How reliable is a Vintage Mercedes Benz W108 from the 1960's?

[@skymuffn]

…there is something about that body style that draws me in. It is oozing with elegance but still gives a hint of that brutish charm. I have been driving my late Grandfather’s ‘72 280 SEL 4.5 since I was 16 back in 1985. I still drive her around the Silicon Valley once in a while and she gets a lot of attention still. At 319K miles on her, I have put beyond the amount she is worth but maintaining her is. I am no car guy but got the hubby who is an excellent mechanic that helps me look after the aging fleet I have inherited from my family. By the way I admire your amazing adventures and thank you for sharing it.

[@SirDrifto]

@@skymuffn absolutely agree 100%

[@roderickbowes2482]

Absolutely LOVE these Mercs -- My dad had a 280 S Automatic in the 1970's and 1980''s -- It was as tough as nails -- went like a dream --always looked like it demanded respect and lasted forever . Once it was up to 90 / 100 MPH she was in a World of her own and just loved it ! ! !

[@Chuckyd26]

I can relate to you saying every time you drive a 108 it makes you smile! Proud owner of a 1966 250S manual and 1971 280SE auto, owned the 250S for 13 years now and only a pleasure, never let me down. Enjoy

[@SirDrifto]

@@Chuckyd26 ahh I bet that manual is a hoot!

[@Chuckyd26]

@SirDrifto it is!

[@abbeyclock4650]

Lovely car! Our neighbor had a new one when I was a kid in the Dominican Republic, a 1972 280SE, beige, brown leather interior. I admired it every time I saw it. As a vintage car owner myself, I completely agree with all your advice about maintenance. I had a 1978 Caprice Classic Estate for 34 years, and I changed the oil every 2000 miles. Having once owned a BMW motorcycle, I would emphasise the very high cost of maintenance and parts of all things German. Your video brings back memories of the wonderful sound the engines make, the clunking of the doors when you close them, highest quality throughout. Thanks.

[@sirjosephwhitworth9415]

I have owned a W108 280S for nine years, always liked these when I first saw one in about 1966. I concur with what you say, I don't do huge distances here in England, but nevertheless it is used on a regular basis. Speaking for the six cylinder cars only, they do like to rev and will thrive on that, 65 to 70 mph is comfortable on a run, my car has the later 3.69 rear diff which helps a bit. Everywhere I take the car it is loved, all generations not just the older ones, strange really, but nice. Good video

[@olavi_liikanen]

I love the W126 and W123 series (own W123 300D non turbo 4-speed manual sedan myself.) But dear lord these W108 series are SO gorgeous! Such an combination of beauty and tank like engineering! Can't beat them. Greetings from Finland! 👋

[@SirDrifto]

Absolutely agree 👍

[@alexandrebeinotti3359]

Same here!

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

I drove a 1971 280C in the mid 70s. It blew a head gasket on the freeway and became a steam engine. After the repair I drove it for about a month and the drivers side power rear window actuator went out. I decided that I couldn't afford the up keep and traded it. But, I did love driving that car.

[@RobertSmith-jl4yw]

Next month my wife and I will have owned our 1966, 250S automatic (dark red exterior, grey interior) for 23-years. It has been excellent. 200,000-miles is just coming up. I drove this every day for the first 10-years, a day or two per week since, including some big motoring tours (2000-miles). It always amazes me how well it drives, including handling. Everyone loves it (that's true). If there's one disappointment, perhaps, it's a little noisy at speed (was commented on in contemporary road tests). Perhaps we are lucky to live in South Australia, regarding rust, but the sun is murder for paint and interiors. Our MB-Tex was 40-years old when we redid the seats. The W116 (I had a late 280SE for 7-years during the W108 ownership) was a big step up in refinement: super ride, quieter, plusher, etc. I loved it - almost baroque in appearance, but one had to go, and I kept the 108 that EVERYONE admires. I've owned a 114 and 2 123s, including the "Best Car Ever Made", the 300D. It has a right to claim it, but I'm back down to the 108, so that must say something. Enjoy yours for many years!

