Author Topic: W108 New Car Survey  (Read 5246 times)

DickLewis

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W108 New Car Survey
« on: December 31, 2015, 00:33:31 »
Hello friends,

I am off a little bit from the normal stuff of my Pagoda but I want to solicit some thoughts.  I just purchased my 1972 280SEL 4.5 sedan which has 14,000 original miles.  It has been parked in a barn for the last 24 years.  I purchased it from the same gent from whom I bought my 250SL.   The interior and engine and wood and frankly everything is perfect (my guy did all the hoses, belts, brakes, etc.) but the paint.  The car suffered from bat poop even though the car was covered.  The original children of the owner touched up the many paint points and at 20 feet it looks awesome.

Here is the question.  Most of my cars are original and many of my friends think I should leave it this way.  I tend to agree.  This is a remarkable car with its miles.  What do you wonderful friends think?  I plan on showing it and driving it.  But I think down the road I may regret that.  Remember I change cars a lot.  Ideas? 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Dick

wwheeler

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Re: W108 New Car Survey
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2015, 01:21:24 »
You ought to get together with 280SE guy here on this forum. He's got a very nice original '71 280SE W108. There are many things to go over for a car in long term storage. If you haven't started it yet, I would also flush the entire fuel system. I would vote on originality but need to drive it some in good weather.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Benz Dr.

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Re: W108 New Car Survey
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2015, 03:24:55 »
If the paint will clean up then you might be able to save it. If it's heavily damaged then you will have to paint it. The rest of the car will probably be OK except where fluids are in contact with metal surfaces. Think coolant, brakes, fuel, AC and grease points.

  Great cars. They made about 10K units so they're not common today.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

DickLewis

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Re: W108 New Car Survey
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2016, 16:48:35 »
Thanks. 

Cees Klumper

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Re: W108 New Car Survey
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2016, 19:16:39 »
If I were you I'd drive it as-is for a while, then make the decision. No need to decide already now it seems.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

ja17

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Re: W108 New Car Survey
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2016, 06:16:17 »
Great find. Keep as original as possible. Yes 280SEguy is a great resource for you and not too far from you.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback