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:
This is one of those cars that deserves more attention that it's received and certainly derserves to be with a new, loving home in 2025. 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.
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45 Comments
CongratsThank you gentlemen!Wow.... Congratulations @thegreg92 We'll reach out to you soon.@thegreg92 you just got yourself an incredible buy!$12,750 bid placed by @thegreg92
$12,500 bid placed by @MAinTX
This is ridiculously cheap. If you are considering bidding and don't, I don't even know how what to say...@aGhost Next to the green W123... it certainly would.$12,250 bid placed by @thegreg92
@amusicianslife Would look good in the collection!This isn't even SE money at this level given the condition, etc.@amusicianslife Just do it, dude.😌Jump in - - life is short!So much car for the money here. Extremely tempted just because the W108 is a work of art and this one is olive green!$12,000 bid placed by @jrmedsel
$11,000 bid placed by @StarStruck300
Very special car here, folks. Crazy amount of service done to it on our dime. You won't find this again. Nobody else will do No Reserve with that kind of investment.$10,750 bid placed by @thegreg92
$10,500 bid placed by @MAinTX
$10,250 bid placed by @Ali1014060
$10,000 bid placed by @StarStruck300
$9,250 bid placed by @MAinTX
$9,000 bid placed by @CTBenz
$8,750 bid placed by @StarStruck300
$8,500 bid placed by @CTBenz
$8,250 bid placed by @Ali1014060
$8,000 bid placed by @StarStruck300
$7,750 bid placed by @Ali1014060
$7,500 bid placed by @CTBenz
@Trakcar It's not located in Montana. That's just where the vehicle is titled and registered. Vehicle is located here at our dealership in El Paso, TX.The car is in texas not montanaGuys, you will not find a more well sorted W108 on a No Reserve auction... Don't lose your chance to bid. Don't let someone steal it from you. Don't miss out...Where is the car located, where in Montana?$7,250 bid placed by @Ali1014060
$7,000 bid placed by @StarStruck300
@Likemall Correct, guys; this is a no reserve listing. Has been since day 1!$6,750 bid placed by @Ali1014060
$6,500 bid placed by @StarStruck300
My apologies!! I see that the listing does indeed identify this as a No Reserve . .. maybe it didn't start that way which is my confusion!And we’re all waiting for Torvalt to bid, I’m sure it will come… Lot of money spent on this one, RNM is likely.@PricklyPearAutoClub Just confirming that although the MB Market listing does not indicate that this is a no reserve offering = = you stated that is the case in comments = = correct? Thanks!A video has been added to the listing.Hi folks. Here's a link to a cold start video just filmed a few minutes ago. https://youtu.be/bs18uAUBqv0 Thanks. :)$6,250 bid placed by @MAinTX
A lot to like here! Great color combo! If I didn't have too many Benzes already I would be in the hunt on this one. But for whoever wins this, I do have a "decent" dash pad squirreled away that I would be happy to offer up.@Torvalt Let it go, friend. Who knows what stresses others are laboring under ?@thegreg92 Ah! Nice and close! Always great to work with Phoenix folks. I love the city. We don’t have any one specific shipper that we work with, but we would be absolutely happy to help with arranging the shipping for you. We would post the job on central dispatch where all carriers and truckers have access to pick up the job. We do vet the transporters before confirming the job, to make sure they’re the right fit.UnconstructiveDo you have a shipper you work with? I’m in the Phoenix AZ area@PricklyPearAutoClub , thank you yes, I did hence the question I thought I was a DM but appreciate your response. The car looks much better. Good luck prickly. pairhttps://youtu.be/SKxByD2oXQs For easier and quicker reference for all, please use this link to view the AC, windows, and radio working.@Torvalt There's no "lack of response". It may come as a surprise to you, but we are not just waiting at the computer 24/7 to answer all of your questions at the drop of a hat. We also have other cars and business to attend to, as well as personal lives., and we are doing the best that we can. I don't appreciate the accusation of there being a "lack of response". I have answered literally every question that you have asked, including the private messages you have sent. Keep in mind also, that this auction has been live for nearly 10 days, and I believe you just started asking questions within the last 2 days or so. Again, all of which have been answered. There's been plenty of time for questions and responses. As to your statement "One last note it’s been described as Pennsylvania only an excuse for Montana