280SE 5-speed manual

[philpot]

At NZ$4250 it's not a fortune, but that price has increased by around $500 while it has been for sale.

Maybe someone's been ringing him to tell him how rare they are. But it is still for sale.

[graham]

Maybe someone's been ringing him to tell him how rare they are. But it is still for sale.

Entirely possible - it is exactly what happened with the 6.9 I found!

[Big_Richard]

.

[zook]

so whats happened to this beautiful beast? bought? lost? or am i overlooking a new thread

[oversize]

YEs I'm wondering that myself...  Graham an update???

[etmerritt33]

I have an 85 Euro 280E with the factory Getrag 5 speed manual which is very well optioned. Full leather interior, power sunroof, power windows, central locking, AC, Euro headlights with working vacuum height adjustment, and 988 M110 engine. Lighter than 280SE and enjoyable to drive especially with all the federalization stuff removed and engine and fuel injection converted back to original factory with many new parts.

Also, have installed W123 wagon front sway bar, John Olson sport springs-35% stiffer, and HD Bilsteins all around. I bought the car by accident on Ebay not realizing how rare it was and have spent a good bit sorting it. Still have things to do but mechanically it is 100%. Very enjoyable to drive on the highway and on country back roads. I would not say it is fast but it is quick and looks to most like an old  diesel Mercedes. Passing on the back roads in 3rd gear is impressive and shocking to most.

I am going to a truck wash to get my engine washed and will also get the car weighed with a full tank of gas at the adjoining truck stop just for kicks. Car has the original Euro bumpers so it should be light as W123's go. Went to this truck wash on Friday just to check it out and they do engine washes for only $ 9.50! Sounds like a deal to me.

[zook]

Not bad!!

i had wondered about upgrading swaybars in the W116, are the ones from a W123 stiffer?

[etmerritt33]

I think it is correct to say that the 116 sway bars are more substantial than the 123. I was just trying to convey that in swapping the fronts from the wagon along with the sport springs made for improvements in normal handling. Still, the rear swaybar is pitiful.

[adamb]

I've driven a W123 with the rear anti-roll bar missing and it was scary. It may be only thin but it makes a huge difference to the amount of roll. So don't underestimate how much impact they can make.

[oliveoyl]

There's a manual on gumtree in Australia (Mannum I think) that I saw a few days ago. Whole car is for sale cheap, I doubt the bloke knows anything about it as it is an absolute heap but the manual conversion (if factory) could be worth looking into.

[zook]

There's a manual on gumtree in Australia (Mannum I think) that I saw a few days ago. Whole car is for sale cheap, I doubt the bloke knows anything about it as it is an absolute heap but the manual conversion (if factory) could be worth looking into.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mannum/cars-vans-utes/1979-mercedes-benz-280-sedan/1038976807

[powerglide]

Ahem! A 280SE 5-speed would be very good - I wish mine was a 5-speed.  The car would be worth buying for the driveline and pedals alone, as there are a few immaculate 280s out there just begging for a conversion.  As for the turbo conversion, and anyone done that, or even seen on? some pics would be good.  I speculated on a 3xDCOEs conversion.

PG.