Author Topic: Looking for a 280 to buy  (Read 3418 times)

emspring

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Looking for a 280 to buy
« on: October 28, 2022, 12:33:31 »
Happy to join the group.
I am looking to buy a 280SL (preferably 70 or 71), if anybody knows of a good one.
Thanks

teahead

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2022, 23:36:03 »
color?

auto?  Stickshift?

budget?
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2022, 00:25:02 »
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

SSF Don

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2022, 17:11:10 »

Mike Hughes

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2022, 23:56:04 »
Here is another one..

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-mercedes-benz-280sl-98/#comments-anchor

That's nice, if you are looking for a manual transmission.  Whether it is a '70 or '71, who cares?  The color is great, and someone seems to have done all the work to make it a useful collector car for today's driving conditions. Pay the money and enjoy!
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

JamesL

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2022, 07:30:27 »
Who here owned it? (Club sticker in the window)
James L
Oct69 RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

johnk

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2022, 11:59:46 »
Looks like we lost the original poster again.
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

emspring

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2022, 01:03:18 »
No I’m still here. It has been nice of folks to refer me to different sites, but None of the options are quite what I like. Im mostly looking for an investment grade, LHD, and not a project. Most of the cars out there are either overpriced (for what they are), limited originality, badly restored, or just need lots of work. Also, I certainly want to stay away from any rust. Willing to wait for the right car to show up!

Benz Dr.

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2022, 02:21:18 »
No I’m still here. It has been nice of folks to refer me to different sites, but None of the options are quite what I like. Im mostly looking for an investment grade, LHD, and not a project. Most of the cars out there are either overpriced (for what they are), limited originality, badly restored, or just need lots of work. Also, I certainly want to stay away from any rust. Willing to wait for the right car to show up!

What's your idea of overpriced? Everyone has a different idea of what a " right " car should be. Just asking.
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

stickandrudderman

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2022, 15:14:43 »
One of my customers is putting his car in an auction here:

https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2022-11-26/cars/ref-135-1968-mercedes-benz-280-sl-pagoda-ebs/

It's an excellent example and with the exchange rate being what it is might be worth you looking at it.

MikeSimon

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2022, 16:34:06 »
...Im mostly looking for an investment grade, LHD, and not a project. Most of the cars out there are either overpriced 

Seems to be difficult to combine the two. 150k and up...
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

teahead

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2022, 17:55:13 »
color?

auto?  Stickshift?

budget?
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

Benz Dr.

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2022, 18:52:24 »
Seems to be difficult to combine the two. 150k and up...

Two posts and looking for free advice. Here to help, not hold hands........... :)
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

emspring

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2022, 19:43:00 »
Flexible in color, although do like some more than others. If the car is good color is secondary. Either stick or auto is ok. Low six figures.

Benz280

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2022, 20:39:39 »
I have been to Motoring Investments. Although a bit pricey, their cars are dialed in when they leave the showroom .
 https://motoringinvestments.com/inventory-2-2/
1971 280SL 4 Speed
1995 E320 Cab
1965 Shelby GT350

emspring

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #15 on: November 19, 2022, 12:04:04 »
I agree. Brian seems to be very thorough. They sold a silver one a couple of years ago for a little over 100K, which I would buy if they had one like it now. It was The kind of car with condition, color and price range I would like to find.

mdsalemi

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #16 on: November 19, 2022, 16:37:54 »
Flexible in color, although do like some more than others. If the car is good color is secondary. Either stick or auto is ok. Low six figures.

OK, let ME ask the question. How many have you actually gone to see, and how many have you driven? Do you really know these cars well?
Though others have lucked out when buying a car sight unseen, the ones you don't often hear about are the train wreck/horror stories.
I'd never buy a car I didn't see in person, and actually driven, particularly one 50+ years old.

It's exceedingly difficult to frame a price/specification/condition scenario if one doesn't have a firm grasp on these cars. Getting that knowledge can take a very long time. Most of us still are learning.
Unless you are a closet aficionado who only recently discovered this forum, before dropping 6+ big ones, get to know the cars better. You can learn a lot here, but best to see them in person. Find your local car club (MBCA) or search the membership here for local members who have one. Make some friends.

Yes, Brian is thorough but he's not the only player selling Pagodas. Unlikely you'd be disappointed with what he sells you, but nobody seems to think a price is good or fair until some time after the fact when all prices have risen! So, yesterday's price then looks good.

Keep looking, but really--you need to go kiss a few frogs (in person) before you find the prince/princess.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

m300cab

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2022, 22:14:00 »
Tony Labella is also very detail oriented with his cars.
They are usually exemplary.

http://www.tonylabella.net/mercedes/index.html
Michael Parlato

emspring

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #18 on: November 20, 2022, 13:14:05 »
Thank you, I will send him an email.

emspring

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #19 on: November 20, 2022, 14:01:31 »
Thank you Michael for your thoughts.
I completely agree with you. I am certainly in the learning process, and have traveled to see and been able to drive more than half a dozen of them in Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin. You are also correct, so far, the pictures and the real thing have not quite matched, hence I am still looking and learning and continue to kiss more frogs.
I do enjoy learning and finding out more about these cars, as the more of them I see the more I learn about them and hopefully I will find the right car when I see it. Thanks again.

teahead

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #20 on: November 21, 2022, 17:27:23 »
I think you missed out on a good one here:


https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-mercedes-benz-280sl-98/


6-speed...talk about a ton of fun!
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

emspring

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Re: Looking for a 280 to buy
« Reply #21 on: November 21, 2022, 19:57:23 »
I did consider it, but I would rather stay with originality. I really don't like any after market parts. Now if your are talking ZF 5spd, that is another thing. All for it.