kinda half-heartedly looking at an 80 280CE
 

Sale sign says everything works and it runs perfectly. It's maybe a euro. If I get serious I'll post pics. Nice blue paint that doesn't appear to be a repaint. Beige-y tex fabric with typical euro fabric inserts. Door panels match. Exterior inspection shows one tiny rust bubble at the bottom of the DS windshield molding. Jack points are pristine. Peering through the window the ODO reads 075K and change. Did they turn over? Nice complete chrome and a very straight body. Bumpers look very like the ones on our euro 240D, unsure about the headlights. No inside or under-hood inspection yet as it's the last week of school and I haven't had time. Plus, the guy I think is asking silly money for it. $4K. it's an auto.

Tips beyond the usual vacuum and trans-rust etc issues with 123s?
Could this be a DD?

Of all the cars I owned I still mis my old 300CD, even that it was diesel with no turbo, such a nice ride. Would love to have a Euro 280CE, I think $4K is reasonable for a good one. 80's Mercedes are going up in price around here, starting with the SEC, the CE could be next.

Make sure the rear windows go all the way down, pain to repair. And the rear rubber weather strips costed me, I believe $250 each and that was with a "pity" discount from Phil.

Excellent daily driver.

I'd pass. I prefer the sedan to the coupe, and real Mercedes don't have spark plugs.

It would be a fun car to drive but the M110 is a bit of a gas hog. I was getting 15-18 MPG in my 79 280E.

The speedo does not turn over. The 280 motor is very very simple and robust. It compares favorably with the 617 diesel for longevity. A stick conversion will get you over 20 mpg, more if its a five speed od tranny. Sounds like a nice car. The 280 pulls like a small block in euro spec. The euro injection pump is different too and has more power than the us spec na motors.
It needs premium though.

Ditto. MPG was never great in mine; 15-18 was about the best it ever got. Premium fuel is best since on regular mine tended to ping.

Do check the cams. They are adjusted like the ones on the diesels (well, not just like but close) and there are two of them to wear out. ANY wear in the cams will mean they were not adjusted on a regular basis and the cams are not cheap to replace nor or the rocker arms/cam followers which can also dish out.

Also check to see if it has the auto A/C control or the manual control. The auto units, like the ones on the 116's, are very trouble prone but I don't think the Euro cars had this set-up.