It seems like it might be a ‘flying carpet’ because it looks like it wants to take off every time Hoovie leaves the garage. If so it’s definitely worth millions!😂
My father had one in 1973. Kept it for 20 years, serviced by Mercedes, whose mechanics virtually fought among themselves to service it. A wonderful car and solid as hell. Manual gearbox. I miss that car!
A stick in a S-class? You must be somewhere in Europe, eh? My two were 10 years younger (123 240D's, an '81 and '82), and they were the only Mercedes models with sticks sold in the U. S. at that time.
My Dad had a 1972 Mercedes 300Sel 6.3 as u can see in my profile pic, but left it In Australia when we went to Greece and his relatives sold it for $5000 in the 80s which is close to nothing, now they are really rare and go for over 100k. 😢😢
Yeah the 6.3 is the most expensive. I mean on one hand a falcon here for less money new would be worth 300k-1million, but even the 6.3 was the one I was after 20+ years ago. Could have got one for under $10k but I thought that was too much. I'd be laughing if I bought it. But then again my $1000 mazda rx3 or $3000 falcon would also be worth 100k now anyway, so definitely a better return on them.
these are part of a small group of what i call "lifetime" cars. properly maintained, you literally can have one your entire life and because of their quality, some people wouldnt mind never replacing it. however the gas models tend to be a bit thirsty. thats offset though by not having car payments all the time.
Trademark MB doors. I love that sound. A '76 240D save my friend's life. He was t-boned on the driver's b-pillar at 60+ mph. He walked away with a bloody nose. The car gave it's life for him.
The Mercedes "thuck" I love Trans Ams but they have a distinctive bam, rattle, reverb type sound that means its time for hinge pin bushings, possibly hinge pins, and maybe new hinges, latch, striker, door handle, repeat. Possibly accompanied by the T-top raising up a quarter inch (another rattling leaking monstrosity) I simply cant believe I had an 82 TA for almost two decades. Now they bring more money than they were ever worth and a base 20 year old Civic will blow it off the road.
I bought a 1973 Mercedes 280SE with a 2.8 six in it for $1000.00. But it had a 4 speed trans and even a version of ABS from that time which NO other cars had then. It drove like a dream and I would have kept it if the rust hadn't eaten it up like lightening once it took hold. Those "Composite wheels" were amazingly light as well. I was blown away. I loved that thing! Even the 2.8 six was fairly quick. It was faster than the 1994 Nissan 300ZX I had at the same time.
I had one of these in very good condition. 12 miles per gallon. Hvac system that boggled my brain and barely worked. Made a different new and expensive noise every time I drove it. Horrible money pit. Sold it for 7 grand over 20 years ago. Happiest day of my life
Well, that car suits you perfectly. Like none of all the cars before. It's a fantastic car from a era long gone. A time capsule. And a absolutely beatiful conserved one, which is very very very rare.
Funny so many vloggers saying these are steals now and can’t figure out why. Yes they can vary greatly, and excellent examples are not cheap unless you get real lucky. Moreover they are expensive to maintain with Mercedes parts, which you’ll want to do. Very possible for him to spend the purchase cost of the car in the next year or two maintaining or replacing things. Wonderful cars if you are comfortable not sparing any expense maintaining this work of art.
I browse autotempest all the time, and I don't even live in the states. I just love how much support they give you guys and what they help make possible .. and who doesn't love shopping for the best that 'faded glory' has to offer in foreign countries! Love the channel and what you do Tyler. I've been with you since the S600 and haven't missed a video. Cheers from Australia.
the people that have them in this condition think to much of them, these are 3rd world country taxi's even still to day, their worth more as parts than intact near mint, no rarity
I had a 280SEL 4.5 and it was the quintessential Classic German Muscle Car. Mine was a brown color and was named Wernher Von Braun when it was given to me by a friend who wanted it to go to a good home and be driven, and boy did I drive it. I absolutely adored that car and daily drove it for three or four years before I finally had to retire it due to extensive rust issues that were beyond repairable without taking it down to the bare shell. The 108 chassis are still my favorite, even after owning several 126's.
