There’s a generally accepted rule of thumb with Mercedes-Benzes. Coupes and convertibles typically bring more money than sedans and estates. However, this clean, two owner W123 coupe is flying in the face of convention. This 280CE is being offered at a price below what many W123 sedans and estates have been trading hands for lately. While many of these coupes arrived in the US as the 300CD with the 3.0 liter inline 5 cylinder turbo diesel, this is an earlier model equipped with the 2.8 liter M110 inline six cylinder engine. While the European version of this engine had about 182 horsepower, the US version had to make due with 142. For sale outside of Pittsburgh, this pillarless coupe looks timeless in the ever popular silver over navy blue color combination.
1980 Mercedes-Benz 280CE on eBay
Pictures were taken only days ago at the 2012 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix at the Mercedes Benz Club tent. Very affordable all original rare low mileage coupe offered for sale. All service and sales records from original owner to present. Amazing condition and drives beautifully and best of all, everything works from the A/C to the original Becker radio. Exterior finish show no signs of fading or cracking, only very few nicks which have been touched up, interior is near perfect. Feel free to contact me for more details and pictures. Price is negotiable, cash preferred.
For a two owner W123 with all the service records, $7,000 represents a real good opportunity for one of the most durable, legendary Mercedes-Benzes to roam the planet. While it may not have the fuel economy and bulletproof persona that the diesel models had, the six cylinder engine in this car affords a bit more power to go along with the sleeker, two-door lines. For those looking with a little style to go along with heaping loads of durability, this is a good place to start.
-Paul
Classic W123 design, fantastic condition, great colors, only 63K miles, and low price (“negotiable”). There must be more to the story…otherwise, this should have sold instantly. What am I missing here?
I agree. I think it is a great car for the price. I actually think the price is in line with what I think these cars are worth — my personal view is that the prices on clean 123s have been bid up by folks that don’t have experience with those cars. First, while the diesels are very durable, they have a number of expensive issues as they age. Injection pumps wear out and are very expensive to replace with an original, high quality part. On the turbodiesels — and a non turbo diesel is just too painfully slow to drive in modern traffic — turbos and the lines wear out and again are very expensive. Not to say they aren’t terrific and charming old cars but spending 5 figures on one is questionable in my mind. And then you have the driving experience. Not terrible, but generally slow (US gas version or diesel) and the equipment just doesn’t work as well as it does on a modern car, particularly HVAC, and the original stereos sounds, well, original. None of this is to say I wouldn’t want one, but I think this owner has priced the car at a price point where it will actually sell, quickly.