This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL is finished in Dark Olive (291) over Cognac MB-Tex (350) and shows just under 92k miles on the odometer. Power is provided by a 2.8-liter M130 inline-six mated to a four-speed column shift automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes front and rear power windows, driver side rear view mirror, and air conditioning. Services from the previous owner in 2023 include changing the oil, recharging the air conditioning refrigerant, replacing the tires, front and rear brake calipers, rear brake pads and rotors, air conditioning condenser relay, drive belts, and fuel hoses. A complete list of services for 2024 is included below. This 280SEL is now offered for sale by the selling dealer with recent service records adding up to $15,000, tool kit, a full-size spare, and a clean Montana title.
The exterior is finished in Dark Olive (291) with chrome trim lining the front and rear bumpers, beltline and windows. The body reportedly has original paint by the owner. The brightwork shows well without damage and the polished exhaust tips show intact and in good condition. The glass is heat-insulated from the factory. The antenna allegedly does not extend.
The 14” steel wheels wear Hankook Kinergy ST tires measuring 195/75 on all four corners with date codes from 2022. The wheels are fitted with chrome hub caps with body color centers with the Dark Olive paint showing in excellent condition. New front and rear brake calipers along with rear discs and pads were reported to have been changed in 2023.
The cabin is upholstered in Cognac MB-Tex (350) and features wood veneer throughout. The brown dashboard shows some splitting and the wood window strip is discolored from UV damage but shows in original condition without water damage. Interior features include power windows, a Becker Europa II radio and Thermo King climate control with functioning air conditioning which was recently recharged. The seating surfaces show well and are accented by Cognac loop carpeting showing minimal sun damage, beige door cards, and a beige headliner. The climate control levers are broken off and while the dashboard shows some cracking, the wood shows in nice original condition. The seller also notes the heel pad to show some wear.
A black bakelite steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer which sits alongside gauges for fuel level as well as coolant and oil temperature with an analog clock mounted in the center. The analog odometer currently reads just under 92k miles with approximately 800 miles being added by the current owner over the past year. The steering wheel is wrapped in matching Cognac leather and the wheel shows some cracking.
Power is provided by a 2.8-liter M130 in line-six which is factory rated at 158 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque which is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic column shift transmission. More than $15,000 has been spent on servicing and maintaining this example in 2024. The records are shown in the gallery below and a list of items addressed in 2024 include:
• New front and rear brake calipers and hoses, rear pads, and rear rotors
• New serpentine belt
• New drive belt
• New driveshaft coupler
• New fuel line
• New tires
• Repaired horn contact switch assembly
• New AC service port valves
• New condenser fan relay
• New engine intake air filter
• New brake master cylinder
• New brake booster
• New trunk drain hose grommets
• Rebuilt alternator
• New AC hose
• Recharged AC
• New rear brake calipers and hoses
• New rear brake discs and pads
• Brake fluid flush and bleed
• New spark plugs
• New spark plug wires
• Oil change
• New fuel filter
• Valve adjustment
• Ignition timing adjustment
• Fuel pressure and mixture adjustment
• New transmission mounts
• New shifter bushings
• New motor mounts
• New motor torque shock
• New engine fan
• New fan clutch
• New thermostat
• New water pump
• Rebuilt radiator
• New radiator mounting kit
• Coolant flush and refill
• Rebuilt fuel pump
• Rebuilt starter solenoid
This 280SEL is now offered for sale by the selling dealer with original paint, power windows, an original Becker radio, a full-size spare, recent service records totalling over $15,000, and a clean Montana title.
The seller has included the following videos:
There’s not a lot more stylish and better on this planet than a green over tan long wheel base S-Class penned by Paul Bracq and Fredrich Geiger, is there? We don’t think so. This is one of our favorite specs of W108 we’ve seen in a while. While the M117 short wheel base W108s are fun, the in-line six with the extended chassis is peak Golden Era before the V8s became the more desirable and popular option. The M130 engine is awesome and is dang near the same engine you get on six figure Pagodas for a fraction of the price with a better ride. These offer so much value for the money. Especially this example since it’s been serviced and in tip top shape for the next owner to enjoy. You heard it here: these W108s with the I6 are bargains for now. We’re seeing prices creeping up, particularly on SELs. Buy them now before they are out of reach and drive them.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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2 Comments
@BrianMotoring Thanks for the question! I’m only going off of the information in that particular service record that occurred before we took inventory of the car, so I can’t say for sure, but I would say that service record probably just says serpentine belt as a general description (maybe limited by the mechanics software?). Because if you read beyond that, it does state that they replaced 3 “drive belts”.Nice looking w108 in my fav color! Question please - what is the reference to the "serpentine belt," being replaced? I thought these models had standard 'drive' belts aka "v-belts".