Grassroots Motorsports

Register Log in to GRM
- Community

Birthdays
Recently on the Classic Motorsports forums

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » So this is backwards... W123 280E

1 2

April 15, 2010 2:59 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

I needed something to get the wife around while I diagnose electrical/computer issues in her 95 Volvo 960.

I saw a W123 280E on CL, and went to look at it.

Pretty nice car overall, a scrape down one side, central locking non-functional, power windows non-functional, brakes take good effort (brake booster line visable needs repair), and seller says battery will die overnight.

I made a lowball offer and they took it.

So NOW, I'm doing my research. What say the informed masses of GRM? Where can I go for W123 info, everything I seem to find is diesel related.
April 15, 2010 3:07 p.m. BoxheadTim Dork

Central locking on these is vacuum-operated. Probably a duff line somewhere...

Engine drinks like gas is free, but should last if the oil is changed regularly. They do rust, have a good look around.
April 15, 2010 3:16 p.m. Powar HalfDork

W123s are sexy, well-built machines. The only ones that I've researched were diesel, so I'm not much help on the 280 mechanicals.

I'll be the typical guy on a forum and ask for some pics. I love looking at these cars.
April 15, 2010 3:35 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

The seller's pics are horrible. I'll try to get some tonight if it stops raining.
April 15, 2010 3:44 p.m. EvanB HalfDork

This forum was great when I had my W123 diesel : http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/index.php

They have other model forums as well so you might find some info on the gas version.
April 15, 2010 4:11 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

Thanks, Evan. That is better than one of the super slow ones I found before.
April 15, 2010 4:44 p.m. nedc New Reader

What's wrong w/ the 960? I've spent lots of time with them, maybe i can help.
April 15, 2010 4:49 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

Something with the ECU. I bought it disassembled w/a blown HG. Repaired the HG and got it timed, but wasn't getting fire at the coils. The ignition coil section of the harness was fubared. I spliced in a good harness section, but fuel pump and ignition relays are not getting triggered on.
April 15, 2010 4:57 p.m. nedc New Reader

In reply to m4ff3w:

Check the relays, especially the fuel pump ones. I chased a problem like this for a while and it turned out to be one relay-swapped in another from the headlights or something to get it to fire. I have a factory diagostic book w/ step by step troubleshooting if you want to borrow.
April 15, 2010 8:49 p.m. Woody SuperDork

My wife's uncle has a beautiful burgundy, gray market W123 sedan with small Euro bumpers and a manual transmission. A few years back I put the word out, "When you're ready to sell it..."

They have since moved to Texas, but I suspect that I will go down there to retrieve it one day.
April 15, 2010 9:49 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork
April 15, 2010 9:49 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

Needs an alternator as well.
April 15, 2010 11:22 p.m. mtn SuperDork

Solid as all hell, one of the better cars ever made. I want pics.
April 15, 2010 11:22 p.m. mtn SuperDork

Solid as all hell, one of the better cars ever made. I want pics.
April 15, 2010 11:25 p.m. EvanB HalfDork

A W123 and Alfa in the same picture, now that is awesome.
April 15, 2010 11:33 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

EvanB wrote:

A W123 and Alfa in the same picture, now that is awesome.

I hoped someone would appreciate that.

I've been going through the paper work. At 220k miles the car got new chain/tensioner/rails, and front seals and then a new transmission and torque converter. This was to the tune of ~$5200.

The seller did not mention it when I bought it today. It now has 255k, but has only covered 35k in the last 9 years.
April 16, 2010 6:01 a.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

Love that picture.
April 16, 2010 1:09 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

Snagged a new alt, the nearest O'Reilly's had it. Less than $100.
April 17, 2010 1:16 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

My Alfa and the 280E were both damaged in a hit-and-run overnight.
April 17, 2010 2:21 p.m. pres589 Reader

In reply to m4ff3w:

Ouch! I hope that works out somehow, that's awful.
April 17, 2010 3:09 p.m. BoxheadTim Dork

In reply to m4ff3w:

Oh E36 M3, so sorry to hear that. Hope the damage is not too bad.
April 17, 2010 4:38 p.m. pigeon HalfDork

My newest favorite phrase - I hate people. Sounds like a nicely bought Benz, sucks that both that and the Alfa got hit overnight. Damn drunks.
April 18, 2010 2:49 p.m. m4ff3w SuperDork
April 18, 2010 6:52 p.m. pigeon HalfDork

Wow, that sucks. Looks like the Alfa didn't fare too badly; new mirror housing and it looks like a good paintless dent repair guy might be able to fix the fender. The Benz, well, that won't buff out New fender for sure, maybe the PDR guy could do some miracles on the doors? Your other choice is an uninsured/comprehensive insurance claim if you have that coverage, and then you still pay your deductible and get screwed next time your insurance renews because of having a prior claim on your insurance.
April 18, 2010 7:20 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork

That sucks bad. I'd bet the mercedes would be totalled, they aren't really worth much. Luckily you can find parts pretty cheap, I'd bet you could be 2 door for maybe 150$ used around here in the SF bay area.

The m110 is a nice motor, the euro m110 is one of the best engines mercedes ever made. Sweet twin cam six. If you need any information there are a couple of forums online that are helpfull. One issue with the mercedes of that vintage is the CIS injection system, I guess the mechanical injection is very sensitive to contamination as it relies on high fuel pressure throughout the system. A bosch CIS manual and fuel pressure tester are required to diagnose/repair problems. The manual is one 25$ it was written by Probst. There is also the bosch CIS manual you can download free online, which will help you understand the system. Throwing parts at the injection system is very expensive and not many mechanics understand the CIS system.

Hopefully you can get the old mercedes back in tip top shape, it really sucks some idiot tried to take out the cars. I'd have a nice drive through the neighborhood and see if you can find a car with the caramel paint on it.

1 2

You'll need to log in to post.