are you ready for leaning on the immense white ivory '60s steering wheel while taking corners with bobsled precision and mastering the 4 speed column shift? .....an acquired taste for sure and many who get used to unwavering rigid Kingpin suspension feel cheated at being stuck driving other cars.

Its like the legacy of the 108's...... incredibly solid suspension that makes everything else seem to drive soft and mushy with zero feel of driving one heavy solid machine.

No doubt dumping the '91 and picking up on *any* older coupe including the 450 SLC, 280CE or even the 300CD would be retro-upgrade against electronic junk you wanna avoid. But if you reach beyond '72 and pick up one of the old Kingpin suspension coupes..... your driving tastes will change FOREVER and all other cars will seem strangely weak and fragile.

I say go for it...... get something like Bambo's got and drive it everyday - treat your '91 as Winter car/backup. Driven regularly and well maintained the Old World Benz will cause you fewer problems with fewer fiddly bits and weird gadgets than on newer, high tech versions. Upgrade in coachwork detail on older MB's will also amaze you.

On restoration of wooden dashes, its alot of work but CAN be done with impeccable craftmanship for outstanding results, even improving on the original MB finish..... and shouldnt cost more than $950 to restore ALL the wood - figure 3+ days for skilled MB afficionado who knows the nooks and crannies of MB dashwork.

Basically, the classic MB's were all entirely handbuilt cars with interchangable parts that span 7-10 yrs....... hence they're highly desirable as restoration projects, extremely predictable and easy to maintain.