[@MrBluoct]

Nice Owned a 1970 250c. Two tone - dark blue top and classic white lower . Dark blue leather interior. Superior ride plus no b pillar and the LOWER roof line. Plus 4wheel disc - the preferred white steering wheel and a unique chrome front crash bar I was told the two -tone paint was a us dealer option ?. A local tire shop was owned by a father/son. The father owned one with what he stated included a set of rare german magnesium Mb rims

[@JessicaT-qp9uv]

You just have to love those rolling bank vaults

[@SpikeArrowood]

Beautiful Car!!!! Love it!! I really enjoy your videos. Due to you and your w123 240d manual, I set out and found one. I AM IN LOVE!! I bought a 1982 240d yellow/black 187k manual trans, windows, sunroof, mirrors and HVAC. I have dailyed it for 2 years and have put 23k on it. It has cost some, just replacing all rubber parts, brakes, upper control arms, speakers. I got the Valvoline Premium Blue and change it at 5k. It is a Momentum Car!!!! I'm On the market for a newer E class to supplement and for long distances. I Keep the videos coming!

[@SpikeArrowood]

ps- if you ever get to the Chattanooga Tennessee area, hit me up as I have friends that have an eclectic car collection you would love

[@SirDrifto]

@@SpikeArrowood great choice in a car 👍

[@b4804514]

Mechanic is the key to ownership of a Mercedes

[@PeterCombs]

I drove a '68 280 S Manual transmission model that was originally bought in Europe, I drove it for 10 years..never had any issues...oil, tune-ups, tires and break pads...that's all it ever needed.

[@dawitkassa3131]

Excellent presentation, sir. Thank you for sharing.

[@Hugothester]

Oh yes, a good old Merc video, this is like sweet wine to me. I own a 1972 w116 280SE and honestly the only issues I have experienced is the fuel tank having rust which forced me to clean and recoat it and the passenger window going down but not back up because of a bad contact on the window switch. These cars are incredibly reliable, but I would argue not suit for daily driving (for that buy a w123) as issues do happen and if this is your only car you might struggle a bit.

[@SirDrifto]

@@Hugothester thats a great car aswell!

[@jonboy9912]

I live in London England and have owned a 2007 CLS 320 CDI for 12 years and a 1999 SL320 for 8 years. I am the second owner of both vehicles and the cars have approximately the same mileage, just over 100,000 miles each. Both cars are parked in the open in my drive all year round and have performed remarkable. The CLS is the best family car I have ever driven, it has never let me down and I have not spent a penny on it's maintenance outside basic servicing , it has no rust and goes like stink! The SL is different, I have put 2 ECU's in because of convertible roof failures and replaced both window regulators and motors and it rusts ever so lightly around the wheel arches on occasion. Apart from that it has received oil changes every year, irrespective of mileage and it has been used more lightly for weekends away, but it is used fairly frequently for my sole personal transport. I would not change either car ever for anything!

[@jamespolcyn8441]

Beauty. I have a 1974 450 SE. w116

[@ItsTimePictures]

I was wondering about your w108. Thanks for the update.

[@the1andonly]

Interesting car. A long time ago I bought a 450 SL (1978, I think). I rebuilt the engine and expected it to run good. But the mechanical fuel injection totally screwed me up. I never got it to run well. A mechanic eventually agreed to help me with it. The idea was to sell it and split the proceeds. I was going through a divorce and eventually moved away. I never saw the car again, but know that it sat at that shop for years. The Hayne's manual didn't cover the fuel injection system.

[@25Wineman]

The last time I saw a 108 was back in the 80s I was in Carmel. Doris Day was on the passenger seat! Oh and Clint was Mayor

[@stephengoodwin6403]

Yes,if you can find a non rusty example that has been maintained.I am looking for one.

[@cgnicolis]

Oh how this makes me miss my '69 280se coupe with the 3.5 V8.

[@helmuthhaass3631]

I own one in Oz (since 1990.) W111 Metallic red with beige leather interior, fully optioned. Has been in two Targa Tasmania rallies and runs very smoothly, also quite fast. That 3.5 V8 is a real gem.

[@kennethhancock2433]

I had a 71 250/8 114. Probably the best car I ever owned. Not as hand built as a 108 hi line car but had charm, class, and doors that shut like a safe. If it weren’t for the max 24 mpg I’d try and have one today.

[@garyowen9044]

I love these. Back when a Mercedes looked like a Mercedes.

