This 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5 was acquired by the seller in 2023 and has since gone through a cosmetic and mechanical refresh. It’s finished in Harvest Beige (430) over Cognac MB-Tex with power provided by a 4.5L M117 V8 paired to a 3-speed automatic. Features include power windows, a power sunroof, air conditioning, an original Becker Europa, driver side mirror, and heated rear glass. Recent records under the current owner are included in the sale and maintenance includes a rebuilt power steering box, steering coupler, complete $25,000 engine rebuild, recent repaint in the original color, and more. This 280SE 4.5 is offered by the selling party with the original manufacturer’s literature, a full-size trunk mounted spare, an original tool kit, recent service records, and a clean Pennsylvania title.
The exterior is finished in Harvest Beige (430) with chrome trim lining the front and rear bumpers, beltline and windows. The body was recently repainted in the factory original color by the current owner. The brightwork shows well without damage. A driverside rear view mirror sits next to the manually operable corner windows for fresh air use. The greenhouse is the green tinted heat-insulated glass from the factory with heated rear glass which can be defrosted by a toggle on the dashboard. This car comes with a power sliding sunroof which was serviced by the dealer to become operational. A small paint bubble is shown on the passenger side of the car in the gallery below. Option codes on the radiator support plate are:
14” wheels wear paint-matched caps with chrome lips and come fitted with Ironman RB-12 NWS whitewall tires measuring 205/75. A full-size spare is mounted in the trunk along with a factory tool kit. A rebuilt power steering box was installed by the dealer along with a return hose in May of 2023 followed by a new steering damper.
The cabin is upholstered in new Cognac MB-Tex with matching doors and carpets throughout. Wood veneer lines the dashboard and appears in excellent condition. Both front seats offer manual adjustability with reclining seat backs. Interior appointments include air conditioning, an original Becker head unit, power windows, and a power sunroof. The climate control levers are in excellent condition and not broken off in the dashboard.
The two-spoke steering wheel frames analog instrumentation consisting of a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure and coolant temperature. The mechanical 5-digit odometer shows 99k miles.
This W108 is powered by a 4.5-liter M117 V8 with electric fuel injection which is rated for 198 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a column-shifted three-speed automatic transmission linked to a limited slip differential. Recent records are included in the sale, all of which was performed under the current owner’s stewardship. A comprehensive engine rebuild of this iron block M117 powerplant was completed at the beginning of this year with an invoice totalling $25,000. Parts replaced in the engine include:
This 280SE 4.5 is offered by the selling party with the original manufacturer’s literature, a full-size trunk mounted spare, an original tool kit, recent service records, and a clean Pennsylvania title.
The seller has included the following videos:
So many W108s with the M117 are in various states of disrepair nowadays. The cars have always been reasonably affordable which attracts people who do not really understand what it takes to keep them nice. We’re so happy to have this 4.5 on the site because the owner knew what it took and honestly, these cars deserve it. The 4.5 liter M117 was made to satiate the North American market as the inline six engines were not enough for heavy footed Americans. Jaguar’s XK engine obliterated what Mercedes could make, so they decided to switch to V8s to show the Big Cats what the Fatherland could do. We’ve restored and owned a few 4.5s, so we truly understand what ownership is like and let us tell you, these punch way above their weight. There’s so much torque to be had with this motor and it’s both snappy and instantaneous. The 3 speed automatic is a perfect pairing with this engine and has power in all of the right places – plus they’re indestructible with their overbuilt internals compared to the four speeds. The M117 is also infinitely rebuildable. Their iron blocks add an invincibility factor and keep things nice and cool when running them flat out or in standstill traffic. Few shops nowadays know how to rebuild these engines and with this one having such incredibly strong recent service records, there’s insane value to be had here. Harvest Beige is a stunning, period-correct color and the interior looks very nice with the recent upholstery work done (which is horrendously expensive to do nowadays). We are in love with this one and anyone remotely in the market for a V8 W108 should jump on this car.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
Get the best of The MB Market directly in your inbox every day. Subscribe for a curated list of our top market listings and articles!
2 Comments
May2023 (Euromotor cars of devon) $6,774 Steering coupling Steering box power steering hose Radiator Radiator cap Fan shroud Valve cover gaskets Sunroof seals/sunroof adjust&lube Shifter bushing Shifter linkage May 2023 $4,000 Transmission rebuilt May2026 (Continental Automotive) $25,298 Complete engine overhaulHello everyone, welcome to my reasonably reserved extremely well sorted W108 auction. I’ve acquired this vehicle back in end of 2022 it was in good running condition but as always I went above & beyond and ended up having one of the most expensive W108 SE’s :) whole body was painted at my friend’s shop about two years ago -towards end of 2024- while the engine and transmission was out of the car but they did a ‘friend’ quality job and didn’t paint the inside of engine bay and painted over a rust bubble on passenger side fender (in pictures and walk around videos). The transmission got rebuilt by a local transmission shop and The whole engine was overhauled by my friend’s shop that’s extremely reputable on European cars and the car is in great condition. AC works better than modern cars, all the power options work without an interruption, sunroof, all the windows etc. work. it cruises with 90+ mph comfortably drive it cross country! Car has bluetooth module and speakers have been upgraded. Has a break-in oil inside still the engine is about 300 miles old/new :) I’ll include oil and filter with the car as well, congrats the buyer in advance!