Hello All, Just got a New 1973 280CE

[01alam]

Hello All,

Having been owning my 450SLC for a month, I have impulsively bought a 1973 W114 280CE Auto.

I have always like them, had been looking for a reasonable one ford about 5 years and now here we are!

I am really glad to have both of the cars, the 450SLC seems a lot more sporty, but the 280CE is more comfortable, both of course are pillarless coupes.

Would love to discuss both cars with other members, I have already posted some posts about the 450SLC.

I have identified one problem of the gearbox, which sometimes "half engages" a gear, between neutral and drive, so the car will move but it seems like it is grinding, but works again when put into neutral or park.

I recon its the it might be the valve plate? I am basing this knowledge on the 450SLC's Haynes Handbook. I would be very grateful if anyone could add any comments. Another reason I think it is the valve plate is because when I put it into Drive from Neutral it stalls, I recon its the valve on the gearbox.

Cheers,
Angus

 

[SilverSaloon]

Hello All,

Having been owning my 450SLC for a month, I have impulsively bought a 1973 W114 280CE Auto.

I have always like them, had been looking for a reasonable one ford about 5 years and now here we are!

I am really glad to have both of the cars, the 450SLC seems a lot more sporty, but the 280CE is more comfortable, both of course are pillarless coupes.

Would love to discuss both cars with other members, I have already posted some posts about the 450SLC.

I have identified one problem of the gearbox, which sometimes "half engages" a gear, between neutral and drive, so the car will move but it seems like it is grinding, but works again when put into neutral or park.

I recon its the it might be the valve plate? I am basing this knowledge on the 450SLC's Haynes Handbook. I would be very grateful if anyone could add any comments. Another reason I think it is the valve plate is because when I put it into Drive from Neutral it stalls, I recon its the valve on the gearbox.

Cheers,
Angus

Hi Angus,

sounds a nice car - post some pics

 

[Dee-124CAB]

Is this the Grey one that was on ebay last week?.....from Watford I think..

Seems like a really nice car if it is the one....

 

[01alam]

Hey Dee-124CAB,

It is exactly, what do you think of it? It seems very nice, and I have been looking for one since Year 13. So I am really glad I have got it, and also at such a good price for a W114 Coupe.

I will post some pics now, any ideas about the gearbox? I have bought some Castrol Auto Fluid TQ-D? Think it might suit, can't understand the gearbox dipstick though, there are two humps, the oild is now below the lower hump?

Thanks,
Angus

 

[Ade B]

Hey Dee-124CAB,

It is exactly, what do you think of it? It seems very nice, and I have been looking for one since Year 13. So I am really glad I have got it, and also at such a good price for a W114 Coupe.

I will post some pics now, any ideas about the gearbox? I have bought some Castrol Auto Fluid TQ-D? Think it might suit, can't understand the gearbox dipstick though, there are two humps, the oild is now below the lower hump?

Thanks,
Angus

Nice

I followed one very similar (was it you?) for a bit today on my bike just off Blackfriars bridge, in the rain. I thought what a lovely car, wonder if it leaks

I'm guessing the gearbox dip stick humps represent max and min..

Ade

 

[MPG]

Love these cars - they always remind me of 1970's crime thrillers set in Eastern Europe.

 

[Fandango]

Also, if your vehicle was built on or before 31/12/1972 (which it probably was) it is tax exempt too.
Congrats, lovely car!

Karl

 

[Benzin]

Wow Angus, shes gorgeous, I'd love to try out one of these older models, never had a chance to drive one.
Jay

 

[01alam]

Thanks very much all,

I have been after a W114 Coupe for quite a long time, and I am glad to have been able to buy this one. I was driving to Halfords in SE1 earlier this evening, so it could be me.

Thanks Fandango for the advice, the car has already been clarified to be tax exempt which is a bonus.

However, the car is not perfect, couple of bubbles here and there, but the body is sound and should polish up nicely, the car also need a service as well.

Cheers,
Angus

 

[vijilants]

Hey Dee-124CAB,

It is exactly, what do you think of it? It seems very nice, and I have been looking for one since Year 13. So I am really glad I have got it, and also at such a good price for a W114 Coupe.

I will post some pics now, any ideas about the gearbox? I have bought some Castrol Auto Fluid TQ-D? Think it might suit, can't understand the gearbox dipstick though, there are two humps, the oild is now below the lower hump?

Thanks,
Angus

If I remember rightly on this model, you check the oil level with the engine running and if it is below the lower hump, you are definitely low on fluid. It needs to be at the upper level....Check for any leaks. These used to weep from the sump gasket and leaks used to occur on the flexible hoses coming up to the cooler under the radiator.

Also I suggest that you join the official mercedes benz owners club ....http://www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk/.


You will get plenty of very helpful advice on this model there.

 

[Dee-124CAB]

I think the car looks lovely, love it in that colour too....sooo cool,

I was really really tempeted to put a bid in, but with teh garage full could never justify putting such a beauty outside in the drive....

Is it an original colour?...also was the description accurate with regards to all that lovely paperwork/old mots etc etc etc?

If so I think you got an absolute bargain. Well done!

 

[01alam]

Thanks Desilva for the advice, I am planning to join it in the new year.

Thanks Dee-124CAB, the car was close enough in the descriptions, some bubbles here and there, but other wise good, interior immaculate as described.

The engine runs well, though I suspect there is something wrong with the idle valve or IMF, pipe is good.

Yeah the colour is an original colour, though the original colour was gold. The inner wheel arch are very good, chassis seems good.

The paper work is a joy to read, part of the reason I like to buy classic car is that I get to read about all the things on the car. Well stamped original hand book etc. Best of all are letters of Mercedes confirming it as an approved used cars.

Angus

 

[crammy69]

Oh that looks absolutely lovely, I'm dead jealous! and Ive never seen one in that colour before looks great, hope you enjoy it!

Cheers

 

[01alam]

Thanks Crammy69. Ebay is a good place to hunt for these cars! This one seems extremely well priced for a W123: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1984-MERCEDES-280-E-AUTO-MOT-JAN-09-TAX-DEC-08_W0QQitemZ260313205299QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260313205299&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A7|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 

[74merc]

That is one beautiful car. I think I considered buying it about 5 years ago. If it's the same one, it was listed on **********. If I remember correctly, it was repainted in Anthracite Metallic DB172 and was for sale by the father of the owner who had moved to Switzerland. The reason I didn't buy it was that it needed a new autobox!

 

[SilverSaloon]

Looks a beutiful example. I love most of the 70s and 80s merc styling. I think the next merc i get will definatly be from this era

 

[popuptoaster]

you need to make sure the engine and box are fully warmed up before checking the 'box fluid, to be honest though low or knackered fluid levels result in slipping gear changes and loss of drive rather than odd noises, i reckon the box needs to come out and be looked at by a specialist, or replaced with a second hand unit.

What colour is the fluid?

 

[01alam]

I am not sure wer are talking about the same one 74Merc, I hope not, but it is a 1973 model with a newly resprayed paintwork. It was on sale on MerXXXXler.com in December 2002 as far as the history shows. I hope you are enjoying yours!

 

[01alam]

Hello Popuptoaster!

I have cehck it after driving for 6 miles and engine was definitely warm, on P, flat road, Handbrake let it stood for 5 mins.

It appears to be really out of gearbox oil, at that condition it was below the lower hump, which I learnt form other members is the minimum!!!

I am going to try and put some transmission fluid in it to the normal level and drive it for a bit and get the oil and filter changed ASAP as well as a full service. Hope that cures the problem.

 

[rlowy]

Lovely cars, well done enjoy them.