This was built at a time when you could actually own a car forever...just depends on how much you want to put into it. Today though, most vehicles won't last 10 years without thousands and thousands in repair costs.
back in the era of this car middle class german folks would save up to buy one, knowing that the investment was worth it because it would be the only car they ever needed.....times have changed.
@@joeb7975 , times change, people change, somewhat due to brain washing advertising and some "keeping up with the Joneses" attitude. I drive an old Toyota, i reckon it will last longer than my eyesight. Long term ownership is usually the cheapest in the long run. New cars only built to last an extended warrenty in some cases.....8 years, sad.
That model was my first car. I was 18 and knew nothing about cars, thus it did not last me one year. I learned a lot about cars the hard way; I didn't have UA-camrs to learn from back in the day.
When I was 18, my first car was a '61 Mercedes 'Ponton' 180. Learned to fix cars and shift gears on that one. Kept it running almost 20 years, 'till '92.
3 reasons come to mind why values are low: (1) as you note, rust (my father-in-law had 1 & frame rust ended it); (2) for sedate sedans nostalgia is a bigger reason to own (the 73 Benz is a better car than my 68 Imperial, but Unlike the Imperial, I have no connection to Benz); and (3) parts costs (anything you need on that car will cost much more than for your 66 Imperial -shockingly more if you need to get it from MB itself) Great content - thank you!
About 15 years ago I had a 'grey market' '78 280SE with a factory 4-speed, crank windows, cloth seats, and no AC. It belonged to a guy who worked for an oil company in the Middle East. He liked the car so much he brought it back with him to the States. That big Mercedes with a hemi straight six and a four-on-the-floor was a lot of fun! 😆
My late grandfather bought a brand new1976 Mercedes-Benz 220E from Germany and drove it all the way to the middle east. He actually filled up the car with spare parts and just drove it home. I just loved that car. I learned how to drive in one of those. He joked about the car being indestructible and that they melted old WWII tanks to make them.
I recently picked up a V4 1999 Mercedes C230 Kompressor (SuperCharger) with 107,000 miles for $2,500 and it drives 10x better than my previous 2 cars! I love everything about it so far except for long term maintenance fees 🥵🧎🏻
Hey Hoonies, a big fan from Saudi Arabia, always love the intro lol - you should do a one on the 6.9L 1974 mercedes - you will never regret that - trust me. Have a good day. Fahad
I OWNED THAT CAR !! Well, not that EXACT car, but the same year/model [but an SEL] in a much better color. Bought it for a thousand bucks in 1998 at a junkyard, sorted it and drove it for a year, then sold it to Carmax for 2 thousand dollars !! All I had to do to it was find a used computer [it would continue to fill up the cylinders with gas after I turned it off]. Great driving car. I put a K & N air filter in it and the giant throttle body sounded like a '71 Chevelle when I hit the accelerator.
My parents had one of those, the rear suspension was already rotted lose from the bad underside when 7 years old, so he traded it in, unfortunately. Was a endless money pit, already in the 70, but oh it drove so nice
I have simpler tastes. One in this condition, with the carbed straight-six and a manual 4-speed would suit me just fine. Oh, and a garage to park it in! In 2001 I acquired a '60 220S Fintail from the original owner, and after taking care of some deferred maintenance - brakes, motor-mounts, shifter-bushings, and installing seatbelts - that car was awesome! Sadly, terminal rust retired her after a few years.
Gotta admit, someone loved the hell out of this for 50 years. So nice to see an original car like this which has had nothing but owners who looked after it how it deserved.
That's the problem of todays internet succes, they do not see anymore what normal folk have to live on, yes, we still watch, but they think it's still in reach for everyone, either that or they run out of good creative ideas in the E 5000 segment.
I had a '68 250SE with a 2.5 six and a 4 speed manual for over 24 years. The car was mechanically fuel injected and had the very rare, optional skid plates and limited slip diff. Completely original interior. I took great care of that car, even going as far as putting a 3,27 ring and pinion in, replacing the 4,06, to make it more drivable. I was heart broken to find that the driver's side frame rail had rotted from the inside. Sold it to a guy, fully disclosing the issues, for less than half of what Hoovie paid for this car.
