1985 Mercedes 280SEL LWB Rare Euro Spec M110 Engine - Low MilesLR

1985 280SEL Long Wheel Base with reclining back seats. Less than 116,000 Miles.
European high output double overhead cam 2.8 liter M110 engine. The same 'bullet proof' engine as used on the legendary 280SL, 280GE, 280SE, 280S, 280CE, 280TE, 280E Plenty of Euro taxi cabs proved this engine to be solid as rock and tons of w124,w126,&w116 parts will work with this model even when it doesn't exist on US computer database. Has 40+ more HP than US M110 engine. Motor can idle with a glass of water sitting on engine cover and hardly notice dancing and can cruise 80-90MPH all day long. It's not as agile as big V8 on the streets but keeps up with traffic with ease. It loves to rev on highways, engine feel & sound like a sports car should. It has been my daily driver for last 4 years and averages 18mpg on regular Costco brand gas.
Purchased from a friend relocating to out of state and had too many cars four years ago. A 75 yr old elder Mercedes mechanic been taking care of it for years also retired. Engine been carefully maintained and car was always garaged. Oil and fluids was changed regularly and engine shows no signs of abuse.
Pros: Everything other than the cat & muffler are original OEM Euro Spec factory equipment. Mechanically sound and engine always starts with a single turn. Transmission shifts great and this year's transmission have a great reputation as 'bullet proof' also. No visible blow back at all with vale cover test & very clean inside cover. Less than 116k miles. All gauges, door locks, sun roof, trunk lock work, No leak in vacuum system. Replaced 100uf capacitors on clock and changed gauge lights to LEDs. Newer MP3 Radio w CD. Excellent fuel economy for big body MB. No crack what so ever on the dash. Cracked sun visors were replaced with a dark blue pair found on eBay, nobody has noticed the color difference in the 3 years I have them installed. With only a small burn mark on the OEM MB Tex seat cover, all original seats and springs look and feel as soft as new sofa. Reclining back seats were only offered on much higher end US models.
Items needs attention:
1, Hood pad recently separated itself from the hood and was falling into pieces. Hood need to be cleaned and a new pad installed.
2, Passenger side window regulator does not go all the way up, leaving a 1/5 inch gap, Otherwise does not affect driving and rain don't get inside the car even when heavy. I didn't have time to locate the right parts to fix it up.
3, Antenna mask stuck halfway, motor seems to be stuck on the way down. Needs to be taken apart to replace mask. Does not affect radio signal.
4, AC was converted to R134, Works great but has a slow leak somewhere, will hold charge just long enough for the summer to past and needed a fill up each year. This is very common in Mercedes of this age and will need attention if want to restore it's function.
5, Finally & the most important reason why I am selling this carMost people in CA reading this ad should have already figure it out this car was a Private Party Import, AKA a Gray Market car with different equipment as US spec cars. A mechanic friend of my helped look up the VIN in Mercedes database as a Canadian car but the car has German writing sticker below its buttons. All I am sure is when the car was imported, a company equipped it with US legal converter & equipment to make it street legal in CA. The car had always been registered and operated in CA for the last 29 years. CA regulation changes in past years made putting a aftermarket cat on it almost impossible. CA shops can't put on a cat on a vehicle based on engine size or equipment, but have to be on a BAR approved list of cats designed for a particular car model. Since this model of car were not sold in CA and not on anybody's parts database, there's no way to look upfor a approved part number. The cat on there now is a 'CA legal'Magnaflow with BAR part numbers stamped on it, designed for the sameengine, but for some reason not on the approved list and failed thevisual. Funny thing is the smog shop did find a list just this number isnot on it :( Same kind of regulations made thousands of perfectly fine working diesel trucks to be sold at lost to out of state. CA buyer will have to hunt down the right cat to past smog. Register expires at end of June with few weeks grace period. Otherwise the car will pass sniff test easily with the correct none resistor spark plugs installed Last time when my friend didn't past test, I found out he had the newer resistor Bosh plugs installed, they were from MB dealer and the parts guy told they do not make that much difference. Changed to NGK none resistor as learned online, passed with ease.
As a parts car, the body and engine makes great transplant candidate, diesel conversion, revive your SL and G Wagon I hate to imagine a perfectly fine original equipped Mercedes cut up like this. Online numbers suggest only a few 280SEL were imported, the SL & G models were much more popular.
Planned to keep this car for long time but getting tired to deal with CA regulations that keep changing. I prefer this car goes to another Mercedes fan in states where the rules are not as crazy, where a high flow metal spun can be fitted and enjoy the power it was build to have. Check your own state's regulations before you bid! Some states only require equipment visual inspection on cars this age. As a 30 year old car, it'll soon be a rare classic addition to anybody's collection. My lost is your gain.
$400 Paypal none refundable deposit due within 48 hours of sale. Balance due in 7 days or at pickup. I made several 8 hour round trips to Reno from SF Bay with this car with ease. As with my 10 years newer Lexus, I never had any mechanical driving problem with them. In thirty years of driving, this is one of the most reliable car I ever owned.

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