1981 Mercedes-Benz

Coupe

6 Cylinder 2.8 Liter

Automatic

WDBAA53A5BB023928

Gasoline

Hi Folks, I am putting up for sale my father's 1981 Mercedes-Benz 280 CE Coupe. He purchased the car in 2006 and from looking through the files, the previous owner had let the car go a bit. My father spent a lot of time and money getting the car running right and his investment can be your gain. The car has the 2.8 Liter dual over head cam straight 6 engine with automatic transmission. This is my first attempt at selling a car on eBay and if I was buying a car from some distance I would want a pretty good idea of what shape it was in. So I took the car to my mechanic (2nd generation European auto specialist) and asked him to give it the once over. He reported back on a number of points, some minor, some more troubling. Given the car's age and mileage, I decided to fix the more troubling items and leave the minor ones for the new owner. Items that he noted and were NOT fixed: "Only one horn functions, rear CV boots cracked but not torn, tie rod boots are torn but joints are OK, engine has some minor leaks, slight fan clutch play, minor seepage at power steering hose @ reservoir" These were all judged as minor and not dealt with. Major items noted AND repaired: "Fuel filter looks old, right side parking brake hangs up, differential fluid dirty, oil service due, idle speed is too high." So we fixed all of those, and also adjusted the valves. The mechanic futher noted that the automatic transmission appeared "new" and the records show it was completely rebuilt only 14,000 miles ago. The steering box was also replaced about that time. At this point, the car runs very well and is ready for more years on the road. If you wish you can call my mechanic for particulars on the car -- he has been authorized to give the unvarnished truth as he sees it. As for cosmetics, I have looked the car over and it was repainted not that long ago. I am not sure if my father had this done or not, but it was a fair job, not a restoration. The only flaw of consequence in the body work is there is a warp or ripple in the hood near the grill about the size of a palm print. It can only be seen in certain light at a certain angle but it is there. Interior is good and presentable. Power windows all work but for the right rear one -- probably stuck from having not been used in years. The sunroof has leaked at some point and the headliner has some stains (see photo -- and I don't know if the sunroof still leaks or not -- assume it does) but other than that it looks fine, especially given the mileage. My father did re-do the driver's seat a few years back. Tires in the front look fairly new, tires in the back have about 50% wear remaing as a guess. Spare is a usable tire but not new. Has jack and some tools. Overall, this car is a very good driver and ready for miles. Some of you might think the miles are a bit high. Let me just add that I have been driving my 1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 every day for 25 years and it has 317,000 miles and is still going strong. My starting price with no reserve is the cost of the recent mechanics work -- $1,512. If you buy this car for the opening bid it will be as if I gave you the car for free and then you had the service done on it. I don't have the space for the car and need to find it a new home. I have a clear title and a file of all repairs since 2006. If this concept of "tune up and full disclosure" works I will be doing the same with my father's 1971 Mercedes 280SE Sedan with the straight 6. Feel free to ask any questions. $200 deposit due withing 24 hours of the end of the auction, balance due within in 7 days of close of auction. The car will need to be picked up within 2 weeks of the end of the auction. Payment by Paypal or certified check if the buyer requests it. Thanks for looking and good hunting. New Info: After questions from an eBayer, I have additional information to report: Central Locking System and Cruise control do NOT work. (I didn't even know it had them until asked about it.) All lights and original Becker Europa AM/FM Cassette DO work.