Leaky injection system. Rebuilt.
Becker Mexico cassette player slow. Looking for a new belt.
Air conditioner is weak. Not very effective on hot Texas days.
Rear hydro-pneumatic compensator died. Replaced with spring.
Big, Beautiful car. V8 still strong with very little oil consumption.
Handles like a dream. Suspension still strong.
Very good acceleration for a car its size.
Drinks gas, but what the heck.
Well built, engineered car.
My 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (Black Beauty) was purchased for $4,000.00 back in 1997. I had a major tune up done to it prior to going to Houston, TX for a job assignment. The car was a dream to drive and driving all over Texas was like being married to Marilyn Monroe. Everyone wanted a peice of this car. While I like Mercedes Benz's. I LOVE the 1972 280 SEL 4.5. there will be nothing like it, ever and like Marilyn Monore, it will be a timeless classic. By the way, I never knew this was the biggest hand-made sedan next to the 600 Pullman Mercedes. I was lucky enough to have a chance to drive this car on a daily basis during 1997 - 2002. When gas was averaging in TX.98 cents a gallon. I ony had to change the oil every 3,000 miles.
My wife and I each own a 72 280SE 4.5 Sedan. Hers is silver, mine is bronze. These cars draw unsolicited compliments anywhere you park them. They are smooth, FAST, and outrageously sophisticated and very modern, for 35 year old vehicles, yet the style is classic, unlike any modern car. The two cars parked side by side actually draw a crowd. The silver car has 295,000 miles, and the bronze has 339,000. Both cars look fabulous, preform and drive wonderfully, but both use prodigious amounts of oil. Repairs are frequent and often expensive, gas mileage is 14-16, and they're absolutely worth it!! I hope someday to own a 3.5 coupe, but not to replace either of the 2 280SE's, which I hope to own till I die.
My grandfather owns a 280 SEL 4.5, which has been imported from the US to Belgium, Europe. It's one of the most convenient and comfortable cars I drove. Nowadays, with the high gas prices, it's not easy to drive with it, because the consumption is rather high.
And everyone who drove those cars will have the same thought: this is one of the most perfect cars of that time.
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