My wife and I watched that episode from Car Trek yesterday and laughed our asses off at the Nicholas Cage part. We just were talking about that scene Friday after we visited a car dealership locally. Tyler wiiiiiiiiins!
I haven't yet seen the videos, but he did have some 123 diesels, I understand? I hope THEY didn't blow up after 10 miles! Even my $200 rustbucket '81 240D lasted 3 years!
I grew up in these. Utterly reliable, excellent handling & exceptional road holding. I ended up driving a 1969 250SE, that was well beyond satisfactory. In a 1972 300SEL 6.3V8, we easily clocked 155mph with much pedal to spare. Wish I could lay my hands on one.....
Yeah that's the reason old Mercedes are cheap, the parts are extremely expensive. Apparently according to Jay Leno, on his 600, *just the trunk latch* is $12,000. The car itself averages $45,000-$120,000 depending on condition.
@@ksavage681 well tbh.. Mercedes will sell you any part for any car they have ever built.. just hand over your bank account and they will have it to you in a few weeks from the Factory!
MB 280 SE was pretty common in S. FL when I was growing up, the Pagoda-roofed 280 SL was also popular. These things were built like tanks but they could rust from lack of proper metal treatment (rocker panels). I always liked the looks of these cars.
I absolutely love these cars and after owning one, they represent classic Mercedes styling, dependability, and build quality. I have also wondered why they dont bring more money than they do and also why more people dont have them tucked away for weekend cruises.
@William Mulvaney it 100% depends on the car's mechanical history and location. I agree we are so far out now from 1970 that it's hard to find a decent car from then..easier in CA or FL. Good thing I don't buy my cars to impress people but for how they drive lol.
I had a 1969 280SE when I was living in Zimbabwe and I wish I still had it. It was the only car I have actually sold for more money than I bought. Everything was well made and I drove around Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia. It never gave me a problem and I enjoyed every bit of it. If you have one you are very lucky.
Hoovie, Im glad you found a wonderful car. No this is not a car, this is an automobile, a fine vehicle that dose not get you from point A to B, this is a mode of transportation that takes you back in time and tells you a story, it could be a spy, or romantic or even an old action story. It can be anything, but it tells a story. Also, thanks to you and Car Trek I just used Autotempest again and bought a 2017 Pacifica last night. This is my 2nd vehicle that Autotempest help me to find and buy a car that I wanted, not what some salesman said I can afford. Thanks again for the entertainment you do for the world of UA-cam.
@@MrPeteragent I've been in Germany for over thirty years now 😆 Come over, do some speed runs on the Autobahn or enjoy the awesome back roads or even our nice race tracks
Wow. I can never imagine how this Merc get passed up by everyone. Tyler says I'll take it. Hopefully there's not bad news when the Car Wizard takes a look at the Merc.
Aww how cute lol a new guy...welcome to the channel new guy lol (I'm obviously kidding) I think I'd start guessing a total amount for repairs the wizard is going to charge him as well as what new high end...thing he will buy from said bill lol
In the late 1980s, I knew someone who bought the same, Mercedes. He emptied his bank account to buy it. My boss asked me what was happening in our department. I mentioned, "Bill bought a Mercedes a few days ago." Without looking up, my boss said: "He will file bankruptcy. What else is happening?" LOL
As someone who bought a moderately rusty one, pay the extra few grand and get a zero rust one. And make sure it is zero rust and not just one that is bogged up. Rust repair on these is a major undertaking and can have the car off the road for a very long time.
Beautiful car. The main problem usually is the rust. A friend of mine back in Germany used to own a 1971 250C in the mid 1980s and he could watch the driver side front wheel do its work while driving the car. After about 10 years the floor was rusted out. Of course back then they still used salt on the roads every winter.
Was driving a 1973 280 SEL 4.5 at about 95mph on the interstate and the front right tire started to make a sound so I let off on the gas and then the tire blew up. Car hardly noticed. No swerve, no drift towards the failed tire, gave a couple of exploratory taps to the brakes as I was coasting and the car responded softly with not even a hint of drama. They are fantastic cars but when parts start wearing out the dollars start to add up. All that said, the 8 cylinders under the hood would kick you back into the seat and while I never really drove the car hard, it handled very nicely and cornered well on surface streets.
