The W111 - How Deep Need My Pockets Be?
Discussion
Would I have to be certifiably insane to consider running a W111 280SE 3.5 V8 as an everyday car?
My biggest concern is the engine - what is parts availability like for the 3.5 V8 and how horrendously expensive is it to service?
Are their any other consumables that will cause me to faint with their expense?
Fuel consumption doesn't bother me, rust does. Does anybody know where these stunning tanks like to hide their corrosion? I'd look to find a rust free example but don't want too many nasty surprises.
I had been looking at W123 and W115 280CEs, then I moved onto Bentley T2s, but the 280SE seems to combine the the qualities I appreciated in each of them.
I use an old Porsche at them moment that seems to swallow a £3-4k per year in maintenance and I wouldn't want to go much beyond that, particularly as I'll be keeping the Porsche too so maintenance costs are a factor but I appreciate a car like a W111 will demand a bit of unexpected expense every so often.
I'd like it it was likely to start every morning but again this isn't critical as I have the Porsche and a couple of other cars as back up.
Any views/advice much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt.
My biggest concern is the engine - what is parts availability like for the 3.5 V8 and how horrendously expensive is it to service?
Are their any other consumables that will cause me to faint with their expense?
Fuel consumption doesn't bother me, rust does. Does anybody know where these stunning tanks like to hide their corrosion? I'd look to find a rust free example but don't want too many nasty surprises.
I had been looking at W123 and W115 280CEs, then I moved onto Bentley T2s, but the 280SE seems to combine the the qualities I appreciated in each of them.
I use an old Porsche at them moment that seems to swallow a £3-4k per year in maintenance and I wouldn't want to go much beyond that, particularly as I'll be keeping the Porsche too so maintenance costs are a factor but I appreciate a car like a W111 will demand a bit of unexpected expense every so often.
I'd like it it was likely to start every morning but again this isn't critical as I have the Porsche and a couple of other cars as back up.
Any views/advice much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt.
Edited by Wigeon Incognito on Tuesday 14th October 10:56
I have seen a saloon which is evidently used as a London daily driver by an Indian lawyer.
If you buy a good one and then maintain it correctly, it will make a very satisfactory daily driver. Buy a bad one and you'll forever be "improving" or fixing it; likewise if you fail to maintain it.
Assuming you find a good one--and there are plenty of perfect cars available--maintenance should not be too bad. The 3.5litre V8 is easy to work on and parts are in abundant supply. All mechanical and service parts are available new at the dealer. Only some trim parts are not available from Mercedes. Engine and drivetrain components should be easy to find second hand: the motor was in production in various models from the late sixties to the very early seventies. Obviously it will require servicing more than a modern but a good one should not require much more than that.
Rust you might find anywhere, but especially (obviously) on the bottom of the car. If I were to run one on a daily basis, I would make rustproofing a priority, probably having it waxoyled every year or every two years. I would also make sure it had new tyres on it, whether classic but newly manufactured Michelin XWX or a modern tread pattern: given the lack of ABS and the old hand chassis, I wouldn't want perished and hard old rubber. The same goes for shocks and brakes: what was adequate for someone's sunny Sunday special may not stand up to daily use.
Finally, I would look for a 280 SE 3.5 rather than a 300 SE (i.e. a w112): the latter has air suspension which is simply more complicated and expensive. You may also wish to consider a saloon (i.e. a w108): you get a lot more for your money and they are less fragile.
If you buy a good one and then maintain it correctly, it will make a very satisfactory daily driver. Buy a bad one and you'll forever be "improving" or fixing it; likewise if you fail to maintain it.
Assuming you find a good one--and there are plenty of perfect cars available--maintenance should not be too bad. The 3.5litre V8 is easy to work on and parts are in abundant supply. All mechanical and service parts are available new at the dealer. Only some trim parts are not available from Mercedes. Engine and drivetrain components should be easy to find second hand: the motor was in production in various models from the late sixties to the very early seventies. Obviously it will require servicing more than a modern but a good one should not require much more than that.
Rust you might find anywhere, but especially (obviously) on the bottom of the car. If I were to run one on a daily basis, I would make rustproofing a priority, probably having it waxoyled every year or every two years. I would also make sure it had new tyres on it, whether classic but newly manufactured Michelin XWX or a modern tread pattern: given the lack of ABS and the old hand chassis, I wouldn't want perished and hard old rubber. The same goes for shocks and brakes: what was adequate for someone's sunny Sunday special may not stand up to daily use.
Finally, I would look for a 280 SE 3.5 rather than a 300 SE (i.e. a w112): the latter has air suspension which is simply more complicated and expensive. You may also wish to consider a saloon (i.e. a w108): you get a lot more for your money and they are less fragile.
Well the very best 108 saloons are about £12grand whereas equivalent 111 coupes are more like 30grand. That leaves a lot more for everything else! Personally I prefer the saloon. I also think there are more used and useable examples out there, whereas a lot of the coupes have become too special or too fragile.
An early W111 coupe used to drive past my house every morning during rush hour when I lived in Dublin. It was definitely closer to daily driver than garage queen! Model specific parts for these will be expensive but obtainable. I'd go along with the W108 suggestion if cost is an issue. You could also put a gas conversion on it if you were doing enough miles.
Depending on your budget, this may be of interest to you:
http://www.classicdriver.de/uk/find/carpopup.asp?s...
As you can see, it features modern running gear. Sold by Mechatronik, a respected German restorer.
http://www.classicdriver.de/uk/find/carpopup.asp?s...
As you can see, it features modern running gear. Sold by Mechatronik, a respected German restorer.
Edited by r129sl on Thursday 16th October 13:17
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