All things are very well, except the headlights which are not sufficient.
Mercedes built this car very stable, the engine has more than enough power and the automatic changes the gears very softly. Fuel consumption is about 14 l per 100 km on average, not too much for the big engine and the weight of about 1500 kg of this car.
I totally agree. My 280E is fantastic, a masterpiece. Headlamps are fine here in the UK, but I think that is because we have different lighting requirements.
I have had my 1983 280E for three years (after dreaming of one for several more) and regard the shape as being wonderfully balanced and the drive extremely smooth. It turns eyes and I would not swap it for any other vehicle, a joy to drive, even in the traffic of Oxford. And yes, I have driven a BMW, a Daimler and a Bentley previously!
Mazda, Toyota, Land Rover, Peugeot, VW (Jetta, Caravelle), Volvo, Ford, BMW... my 280E '83 is simply the best craftmanship I have ever had!
I totally agree that the 280E is simply the best car in the world. I am just in the verge of buying one and after test driving it I can't get my mind off it.I currently own a 1978 200 petrol. Its good, but nothing compared to the breathtaking power and stability of her big sister the 280E I live in Kenya.
I have to agree this is probably the best car ever made. First time I rode in one (a beater a realtor was using in the middle of winter) I was shocked it didn't squeak (with 139K miles on it).
But I figured good looks and quiet were just that, that to drive it it must be awful. Well, years later got to drive one for sale and it more than lived up to its promise. Didn't buy the car (it had smog problems) but it got me on the path to ultimately acquire one.
I have just taken receivership of my parents car a 1982280E (they bought a 2004 Nissan OPulsar) The car has a genuine 215000km on board and is a1 mechanically very little wrong save for rust in the rear right bottom window sill and the Becker Grandprix stereo has been removed. The card drives unbelievably for its age. I sat on 160Km/hr for approx 1/2 hr and was surprised how well the car rode for such a heavy car. I weighed the car with a 3/4 full tank of fuel at 1.63T. With premium unleaded fuel (98RON) I calculate that I am getting 12.5 to 13L per 100KM.
I don't plan on selling this car ever! it is a real pleasure to drive!
I beliove it is an Australian Delivery.
Just bought a 1980 W123 280E, with only 124000km's from the first owner (1917, a German). Agave green, beige interior, manual gearbox. The test drive was terrific. This car is made for eternity. It feels very solid and well-crafted, made in another era, when cars were purchased to last a lifetime, not just 3 years. The sound of the engine, the seats, the simplicity of this intelligent design...
I will report on this car in the nearby future.
Hi there, I have a 1984 280E and she has a genuine 468319 km on the clock, she just sailed through the M.O.T and runs at about 24mpg, I love her. I got her for £200 as no one would touch her because of the mileage, which suits me fine x.
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