Why does NOBODY want a Mercedes 280SE sedan? Buying a criminally cheap classic!
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
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The market decided it was worth 7600 but you shrewdly negotiated it for 9000. Well done, Tyler.
You gotta figure with write-offs he essentially gets 20% in tax savings minimum
Your awesome! Me andy son watch every video! Thank you Hoovie!!!
7600 with a reserve.
RUclips content. It will easily cover the cost of the car
Cost was probably after shipping from California.
I loved when Angelina says "Hello Ladies!" to all the Ferraris.
The only movie that made me understand people lusting after her
I bought a 300 D for $500. Changed the oil and drove it all through college. Gave it to a friend when I went overseas. He says he intends to keep it forever.
I’ve been looking for another sub $1000 “old guy” Mercedes for a while. Not holding my breath.
That was an awesome car.
You know it’s so funny but you can find cheaper classic cars all the time. For example I got my 1978 VW Type 2 with lot of original parts and engine for 25k when it usually sells for 55k, it’s all about the time you buy and where you buy it in my opinion.
These are really awesome cars. I got to blast around in a lovely 1972 example (fully sorted) and there is no question these are undervalued. They can have ice ice cold air conditioning and that’s a huge plus. I’d pay 9 grand for this example in a split second.
It is my all-time favorite Merc model. Problem: cash flow.
everybody else: i should borrow that car, to find out what is it like
Hoovie: i should buy that car, to find out what is it like
Can relate.
RUclips content worth thousands
I think everybody else just watches RUclips videos to find out what it is like xD
And over pay
next week's episode, Hoovie discovers the oiled up Persian rug on the garage floor is actually worth millions
😂😂😂😂
*WAS......
That’ll come out with some club soda!
It seems like it might be a ‘flying carpet’ because it looks like it wants to take off every time Hoovie leaves the garage. If so it’s definitely worth millions!😂
then send it to that dude in Poland getting millions of views, washing oiled up nasty but formerly fancy rugs...and brings them back...
My father had one in 1973. Kept it for 20 years, serviced by Mercedes, whose mechanics virtually fought among themselves to service it. A wonderful car and solid as hell. Manual gearbox. I miss that car!
What happened to that car?
A stick in a S-class? You must be somewhere in Europe, eh? My two were 10 years younger (123 240D's, an '81 and '82), and they were the only Mercedes models with sticks sold in the U. S. at that time.
*I bought one for $400 in 2010, changed the brakes, hosed off the radiator and sold it for $1200 in 2012.*
My Dad had a 1972 Mercedes 300Sel 6.3 as u can see in my profile pic, but left it In Australia when we went to Greece and his relatives sold it for $5000 in the 80s which is close to nothing, now they are really rare and go for over 100k. 😢😢
Yeah the 6.3 is the most expensive. I mean on one hand a falcon here for less money new would be worth 300k-1million, but even the 6.3 was the one I was after 20+ years ago. Could have got one for under $10k but I thought that was too much. I'd be laughing if I bought it. But then again my $1000 mazda rx3 or $3000 falcon would also be worth 100k now anyway, so definitely a better return on them.
That's a completely different beast with a much better rear suspension
14:38 The only part that confused me was Hoovie buying a car that actually works.
Like I said in another comment, this car is the anti-hoovie! Lol!
Its early yet
Wait for it. ;-)
These are very hard to break, yet I can hear the voice of Jeff Goldblum in the distance: 'Hoovie will find a way.'
Brilliant!.
I love the new “buying classic/barn find cars for cheap” format
i subbed for the hoopties not for the supercars!
That's what this channel was built on. Bring on the hoopties!
@@JaredConnell It's not a problem if the supercars are hoopties themselves.
@@naycnay I've got no problem because I like to see his cars in person when he takes them out to c&c
@@naycnay All supecars that are older than 5 years are hoopties! We want weird shit , like the Ford Probe he got in Car Trek!
Where's your Maybach?? No updates for a while!
The sound of the driver’s door closing is just solid. Nothing tinny about that
these are part of a small group of what i call "lifetime" cars. properly maintained, you literally can have one your entire life and because of their quality, some people wouldnt mind never replacing it. however the gas models tend to be a bit thirsty. thats offset though by not having car payments all the time.
Trademark MB doors.
I love that sound.
A '76 240D save my friend's life. He was t-boned on the driver's b-pillar at 60+ mph. He walked away with a bloody nose. The car gave it's life for him.
