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#1
02-21-2007, 08:21 PM
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Opinion needed on a 72 280 sel
I have been looking for a 280 sel on and off for years. Only recently I sold some of my cars, that I have room for a classic. What do y'all think about this one for sale on ebay.
I am deeply interested in this and planning to either fly down or drive down to pick up this vehicle from Atlanta. I would rather fly down and drive it back. So my question is there anyone in Ft. Lauderdale who is remotely familiar with this vehicle or maybe any expertise on here thinking thats a rust bucket with underlaying problems. I have seen my fair share of nice paint job but rockers full of holes. 
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#2
02-21-2007, 08:26 PM
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Does that look like a rust bubble behind the front of the driver's side wheel well?
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#3
02-21-2007, 08:45 PM
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It does look like a rust bubble, but you can't tell for sure. Ask the seller for a close up.
__________________
1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12 1982 380SL 1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing 1987 300 D 2005 CDI European Delivery 2006 CDI Handed down to daughter 2007 GL CDI. Wifes 
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#4
02-21-2007, 09:07 PM
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For that much money the car better not have a SPECK of rust ANYWHERE. It looks nice, but I would inspect a car like that in person before ever buying on fleabay. It could be a bondoed rustbucket with a paintjob, and the seller might not know enough about these to tell.
__________________
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
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#6
02-21-2007, 11:00 PM
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The rear wheel camber looks a little funny, it looks like the car sits too high in the rear.
Look for wiring harness damage under the battery tray, the fuel injection harness runs under the tray. The tray bolts in, and trust me, it's worth a look. Check the frame around the steering box for damage, the bolts tend to work loose and ruin the frame where the strg box bolts to it. Make sure the heater blower motor works, and that all four of the heater lever work properly.
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#7
02-21-2007, 11:17 PM
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This vendors feedback is getting into the dangerous area. He is leaving too much information out as well I think. If you are seeking a good low milage collectable example I do not like this one. Mb club of america might be a source of good cars.
Too much money for what I see. Finding a good example is harder than paying for it usually. Just my opinion but I dislike a paint job unless everything else appears really good. This one does not. Look elsewhere. Just my opinions though.
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#8
02-22-2007, 12:07 AM
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be very careful!
i think he's asking too much. beware of flood damaged cars coming from the south. some flood damaged cars have even been making their way out here to california. i would personally check this car out before doing any bidding. IMO, one should never buy a car sight unseen. just don't want you to get burned...
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#9
02-22-2007, 01:13 AM
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(Welcome to the forum. Great information abounds here.)
Read all the feedback before you decide.. I agree, there have been disputes here and there, perhaps a few too many. "Private" auctions are said to be a red flag also. The information provided seems relatively scant, so it's taking a large leap of faith to buy an expensive complicated classic car sight unseen from a used car dealer. Buying a bad W108 could be a very expensive proposition to make right. It needs to be thoroughly inspected before you buy it. These cars are beauties, but are not cheap to in keep fine fettle. The very nicest examples seem to be found in the MBCA magazine classified ads, and on enthusiast forums "cars for sale" sections such as the one that exists on this website. A lot of really excellent, enthusiast owned cars actually do change hands this way Geographically, cars from Southern California are often a good bet: Southern California is a car culture, no snow or slush to cause rust, abundance of excellent mechanics and enthusiast owners, a large inventory of cars tends to keep prices within reason.
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 1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ... 1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold) 2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp 1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k 2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive  (sold)
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#10
02-22-2007, 09:49 AM
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I agree with prior posters. The cumulative experience here is truly a valuable resource.
My observations (all based upon the BIN price): Steering wheel unacceptably cracked; dash wood looks thoroughly cracked/checked; cool old 8 track hanging there; missing AC knob; hubcaps are odd -- stripped of original matching paint and centers repainted?; thoroughly rusty master cylinder is suspicious, rocker/jackpoint pix are essential as are undercarriage pix, including steering box to frame point. Smells like a $3000-4000 108 to me, if there is no bondo.
__________________
W108M117(1972) repaired after deer hit W124M103(1987) W124M103(1989) -- sold to son's friend W124M119(1993) --  W124M103(1987 -- 5 speed Euro  ) - sold to forum memberW124M103(1989) -- TE W123OM616(1977) W201M103(1990) parts car 
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#11
02-22-2007, 10:50 AM
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The dealer is in Florida...the car is either a NE transplant or a FL native, both very likely to be suffering from rust. And, yes, that spot does look like rust. If it was garaged and well maintained there is little need for a repaint on these cars. The original paint, especially white, is very very tough. The absence of door dings also indicates things are being concealed by the new paint. Better to have honest wear on an original car.
Look for a good car from the MBCA; there are plenty out there. My 2 cents... 230/8
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#12
02-22-2007, 11:23 AM
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Learned my lesson long time ago re/"cherry" time capsule cars..... 1971 250/8 with documented 54k actual miles - bought by me at top dollar circa 1986, the only MB lemon I've ever owned. It had been off the road more than 10 years stored in a shabby unheated outdoor New England garage on an estate when I found it, appeared to be immaculate "rust free" - just covered with about 1/4" of dust.
Something you want to INSIST on knowing in advance: 1)Ownership/Registration/Maintenance History: How long off the road? Yes innards of electric components, engine and tranny seals, auto tranny belts and even piston rings will die by moisture/condensation if the car is improperly stored. Pretty much all of the above is what made that 250/8 into such a lemon. Yet if it's been continuously registered then at least you know it's been started occasionaly over its lifetime. And might as well assume this 280SEL has more like 213k miles instead of 13k as the seller claims, thats what wear and tear on the brake pedal says to me. NEVER believe the 5 digit odometer on any Mercedes Benz unless it can be proven with paperwork. And the fact this ebay seller has the balls to claim 13k tells us he's not to be trusted.
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#13
02-22-2007, 01:35 PM
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Thanks to everyone for the responses...I got an email reply from the seller..He sounds like a typical used car salesman...
 Quote:
As for the opinion on prices. I noticed that from the responses both in this post and from browsing here 7-9k is considered high..However I often see those prices listed around here in Atlanta, ebay, online classifieds, the average prices for these cars (280sel) are around 7-9k. I actually was gonna bid on this. I was watching it since last week. But factoring in the prices of repairs, paint, uphostery shipping it would cost more. Yes, it is from California and claim that is is rust free. But I have yet to see a totally rust free car..Even in California.
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#14
02-22-2007, 07:11 PM
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"Anyways, it looks like I will have to pass on it"
Prudent.
__________________
W108M117(1972) repaired after deer hit W124M103(1987) W124M103(1989) -- sold to son's friend W124M119(1993) -- W124M103(1987 -- 5 speed Euro ) - sold to forum memberW124M103(1989) -- TE W123OM616(1977) W201M103(1990) parts car
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#15
02-27-2007, 01:30 PM
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So this past weekend..I decided to browse on Ebay just to see if there are any new 280 popping up closer to me to check out..Low and Behold, a local BMW dealership had one that was just traded in...I called them up to ask for the reserve, the gentleman told me the amount which is considerably lower than what I had budgeted for. I went over there this past Sunday and ended up handing over my credit card...I was fully expecting lots of rust and etc..But after looking and having them crank the car up cold, taking it on the freeway at 70-80 mph..I was sold.
 I am picking up the vehicle today..They are changing the oil, adjusting the brakes, etc..Basically just prepping the car prior of purchaser picking up. The funny thing is, they have not remove the ad on Ebay yet so people are still bidding on it.
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