Hello all. I've found locally what I'm told is an '83-84 280E 123 frame car with about 97k mi on it. Four speed too.

Anyway, I'm trying to get some basic input on this car. HP/TQ specs. If it's durable (I'd assume so).

Appx curb weight. If there's any performance mods available (full length header and cams)? I do plan to drop the cat(s) for a new one... I've seen a few different exhausts for this car, one with factory duals and one with a single pipe.

If it runs an O2 sensor, what does it run to as it is mechanical fuel injection?

Anything else to be mindful of?



Thanks!

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

MBUSA stopping importing that model in 1981! So that is a "grey market" car.

The M110 engine is somewhat a gas/oil hog! Most use oil & they only get around 14-15 MPG. I had a 1982 grey market 280E with a manual trans for 3 years. The engine(original) make around 185 HP & the car weighs around 3600 lbs depending on options! NO performance parts available. IF you want some then you will have to have them made! $$$$$
The engine requires preminum fuel & requires valve adjustment every 12-15K miles.

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Hit man -

I will differ with MB Doc only on mpg & oil and otherwise defer to his much greater mechanical knowledge/skills (see my signature).

My '84 280SEL made a run to Denton & back recently. Northbound up 45, I may have set a land speed record while giving it its first real road test since acquiring it - over an hour of the trip I was cruising steadily at 87 mph and "playing" with it gave me 16.9 mpg. I behaved on the way back and held it at 75 mph the entire 260 miles (plus 4 miles on surface streets) and logged exactly 19.9 mpg.

It presently uses no oil but does leave silver dollar size drips in the garage.

My understanding is the euro spec M110 needs higher octane but in my experimenting with different grades I have not noticed any pre-ignition... yet. These DO NOT have knock sensors so experiment accordingly.

These wonderful mpg figures being said, I will note that I paid $2.35 yesterday for 93 octane for my SL and at 15-16 mpg, I'm budgeting for an expensive summer!


Kevin

"Dangerous with a wrench..."

Interesting info guys, keep it coming!

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I found out some more on the car today.

It's a 1980 model! Not a 1984 as I had once thought. Has factory duals off the manifolds (cast iron shorty headers ), thus being a 1980 there is NO emission testing on it anymore!

It's a grey market car... manual rear windows w/ power fronts, Euro front lights converted to Federals, switch on dash for the adjustment, etc.

Asking $3500 out the door... what do ya guys think? Only bum thing is the ol' Becker gone. It's there but doesn't function...

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Don't know about that Hit...

For $3500, I think that baby should be like showroom new with records out the wazoo. That is probably at the high end of its value range. That being said, if you're not looking at it as a "collectible" investment but plan to modify and tinker for your own enjoyment, you could do worse.

FWIW, there is a 1984 grey market W126 280SEL looking for a new owner at Branco Motors on the north side of Dallas you could get for the same $ +/-. Same engine, more options and a beautiful #904 (midnight blue - my favorite).

Keep us posted...if you get this one I'd like to follow your mods and perhaps follow your lead with my '77 280SE.

Regards,
Kevin

Well the paint looks great, it could use a nice wash only then good wax. I don't see anything wrong with it. Milage is 101K, not 97K like I thought. Started right up when I looked at it yesterday.

Seats have no cracks or anything bad, still has the OE hubcaps too. Only thing that's bad is the rear fill is faded and will need to be redone... it is 25-26 years old. The entire radio will have to be replaced regardless.

The same guy that has this car is where I scored my 300SD and it's proven very road worthy. So I trust the vehicle and where it's coming from too.

A/C does kick on, just needs to be charged. It blew cool not cold.



I'm not too sure of what can be done performance wise to it except getting the cat off there (I can't really see under there from where it was parked if there is one on there), but there was no smog pump. I'd assume a low restriction exhaust sytem with big resonator in the middle would boost some high RPM HP too as well as keep the sound down.

Also being a 4 speed should run a lot better than an automatic car too

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

It sounds like a neat and fun car, but keep in mind that this is DEFINITELY not the most trouble free engine put in an MB, or any car for that matter.

Also, I think that it is HEAVILY overpriced.

Good luck,

Not sure to what you refer Larry. Can you shed some light (I have two and I could use the knowledge)?

Kevin

The 110 is a really neat engine, but it is well known for valve related and head related problems.

If you have a good one, take care of it and don't drive it 50,000 miles a year, there's no reason you can't get good service from it, but there are many other, more trouble free engines.

Good luck,