And then a week or so after this video, the price spikes to $12,000, Hoovie sells it, and the Hoovie family spends the holiday weekend at Disneyland. Well played!
@@gabrieladimabua Or maybe I saw the videos at that point and didn't check? You do know that when I typed there wre only 15k views. Isn't that less than 10 percent of the total subs? You tried to seem smart, but you projected a scenario that isn't really valid. Best of luck in you imaginary life!
Would definitely love to own one of these beauties, but here in India, you never find them in anywhere close to respectable condition. And all the well restored ones go for a leg and an arm. 😥
Important consideration on the 'nobody': For a used/classic, private purchase, the buyer needs 1) cash to buy and 2) cash to run and 3) cash to maintain. This isn't an approved used Merc, or Audi, buyable from the dealer, with a low, low monthly payment... or a new BMW or even Lambo or Kia, with a low, low monthly payment. These cars' sellers need people to buy who have real, actual cash currency, or a willingness to take out a personal loan. The people with money either have (see comments here) a couple of thousand, or have hundreds of thousands, and are hiring Wayne Carini, not browsing Auto Tempest. It's a small, small market for these types of 'intermediate' cars, in reality.
Why it is so cheap....: Complicated rear suspension with hydraulic leveler. That most of the time has worn out. 13 greasepoints to be greased every 3000mls. Corrosion, Corrosion, Corrosion, did i mention Corrosion already? Manually to be adjusted contactpoints every 3000mls. Crappy power window guidance. Crumbled interior materials. Etc, etc, etc. I spend 20k before it ran as a dream.
Really relieved that Hoovie finally has a daily driver! I was worried about whether he would be able to get around. The man really needed a new car. Reliable, easy to work on, tires that chirp....
I think the problem with these isn't that no one wants them, it's that the people who do want them either don't have 5-10k to throw around, or they live in an area that is bad for them and can't afford to ship it, like I know myself, I'd have one of these, but I A. Have no money, and B. Live in the north east in Pennsylvania where this thing would just get ruined. I can't afford to park a car in the winter to protect it so I choose not to get one, because my daily driver is my daily driver, and I don't want to ruin one of these.
About the strange name: This car is called 280SE 4.5 because Mercedes didn't want that the number in the name would be higher than the number of the higher class/more expensive car (W109). The W109 was called 300SEL. When they put the 4.5l engine into the W108 they couldn't change the name to 450SE because that would put the W108 higher than the W109. This nomenclature actually went oon for the following decades. All W201's were named 190e ... to not put them over the W124.
I worked on those MBZ 4.5 SE and SL's at a U.S. west coast dealership as a journeyman technician when they first came out. As with the 4.5 SL, the earliest ones came badged 3.5 SE, 3.5 SL...I have 3.5 badges I exchanged for the updated 4.5 badges as proof. The next thing I did after rebadging on the P.D.I. was to exchange the Champion spark plugs for Bosch or NGK in a warmer heat range. I used NGK BP6ES in my 4.5's, 911's and BMW's. I owned several under 75k miles 4.5 SE's that I bought for as low as $1,500 [in the '80's] that were cosmetically 7 to 9, that had a major defect. Broken transmission cases, worn out timings chains, scuffed camshaft lobes, worn out steering link pin bushes, howling differentials, bad heater cores and related coolant damage, pin holes in the aluminum heads and a litany of other EXPENSIVE REPAIR issues. Almost all of these EXPENSIVE to repair issues were from lack of PROPER and TIMELY MAINTENANCE, NEGLECT AND ABUSE. Mostly engine oil, ATF and general lack of timely proper care. The car you bought for $9k would bring $2,500 on a trade in if it was cosmetically a 7 or better in the 80s. The killer is the 100k miles. If all original and properly maintained it will need MAJOR REPAIRS VERY SOON. THIS MODEL IS A REAL MONEY PIT! Enjoy your new ride and be safe
I've wanted one of those since I was a kid, I would proudly daily drive that car. Those cars are amazing and cannot be mistaken for anything else on the road.