The Mercedes "thuck" I love Trans Ams but they have a distinctive bam, rattle, reverb type sound that means its time for hinge pin bushings, possibly hinge pins, and maybe new hinges, latch, striker, door handle, repeat. Possibly accompanied by the T-top raising up a quarter inch (another rattling leaking monstrosity) I simply cant believe I had an 82 TA for almost two decades. Now they bring more money than they were ever worth and a base 20 year old Civic will blow it off the road.
Like shutting a quality, heavy refrigerator door.
A quality that has always made the Mercedes of this era to memorable
I believe it is the door sound used on "Autobahn"
I was always told the “E” stood for Einspritzen (fuel injection).
It does.
yes
Einspritzung actually. Einspritzen is the verb.
@@ClaudeSac Ja wohl!
Drinking game: take a shot every time Tyler says “nobody wants these things”
Like 5-6 ?
Iue trieeddd taaso..... 😂
Take a shot everytime he tries to claim $9000 was a good deal for that thing.
Also take a shot every time he says "Back in the day".
And another shot for when he mentions the age of the car.
Girl I knew in college had a 280SEL-4.5 her mom gifted to her, fast and smooth. It stood out in the parking lot amongst the econoboxes.
the girl?
Buddy of mine drove one. Quite the machine.
@@ryeshyes2552 First thing I was going to ask.
@@ryeshyes2552 LOL, no were friends but not "friends with benefits"
Mental image of Wizard watching this video and then immediately shopping for more boats...
He's looking at Gulfstreams and Citations now.
It's not a matter of nobody wanting it, it's a matter of nobody wanting it for $9,000. Personally, I thought $7,600 was a lot of money for it.
I bought a 1973 Mercedes 280SE with a 2.8 six in it for $1000.00. But it had a 4 speed trans and even a version of ABS from that time which NO other cars had then. It drove like a dream and I would have kept it if the rust hadn't eaten it up like lightening once it took hold. Those "Composite wheels" were amazingly light as well. I was blown away. I loved that thing! Even the 2.8 six was fairly quick. It was faster than the 1994 Nissan 300ZX I had at the same time.
it had D-Jet, correct?
Well, that car suits you perfectly. Like none of all the cars before. It's a fantastic car from a era long gone. A time capsule. And a absolutely beatiful conserved one, which is very very very rare.
Hey Hoonies, a big fan from Saudi Arabia, always love the intro lol - you should do a one on the 6.9L 1974 mercedes - you will never regret that - trust me. Have a good day. Fahad
Apparently he previously owned one. Quoted on one of his later vids.
You have a vastly different definition of “really really cheap” than I do.
Same considering I bought the 76 Carburated straight 6 varient for $500
That's the problem of todays internet succes, they do not see anymore what normal folk have to live on, yes, we still watch, but they think it's still in reach for everyone, either that or they run out of good creative ideas in the E 5000 segment.
I have only recently upgraded to the $200 car club from the $100 car club 😄✌
@@youriardon8006 it’s because he smokes too much meth. He’s blinded by all the money
cheap can be very expensive, if you buy this car with 'some rust', repairing this can go in the thousands.
Your insane laugh after your "two rogers don't make a right" joke was wonderful.
Have you seen the gone in 60 seconds nick cage remake?
Imagine buying this car as new back in the day, you literally won't need a new car till you die. Of course you gotta take care of it too.
This was built at a time when you could actually own a car forever...just depends on how much you want to put into it. Today though, most vehicles won't last 10 years without thousands and thousands in repair costs.
back in the era of this car middle class german folks would save up to buy one, knowing that the investment was worth it because it would be the only car they ever needed.....times have changed.
@@joeb7975 , times change, people change, somewhat due to brain washing advertising and some "keeping up with the Joneses" attitude. I drive an old Toyota, i reckon it will last longer than my eyesight. Long term ownership is usually the cheapest in the long run. New cars only built to last an extended warrenty in some cases.....8 years, sad.
@@skaraborgcraft back in the day, the cars that would last the longest were: Volvos, Mercedes Benzes (especially diesels) and. . .Toyotas!
It's what Jay Leno would refer to as "a good ol girl" something looked after, driven and original.
"well you're probably looking at the screen going 'well i want this Mercedes' but uh.. you didnt, you had every opportunity to buy this car"
*looks in empty wallet*
yeah i dont think so chief
I have a 1969 mercedes 250, straight six manual.
I got it for free lol
(It’s for sale)
Are you located in Canada :P
Want to double your money?
