280SE opinions wanted please

[Levismerc]

Hi all

See link below...

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ww...ry=cars&channel=DEALERPAGE&id=200740295849212

I've been for a look around this 280SE today. It has a full history, 4 owners from new, a years MOT ans 52000 on the clock. Excellent condition and everything works.

The only disappointment form my point of view was that the engine was doing about 20mph per 1000rpm on top so it wasn't quite s relaxed as I was expecting at 80mph ie 4000rpm. Is this usual.

What else should I look out for?

I do around 5000 miles per year mainly on longish runs if this makes any difference.

Thanks for any help

Levi

 

[Dieselman]

20mph/1000r/m sounds about right but count the changes right from 1st gear.
The gearbox will probably pull off in 2nd so pull the stick back to 1st to see then count up to 4th gear.
It's possible for 4th gear to go AWOL so it never gets selected.

What else to look out for. Maybe an oil well..??

 

[Levismerc]

Thanks Dieselman

It appeared to only have a 3 speed box. Is this a possibility?

Levi

 

[Dieselman]

Yes it is if it's an early one. Did you pull the stick back to 1st gear to check.

Did the shift gate only have markers for 1-2-D.

 

[Levismerc]

No, If I remember correctly the markers were as follows

P R N D S L

I read the owners handbook and S and L are 'Slope' and 'Low' respectively.

I was surprised to see no 1 and 2 markers...

 

[Dieselman]

That's a 3 speeder.

Enjoy the fuel bills..

You could fit a higher ratio diff and forsake a little accelleration.

 

[Levismerc]

Hmmm

Sounds ominous on the fuel bills front.

What kind of mpg figures should I be expecting?

I'm currently driving an Alfa 147 2.0 twinspark which ain't exactly frugal. Consumption isn't my main concern given my low annual mileage but if it's going to be absolutely horrendous I might look elsewhere.

Thanks for all the help Dieselman

 

[ET4]

I get about 27-30 mpg on a run in my 280CE. I'm pretty sure they're the same twin cam M110 engine. Round town and short trips expect to get 17-20 so It may be cheaper to get a taxi . . . .

5K a year is £832 @ £4.50/gallon avg 27mpg. If it's a weekend car . . .

Or £16 per week fuel costs . . .

It's not bad my friend, affordable classic car ownership

try www.carandclassic.co.uk got some nice benz on there for that kinda money too.

Good luck

 

[television]

That's a 3 speeder.

Enjoy the fuel bills..

You could fit a higher ratio diff and forsake a little accelleration.

Come on, its a 4 speed box,no 123 or 126 has a 3 speed box, I had one.

 

[jaymanek]

Come on, its a 4 speed box,no 123 or 126 has a 3 speed box, I had one.

i may be wrong but im pretty certan W123's were 3 speed, ive got one sitting on my drive at the mo and i know it revs its t*ts off at 80mph... one of the reasons i chose to use a 5 speed manual when i got rid of my 4 speed manual box...

 

[television]

i may be wrong but im pretty certan W123's were 3 speed, ive got one sitting on my drive at the mo and i know it revs its t*ts off at 80mph... one of the reasons i chose to use a 5 speed manual when i got rid of my 4 speed manual box...

This is not a 123 its a 126 and with that gate its 4 speed

 

[jaymanek]

no 123 or 126 has a 3 speed box, I had one.

this is what i was replying to...

 

[ET4]

Fuel figures were based on the same engine not the model. The W126 is heavier though so figs could be worse . . .

It's a 4 speed box.

Have a look on wikipedia for more info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W126

 

[television]

It uses the 772.300 box

 

[television]

this is what i was replying to...

Sorry if I misunderstood, the 123, 230-280 had the same 4 speed 722.300 box, this was slightly modified before it went into the 124,129,140,202 and 210 early examples

The car in the link is a 126022 car

 

[scotth_uk]

My 82 280SE has selectable 2/3/4 but no 1.

Having jut grabbed one of these a few weeks back, I've found it to be quite a good car, and enjoy driving it on a daily basis. Fuel economy is so bad, that I am scared to calculate the actual figure.

 

[andy_k]

we've got a '78 280E and that has a 4 speed box in it.

Is it economical?.......absolutely not

Is it fun to drive?.......nope, it handles like a boat

Is it rusty?...............Oh yes but it's sailed through it's last 2 MoTs without an advisory

How much does Annie love it?... You try and take it off her It does about 15 to the gallon, looks like a heap of crap on the outside but it's ultra reliable, the inside is lovely and she reckons it's the best car she's ever had. She hates driving my W124 as it feels "too modern"

Any W123 is a real love it or hate it type car.


Andy

 

[television]

My 82 280SE has selectable 2/3/4 but no 1.

Having jut grabbed one of these a few weeks back, I've found it to be quite a good car, and enjoy driving it on a daily basis. Fuel economy is so bad, that I am scared to calculate the actual figure.

Yes I agree that they were not economical at all due to the high revving .
but saying that we calculated our cars back then on a 1000 rpm per 20mph.

 

[Levismerc]

Thanks again for all the replies.

I certainly couldn't hear or feel any upshift into 4th gear so either it had gone AWOL or it was a 3 speeder. Quite confused now.

I think I'll steer clear. Shame really - it was in fantastic nick and had a good history.

I only went for a look out of curiosity - I'm trying to buy a Benz of that era so I figured that any knowledge gained is for the good. I'm beginning to think a 2.3 123 of some description is the way to go for me.

Cheers

 

[andy_k]

The 2.3 engine is great but make sure you change the cam chain etc.

On the early 4 cylinder engines the chain was only a simplex as opposed to the duplex ones fitted after 1988/89

Dead economical though

Andy