Hoovie bought this to flip it. What you just watched was an infomercial to convince some people that they couldn't live without it. Somehow, the airhead approach to selling used cars just doesn't fly with me. Somebody will buy this cat just to be able to say it was in one of Hoovies videos thinking that is a bonus and probably pay a bonus price to pry it from his collection. There's one born every minute.
I had my dad's in HS in early 90s. Had 5 girls in the car and was showing off the v8 power in the rain. Jumped a curb and smacked a tree. No damage other than two flat tires. Parents made me re sod the guys lawn
My first car was a 1970 Mercedes 250C inline 6 double overhead cam. Bought it for $2500 in Canada and drove it back to Chicago with my dad on a learners permit lol. Restored it while I drove it in HS and college and when I finished sold it. Loved that car. Ran like a champ at 70 on the highway. Plus being eurospec and a two door, it looked really cool too. I wish I hadn't sold it at some points, but thats life.
@David it sure did! That's when it was at its best. Around 70 she sang her song man. Idk if the gearing is different between the manual and auto though, so I would look I to that. Also, mine was a Euro spec car (no safety bumpers, different lights, ect) so I would do some research if there are differences. I'm sure emissions would be one for sure.
@@grahamwelch3045 that’s a good point, the gearing may be a little different. We have a lot of highways and interstates where I live so good to hear it’ll cruise at higher speeds
I drove one for several years in the 80's to go to work every day (a 250 s 1966 with a diesel 2.0 l, top speed 60 mph) in Belgium. It never let me down. Everyone loved the car!
The market decided it was worth 7600 but you shrewdly negotiated it for 9000. Well done, Tyler.
You gotta figure with write-offs he essentially gets 20% in tax savings minimum
Your awesome! Me andy son watch every video! Thank you Hoovie!!!
7600 with a reserve.
UA-cam content. It will easily cover the cost of the car
Cost was probably after shipping from California.
next week's episode, Hoovie discovers the oiled up Persian rug on the garage floor is actually worth millions
😂😂😂😂
*WAS......
That’ll come out with some club soda!
It seems like it might be a ‘flying carpet’ because it looks like it wants to take off every time Hoovie leaves the garage. If so it’s definitely worth millions!😂
then send it to that dude in Poland getting millions of views, washing oiled up nasty but formerly fancy rugs...and brings them back...
My father had one in 1973. Kept it for 20 years, serviced by Mercedes, whose mechanics virtually fought among themselves to service it. A wonderful car and solid as hell. Manual gearbox. I miss that car!
What happened to that car?
A stick in a S-class? You must be somewhere in Europe, eh? My two were 10 years younger (123 240D's, an '81 and '82), and they were the only Mercedes models with sticks sold in the U. S. at that time.
*I bought one for $400 in 2010, changed the brakes, hosed off the radiator and sold it for $1200 in 2012.*
My Dad had a 1972 Mercedes 300Sel 6.3 as u can see in my profile pic, but left it In Australia when we went to Greece and his relatives sold it for $5000 in the 80s which is close to nothing, now they are really rare and go for over 100k. 😢😢
Yeah the 6.3 is the most expensive. I mean on one hand a falcon here for less money new would be worth 300k-1million, but even the 6.3 was the one I was after 20+ years ago. Could have got one for under $10k but I thought that was too much. I'd be laughing if I bought it. But then again my $1000 mazda rx3 or $3000 falcon would also be worth 100k now anyway, so definitely a better return on them.
That's a completely different beast with a much better rear suspension
The sound of the driver’s door closing is just solid. Nothing tinny about that
these are part of a small group of what i call "lifetime" cars. properly maintained, you literally can have one your entire life and because of their quality, some people wouldnt mind never replacing it. however the gas models tend to be a bit thirsty. thats offset though by not having car payments all the time.
Trademark MB doors.
I love that sound.
A '76 240D save my friend's life. He was t-boned on the driver's b-pillar at 60+ mph. He walked away with a bloody nose. The car gave it's life for him.