@@joequixotic3039I'm kinda on my limit here, but i'll triple it
where are you from, my good fellow? 👀
The car is located in eastern WA if anyone actually wants it. Ran when parked 8 years ago.
Those window gaskets are not 100$ each 😂 i own that green 280sel that you saw at the wizards and they are priced at ~400$ a piece shop price.
Yeah that's the reason old Mercedes are cheap, the parts are extremely expensive. Apparently according to Jay Leno, on his 600, *just the trunk latch* is $12,000. The car itself averages $45,000-$120,000 depending on condition.
@@CerberusProject And that driver door power switch assembly is worth more than the car. Unobtainable.
@@ksavage681 well tbh.. Mercedes will sell you any part for any car they have ever built.. just hand over your bank account and they will have it to you in a few weeks from the Factory!
@@CerberusProject you are aware that Jay Leno's 600 is a 600 Grosser, right? Those have hydraulic trunks and the parts are unique to that car.
@@CerberusProject A 600 is limited-production and practically hand-built - a whole different animal than a W108 280SE.
In todays episode we see Hoovie trying to convince himself that buying a 50 year old German car was a good idea.
That's when they were still reliable!
Those things are tanks!
@@joaquinfranco9012 I was waiting for this one!! :))
Excuse me, sir.. I was also made in 1973. Not quite 50 yet, thank you!
Gotta admit, someone loved the hell out of this for 50 years. So nice to see an original car like this which has had nothing but owners who looked after it how it deserved.
Why it is so cheap....:
Complicated rear suspension with hydraulic leveler. That most of the time has worn out.
13 greasepoints to be greased every 3000mls.
Corrosion, Corrosion, Corrosion, did i mention Corrosion already?
Manually to be adjusted contactpoints every 3000mls.
Crappy power window guidance.
Crumbled interior materials.
Etc, etc, etc.
I spend 20k before it ran as a dream.
One of my all time favorite Nicolas Cage scenes
It was hard to tell who he was impersonating since the acting was soooo bad, but at least it came with a disclaimer!
@@Anders83B, It was EASY to tell who he was impersonating since the acting was soooo bad.
I hope you enjoy the structural integrity of the jacking points
Haven’t watched the whole video but are they like wet noodles?
@@sav22rem22 yes, if you lift it there with a two post lift youll bend the sills
Well! If it never needs to be jacked up... lol!
@@Vespastendert thats why you jack it up by the frame
Not sure what kind of animal uses a pinch weld to jack a car anyways
Finally Hoovie bought a German car that won't blow up after 10 miles....
I haven't yet seen the videos, but he did have some 123 diesels, I understand? I hope THEY didn't blow up after 10 miles! Even my $200 rustbucket '81 240D lasted 3 years!
People don't want them cos maintenance is $3,000 per year, which is a lot for normal, non wealthy folks
I had one of these in very good condition.
12 miles per gallon.
Hvac system that boggled my brain and barely worked.
Made a different new and expensive noise every time I drove it.
Horrible money pit.
Sold it for 7 grand over 20 years ago.
Happiest day of my life
What a beautiful car. I have no idea as to why these are not being scooped up by collectors and enthusiasts across the globe. Good find, sir!
Google about Imotski. There are few dozen of these models, as much as registered Mercedes cars as residents.
the people that have them in this condition think to much of them, these are 3rd world country taxi's even still to day, their worth more as parts than intact near mint, no rarity
@@hayseedfarmboy W108's are not used as taxis anymore, those are the W110 diesels and W123 / W124 diesels.
I dont' think it's a very good looking car. W123 on the other hand is.
@@PuerRidcully what?
dad bought one of these back in 1999. i was 3. this is the car that i loved as a child. thank you for bringing back these memories.
That model was my first car. I was 18 and knew nothing about cars, thus it did not last me one year. I learned a lot about cars the hard way; I didn't have RUclipsrs to learn from back in the day.
When I was 18, my first car was a '61 Mercedes 'Ponton' 180. Learned to fix cars and shift gears on that one. Kept it running almost 20 years, 'till '92.
@@sunbeam8866 my early '80s 123's came with toolkits. I'm guessing the "Pontoon" cars did, as well?
Important consideration on the 'nobody':
For a used/classic, private purchase, the buyer needs 1) cash to buy and 2) cash to run and 3) cash to maintain.
This isn't an approved used Merc, or Audi, buyable from the dealer, with a low, low monthly payment... or a new BMW or even Lambo or Kia, with a low, low monthly payment.
These cars' sellers need people to buy who have real, actual cash currency, or a willingness to take out a personal loan.
