Getting ready to buy my first vintage Mercedes (w110 fintail / heckflosse)

Hi guys!
I have wanted a Vintage Mercedes for the longest time. I am finally ready to get one. I am looking into the Fintail/ Heckflosse (w110). I absolutely love how those cars look. Very beautiful cars.
I have looked at 2 cars, which I have listed below. I plan to buy one. Which one do you guys think ?
Option 1) 1963 Mercedes 220S Automatic (dual carburetor)
For $9k
Option 2) 1964 Mercedes 220SE ( Manual) (Fuel injection)
For 10k
#youtube #classiccars #mercedes #vintagecars

[@kensshowtell]

The car you purchased (220 SE) is not a W110. It is a W111. The radio is incorrect as it is a modern replacement. You should really read the owner's manual as they are very useful and not full of stupid legal disclaimers. Keep taking it back to that mechanic at least yearly for service. Unlike new cars these require regular attention to service to keep them healthy. Never take it to a garage that does not know these cars and never take it a Mercedes dealer as they won't even know what it is. I've been enjoying helping you out and I'm happy you have been feeling comfortable reaching out to me.

[@shaunbiggs4219]

Hi column change is tricky at first especially if your not used to manual,but better car for sure.good luck whichever you decide .lm looking for a 280 se which is similar without the fins .....shaun

[@meetbhuller6324]

Hi brother, sorry for the late reply here. That's what I have heard too, the steering column shifter can be tricky at first if never driven a manual before. I agree, the manual 220SE definitely seems like a better car overall, like you had said. I am also leaning towards the manual. Learning to drive a manual will be a great skill to learn and pass on with your family and friends. Thank you for your input, it was helpful. Much appreciated🙏. The 280 SE are very nice cars. I had actually looked at one last year and loved it. Unfortunately that car got sold. Good luck on your search! Thanks again for sharing your input here Shaun 🙂

[@frankbenz893]

If I were to choose it would be neither. I would search for the later years of the W111. Preferably a 230S 66 , 67, or 68 (last year very rare). You should be able to find an automatic if you don't want to learn the manual. Why? The later years brought some great improvements both mechanically and interior. Some early models did not have a brake booster. The 230S is a carburetor car. If I could I would stay away from the SEs. While they work great when in good shape, when you have an issue you will need to rob a bank to fix it. Each injector is a fortune. Maintenance or overhaul of the mechanical pump runs in the thousands of dollars and the electric pump in the back near the tank is hard to find and also expensive if you ever need a replacement. I say replacement because you can't find them new anymore, even as NOS. You can get lucky and rebuild them. That said, the 230 S not only has a bit more power, usually comes wit MB Tex for interior materials which is very durable and you can still find examples in very good shape. The unicorn is really the 1968 230S. It has some newer items at the time only available in this last year, such as the steering column introduced in the W108s and W114. Improved ignition switch etc. BTW, W110 doesn't carry the S, they are smaller cars and usually cabs in Germany.

[@meetbhuller6324]

Hi, thank you for taking the time to share all that information with me. I definitely agree with you, it's better to find a later year of production for that Fintail generation since it will have improvements and some issues may have been taken care of. I will try searching for the later years you mentioned. Ideally, I am looking for an automatic but open to learning manual since it has been on my mind to learn one day. I just looked up the 66, 67 and 68 230 S and I see they still have the Fintails, which is perfect because I am in search of the Fintail models. The 230 S sounds like a good one to look into. I will look into it. Thank you again for all the input here. Much appreciated.

[@michaelkotterer1284]

Really nice Paint 💚

[@meetbhuller6324]

I agree, the paint on the cars is very nice. I was amazed when I saw both of the cars and saw how well the paint was holding up on the cars for its age. The paint color is very nice as well. Absolutely beautiful cars. Thank you for sharing your comment 🙂

[@petercollingwood522]

Overall the SE is in nicer shape and I would prefer it. I have driven manuals most of my life so that's not a problem. I believe the 220S is a twin carb car not a single carb. I would assume maintaining carbureattors would be easier than old mechanical fuel injection units, both in terms of the complexity involved and in terms of parts availablility. But if you have a mechanic whose been maintaining the car himself and is familiar with these old Bosch FI systems then thats probably not an issue. Difficult choice but for me overall I'd go for the condition and I think the 220SE is nicer. As for people who say older cars can't keep up with modern traffic. Clearly they know nonthing about Mercedes. These six cylinder Mercedes were the "S-classes" of their day, from the land of the Autobahn, where there were no speed limits. Obviously they won't beat fart cans between traffic lights but that is not what they were ever intended to do. If you intend driving them like that you shouldn't own one. These are great cars and if it were me I'd use the SE as motivation to learn to drive a manual.

