Oppo, Learn Me About the W108

"Dru" (therealkennyd)
01/03/2017 at 19:19 • Filed to: W108

This one is for sale near me.

I’ve always liked them, but their parts seem to remain expensive, despite the cars themselves not being of tremendous value. Seller suggests rust is pretty rough, worst I can see it down on the rockers.

DISCUSSION (22)

LongbowMkII > Dru
01/03/2017 at 19:31

It’d make a cool little restomid project if one were so inclined. Put in a later Mercedes I6 and modern EFI (clean up the engine bay and easier parts to source) and you’d have a sweet classic cruiser.

I didn’t know those had 4 spd autos. The Shifter seems too modern for a 72.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Dru
01/03/2017 at 19:35

It’s classy.

You should buy it.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Dru
01/03/2017 at 19:40

Rust is just a myth. Buy it now.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash
01/03/2017 at 19:42

Counter point. I should buy it

Dru > LongbowMkII
01/03/2017 at 20:03

I think this is a 280se which came with fuel injection.

Dru > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
01/03/2017 at 20:04

Whats it worth?

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > LongbowMkII
01/03/2017 at 20:19

That is not from that car, red flag.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Dru
01/03/2017 at 20:32

I woulds learn you if I coulds. Before my time

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dru
01/03/2017 at 20:33

Multilevel nope.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Dru
01/03/2017 at 20:34

$5 more than it’s worth to you.

LongbowMkII > Dru
01/03/2017 at 21:01

Yeah, I think a 45 year old efi could stand to be improved upon.

Tazio, Count Fouroff > Dru
01/03/2017 at 21:09

That is the correct shifter for a 1972.

FWIW there are crazy levels of 411 on the purchase, care, feeding, and rehab of W104's, including the various engine choices, buried in the threads on BringaTrailer dot com, if one is OK with searching for the website for the W104 listings and skimming through the posts.

The consensus has been iirc that the 2.8L I-6's are the most rugged, reliable, easiest to maintain of the stock engines and are vigorous performers for their size relative to the size of the car; and that someone with a well-preserved / well-maintained car who’s willing to learn the model’s basic needs and quirks will have a good ownership experience (not guaranteed always cheap or maintenance-free tho).

Hope this is of help. Looks like an interesting, potentially very enjoyable survivor. Best wishes and keep us posted!

Tazio, Count Fouroff > Dru
01/03/2017 at 21:12

Apologies for the typo — make that “W108"

fintail > Dru
01/03/2017 at 21:14

Only if it is super cheap - near free (three figures unless the engine behaves absolutely lovely and has documentation, then maybe just into four figures), and you want a labor of love. Mint originals aren’t worth a fortune, so you’ll never get anything near the money back. The rust in the sills is worrisome - these aren’t BOF cars, and there can be structural issues. You’d want to inspect it thoroughly.

This is a late run car, 108 production would end about a year after this was built. The shifter switchgear is definitely original, and the engine looks correct and not too messed with. The poor condition of the wood will cost a bit to set right. On the plus side, the AC is uncommon, and they have class like few others, even cars costing 10x+ more.

Dru > LongbowMkII
01/03/2017 at 21:28

Me realizing 1972 was 45 years ago....