1969 Mercedes 280SE: First Impressions

Monkey Wrench Mike finally gets the car of his dreams. The hard work (and videos) has paid off! This is his first time looking inside and under the hood of his new old Mercedes W108 / W109.

[@mikeycunningham2307]

Congrats Mike I knew you would eventually acquire that car it's a beauty

[@FrankTls]

Mike I think that's by far the best ever project car in ur channel.. Excellent..

[@briantayler1230]

Gidday mate, I asked previously about this car and you told me that you were hoping the owner would contact you back. Well done. Your car was built during the space race. It was made out of a revolutionary new space-age material. That material was called metal. Metal is hard, durable and does not fail, unlike plastic. Back in the day, people made all sorts of useful things out of metal.

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Ha!!

[@napoleon1235438743]

congratulation, you DID finally get this gem. if you remember i asked you what happened to your try to contact the owner. you said he did not respond. now he did and you got this beauty to take home. i am happy for you and myself because i will see you working on it for a while.

[@juandominguez5487]

Congratulations Mike on the 1969 Mercedes Benz 280se .

[@alfredlearlyjr1780]

Dude, that m1 is the bomb, easy to work on and understand. Once the fluids are changed, and brakes, along with the coil, belts and battery change, it will become your dairy driver. Just wash and polish that paint job is the best paint back in the day. Never sale this car, the head gasket may need to be changed. Valve adjustments, then change the oil. Your going to love this ride once the tires and shocks are charged. Man, you now have a dream car, my o pa had a 69, he was the mayor.

[@Djwally13]

I would go to work on the fuel system first, disconnect the fuel lines, drain the tank (24 year old gas cant be good), make sure the fuel pump works (Ensure the impeller isn't gummed up with old fuel), flush the fuel system up to the injectors, and then change Battery, spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor, and I think it has points (not sure). Lube everything! Cross your fingers, say a little prayer and hopefully she fires right up. : )

[@MikeBMW]

Fantastic advice! I, mean, really! I've worked on a number of cars that have been sitting a long time and you're spot on!

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Good info, thanks!

[@NickMyers1]

DJ Wallick excellent advice. I’d also ad that Mike should prime the oil pump before starting it. Disconnect the coil wire and crank it to get oil to the top of the motor. Dry start after 20+ years is no good. Make sure the valves are adjusted properly too under the valve cover. Get that Benz under cover. Keep the paint, rubber, and interior from baking from the sun and elements.

[@paulog8813]

And I would add, change all the fluids and filters.

[@waltpartymiller6802]

Before turning over the M130 inline six, remove spark plugs & pour 2-3 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder to lube the cylinder walls & rings- let it soak for a few days. There is a fuel pump to the front/left side of fuel tank- you will have the 'short' fuel pump; remove the pump and review Kent Bergsma's instructions on cleaning the impellor (as DJ Wallick wrote). Kent sells a rebuild kit & a special gas tank bottom plug removal tool. Pelican Parts & MercedesSource sells fuel hoses you will need. The fuel injection pump (engine bay) should be okay. You will want to check the brakes at each wheel- new brake hoses with fresh fluid, calipers will likely have some stuck pistons- don't drive until the brakes are refurbished! Incidentally, your W126 is running hot- water pump noisy? Cooling fluid low? fan clutch okay? Should run at 80*C.

[@christopherjohnson520]

I remember that one it's going to be nice to see it come back to life

[@edgarribeirodossantos9019]

Love your sense of humor and energy, congrats on the new acquisition, such a jewel! 👏👏👏👐🚗🚗

[@garycook2355]

An oldie but a goodie! 69 was a very good year.

[@Djwally13]

1969 280 SE, all the tail lamp lens turn signal lens and makers are in excellent shape! The ones I've seen out here in California are all cracked unless they have been garaged most of their life.

[@jonreynolds1655]

Mike you are a Merc legend .....enjoy your dream car ..I currently have a 2005 CLK 500 Elegance and love her to bits ...thank you for all the fab videos and fun chat ..Love from England Mike ...Jonny Reyn

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Thanks Johnny!!

[@Sean006]

I have seen love at first sight...but this was something else. We all knew that you were going to have this car come hell or high water. You deserve each other. You have been given a wonderful piece of somebody elses history and you are now the custodian of all those memories. You will create your own moments in time....but the car will never forget...she will never forget all those previous owners. Good luck, god bless. enjoy your new love.

