[Digital K]

here is the description of what Im going to go look at tomorrow. any input before I go would be awesome


1979 280CE eurospec car, imported into Florida in the 90's and has 107K miles. This is the desirable W123 body style. Has all the eurospec equipment: the M110.988 engine with 50 more hp, thin chrome bumpers, a cloth interior, manual HVAC controls and "town & country" horns. This model was made only from 1978 until 1982 and most of them sold new in the states were diesels. Car is equipped with an automatic transmission, power 4 wheel disc brakes, power steering, power windows, power door locks and a Becker AM/FM/cassette radio. According to documents that came with the car the AC was converted to R134. Body is very clean with only some corrosion in the right rear wheel arch from a leaky rear window seal (new OEM seal in trunk). While not perfect this car always starts, drives well and does not leak. This car needs someone to give it some TLC and it will be a great summer driver or investment item.

 

[Digital K]

asking price is 2500 btw

 

[cascade]

Do they use salt on the roads in Minnesota? How long has it been there, inspect it for rust everywhere, on the floorboards, underneath, jack points, EVERYWHERE.

Rust can be a deal killer no matter how good everything else is. Does it leak water into the interior or trunk? Restoring body integrity can be expensive and at some point it is no longer cost effective, the neglected rear window seal has caused some real rust and water damage to this car, get a GOOD idea of how bad it is before you get serious about the car, it might be really extensive.

Be careful. Unlike the ad says, the 280CE is NOT to be considered an investment.

But the gas powered coupes are pretty rare, the 230CE and 280CE, and the 280 is not particularly fast, or economical, but can last quite awhile. A 280 euro spec with a manual will be the fastest and most fun to drive.

It would be worth a look, to check out and drive it. Some of them in euro spec trim had pretty unusual options, that the typical US spec cars didn't have

 

[POS]

Mine would be a lot less fun to drive if it was an auto.

 

[Digital K]

nice headlights

 

[vwnate1]

Not ALL The " Euro " Equipments...

..I see it has the U.S. spec. headlights on it . deduct $250.00 from the asking price for this .

Look REALLY hard at the rust as by the time you can _see_ it , it's usually very pervasive .

That being said , they're GREAT cars ~ wonderful drivers and able to go much faster than most U.S. drivers will ever push them .

It looks very nice and here in L.A. $2,500.00 is the going rate for one sans rust .

Be sure to do the " Oil Cap Test " before offering more than $2,000.00 for this car , DO NOT buy it thinking you'll make any $ flipping it ! .

I LOVE my NA Diesel Coupe ! .

 

[Digital K]

oil cap test? I'm not into flipping cars...

 

[vwnate1]

The Oil Cap Test

Good !

Start engine , allow to warm (test drive etc.) come to a stop and let idle , unscrew oil filler cap but don't remove it ~ it should sit right there ~ if it flips off the engine is old & tired , no matter what the ODO or seller says .

Minor dancing in place is O.K. .

FWIW , my old '78 NA 300CD would nearly flip the oil cap into the next county but as long as I kept it below 65 MPH the oil usage wasn't bad and it gave me 25 MPG regardless of how I drove it so don't pass up a cheap Mercedes just because the oil cap dances a lot and spits oil on the rockerbox...