1974 Mercedes 280 (W114)

[superock]

I was driving on the South Kingsway and happened to come across a 1974 Mercedes W114 280(E? SE?) with a huge for sale sign on its windshield. Naturally I pulled over to take a look at it, and upon initial quick inspection the car looked to be in really good condition with a price tag of $2500CAD

I jotted down the phone number and I'm planning on heading over to get a detailed look at the car.

I got home and after some crafty internet searches I actually stumbled upon it: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3219688

I can see that the owner has done some work on it (colour is not original, which I sort of thought when I saw the car in person)

Now what my question is that I'm fairly young and well I guess you can say stupid or inexperienced when it comes to purchasing classics like these; therefore I'm not too sure on what it is I should look out for, I lurked the MB enthusiast forums and one thing I came across quite often was that the W114 had issues with the carburetor, so that will definitely be something I'm going to look out for. However, I'd also like to hear from some of the experts on here on what other things I should be on the look out for and what sort of problems would become a deal breaker if I were to buy it.

At the moment I'm really in love with the car and it would serve as a perfect summer cruiser.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Pete_Coach]

I read the link. I think that this is not a vehicle for the faint of heart or inexperienced car guy.
There are too many red light statements in the ad. "9th or 10th owner of this car.".
"interior is complete and needs some work," Interiors for these cars are hugely expensive, if you can find the parts.
"Body needs work and coats of paint hide rust." Big big red light.
"Interior - needs work - floors repaired and coated with rust paint." Oh yea, I can see a Fred Flintstone mobile here. Nothing worse than the floorboards rusting out LOL.
"only issue is the blower motor and the fuse, engine works fine, but linkage needs cleaning." Fuses tripping is not good. Blower motors are hard to find in you can find one and wiring is expensive too. Linkage really never needs to be cleaned but replaced. It is not a good idea to have faulty engine control linkages.
All this to say, if you want a project car that will require regular feedings of 20 dollar bills go for it. Also, it would be good to know someone who has experience and likes carburetors...it is a dying skill (and art). This vehicle is not rare or unusual enough to put any restoration money into it and it does not sound good enough to be a daily driver. All of this is my opinion only.

[jasonkwan86]

This looks like a project car for someone who knows what they are doing. Parts will be hard to come by, and even when it is all fixed up, its going to be very thirsty for gas.

[superock]

I read the link. I think that this is not a vehicle for the faint of heart or inexperienced car guy.
There are too many red light statements in the ad. "9th or 10th owner of this car.".
"interior is complete and needs some work," Interiors for these cars are hugely expensive, if you can find the parts.
"Body needs work and coats of paint hide rust." Big big red light.
"Interior - needs work - floors repaired and coated with rust paint." Oh yea, I can see a Fred Flintstone mobile here. Nothing worse than the floorboards rusting out LOL.
"only issue is the blower motor and the fuse, engine works fine, but linkage needs cleaning." Fuses tripping is not good. Blower motors are hard to find in you can find one and wiring is expensive too. Linkage really never needs to be cleaned but replaced. It is not a good idea to have faulty engine control linkages.
All this to say, if you want a project car that will require regular feedings of 20 dollar bills go for it. Also, it would be good to know someone who has experience and likes carburetors...it is a dying skill (and art). This vehicle is not rare or unusual enough to put any restoration money into it and it does not sound good enough to be a daily driver. All of this is my opinion only.

wow that was very insightful, thanks a lot, I will take those things into consideration when I go take a look at it today.

[macnut]

I second Pete's cautions.

I was the 2nd. owner of a '75 280 betwen 1978 and 1984.
(Bought from dealer for $12K, with about 30K miles, sold privately for $9K with about 80K miles.)

Had the infamous problem of the needle seat going walkies in the Solex 4-barrel carb.
Of course, happened on a trip, long-weekend and in a busy border lineup. Very inconvenient.
Solex assemble the needle seat by just pressing it in and it eventually creeps out.
A non-standard air cleaner housing suggest that the carb has been replaced with a Holly or similar.

Valve train problems were apparently routine around 100K miles.

A '74 is better than a '75 or '76 in that it has fewer emission control add- ons.

I would keep loooking for one with fewer previous owners, and preferably having spent its life in Western Canada - and with its original exterior colour.