[@meetbhuller6324]

Hi, thank you for taking the time out and sharing your input. I really enjoyed reading your response. I definitely agree with you, the 1964 220 SE (manual) seems to be in much better condition overall and also this would be a great opportunity to learn how to drive a manual. I have heard manual cars are fun to drive. My mechanic that's selling the 220 SE, mentioned that he's taken very good care of the car and done everything on the car that it needed. The mechanic's shop, specializes in European cars from vintage to modern, so they do work on carbs and old Bosche Fi systems, which is good. And yes, you are correct, the 220 S is a twin carb car. I am 100% with you on that, people that say these cars can't keep up etc, they underestimate or do not know mercedes. These cars are built very strong and meant to last. These cars are meant for cruising and not racing. I appreciate the beauty of these classic mercedes and how they were made. I plan on picking up the car soon, once I get it, I will make a video on the car and share it here :). Thanks again for sharing!

[@petercollingwood522]

@@meetbhuller6324 Good to hear. My first Mercedes was a 71 108 280S, also twin carb. Fantastic car. It was the model that replaced the Fintail. But I'd also like to own a Fintail and the "Ponton" that preceded them.

[@meetbhuller6324]

@@petercollingwood522 I pulled up some photos from google of the 1971 108 280S to see and thats a very beautiful car. These cars are evergreen. The 280S was a 8 cylinder? That reminds me, I had checked out a 1973 280S last year, very nice cars. And yes, I see what you are saying, the Fintails got replaced in these models. And that would be very cool to own a Fintail and the one that preceded them.

[@petercollingwood522]

@@meetbhuller6324 No. The 280 was a six. Mercedes never made a V8 smaller than the 350.

[@meetbhuller6324]

@@petercollingwood522 oooh got it. Good to know that👍.

[@dogdadbabycrossfit5251]

64 all the way baby!

[@meetbhuller6324]

Hey Andrew! I am with you on that, 64 all the way! The 1964 220 SE seems in the best shape and well taken care of. Thank you for your input my brother. It's always nice to hear from you.

[@dogdadbabycrossfit5251]

@@meetbhuller6324 🫡

[@Jashan_Sodhi]

Yo, what’s up Meet bro, it’s Jashan. I think you should get the second car you showed us (the one that’s a manual) because this one looks like it’s in better condition and also it’s a learning opportunity to learn how to drive a manual. And it just looks more clean than the other one. The other one looks good but it’s some stuff like the dent and the car seats don’t look good in my opinion. But it’s overall your choice.

[@meetbhuller6324]

Yooo whats up Jashan! Happy to hear from you brother😀. I definitely agree with you, the 1964 220 SE (manual) seems to be in much better condition overall. The car is owned by my mechanic, and he mentioned hes always garaged it all its life and has took very good care of the car. Like you said, getting a manual will definitely be a learning opportunity, which will be fun. I have heard manual cars are fun. Life's too short, gotta have fun and enjoy and learn new things. Learning manual will be a skill that I can share with our family and friends and pass on. I really enjoyed hearing from you, and I loved your input and the car you liked. Talk to you soon Jashan 🙂.

[@raoulheinrichvonmerten4851]

Learn how to weld. They are noted for their ability to rust.

[@raoulheinrichvonmerten4851]

Go for the se, learn the manual , it’s good for the brain.

[@meetbhuller6324]

Hi, sorry for the late response. i definitely agree, the SE sounds like the best option. That is a good point, driving a manual will be a good stimulation for the brain. This will be a great opportunity to learn a new skill. Oooh I see, I have read about the ability to rust on these cars. Learning to weld can be the next thing to learn, since these classic/ vintage cars can catch rust. Thank you for sharing your input. Much appreciated.