[@Sean006]

Kent at Mercedes Source must be one of the most honest engineers in the world. What he doesn't know about Mercs....isn't worth knowing. No relation!!

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Best words ever! Thank you!!

[@ianwilson4666]

A beautiful elegant Lady , in safe hands, good stuff Mike.

[@45AMT]

Wow! Mike what a beauty! It's amazing with it sitting as long as it has it's paint and body is in such good shape. I remember the video when you left your card. I'm glad that panned out. Congrats!

[@TheProjectHelpDesk]

When cars had real bumpers and push bars. Loving the channel. Especially considering the recent changes on another channel.

[@dworsak79]

That car is a beauty! Can't wait for the content!

[@kellyspeppers]

What a neat old car, the body looks great.

[@ghassanakarim8802]

A real gem congrats .

[@SailingRegulus]

Mike I’m so jealous and so happy for you at the same time!!!! She’s a Dame, and a gorgeous at that!!! I really look forward to see your work with her! Great find, good luck

[@Bogi_Maramski_Garage]

this is nicely preserved vehicle congrats Mike !!!

[@gregsn2u]

Great car. I have a ‘68 280SE. They are awesome cars and only had one issue which involved the window regulators so I converted to manual. But the are fantastic cars to own.

[@richardkafka5625]

So glad you got it! I know you've been talking about it for awhile! I was gonna try and say something funny, but clearly you "Need" some alone time with this old girl! Can't wait for more!

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Drain the fuel system, change plugs,vires everything. Oil. Fresh gas. Ny battery. And just sendt it. Cheap oil. If IT for a engine problem dont waste money on good oil. And if its starts. Just drain it. And new fuel filter. Maybe check the fuel pump. If doenst fire. You know the drill. Easy to work on this engine. Old but gold 🧐 love IT. The car looks stunning!!

[@johnulrich5572]

What a great find! I can't believe the great shape that Benz is in. The bumpers are beautiful - nice pre-crash era bumpers. You'll have a good time working on that beauty. Thanks for your videos, Mike, and thanks for keeping them family friendly. Good luck with the 280SE.

[@samuelanderson1415]

Mercedes Mike your the man nice pick looking forward to the new series great job 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@jessev4615]

Awesome I’d hoped u would pick that 280 se up, ever since u put your number on it in a video awhile back. that’s a gorgeous gem of a Mercedes. Hooray for Monkey Wrench Mike. 🍺🍺🍺

[@TheJarhead02]

Glad you got it. They are great cars my grandfather had a black one just like it. Learned to drive on with it and a 3000 ford tractor

[@bryanlail613]

Of all the cars you have.. The only two I would keep are the 560sel and this one!! Love both of them!! Congratulations, Mike!!

[@PedroSobrera]

I loved this car. Mike deserves it.

[@brengapps]

Tis a thing of beauty. Best of luck with it Mike. We're all going to be entertained by the journey to get her back on the road

[@gregporsche6162]

Wow super nice 👍 I want one too but 2 door , you have a lot of work ahead of you, just do it right before you try to start that engine and don’t forget about transmission fluid and differential oil brakes, I pretty sure that car will love you back for all your hard hard work 👍😉

[@andresgiraldodelaespriella3921]

Nice... I am happy for you and new project.

[@TheKing-pr4ef]

Good for you. It is one of the most beautiful mercedes😍

[@randysong6210]

Congrats Mike! My Aunt in Singapore had a similar car in silver. I remember riding in it when I was 9 years old and that's what started my love for Mercedes Benz . Looking forward to watching the upcoming videos!

[@davidtetrault8771]

1969! Best year for cars and people! ;)

[@alfredlearlyjr1780]

I was in Germany when that car came out, so many memories.

[@att61y]

Being looking forward to this for a while - a great score Mike! That's a keeper along with the 560....👍

[@VITOSGARAGE]

Wow what a sweet Benz! There's one in Northwest Indiana that my friend might be getting. Runs and drives, just has a flywheel tooth missing. Hopefully he gets it. It's a 1972.

[@alfredlearlyjr1780]

He's riding in style dude.

[@kenbackman7010]

Wow Mike what a gem !

[@ksstoneman]

Yes! Finally an update. Good find, great job.

[@howardrice9527]

That's a beautiful car Mike!