The Mercedes "thuck" I love Trans Ams but they have a distinctive bam, rattle, reverb type sound that means its time for hinge pin bushings, possibly hinge pins, and maybe new hinges, latch, striker, door handle, repeat. Possibly accompanied by the T-top raising up a quarter inch (another rattling leaking monstrosity) I simply cant believe I had an 82 TA for almost two decades. Now they bring more money than they were ever worth and a base 20 year old Civic will blow it off the road.
Like shutting a quality, heavy refrigerator door.
A quality that has always made the Mercedes of this era to memorable
I believe it is the door sound used on "Autobahn"
Girl I knew in college had a 280SEL-4.5 her mom gifted to her, fast and smooth. It stood out in the parking lot amongst the econoboxes.
the girl?
Buddy of mine drove one. Quite the machine.
@@ryeshyes2552 First thing I was going to ask.
@@ryeshyes2552 LOL, no were friends but not "friends with benefits"
everybody else: i should borrow that car, to find out what is it like
Hoovie: i should buy that car, to find out what is it like
Can relate.
UA-cam content worth thousands
I think everybody else just watches UA-cam videos to find out what it is like xD
And over pay
I love the new “buying classic/barn find cars for cheap” format
i subbed for the hoopties not for the supercars!
That's what this channel was built on. Bring on the hoopties!
@@JaredConnell It's not a problem if the supercars are hoopties themselves.
@@naycnay I've got no problem because I like to see his cars in person when he takes them out to c&c
@@naycnay All supecars that are older than 5 years are hoopties! We want weird shit , like the Ford Probe he got in Car Trek!
I bought a 1973 Mercedes 280SE with a 2.8 six in it for $1000.00. But it had a 4 speed trans and even a version of ABS from that time which NO other cars had then. It drove like a dream and I would have kept it if the rust hadn't eaten it up like lightening once it took hold. Those "Composite wheels" were amazingly light as well. I was blown away. I loved that thing! Even the 2.8 six was fairly quick. It was faster than the 1994 Nissan 300ZX I had at the same time.
it had D-Jet, correct?
I had one of these in very good condition.
12 miles per gallon.
Hvac system that boggled my brain and barely worked.
Made a different new and expensive noise every time I drove it.
Horrible money pit.
Sold it for 7 grand over 20 years ago.
Happiest day of my life
14:38 The only part that confused me was Hoovie buying a car that actually works.
Like I said in another comment, this car is the anti-hoovie! Lol!
Its early yet
Wait for it. ;-)
These are very hard to break, yet I can hear the voice of Jeff Goldblum in the distance: 'Hoovie will find a way.'
Brilliant!.
dad bought one of these back in 1999. i was 3. this is the car that i loved as a child. thank you for bringing back these memories.
Well, that car suits you perfectly. Like none of all the cars before. It's a fantastic car from a era long gone. A time capsule. And a absolutely beatiful conserved one, which is very very very rare.
Funny so many vloggers saying these are steals now and can’t figure out why. Yes they can vary greatly, and excellent examples are not cheap unless you get real lucky. Moreover they are expensive to maintain with Mercedes parts, which you’ll want to do. Very possible for him to spend the purchase cost of the car in the next year or two maintaining or replacing things. Wonderful cars if you are comfortable not sparing any expense maintaining this work of art.
I browse autotempest all the time, and I don't even live in the states. I just love how much support they give you guys and what they help make possible .. and who doesn't love shopping for the best that 'faded glory' has to offer in foreign countries! Love the channel and what you do Tyler. I've been with you since the S600 and haven't missed a video. Cheers from Australia.
What a beautiful car. I have no idea as to why these are not being scooped up by collectors and enthusiasts across the globe. Good find, sir!
Google about Imotski. There are few dozen of these models, as much as registered Mercedes cars as residents.
the people that have them in this condition think to much of them, these are 3rd world country taxi's even still to day, their worth more as parts than intact near mint, no rarity
@@hayseedfarmboy W108's are not used as taxis anymore, those are the W110 diesels and W123 / W124 diesels.
I dont' think it's a very good looking car. W123 on the other hand is.
