I am looking for background info on 280 TE's. I found a 1981 280 TE with 130,000 miles. Anything special to look for on these cars?

Do a search on what to look for in a 300TD. Ignore the parts about the engine. There are things to check specific to the M110 engine. You can try searching on that but I haven't seen much 'what to check' for M110s.

Since the 280TE was not officially imported to the US, be suspicious of mileage particularly if the speedo is of the US-spec mph/kph variety. Who knows how many kms were logged on the original speedo.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Any issues regarding title and insurance and such since its a "Euro"?

The guy is asking $1400, I have him at $1200 and maybe as low as a $1000. Has some rust in both lower back quarter panels and in both front areas where the lower front fender meets the lower front valance. He bought it at an auction for about $600 and replaced the water pump.

Vehicle is silver..BIG plus in my book. Tinted windows, radio was stolen Seems to have a nasty exhaust leak, maybe at the header or in a pipe just below the front seats. Interior is decent, black..cloth with a touch of wood grain on the dash.

Pretty cool vehicle that needs some love.

Is the sunroof supposed to close flush? This one seems to have tilt backwards and a gap in the back when I close it.

Power windows all work, albeit a tad slow. Back wiper was removed or broken off at the pivot point. Has a trailer hitch

M110's are notorious leakers, especially at the front seal and between the cam box and head. The valve seals wear and cause oil consumption but they can go a long time like this. Replacing them is a major chore because the "cam box" needs to come off.

They are kind of noisy by nature.

Look for 1-2 bar oil pressure at hot idle.

The euro version has around 185 HP and is a blast to drive.

Passing emissions tests can be a problem, but I gather that is not an issue in Florida. If you need to find an exhaust system with a cat, that could be expensive, but you can probably get the non-cat version from Timevalve.

I have not had any trouble with title or insurance with my euro 107.

Sounds like a decent car that needs a new home.

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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

I'm going back tonight for a second look. I'll check out the items that have been mentioned.

Emissions are not an issue here in FL. I may go with a straight pipe from the header back to the muffler. Should be well under $200 at my local exhaust shop. Where can I find more info on "non-cat version from Timevalve"?

Engine noise is fairly normal? Do you mean lifter tick/tap?

By nature, the valves make noise, they leak, and they use oil.

www.timevalve.com - I was just there and they have a system for the 280TE.

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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

Looked again tonight with a good friend and I need to think about this one. price is ok but it definitely needs some "love". I'd jump if it was a US model but the Euro model has me a bit uneasy. Not sure why it does but it does. It does have a mph cluster..what are the real miles

Plus I tried a carfax type search and it won't go...anyone have any luck with this vin #

wdb12309312010715

Mileage verification would go a long way to helping me make a decision.

Do 280TE's not hold their values as much as let say 300TE's?

When you're talking about a $1,200 car, there's not much value left to lose.

I'd think it is better to focus on the money you'll spend getting this car up to snuff and running. You're likely to spend two or three times the value of the car on these kind of expenses.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Hi Paul,

I wasn't asking in regards to losing $$ value from the $1200. Agreed, the $1200 purchase price would be small compared to what I would spend in bringing to any kind of nice condition. I was trying to gauge prices compared to 300TE's I've seen for sale. This is the first 280TE I've seen and its price far lower than 300TE's I've found in my research. Most 300TE's I've found are $4000 and up. Can I get my $1200 plus investment back from this car if I decide to sell it in a year or so?

They're very different cars. The closest thing to the 280TE in the US is the 300TD. The 300TE is of the newer body style and was offered in the US from 86-95. The 300TE became the E320 (no distinguishing identifier for coupe, sedan or wagon) in 94. There was a 300TD of the newer body style offered in the US in 87.

I don't imagine there's any great demand for 280TEs. It has its die hard fans but you're not going to get $4000 for one in anything less than an excellent car with full documentation.

Engine parts for a 81-up 280TE can be a bit of a problem because the M110 was not offered in the US beyond 1980. There might be unique sensors and such that you'll have to hunt for. Everything else should be easier to find because of the commonality with the same generation 300TD.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL