Need advice - 69 280SE
 

Looks like a friend is going to pay $17K for a '69 280SE at Hemmings. He is flying out to Reno next week to look at it.

Any recommendations about what he should look for; he does not know Mercedes.

PS - it is beautiful silver and looks just like my beloved '70 6.3 - so I like it and am biased. Told him to go for it.

That's a lot for a W108 sedan, it should have really nice paint and body work and interior at that price. It should drive really well. What you look for is rust.

I am not an expert, but have him inspect the body and frame for rust. Check the trunk wells, rocker panels........

For $17k is it a coupe or sedan?

I am not an expert, but have him inspect the body and frame for rust. Check the trunk wells, rocker panels........

For $17k is it a coupe or sedan?

That is a lot for a W108 but not uncommon to see a well maintained one at that price.

A few things to look for would be nice paint (no bubbling aka possible signs of underlying rust), condition of the chrome/trim/bumpers, interior (seats, carpet, dash wood and trim around the inner windows), check for rust underneath the car on the rocker panels, rear wheel wells and inside the trunk, any recent maintenance service records, make sure all windows, locks and electrical works as it should. Also check to see what options the car has, i.e., center arm rests, working air conditioning, Becker radio with dash and rear speakers, C-pillar reading lights, original tool kit and wheel aid in the trunk. And of course during the test drive, feel or listen for any strange noises or how the car itself runs.

Is the car being offered by a private seller or a dealer. ( Or even a person calling themselves an enthusiast but is really a dealer )

One way to partially vet a seller. Run their phone number / e mail on google and see if other ads pop up. Ask if the title is in their name and look at title to see when it was issued.

Does your guy know cars to a deep level or is just unfamiliar with the details of a MB?

I'm not bought off by clean repaint / chrome / interior as these can be applied to any car to make it look good. I look at bolts to see if they are all the same type on an assembly , brackets and wire looms are in place , under dash looks as built , under seats looks good , under car and so on. In other words, look at places where the average person isn't going to look.

Interesting post. Unless your friend has deep pockets to spend money on a flight to check out a vehicle, I would suggest an inspection done by a professional. Simple to set up online and you receive a full inspection report. Cost should be nominal at about $100.00-125.00 depending which company he chooses.
Price is up there and for that amount, vehicle should be in very good shape, running and all issues such as fuel, hoses, a/c, timing chain, etc. should have been addressed. Also, for that kind of money, service records should be available. I find that besides checking the mechanical side of the w108, rust is a big issue to look into.

Guys - it is in Hemmings; check it out. Always looks good in pics but this one really looks good.

AC does not work. Seems to be all original.

Well, I wonder if he bought it; do not see it in Hemmings now.

Friend knows cars, just not Mercedes. Just got through restoring a 1962 Chevy and sold it for $120K.

I'd recommend not buying a car, any car, in Reno.

Why?

Is the OP reading this anymore? Kind of doubt it.

Maybe he meant not to buy a car from Janet Reno.

OP is reading and appreciating comments.

Well he offered 16.5 and they did not take it so he decided to walk. I just found out that my friend bought a 1989 560SEL for $2000 instead. He says it is really rough and he is looking forward to fixing it up. Since he just fixed up a 62 Chevy and sold it for 120 K I guess he can fix this one up too. It is a hobby. I really do not know anything about the gas 560 because most of you guys are interested in the 560SDL. Any ideas about the gasoline model?

the 560sel is a great vehicle. But for $2k condition being rough, that's a high price. For $4k you can buy a presentable example ready to drive.
They are easy to work on and reliable, but hobby or not fixing up a common vehicle as the S class gets expensive.

The body design never goes out of style. Let's see pics of the car he purchase....

Yes. I asked him to send me some pictures too. Does the 89 have much computer stuff in it?