plates", I honestly don't even know what you're trying to say here, but I'll attempt to answer it anyway. The vehicle came from Pennsylvania and currently has a clean Montana title. Vehicle titles and registration change all the time. Also, in your detective work on Bring a Trailer, did you happen to even see who the buyer at $28k was? Go look again. It was Prickly Pear Auto Club. Us... Again, absolutely no clue what you're referring to with "Texas and disappearing cars and titles". In all truth, I'm not even sure what you're asking or referring to at this point. In regards to windows working, here's a video from our last auction for this car that shows all of the windows working: https://youtu.be/SKxByD2oXQs I'll do my best to get a cold start video up with only hours to spare in this 10-day auction, but no guarantees. Finally, I'll say that if you're so suspicious of this car and of us, a licensed Texas dealer who has owned this car for nearly a year now, then perhaps this car just isn't for you. You should feel comfortable about a car before you bid. If you don't, then don't bid. Other people will, and the next owner will be extremely happy with this extremely well sorted W108. Thank you.One last note it’s been described as Pennsylvania only an excuse for Montana plates, but yeah registered in where now I’m confused Texas is a notorious state for loose laws and disappearing car and title. You lack of a response is curious.Looking at this, somebody paid 28K on BAT then you got a hold of it so please a bit more info great looking car yes work needs to be done. They always do but respond please not the parts are worth a fortune especially everything focuses on the AC heat. Those are the hardest pieces to find.Could you add a cold start? The video is fine but it would be nice to have the windows rolled down and a cold. Start with the camera on the gauges. Thanks beautiful Car hot start doesn’t tell me a lot from this far away.$6,000 bid placed by @jrmedsel
$5,500 bid placed by @Green99
@jrmedsel Hello! And thanks for the compliment. She most certainly is beautiful, and the color combo is incredibly striking. Pictures don't do her justice. In person, this car is even more stunning than the photos. Correct, just the levers are broken. The actual valves can be moved freely with a tool, such as a screw driver. Heat and AC work excellent.I see the heater levers have broken off, which is typical of later w108s. Can you confirm whether the heater water control valves move freely? In other words, wondering if the plastic levers got brittle and broke, or if the control valves were stuck and forcing them is what broke the levers?? BTW this is a beautiful car in the best color combination!@tennisravi Also, it is not Grey. Its brown and shows up brown on the photos that I'm looking at.@tennisravi As I mentioned to you in the private messages you have sent me, it appears to be some sort of leatherette material that could very well be from the factory. Since the car is 55 years old and not a concourse car, it has some imperfections, such as this material being loose. The next owner can decide whether or not this is an issue for them.What is that grey plastic piece in pic #73 ? It is a completely different color than the surrounding upholstery.$5,250 bid placed by @tennisravi
@72Driver @Classicalgenius @MHY82 Hopefully you three guys are watching, as you all were in the race for it last time. This time it's No Reserve, so one of you could definitely take her home this time. :)Folks, just chiming in here. This time we're going NO RESERVE on this tremendous vehicle, so she will soon have a new owner to love and care for her. I've said this before, but I'll say it again, you will be very hard pressed to find a W108 that has had more recent service than this one. Nearly $15,000.00 since the end of 2023 to now. Basically all the major stuff has been addressed. Also, I believe this to be a rare color combination, and a striking one at that. So elegant and regal, the way a W108 should be. In person, this thing looks like a million bucks, and so will you when you're driving it. It turns heads constantly, wherever it is taken. And the vehicle performs wonderfully and rides like a cloud. You will absolutely love it. Thanks, guys.@Edward22 Do it! You'll be extremely hard pressed to find one that has had more recent service than this one.Hopefully this goes to a good home after this auction, this car's so good to look at.Extremely tempted to join in on the fun with this one. Would be the perfect pairing to my coupe.@LPS2 Indeed, yes. And a somewhat rare one at that.Lovely color combination for any classic Benz.$5,000 bid placed by @Green99
$3,000 bid placed by @Rowgear
$2,500 bid placed by @EvilWays_