smytw1972

Good Day...
I know what I am about to ask advice on is a sacrilege by some MB purists and fans... I have always been a BMW person (having owned 4)... but I am currently driving an '08 C350 (having been raised on the 3 MB of the thread tittle)....

My father has offered me to "inherit" one of his (3) MBs.. '67 230SL, '68 280SE, or '84 240GD. The problem is, I cant quite make my mind which one would be an "easier" project car for me. To this day, they all are daily drivers for my Mom and Dad... so that is not an issue... Ideally, I will keep as original as possible... but I would for sure would like to explore the option of increasing power to a more upto date engine. Any ideas??

Thanks

Outre

I would start shopping the internet part sellers and see which of the years and models has the best parts availability at the cheapest price.

In the State where I live the 68 would not need to have an Emission test and for me I would consider that a Plus.
No doubt it would be easier to trouble shoot.
But, it might be harder and more expensive to get parts for it.

Another issue could be Manual Transmission vs Automatic. The Manual Trans is less trouble to fix than an Auto.

smytw1972

Thanks Outre...
Yeap parts can be a problem sometimes!. Over the years that I have been my Dad's "purchasing agent" for parts... most of them have come from the Classic Center in Germany.. few from vendors around USA. And yes!, not cheap!... but I guess is the price to pay for keeping up a Classic MB running smooth and "new"!.

Definetely I would be keeping the manual transmission (currently on all 3 cars). I like the convenience of automatic in Houston stop and go traffic... but performance wyse prefer stick shift.

6point3

you have answered your own question.

If you rip them appart, although they're runing and driving cars you are doing a diservice to the car, and to most of the vintage Mercedes owners.
Obviously, if you don't like the way they 'perform' you're missing the point completely.
Go out , buy a new(er) Mercedes and leave Dad's old cars alone.

Sorry, just bluntly, my opinion.

Btw you would also seriously decrease the value of any of them, with what you have in mind.....

Busta Riles

I'd pick the 68 280SE. Parts are readily available & not crazy for price. Pretty sure MB stocks almost all the parts in North America. There's a great place in Phoenix that carries everything too.

I have a 69 280S that i bought last year. Great car...i've so far been very surprised with ease of maintenance on it.

Jim's500E

Bob Hatch in MA puts factory MB V8s in the old SLs, looks stock (google him)...VERY nicely done; I've seen 2 of them up very close at a show....sure it has more power but still doesn't 'perform' all that much better than what was stock for that vintage. Pretty neat install; they way MB would/should have done it.

I'd spend the money on keeping them stock and fresh tho...if it were my situation.