1972 280 SE 4.5 -- Great shape W108 California car

1972 Mercedes-Benz 200-Series Description

I bought this car from the original owner in November 2002. It was my daily driver until about 2009. Since then it has been driven about once a week, sometimes more. This is a beautiful car in great shape...but with college expenses for my kids I can no longer justify keeping an extra car, so it’s time to let it go. It has been garage kept it’s whole life and has minimal wear and tear which I will outline in as much detail as possible below and in detail on the video. I do not ship or have any shipping connections, but am willing to work with you if you want to work that out with someone.

General description:

• Odometer reads 30,xxx and mechanic estimate is this is 230,xxx based on second transmission and engine condition before I had valve job done.

• Car starts right up even after sitting for a week or more.

• Previous owner put in a new transmission--I don’t know when. The car shifts very smooth cold or hot.

• Engine drips a very little bit of oil. Looking at receipts I see that it is overdue for an oil change. The last change was 12/2014 about 700 miles ago and it is currently completely full on oil now--no loss in that time. When I drove it daily there were a few times I went too long between oil changes and needed to add a quart--we’re talking less than a quart about every 3 months.

• There is no smoke (valve job took care of that in 8/2003).

Physically

• The car is in good shape as the pics will reveal (pictures of seat and headliner are representative of overall). I’ve tried to point out every little paint ding or issue on the video.

• Headliner perfect, upholstery and carpet almost perfect

• Most wood in good shape. Removable pieces were re-finished by previous owner. See video for a look at all of it.

• Two very minor wear spots/holes on the underside in the trunk area (again, see video).

• Front driver’s quarter panel was backed into in 2006--repaired by professional auto body shop (have receipts).

• Original working Becker radio

Mechanically

• Runs outstanding.

• The only real issue I am aware of with the car is that it needs a new muffler. The current one has wear and is wired in place.

• The climate controls don’t work, so you could replace the fan blower motor if you wanted to, and investigate the AC which doesn’t work (I’ve never bothered to check it out).

• Also, the vacuum system has never worked.

I’ve posted some pictures, but if you want to see the car inside and out and see and hear it driving, please click the video link.

Work I’ve had done (I have receipts for these as well as oil changes, tires, window switches, etc):

• Power steering box resealed 11/2002

• Valve job 8/2003. (About 20,000 miles ago).

• Replace subframe mounts 8/2003

• Front wheel bearings 11/2004

• New front shocks, replace left side suspension control arm 5/2006

• Replaced starter 12/2014

• Right side tie rod assembly and steering idler arm 12/2014