Hello all, among the SF faithful, do we have any current or recent owners of early 70s sedans, specifically with the V8 (4.5L or 6.3L)?

I found a local 73 MB for sale from the original owner and it's piqued my interest.

Yes, I know they are expensive to repair.

I've heard that if it has the airbag suspension, those parts are no longer available. Other than that, all I can add is that they were truly great cars when new.

Oldest for me were a W123 240D & a W126 300SD, both diesels, both 1982.
Current is a W205 C300.

My grandmother is on her 7th S.
W126, W140, W220 (2: pre & post facelift), W221, W222 (2: identical pre-facelift, 1 was flood destroyed)

Those W108 cars are classy! I'd love to have one for a project/weekender.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P250UA5,

Oldest Mercedes cars I owned were a 1963 W110-10-10 and a 1974 W140, both Diesels and both were rust buckets. The '63 had around 36 grease fittings and a three hour job if the car wasn't on a lift.

I'm told the V8 gas motors were gas hogs (12mpg) and required constant ($$$$) maintenance.

They are expensive to maintain......once you find someone that knows how to work on it.
Unless it had been completely gone through by a capable shop recently, i wouldn't go anywhere near a car like that.

Did you know they are expensive to repair

Find a local independent shop that works on Benz, and probably Porsche, BMW, etc

See what they would charge to look it over, does the owner have all the service records? If so that's a plus, oil changes, tires, fluids, repairs etc.

Asking for a friend. He's the MB freak. I'm smart enough to stick with old Chevys. I'm going to go look at it for him.

As for this W108, it's a one family owner with very low miles and the service records to back it up. It's a Nor Cal car with no visible rust issues. Compared to what I've seen online elsewhere, this body, motor etc are a pretty good value.

Make sure to share some photos if possible.

Not an owner, but there are a few hard core owners over this side of the Pacific Lake.

Had a chat to one, owns a 3.5 300SEL. Man, that sounds beautiful at idle, with a purrrr as it whisks along.


(Not his car)

Either the 2.5-litre 6 cyl (280SE) or the 3.5-litre or 6.5 liter V8 300SEL, are cherished like a new born grandchild.

Luxurious leather, beautiful woodwork, highly polished metal trim.

Rust repairs are neither simple or cheap, so check that chassis and wheel arches.

Must have documented history. If the mechanicals haven't been taken care of, it's an $$$ expensive process. The Bosch FI is $$ expensive to repair and rectify.

Owner says the gearboxes are tough as. He still has the original box, refreshed with seals and regular transmission oil changes a must.

Air suspension on his V8 has been trouble free. The small compressor that runs it all is easy to locate (engine bay) and replace, from Merc specialists. The 250SE has springs and shocks - a saggy rear is a failed self-levelling compensator.

Interiors can be repaired or replaced.

The 3.5 300SEL is a gas guzzler, but he only waffles around town or for historic club jaunts. His wife is of the opinion that he needs a job.

Around here in Melbourne (AUS), owning a 3.5 300SEL is akin to being a retired successful criminal, yet still socially respectable. Picnics, cruising the freeway to wineries and coffee hobnobbing with other retired criminals.

We pay AUD$55k for a nicely restored and maintained 1971 3.5 300SEL, to an outrageous AUD$240k for a 2.5 6cyl 250SE luxury convertible. Expensive in their time, if you find a convertible in excellent order, caveat emptor but highly sought after by Merc nuts.

Really, really, check the one you are considering over and over and over again ... not for the faint hearted, but classic 60's - 70's German autobahners are a small, but civilized group.

Except here in Aus. Criminals. Though you don't need to be one to come visit anymore.

quote:

Rust repairs are neither simple or cheap, so check that chassis and wheel arches.

Inner top of fender just behind headlights, too was a constant rust problem with the W108 and other MB cars of that era.

I had a W126 1985 380SE that I should have kept but didn't. I was convinced it should have been a 500, and since it wasn't, I didn't like it. It was around 18 years old when I owned it. Now I have a 21 year old 1998 W210 E430. I like it because it's RWD and not a 4Matic, and to me, the W210 is the high water mark for the E chassis. The 211 got somehow plasticy, flitzy, more Asian in some ways.

It's tucked away waiting for spring. Never seen a snowflake in its whole life!

r0gue got a good one, I didn't like the W210 too much originally, as a fan of the W124 E-class.

I didn't mind the W211 & later either, though the early ones were iffy. My grandmother's first W220 wasn't the greatest & probably the worst of her 7.

My own past Mercedes adventures include a 1951 170s, a 1958 220s round body, and a 79 300 sel turbo diesel. Fun times, expensive hobby. Don't have to do that again. Good luck.