[@mikestickersm3mxb279]

Lovely car Mike, New oil. petrol etc and turn the crank manually before trying to start

[@saintfunny]

What a gorgeous car Mike, love the colour, love the key ring! This is going to be a good series. 👍👍

[@derekrichardson762]

Nice classic old school Benz Mike! She's a time capsule for sure congrats on an awesome purchase.

[@zenjamin6262]

What a awsome 280se the body looks so straight!!! Mike your dad is up there pulling some strings ! I think the next car for the collection will be a r107 560sl !

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

I think he is too! I had a 560 SL when I lived in Orlando. Never should have sold it...

[@davebrown4956]

What a beauty! Congrats.

[@Casey.seeK.]

That's a great car. That Mercedes would be big bucks here in Europe

[@phillipjohnson512]

I knew you'd get that car..... look forward to seeing you put that beauty back on the road!!!

[@NewBeRVer]

Whoa! I envy you! That’s a beautiful Benz!!!

[@Djwally13]

Even though its a little dusty from sitting so long, the engine bay looks very clean! That little 280 SE was taken care of when it was on the road. : )

[@MikeBMW]

Cool, Mike! Heckuva find! I always love your prose - you're treating us like we're right there with you. As usual, great vid! :)

[@nayyeriqbal7142]

Congrats Mike nice car love it love ur video can't wait to see more videos on this beauty

[@lucyenglish8215]

@MonkeyWrenchMike the Mercedes is absolutely gorgeous xx

[@michaelharrison500]

Congrats Mike It’s finally happened A great buy

[@rjft7003]

Enjoyed every single minute of this vid. A real Mercedes-Benz Made in Germany! Please keep it US specs as IMO seems much better than European version. Congratulations on the acquisition Mike. Greetings from Lodz in Poland, around 600 miles from where that beauty was made so many years ago :)

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Poland!! How cool. Thank you!

[@thejewbacabra4926]

Awesome stuff. I remember the episode where you left your card. Glad the guy called.

[@kenhopkinss22]

Awesome Mike too cool 😎

[@rottyguy888]

Great video Mike! I love the the car

[@Djwally13]

I agree, that 1969 will give tons of content! : )

[@rhiantaylor3446]

As with any new purchase, first thing you do is plug into OBD2 and read the codes :) What a beautiful car - you will need to keep it under cover to preserve the finish of course.

[@victorparker308]

Car has no computer. To old. Reading vehicle codes not invented until 1980s.

[@rhiantaylor3446]

@@victorparker308 You don't say...

[@Mustang00007]

Looks good mate. Boss had a 1965 one, back in the 70s rode like it was on rails. So smooth as well.

[@southshorecollectibles]

Congrats on the new purchase Mike, I like it!

[@apexseal2811]

Yes! You finally got it! It may not be the M100 6.8l V8 W109 (yeah, not cheap either) but it's great! Much simpler and easier to work on engine. Paintwork appears to be in very good shape considering the car has been off the road for 20+ years. Not sure how the camera picks it up, but we'll see.

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

I have some receipts . Previous owner had it painted in 1989. There’s a note it was done twice because he wasn’t satisfied... lol.

[@apexseal2811]

Monkey Wrench Mike Oh, haha. But it appears last time it was done correctly as in over 30 years it doesn't show signs of "wear", especially being parked exposed to the elements for a long time.

[@Uc9uE3pKsS6uQ]

congrats Mike all best

[@carsreconditioning7127]

I like your new toy.very beautiful car.

[@BigJon22091]

Glad you finally got it. We need a fleet update, Mike.

[@Jddvs]

What a great new acquisition, Mike! She looks to be in really nice shape body wise. I hope that mechanically it is as well.

[@paulbingville6485]

That car is in amazing condition, Mike. Can't blame you for falling in love with it. You might want to look through Pierre Hedary's videos if you haven't already. He has a lot of info on older Mercedes.

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

I’ve been watching his videos and Kent’s!!

[@tony_25or6to4]

That paint will buff out real nice.

[@t-bone8994]

Love your channel monkey wrench Mike

[@rogerhill4555]

Good luck with this beauty. My first Me/BE was a 1961 220 se, a wonderful start to owning at least 10 since then. I am now enjoying a 1978 300 cd with only 117 thousand on it

[@MonkeyWrenchMike]

Nice!!

