280" Concourse; Diary of a layman

[floyd111]

and the rest..

[ptashek]

catalog A black
Catalog C black
catalog K black
catalog J black

Those are one and the same thing. For "period correctness" you just need the one matching your car.
The letter code (and the codes at the top) identify the edition - "A" being the oldest, "J" being the latest (and last, from ~1980, for W116 if memory serves)

Also, isn't that "Wartungsheft" (service book) for the W108 chassis?

If your car is a euro, you should also have a booklet with a complete list of dealerships/service stations on the continent. It came in the factory set.

[floyd111]

yes, you are off course correct. Never noticed the W108 booklet. I bought it brand new! Deleted.

What does that dealership booklet look like? I only found USA ones till now.

[ptashek]

What does that dealership booklet look like? I only found USA ones till now.

Similar to the "Service - Europe" one in your post above. That might be it actually.
I'll try to get a pic of mine (it's with the car).

[rumb]

do you have one of these yet?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-ORIGINAL-spare-can-gas-fuel-jerrycan-w126-w116-w123-w123-w201-190-tank-/321983561740?hash=item4af7b7400c:g:c3oAAOSwYaFWeWeU&vxp=mtr

[ptashek]

do you have one of these yet?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-ORIGINAL-spare-can-gas-fuel-jerrycan-w126-w116-w123-w123-w201-190-tank-/321983561740?hash=item4af7b7400c:g:c3oAAOSwYaFWeWeU&vxp=mtr

As a side question - were those a "universal" aftermarket thing, or offered from factory as an accessory?
They seem to fit nicely though.

That one above seem extremely pricey too. They can be had for 50-100EUR in Europe, depending on condition.

[Peter]

I would like to find one for the 50 Euro, there is much engineering just in that jerrycan

[ptashek]

I would like to find one for the 50 Euro, there is much engineering just in that jerrycan

Try here Peter:

http://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/mercedes-org-bellino-kanister/411805699-223-4200

http://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/bellino-reserveradkanister-7liter-mercedes-benz-oldtimer-vw-samba/416119485-223-20136

[Peter]

Many thanks

[floyd111]

Yes, I have 2 of them, one of them new in the box with manual, the other needs an overhaul.
Yes, they have a big MB logo on them.
Never buy them off ebay USA. Insane prices. On ebay.de, or ebay kleinanzeigen you can pick m up weekly, 40-80 euros each. make sure you get it complete! Not just with the pouring-tube, but also with the bolt that holds them down

[ptashek]

Not just with the pouring-tube, but also with the bolt that holds them down

Doesn't the original spare wheel mount contraption fit just fine?

[Peter]

Hi guys - Managed to pick one up at a good price inclusive of the nozzle and hold down bolt etc, and the postage was reasonable. All good and thanks again

[floyd111]

wow wow.. received the W116 hydraulic jack today, and it's a Behemoth..

I am still awaiting the arrival of the 6.9 electric rear seat outfit and the Webasto heater, as well as the Frenzel fridge.
I won't be comfy till I have'm in front of me!

In the meantime my second NOS pallet shipment from Australia is due to make it past Customs. I expect it to be here on Monday, after which I can slowly start rebuilding and updating my stocklist.
Australia's latest NOS list made me order another pallet, but that one won't arrive here for another 3 weeks.
I should wait for those to arrive, and let the my 2 euro-mechanics here do a proper stck take, and let them decide on the last batch of "regular" MB stuff, a list that still holds 300+ numbers, but should be properly decimated by then, by any standards

I also successfully emptied the W116 NOS shelves at VDH in Germany. No doubt they are a bit taken back by the size of the NOS order, but all seems well, and the goods should be leaving Germany in a week or 2.
It will contains an endless list of goodies like old-skool MB-logo wind shields, electric seat heating outfits and Fuchs 15"wheels, so it will be the biggest load ever. Could easily be 3 pallets..
I need to send them that final "regular" MB list as well, and let them check for availibility and pricing. If it pleases, I will let them order those as well, and that would literally mean I could do a 20-ft container shipment, and save money over regular freight fees.

Needless to say my wife isn't a happy camper these days..
I am just not trying to think about it too much. I knew these 2 months of painful shopping were due for almost 2 years, and this is it.

It WILL be the rarest of W116's, the 280SEL with manual transmission, holding as many or more options than the most exclusive 6.9 ever sold.
With IT being the only one of it's kind in the world, in brand new condition, I should be able to make it to Hemmings in the end, and steal the show, at least for a few days..
Hopefully.. or ..well.. eeh..

[floyd111]

There are a few obstacles though. Money!
Having bought 3 280's, at pretty high prices, I need to offload 1 of them at a pretty price, after it received a full body job, and after it gets refitted with a new interior and all the car's rubbers changed new.
I need to ensure everything works perfectly, and only then can I hope to sell it properly, whilst offering a year's full warranty on the car, extended by "Ohlins Taiwan"
That has never been attempted before, with a car over 8 yrs old in this country.
It would also mean I would have to trust that people will even believe it, a classic w116, rust-free, with warranty.
Like I said before, there is only 1 W116 on the road in Taiwan, and it is in no condition to do a shopping run without the driver breaking a sweat.
Anyways, time will tell, and there's always eBay, haha!

[floyd111]

the jack