[@zambotv8150]

It's stunning looking

[@JohnZornAscended]

Regal

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

we in the BMW comunity with e21, e30s, e28s, and earlier love the shell rotella. Beautiful Merc.

[@SirDrifto]

Great choice in cars!

[@Bamsebrakar2011]

The most common W108 engine by far was the 2.8 litre inline six, which comprised around 60% of production, either carburetted (280S) or fuel injected (280SE/SEL). By the way, I like the old German oval export registration plate and the yellow French headlights.

[@SirDrifto]

Which variant did you like more, carb or injection? And thank you!

[@helmuthhaass3631]

I think thst the 2.8 liter engines were a little smoother running. Owned one in the 1970's, however it was prone to blowing headgaskets

[@stuff0music]

@@helmuthhaass3631one of the maintenance procedures on the M129 and M130 engines in those vehicles was to retighten the cylinder head bolts at certain intervals. The increased bore on the M130 engine eliminated the water passage between the cylinder bores which made them more prone to head gasket failure if the maintenance procedure was neglected. Those vehicles hit the market just as I started my apprenticeship on them.

[@johncorboy2163]

I had a 1968 280 manual,it was a great cruiser still held it’s own on the highway unfortunately the rust was the problem in nz ,I moved on to w123 but still kick myself for not taking care of the body .

[@auto-klassiker]

You are a very lucky man. The W108 my favorite Mercedes of all time, sadly I have never owned one, but I have had two W123 230E's.

[@SirDrifto]

Are you kidding ? W123 230e are awesome! I wish we had more stateside, really cool cars

[@verdict1163]

Comparison video between this and your W123 wagon would be interesting, and a treat for Mercedes fanatics like me! Greetings from an '84 280E owner.

[@jumhig]

Great car, my daily driver was a 280S from 1971. Loved it, never let me down. Sold it to get something more economical, big mistake...

[@matsujarvinen]

Beautiful car and nice info,thanks.

[@SirDrifto]

Glad you liked it!

[@andrewthacker114]

The W123 diesel is my first choice. Nice car , looks great. Bushings I guess need changing.

[@SirDrifto]

I think the w123 is the ultimate highway cruiser

[@MH-fb5kr]

like any other vehicle, keep up with routine maintenance and do repairs promptly to extend longevity

[@SirDrifto]

Well said!

[@prakashnarismulu3332]

Great car . Current drive is a 1977 W123 280 e . The efi system is Bosch K Jetronic.

[@SirDrifto]

@@prakashnarismulu3332 very cool!

[@kennixox262]

Very reliable, IF you can get parts and have a reliable mechanic to work on it and to stay ahead of the maintenance.

[@williampowell2722]

had 2, a 1970 280sel and a1972 280sel 4.5. put lots of miles on them just maintained the common issues. more reliable than new ones. really reliable these cars are how Mercedes got their reputation for reliability and mystique.

[@jrnymn14]

she`s a beauty

[@chrisadams6595]

I've owned w123 , w124, W211, A203, W201 and W202 all bought when at least 10 years old with more than 100k on the clock for pennies. I've now got a 2013 W246 B180 petrol. Absolutely great car , on 70,000 miles now direct injection low pressure turbo . Will do 50mpg on a run and 40 round the town which for a petrol / gasoline car is amazing. IMHO it seems as well made as all the others .

[@SirDrifto]

@@chrisadams6595 that's great to hear that on the newer ones. My lady drives a newer glk and it's been great.

[@rafaellomacchiato8113]

Is it a good oil to use an old VW Beetle? We are waiting for the BMW update! Cheers!

[@SirDrifto]

Works great in the vw too

[@crabbymilton390]

At least MERCEDES BENZ still builds such sedans.

[@billrbca]

ditto....I use Rotella in my '90 300SL R129....interesting about the MMM....will start using to extend life of the fuel distributor..I try to use ethanol free gas .currently at 168k....thinking about another W126

[@barta844]

I was warned years ago by a Preowned MB Specialist to STAY AWAY. I really wanted the 280 SE, either 6 or the 3.5r coupe. He pushed me to an SEC which was a very good car, but remember that even that was a late 70's design. Parts can be an issue, not inexpensive and many dealers won't touch the older cars with a barge pole. Just my experience. I've owned a few classic MB's, still have a R-129 Silver Arrow, but am going to let that go before long.