The people with money either have (see comments here) a couple of thousand, or have hundreds of thousands, and are hiring Wayne Carini, not browsing Auto Tempest.
It's a small, small market for these types of 'intermediate' cars, in reality.
One of my dream cars. Believe me, if I could afford it, I would've bought it. You have great taste,
Tyler. :)
I OWNED THAT CAR !! Well, not that EXACT car, but the same year/model [but an SEL] in a much better color. Bought it for a thousand bucks in 1998 at a junkyard, sorted it and drove it for a year, then sold it to Carmax for 2 thousand dollars !! All I had to do to it was find a used computer [it would continue to fill up the cylinders with gas after I turned it off]. Great driving car. I put a K & N air filter in it and the giant throttle body sounded like a '71 Chevelle when I hit the accelerator.
Lol that might have been the most ridiculous spaz out during the "Welcome to Hoovie's Garage" yet. XD 😂🤣🐸
The intensity is increasing... and I like it!
I browse autotempest all the time, and I don't even live in the states. I just love how much support they give you guys and what they help make possible .. and who doesn't love shopping for the best that 'faded glory' has to offer in foreign countries! Love the channel and what you do Tyler. I've been with you since the S600 and haven't missed a video. Cheers from Australia.
They want too much money for that thing. But you… you went and got it so we didn’t have to well done Tyler!
Love the "Gone in 60 Seconds" bit!!!
2:25 Brilliant 👏👏👏
My wife and I watched that episode from Car Trek yesterday and laughed our asses off at the Nicholas Cage part. We just were talking about that scene Friday after we visited a car dealership locally. Tyler wiiiiiiiiins!
This is why you’re my favorite car channel of all of RUclips.
I think the problem with these isn't that no one wants them, it's that the people who do want them either don't have 5-10k to throw around, or they live in an area that is bad for them and can't afford to ship it, like I know myself, I'd have one of these, but I A. Have no money, and B. Live in the north east in Pennsylvania where this thing would just get ruined. I can't afford to park a car in the winter to protect it so I choose not to get one, because my daily driver is my daily driver, and I don't want to ruin one of these.
I wanna say $9k is a ton for that thing, but then he showed those really ugly diesels for $25k....what a crazy car market.
Tyler speaks German 😅
6:26 "Einspritzer"
6:28 "Sonderklasse"
Greets from Germany 😉
Ausgezeichnet!
This sounds so cringy for me. I'm 10 % Austrian :)
@@MrPeteragent to be fair, he tried his best and I've heard much worse pronunciations of German words
@@beratsbuilds Americans will understand. I've been in Germany 2 times and learned something there.
@@MrPeteragent I've been in Germany for over thirty years now 😆
Come over, do some speed runs on the Autobahn or enjoy the awesome back roads or even our nice race tracks
That Gone in 60 seconds homage was great!
Hoovie: *has over a million subscribers*
also Hoovie: even if I say anything it's not going to change anything.
And then a week or so after this video, the price spikes to $12,000, Hoovie sells it, and the Hoovie family spends the holiday weekend at Disneyland. Well played!
He has 10% or less average view count per video. That's normal boring YT channel level or payed subscriptions.
@@UrSSuL guess you were best in mathematics in high school
@@gabrieladimabua Or maybe I saw the videos at that point and didn't check?
You do know that when I typed there wre only 15k views. Isn't that less than 10 percent of the total subs?
You tried to seem smart, but you projected a scenario that isn't really valid.
Best of luck in you imaginary life!
My parents had one of those, the rear suspension was already rotted lose from the bad underside when 7 years old, so he traded it in, unfortunately. Was a endless money pit, already in the 70, but oh it drove so nice
I have simpler tastes. One in this condition, with the carbed straight-six and a manual 4-speed would suit me just fine. Oh, and a garage to park it in!
In 2001 I acquired a '60 220S Fintail from the original owner, and after taking care of some deferred maintenance - brakes, motor-mounts, shifter-bushings, and installing seatbelts - that car was awesome! Sadly, terminal rust retired her after a few years.
The year I was born, my father bought Mom a brand new 280SEL in dark blue over tobacco. I wish that it was still ours : [
Those were the times a Mercedes was still a Mercedes.
Ed B nailed that role, because he lived that life.
