looking at one '66 230S in particualar, questions fo course. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WANT '71 280SEL · #1 06-13-2004, 08:46 AM

1.) What kind of fuel economy could I expect with a '66 230S Automatic?
2.) On heckflosse.nl, he says that the 230S has the same rear suspension as a 190C, except with hydropneumatic compensating system, does it have one like the w108's? Are they problem spots?
3.) The biggest problem with the car is the biug spot on the fender. There is one on the oter side that is about 1/3 the size of this one. Then, there's a spot like this on the trunk the size of a quarter. How much would I be looking at to have a obdy shop repaint the front fenders and hood? Under a couple hundred I hope? Here's a pic.
Thanks
David

P.S.
Color definitely grabs your attention.

WANT '71 280SEL · #2 06-13-2004, 08:48 AM

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WANT '71 280SEL · #3 06-13-2004, 08:51 AM

even more, let me know if I should post more. This one is of the interior, the dash is cracked as well as the wheel.

WANT '71 280SEL · #4 06-13-2004, 08:52 AM

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WANT '71 280SEL · #5 06-13-2004, 08:54 AM

The owner has owned it for 1year. He got it as a package. He collects old Fords and this one came with an older deal. Before he got the car it was parked for maybe 10 years. He said it drives, stops, shifts, etc. The original radio still works. The big problem however is the surface rust which I pointed out.
Thanks
David

cth350 · #6 06-13-2004, 09:54 AM

If its surface rust, its correctable. If it's all the old bondo just starting to fall off because the car rusted out 15 years ago, that's something else entirely. Just because it has an Arizona plate now, doesn't mean it had one 2 years ago.

It does look nice. I had a finback of the same bright red. It sat 10 years here in NY. The underside of the rockers were just gone. No evidence that they ever existed. The floors were intact. It was going to be my "learn to weld" project. Never happened. Also, all my brightwork was green. This car is MUCH better than mine ever was.

The rear is simple (unlike my 600!). The compensator could have been replaced by a spring. Make sure it's still there before you assume.

The car has zeniths, so anywhere from 10-18mpg is possible.

-CTH

j9fd3s · #7 06-13-2004, 11:53 AM

looks nice! i would imagine the fenders would be in the $500 range to paint as long as theres nothing wrong like cth said.

does it have discs? the single circuit drums are expensive $1000 for a shoes, cylinders and a rebuilt master.

WANT '71 280SEL · #8 06-13-2004, 05:16 PM

I know that everyone asks this, but what kind of upgrades could I do to improve gas mileage? 10 mpg! My best friend drives a '72 108 4.5, that's what he gets! Except he has horsepower to show for it. Would 20mpg highway sound out of the question?
Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #9 06-13-2004, 06:33 PM

What would this car be worth to you guys?
Thanks
David

cth350 · #10 06-13-2004, 06:40 PM

If it passes inspection, and that includes HC & CO limits, it's at least 1,200$. If it really is rust free, then you could double that. If it were rust-free AND pretty, that would be something.

-CTH

PS. I just ordered 18 different tower paint spray cans. One for each shade of red in the mercedes benz color chart (http://viewimages.mbz.org/colors/glasurit). I have 2 dozen of the matchbox 300se/c's and one real one. I don't think I'm gonna choose that red, but I'll have done a sample of it.

wbain5280 · #11 06-13-2004, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by j9fd3s
looks nice! i would imagine the fenders would be in the $500 range to paint as long as theres nothing wrong like cth said.

does it have discs? the single circuit drums are expensive $1000 for a shoes, cylinders and a rebuilt master.

It has dual circuit, disc front, drum rear brakes. The change from single to dual circut came in 1963 along with front disc brakes.

The car is essentially a 220S with a 2.3L 6 cyl. making it a 230S.

I had a '67 230S for a while.

j9fd3s · #12 06-13-2004, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wbain5280
It has dual circuit, disc front, drum rear brakes. The change from single to dual circut came in 1963 along with front disc brakes.

The car is essentially a 220S with a 2.3L 6 cyl. making it a 230S.

I had a '67 230S for a while.

cool, i'm confused about when they switched.

Tomguy · #13 06-13-2004, 10:10 PM

Being a carburated automatic car, gas mileage isn't what you would buy this car for...

Looks, uniqueness, and fun to drive/fix qualities are why you should get it!

If you want better mileage you'd have to pop a newer engine into it or switch to manual tranny.

WANT '71 280SEL · #14 06-13-2004, 11:08 PM

I understand, but I would like to get in the extreme teens, maybe 20 on a good day with a tailwind. Right now I'm trying to convince my dad to let me dump my SD and get this.
Thanks
David

Mark DiSilvestro · #15 06-14-2004, 12:18 AM

Years ago I had a '66 230 with AC, PS and automatic. It had a pair of single-throat Solex carbs. MPG ranged from about 14-16 city to about 18-21 highway. Some years later, the MPG I got on my '72 automatic 250 was about the same. Try to drive gently and tune for best economy and your MPG could be better. If that 230S is way out of tune and/or the automatic is tired, MPG could be much worse. These cars were geared to get the best performance from relatively small engines, and without any overdrive gear, gas mileage just wasn't that good (but a gallon of premium gas was only about 34 cents then!)

The MPG on my '60 Fintail 220S/4 speed has ranged from 15 city to 22 highway but I recently adjusted my ignition timing after discovering it was retarded. I'm noticing more power. I'm hoping for at least a couple of MPG better. (especially after I get the four extra rims and tires out of my trunk!)

Some other options for better Fintail fuel mileage include getting a diesel version,
or swapping in a 4 speed manual gearbox
(or a hard to find & expensive 5 speed) and/or swapping in a lower numerical axle ratio from one of the V8 cars.

Happy Motoring, Mark