Looking for opinions on

[Camino LS6]

... a 1971 Benz 280SE 4.5

Just trying to size this car up.

[daves87rs]

Pics?

[Intrepidation]

Man that's a whole lot of info to go on.

[Cory Wolfe]

It's big and beautiful? I've always liked that generation of Benz's.

[Camino LS6]

I'm asking ina generic sort of way, rather than about a specific car. I just wanted to tap anyone's experiences with a 280SE 4.5.

In other words, what do you know about these cars?

[Intrepidation]

It's German. yes I am helpful, I know.

[Drew Dowdell]

It weighs a lot.

[usonia]

I would always be concerned about the cost of future repairs. Maybe I have a distorted perception of the cost of maintenance for these types of cars, but I couldn't do it.

[Z-06]

K-Jetronic engine making humongous 210hp and mountainous 270 lb-ft torque with gas guzzling capability. I never understood the moniker behind 280 when both the 3.5 and 4.5 V8 were used in US.

[daves87rs]

It weighs a lot.

[Camino LS6]

Value?

Collectability?

Pitfalls?

Other input?

[67impss]

Channeling smk are you?

[Camino LS6]

Channeling smk are you?

Nah, 16-way power seats were not available in 1971.

I just have a line on one of these cars at a decent price and am wondering if I can make a buck on it.

[Z-06]

Nah, 16-way power seats were not available in 1971.

I just have a line on one of these cars at a decent price and am wondering if I can make a buck on it.

Yes they are prized items in Europe and Asia, because of them being one of the first true S-Class.

Reliability wise W-108 is rock solid. I have read stories about being driven 300,000 miles and more without any sweat.

[Camino LS6]

That confirms what I have been thinking.

My family had a 1970 280SE (injected six) when I was a teenager that was pretty solid. But the 4.5 seems to have a bigger desireability factor.

[Z-06]

That confirms what I have been thinking.

My family had a 1970 280SE (injected six) when I was a teenager that was pretty solid. But the 4.5 seems to have a bigger desireability factor.

The 4.5 was the US only engine, which apparently is in demand in other parts of the world too as a collector item.

[Camino LS6]

The one I found:

Pluses

- very straight

- good interior

- fires right up and doesn't smoke

- Can probably be had for under a grand

Minuses

- $h! brown in color

- some rust

- exhaust leak

I haven't looked it over too closely, but it seems pretty damn good for the year. It has 150k on it.

[z28luvr01]

The one I found:

Pluses

- very straight

- good interior

- fires right up and doesn't smoke

- Can probably be had for under a grand

Minuses

- $h! brown in color

- some rust

- exhaust leak

I haven't looked it over too closely, but it seems pretty damn good for the year. It has 150k on it.

Better think fast - I can totally see Sixty8 doing 130mph down I-95 so he can buy it out from under you.

[Camino LS6]

Better think fast - I can totally see Sixty8 doing 130mph down I-95 so he can buy it out from under you.

We've already spoken.

[Z-06]

We've already spoken.

The phone number was asked for a reason.

The brown color was ubiquitous for the Mercedes of yore.

[Camino LS6]

Yes on both counts.