Lol, so true 👍
3 reasons come to mind why values are low: (1) as you note, rust (my father-in-law had 1 & frame rust ended it); (2) for sedate sedans nostalgia is a bigger reason to own (the 73 Benz is a better car than my 68 Imperial, but Unlike the Imperial, I have no connection to Benz); and (3) parts costs (anything you need on that car will cost much more than for your 66 Imperial -shockingly more if you need to get it from MB itself) Great content - thank you!
Aaaand they've gone up 10x in value since this was posted
Hold my beer. I'll buy one for top dollar and values will plummet while I'm driving it home.
@@Blippity_Bloop64 HODL
Lol no they won't
That’s gotta be what Hoovie’s doing. But cheap car, talk it up, sell for more money.
Wow. I can never imagine how this Merc get passed up by everyone. Tyler says I'll take it. Hopefully there's not bad news when the Car Wizard takes a look at the Merc.
Aww how cute lol a new guy...welcome to the channel new guy lol (I'm obviously kidding) I think I'd start guessing a total amount for repairs the wizard is going to charge him as well as what new high end...thing he will buy from said bill lol
@thecryptochaser3945, are you done eating yer words yet, huh?
Now you're talking my language. Love old Mercs
They were built to last, not built to lease
I recently picked up a V4 1999 Mercedes C230 Kompressor (SuperCharger) with 107,000 miles for $2,500 and it drives 10x better than my previous 2 cars! I love everything about it so far except for long term maintenance fees 🥵🧎🏻
I’ve seen a Mercedes like this or similar mode for around 7 or 8 thousand wish I woulda had funds at that moment I woulda bought right away lol
Would definitely love to own one of these beauties, but here in India, you never find them in anywhere close to respectable condition. And all the well restored ones go for a leg and an arm. 😥
Same here in Guatemala 😞
But W124s are Hella affordable here. You can get one for sub 5 lakhs with almost 70-80k miles. Way cheaper than the global market
This reminds me of Hoovie’s old 300SD
The old Mercs will definitely become collectors items
@William Mulvaney they were much more reliable before cost cutting in the 90s/00s. Same with BMW
they all ready are collectors items, just not valuable ones
@@papa_pt I agree well maybe not with Audi
Audi has always been a hit and miss
@William Mulvaney it 100% depends on the car's mechanical history and location. I agree we are so far out now from 1970 that it's hard to find a decent car from then..easier in CA or FL. Good thing I don't buy my cars to impress people but for how they drive lol.
@William Mulvaney a lot of German cars last longer when they're run frequently due to gaskets not drying out etc
0:22 Like The Wizard says, how do you make your goofy intros look so professional ... It fits you so well :P
Funny so many vloggers saying these are steals now and can’t figure out why. Yes they can vary greatly, and excellent examples are not cheap unless you get real lucky. Moreover they are expensive to maintain with Mercedes parts, which you’ll want to do. Very possible for him to spend the purchase cost of the car in the next year or two maintaining or replacing things. Wonderful cars if you are comfortable not sparing any expense maintaining this work of art.
Not all of us have thousands to blow on some ancient project.
Remark on viewing the last 16 seconds: I'm retired, Tyler, I've got lots of time to watch you standing there with a goofy look on your face!
Probably one of the best cars you’ve bought in awhile. The 300SEL 6.3 is a highly coveted collectible.
convertibles are
Kinda reminds me of Jeff Goldbloom sometimes in his dialogue delivery. Fun to watch
In the late 1980s, I knew someone who bought the same, Mercedes. He emptied his bank account to buy it. My boss asked me what was happening in our department. I mentioned, "Bill bought a Mercedes a few days ago." Without looking up, my boss said: "He will file bankruptcy. What else is happening?" LOL
Nobody wanted to pay $7,600 for a $2,500 car.
Never been this early on a hoovie video but glad I am.
Same
Same
Same
Mom had one in that mustard brown color. Helga was a great car.
Neighbor of mine had a 280 s in the sane color...black interior...
What kind of mustard is brown? That stuff has gone bad!
@@apj341 brown mustard is 100% available at any legitimate grocery store.
0:22 Tyler must have had an extra cup of coffee this morning!🤣
Hoovie is actually doing his best Elliott Alvis impression. 🤣
I cringed so hard
@@JDONUMBER7 Except Elliot IS a Tyler impression.
@@insaneiaq they’re becoming one and the same.
Magnificent Performance Sir! "Gone in 60sec" skit couldn't have been better. Ed's voice was icing on the cake
This is literally the EXACT car I want but I'm stuck fixing my Hyundai 😭
I absolutely love these cars and after owning one, they represent classic Mercedes styling, dependability, and build quality. I have also wondered why they dont bring more money than they do and also why more people dont have them tucked away for weekend cruises.