[@jvinsnes]

would love one of these with an om606

[@SirDrifto]

@@jvinsnes yes!!

[@neelsswierstra4603]

Good pick on the oil

[@markguitarlfk]

This is a nice car, but an awkward model to purchase today. It's the kind of car where a major repair might not be worth doing. For example, it's a $15K motor in an $11K car. If that bothers you, look at a 250se coupe. It will cost more like $38K, but it's always worth fixing, and it's far more elegant. With either model, the materials and build quality is amazing. Just hearing the door close will make your day.

[@SirDrifto]

I agree on the engine stuff, you can still find private shops to do the build for less, but in my opinion like you said, you have to outweight the costs to value. if this engine ever dies on me which is doubtfull, i most likely would swap a newer MB 6 cylinder into it for modern repairability, mpg, and power.

[@the8419]

If you’re saying that, you don’t seem to understand the true value and consumers of these cars. A real enthusiast realizes its true value and also that there aren’t many left on the road. They don’t care about resale and profit. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep it going as long as they can just because of its age and condition. You clearly aren’t an enthusiast, you’re a just a middle class guy who doesn’t have the funds to own these cars

[@SirDrifto]

@@the8419 are you referring to me or the above comment?

[@the8419]

@@SirDrifto the above comment, not you

[@SirDrifto]

@the8419 that makes sense, i was like I'm trying to keep the originality of the car even if it has a newer mb 6 cylinder 🤣

[@PeterIannuzzi]

What camera did you film this with?

[@Wheelgauge-bt7ox]

That’s a pretty little German lady👍

[@mrpaulkraus]

Did you show this at a spirit of flight event in 2020 or 21?

[@SirDrifto]

I sure did

[@fjordking]

My 1974 280 drove it over 400 thousand in miles then it got tboned rip Now daily driver 1989 300 sel straight 250 thousand miles going strong

[@PDZ1122]

Pretty much all 60s and 70s are prone to rusting out long before they have mechanical problems.

[@alanpeachey4085]

Thank you for being you for the automobile industry is history from the ground up but what we must be maintaining at all levels to get the use of the day involved because they don’t want them. They would rather be on a computer playing a war game a country somewhere their age from 9 to early 50s, shameful. We have a task ahead again. Thank you for being you regarding Al from down under.

[@SirDrifto]

I hope one day that will change and the art of a combustion engine will be cool again, thanks for watching.

[@muralidharc782]

At lefthander crossed over double yellow line.?

[@SirDrifto]

Yeah it's my favorite Sunday activity.

[@mrbrisvegas2]

I owned one. They are super reliable. But the six cylinder engines are hopelessly underpowered.

[@frankhklaeschen3288]

I think there is no 250 engine - SE, Pagoda or /8 where the engine is not rebuildt or change because the 250 engines had piston rings with problems from new coming from the factory result in excessiv oil consumtion. Mercedes rebuild the engines or changed to 280. My neighbours had a 250 SL Pagoda with 280 MB shop changed engine. Up to today 250 Mercedes are less expensive than 280 or 230 (/8, SL). In that bad tradition up to the W123, where 250 with Solex register carburettor could not compare with the 230 E and 280 E injection engines. To gear - short gearing for "punch" at acceleraton. The 90' C class 4 banger are so high geared that you can smoke a cigar from 100 up to 130 Kmh.

[@RobertSmith-jl4yw]

By 1966, Mercedes Benz had changed to molybdenum piston rings and solved the problem. My 250S (owned for 23-years, 199,900-miles) engine has never been rebuilt, not even had the head off. Only early M250s gave trouble. It's true, they are less sort after. good for me as that makes them cheaper!

[@bw2442]

Driving miss daisy.

[@SirDrifto]

Great movie

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

The best or nothing. MB credo before 2000

[@hd4100]

Bet you’re vacuuming the dog hair often

[@SirDrifto]

Actually not really. Otto is pretty minimal with shedding compared to other dogs

[@114jmg]

This car is 56 years old car

[@PeterIannuzzi]

What camera did you film this with?

[@SirDrifto]

Gopro 😅

[@PeterIannuzzi]

@@SirDrifto I like the style, keep it up.