[@Tillbilly]

heck yeah congrats brother , now thats a sweet car

[@jimmymckinness1939]

Nice car, I'm glad you share your passion with us

[@tazmod7272]

Monkey Man Mike have fun with your new purchase.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Nice ride dude! I reckon I'd start with the unglammerous stuff first. Drain the fuel tank, flush the fuel lines and replace the fuel filters. Get some fresh fuel in there.

[@tolnaijani]

Nice car! Have fun with it, Mike! :)

[@garyashdown5376]

Really happy for you Mike I remember you nearly wetting yourself when you saw it all those months ago and it looks as good as ever. 👍👍👍👍 The first thing I would do with the car is considering its condition is to find a nice dry and safe stable for her to live in. The last thing you want is for some nice little kiddy wink run there bike down 5he paintwork. As for the Merc like the others have said start at the back gass tank, filters pump, and maybe the gas lines as they might be full of gass varnish. Looking forward to this one Mike game on. Gary...... England 🇬🇧

[@1chish]

Well Mike everything good comes to he who waits. What an absolute gem of a car. I know nothing about MB engine mechanics other than that they are bulletproof and wonderfully over engineered (look at that throttle linkage!) but that M130 engine dates back to 1951. So I think its sort of well proven. Its always amused me that while these and MB cars generally are considered to be luxury cars in the UK and the USA in Germany these were used as Taxis.....

[@cartreks5053]

Just beautiful.

[@racerboy2212]

Congratulations!!! The W111 platform has got to be my favorite overall chassis! On my bucket list is a 1971 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet. Don’t get me wrong, I still adore all of my W126 chassis cars, too!

[@1chish]

As its a '69 and doesn't have the 'fintail' rear end I think its a W108.

[@racerboy2212]

1chish You’re 100% correct! The Coupe is still the W111 through ‘71 which is my favorite.

[@jaysmith5084]

I would get a breaker bar and see if you can spin the crank pulley first before anything else !! Good luck Mike she looks decent so far 👍

[@undertakerfire7810]

Wow I haven’t even watched yet and that is amazing!!👍

[@SantiagoFigueroaRojo1999]

Beautiful car!

[@redneckbryon]

This car would be the ultimate test for Randy's Genius Boost...

[@proaz4034]

it looks wonderful ...your wife must be jealous ...but really you deserve this beautiful Mercedes 1969

[@danijelcar5184]

Nice Mercedes old classic car I also have a old German Ford 17m model P7b from 1969 that need some love also Greetings from Croatia!

[@steveedwards1072]

Great deal at any price!

[@LunarOutlawsGarage]

What a beautiful car

[@TheCadillacGuy92]

Now that’s a beautiful Benz really classy there

[@bergman5045]

Thats a follow, nice cars you have mate! 😎

[@adamjanowski4672]

The Mercedes I like is the one they used in the movie Road House that was a sharp car

[@saltzen961]

Get the correct IGN wires and plug insulators . Change points and plugs , and ADJ valves . Might also need a throttle linkage coloration . Drain tank , remove and have cleaned , then change all fuel filters .

[@robertross6775]

Hey I love it looks like a pretty nice car I know them straight sixes run forever.

[@brianandrews7099]

European luxury car guys have a reputation for ignoring other classics of the same make and vintage when they encounter them out on the roads. BMW is the same way. VW people (old and new) are the exact opposite; they nearly always beep, smile, and wave at each other out on the road (especially old and new Beetles)! Being a snob is just not that much fun! Those old M-Bs are amazing! I don’t know the MB models well, but I always had a soft spot for the early-to-mid ‘60s sedans that had a bit of a tail fin on the rear quarters! I dunno what sort of toxic waste they mixed up and added to make the vinyl material for old Mercedes seats? That stuff was amazing! Nice score!

[@russelltrupia4479]

Great job Mike this looks very promising!!!

[@gary1705]

The first thing I would do is get rid of the wheels and put on the period correct chrome and white wheel trims 👌I have had two of these both white with brown interior with the obligatory white wall tires of course I couldn’t go anywhere without people coming up to me congratulating me on the condition and them asking if I am available for weddings😍

[@knotsoperfect5928]

She is beautiful. Wow, nice find.

[@Louisfps]

OMG you did it, now you need a garage like Hoovie and a big house to go with it, that s a beauty enjoy it

[@timfenrich5328]

Well played👍👍