I think I'm traumatized by hearing Tyler pleading: "It's fun, I promise. Go do it. Right down there..." 😱
Without looking over it I would guess that will probably do another 100k without a burp
The Gone in 60 seconds remake was too much!! I love it
One of my favorite models!! And this one is beautiful!
Hoovie: Why does nobody want this car?
Me: Speak for yourself I want it
i like it but 4k at best, i would give 7600 much 9
You are nobody. You want it. Me too.
@@RD-km4yi and pray tell who are you
Now I need to go watch Gone in 60 Seconds again.
HMM why did no one buy it?? ITS 9000 DOLLARS!!! People are fucking broke right now dude, how out of touch are these people??? Who has that much money to throw at a toy, which is what that is??
Lucky US, here in Germany we had just 3.5 and the 6.3 off course.
I had a 280SEL 4.5 and it was the quintessential Classic German Muscle Car. Mine was a brown color and was named Wernher Von Braun when it was given to me by a friend who wanted it to go to a good home and be driven, and boy did I drive it. I absolutely adored that car and daily drove it for three or four years before I finally had to retire it due to extensive rust issues that were beyond repairable without taking it down to the bare shell. The 108 chassis are still my favorite, even after owning several 126's.
Named after an SS Sturmbannführer, eh?
love the "gone in 60 seconds" dialog, bloody funny it is!!!
Yes, it was hilarious.
But, Gone in 60 Second 1974 was a much better car chase movie,
@@GTVAlfaMan mr.killjoy over here just enjoy the bit movie correction guy
MB 280 SE was pretty common in S. FL when I was growing up, the Pagoda-roofed 280 SL was also popular. These things were built like tanks but they could rust from lack of proper metal treatment (rocker panels). I always liked the looks of these cars.
Pagoda SL are gorgeous! (I think they sticks in Europe. I think Roger Waters from Pink Floyd had one).
Next episode: the wizard finds the rust. If the inside of the hood is that bad, I imagine the floor is also pretty rusty.
EDIT: Under the hood isn't rust. Look close at 11:14, the brown stuff is hanging down.
The 'brown' inside the hood is mostly the remains of the foam insulation pad and it's adhesive.
Hoovie says your wrong.
@@fotorabia I'll let him tell me.
He will also say it hasn’t been leaking any fluids because there is no fluids in it.
Underside of the hood is glue residue. They have foam insulation pads that fall apart over the years.
I grew up in these. Utterly reliable, excellent handling & exceptional road holding. I ended up driving a 1969 250SE, that was well beyond satisfactory.
In a 1972 300SEL 6.3V8, we easily clocked 155mph with much pedal to spare. Wish I could lay my hands on one.....
My late grandfather bought a brand new1976 Mercedes-Benz 220E from Germany and drove it all the way to the middle east. He actually filled up the car with spare parts and just drove it home. I just loved that car. I learned how to drive in one of those. He joked about the car being indestructible and that they melted old WWII tanks to make them.
Now, THAT'S what I call a Mercedes (from my childhood in Europe in the late '60s).
Why are they so cheap? Probably because the majority of them on the market are NOT California cars, DON'T have original paint, and may as well turn out to be made of Swiss cheese instead of German steel, as people find once the check has cleared.
they were nice to drive, but incredibly expensive to keep on the road. Trunklids never painted and whatever you had "loose" in the trunk, would slam into the fender. The view out of it was spectacular. Sheetmetal quality, as bad as a Dauphine. Amen.
I've been enjoying Car Trek. The 3 of you do a fantastic job together. Thanks Auto Tempest. Keep making great shows like this.
Reminds me of the car that used to sit in the old mafia man's driveway when I was a child.
Or cold war era spy movies. The bad guys always drove black ones.
Wasnt this the car from the intro of call of duty modern warfare?
Its got that iron curtain vibe.
About the strange name: This car is called 280SE 4.5 because Mercedes didn't want that the number in the name would be higher than the number of the higher class/more expensive car (W109). The W109 was called 300SEL. When they put the 4.5l engine into the W108 they couldn't change the name to 450SE because that would put the W108 higher than the W109.
This nomenclature actually went oon for the following decades. All W201's were named 190e ... to not put them over the W124.
In 1986 I had a chance to buy one of these for$1,500.00 I knew nothing about Mercedes at that time and everyone told me NOT to buy it. The consensus was maintenance cst would be out of control.
LMAO the Gone in 60 Seconds scene was great.