I purchased my '66 250SE Coupe in April '92, and to quote Andy, it was rotten as a pear. Mine is a model with 4 speed on the floor, and metal sliding roof, in DB268 "Blaugrün" with Cognac leather interior. I'd only ever seen a 1 owner, completely original, 100% rust free (southern California) W108 sedan model, so I had no idea how horribly they could rot. I literally took a quick peak under the car, gave it a quick test drive around the block, handed the seller $5k, and drove it the 230mi home. It wasn't until a couple days later, when I attempted to raise it on a lift at the shop I worked at, that I discovered how destroyed the car was. Someone had filled the rotted underside with expandable spray foam insulation, shaped it to look like the correct frame sections, and painted over it with rubberized, textured, undercoating. Some areas were even filled in with small diameter chicken wire, prior to the spray foam treatment, and other areas had pieces of metal riveted in place. An absolute nightmare. Now 30yrs later, my love affair with the Coupe is as strong as ever, and I drive it often. Andy is correct about what it takes to work on them, as far as time, frustration, and money. Truly a hand crafted and hand built car, and every inch of it is so time consuming to work on. Mercedes heavily supports and is proud of their vintage cars, and almost everything is still available from the car. I've heard (but can't confirm) they have a "rule" that if they sell just 2 of a part, per year, they will continue to manufacture it. When I order something from the local dealer, they will often tell me, "No problem. That part is in Germany, and we'll have it in about a week." Many parts are just "in stock" in Los Angeles, I'm guessing due to the their Classics Center where they restore so many of these, and have a large museum.
W111 coupes we’re never pricier than a Rolls Royce. Even the vastly more expensive W111 3.5 coupes were about 15% less expensive than the Rolls Corniche coupe, which was the closest thing to a competitor. However, today a good W111 280 SE 3.5 coupe is worth roughly double the value of a Cornice coupe. Swapping out the fuel injection for carburettors is a huge job - it’s not simply a matter of ripping off the injection and fitting carburettors. I cannot imagine such a conversation would have ever been viable for dealers or the manufacturers to do. He is right about those Webasto rolling fabric sun roofs - they were never fitted by the factory and were after market fittings. Factory sunroofs were always metal and incidentally are Websato units.
Yes, that Andy guy really does know everything about the class and elegance of the beauty of the car as well as each screw, knob and mechanical piece. He seems as classy as the car! (He may be a bit older😀). Ask him about his 57 Bentley.
Thanks for the comment, I used the Rode Wireless Go mic set up, however I only had one pair for this video which is why voice isnt the clearest. I have since purchased another set which will make the audio far better for future videos. Cheers
9:45 I dare say that story on the carburetors is a bit dodgy. The 250S sedan came with the double carbs, while all 250SE had fuel injection. Actually, that injection system hardly ever failed.
Correct the head is a completely different one to the 250s its not possible to retrofit carbs on this head. Also the mechanical fuel injection is very robust.
Agreed. That carburetor swap story is not accurate, and the mechanical injection systems are near bulletproof. There are cars today, a lot of cars, pushing 56yrs old, still running fine with their original systems, 100% in tact, and functional.
I purchased my '66 250SE Coupe in April '92, and to quote Andy, it was rotten as a pear. Mine is a model with 4 speed on the floor, and metal sliding roof, in DB268 "Blaugrün" with Cognac leather interior. I'd only ever seen a 1 owner, completely original, 100% rust free (southern California) W108 sedan model, so I had no idea how horribly they could rot. I literally took a quick peak under the car, gave it a quick test drive around the block, handed the seller $5k, and drove it the 230mi home. It wasn't until a couple days later, when I attempted to raise it on a lift at the shop I worked at, that I discovered how destroyed the car was. Someone had filled the rotted underside with expandable spray foam insulation, shaped it to look like the correct frame sections, and painted over it with rubberized, textured, undercoating. Some areas were even filled in with small diameter chicken wire, prior to the spray foam treatment, and other areas had pieces of metal riveted in place. An absolute nightmare. Now 30yrs later, my love affair with the Coupe is as strong as ever, and I drive it often. Andy is correct about what it takes to work on them, as far as time, frustration, and money. Truly a hand crafted and hand built car, and every inch of it is so time consuming to work on. Mercedes heavily supports and is proud of their vintage cars, and almost everything is still available from the car. I've heard (but can't confirm) they have a "rule" that if they sell just 2 of a part, per year, they will continue to manufacture it. When I order something from the local dealer, they will often tell me, "No problem. That part is in Germany, and we'll have it in about a week." Many parts are just "in stock" in Los Angeles, I'm guessing due to the their Classics Center where they restore so many of these, and have a large museum.
This has been my dream car since I was 3. Absolutely beautiful car, my uncle owns a business that restores these. Great review!
W111 coupes we’re never pricier than a Rolls Royce. Even the vastly more expensive W111 3.5 coupes were about 15% less expensive than the Rolls Corniche coupe, which was the closest thing to a competitor. However, today a good W111 280 SE 3.5 coupe is worth roughly double the value of a Cornice coupe. Swapping out the fuel injection for carburettors is a huge job - it’s not simply a matter of ripping off the injection and fitting carburettors. I cannot imagine such a conversation would have ever been viable for dealers or the manufacturers to do. He is right about those Webasto rolling fabric sun roofs - they were never fitted by the factory and were after market fittings. Factory sunroofs were always metal and incidentally are Websato units.
Yes, that Andy guy really does know everything about the class and elegance of the beauty of the car as well as each screw, knob and mechanical piece. He seems as classy as the car! (He may be a bit older😀). Ask him about his 57 Bentley.
Professional quality video and presentation. What radio mic are you using on your guest? 👍🏻
Thanks for the comment, I used the Rode Wireless Go mic set up, however I only had one pair for this video which is why voice isnt the clearest. I have since purchased another set which will make the audio far better for future videos. Cheers
There is no more Mercedes like these
Andy's a right geezer.
Great video! That Andy guy was really informative.
Safety features first? Good bye
Ugh, I'm so jealous! First thing I'd buy if I won the lottery. Utterly gorgeous car ❤
I always thought that 'heckflosse refers only to those earlier mercs with the fintails at the back
No seatbelts, clipping the amber, tail out round the roundabout -this is my style of driving experience.
Very Interesting video!
Had one from 60-th, gearbox ewrlasting problem there. Now I have a Jaguar X330, and it recives a kiss now and then. Both cars lovely pieces of art ..
Great video
9:45
I dare say that story on the carburetors is a bit dodgy.
The 250S sedan came with the double carbs,
while all 250SE had fuel injection.
Actually, that injection system hardly ever failed.
His driver's door is sagging (can be adjusted) and the exhaust system has a whole in it. It shouldn't be this loud.
Correct the head is a completely different one to the 250s its not possible to retrofit carbs on this head. Also the mechanical fuel injection is very robust.
Agreed. That carburetor swap story is not accurate, and the mechanical injection systems are near bulletproof. There are cars today, a lot of cars, pushing 56yrs old, still running fine with their original systems, 100% in tact, and functional.
Simply beautiful I love coupe's I've had my Mercedes e class 18 months and it lovely not flawless, the diesel is a bit
The loveliest Merc shape.
But why the stacked ( California) headlights with French yellow tint.
Andy confirmed he tinted them himself as he just liked the look of the French style yellow lights.
What about a video with my car ?
It's Patti's not yours