@@PuerRidcully what?
Drinking game: take a shot every time Tyler says “nobody wants these things”
Like 5-6 ?
Iue trieeddd taaso..... 😂
Take a shot everytime he tries to claim $9000 was a good deal for that thing.
Also take a shot every time he says "Back in the day".
And another shot for when he mentions the age of the car.
Your insane laugh after your "two rogers don't make a right" joke was wonderful.
Have you seen the gone in 60 seconds nick cage remake?
I was always told the “E” stood for Einspritzen (fuel injection).
It does.
yes
Einspritzung actually. Einspritzen is the verb.
@@ClaudeSac Ja wohl!
I had a 280SEL 4.5 and it was the quintessential Classic German Muscle Car. Mine was a brown color and was named Wernher Von Braun when it was given to me by a friend who wanted it to go to a good home and be driven, and boy did I drive it. I absolutely adored that car and daily drove it for three or four years before I finally had to retire it due to extensive rust issues that were beyond repairable without taking it down to the bare shell. The 108 chassis are still my favorite, even after owning several 126's.
Named after an SS Sturmbannführer, eh?
Imagine buying this car as new back in the day, you literally won't need a new car till you die. Of course you gotta take care of it too.
This was built at a time when you could actually own a car forever...just depends on how much you want to put into it. Today though, most vehicles won't last 10 years without thousands and thousands in repair costs.
back in the era of this car middle class german folks would save up to buy one, knowing that the investment was worth it because it would be the only car they ever needed.....times have changed.
@@joeb7975 , times change, people change, somewhat due to brain washing advertising and some "keeping up with the Joneses" attitude. I drive an old Toyota, i reckon it will last longer than my eyesight. Long term ownership is usually the cheapest in the long run. New cars only built to last an extended warrenty in some cases.....8 years, sad.
@@skaraborgcraft back in the day, the cars that would last the longest were: Volvos, Mercedes Benzes (especially diesels) and. . .Toyotas!
0:22 Tyler must have had an extra cup of coffee this morning!🤣
Hoovie is actually doing his best Elliott Alvis impression. 🤣
I cringed so hard
@@JDONUMBER7 Except Elliot IS a Tyler impression.
@@insaneiaq they’re becoming one and the same.
That model was my first car. I was 18 and knew nothing about cars, thus it did not last me one year. I learned a lot about cars the hard way; I didn't have UA-camrs to learn from back in the day.
When I was 18, my first car was a '61 Mercedes 'Ponton' 180. Learned to fix cars and shift gears on that one. Kept it running almost 20 years, 'till '92.
@@sunbeam8866 my early '80s 123's came with toolkits. I'm guessing the "Pontoon" cars did, as well?
3 reasons come to mind why values are low: (1) as you note, rust (my father-in-law had 1 & frame rust ended it); (2) for sedate sedans nostalgia is a bigger reason to own (the 73 Benz is a better car than my 68 Imperial, but Unlike the Imperial, I have no connection to Benz); and (3) parts costs (anything you need on that car will cost much more than for your 66 Imperial -shockingly more if you need to get it from MB itself) Great content - thank you!
About 15 years ago I had a 'grey market' '78 280SE with a factory 4-speed, crank windows, cloth seats, and no AC. It belonged to a guy who worked for an oil company in the Middle East. He liked the car so much he brought it back with him to the States.
That big Mercedes with a hemi straight six and a four-on-the-floor was a lot of fun! 😆
Mental image of Wizard watching this video and then immediately shopping for more boats...
He's looking at Gulfstreams and Citations now.
This is why you’re my favorite car channel of all of UA-cam.
I hope you enjoy the structural integrity of the jacking points
Haven’t watched the whole video but are they like wet noodles?
@@sav22rem22 yes, if you lift it there with a two post lift youll bend the sills
Well! If it never needs to be jacked up... lol!
@@Vespastendert thats why you jack it up by the frame
Not sure what kind of animal uses a pinch weld to jack a car anyways
My late grandfather bought a brand new1976 Mercedes-Benz 220E from Germany and drove it all the way to the middle east. He actually filled up the car with spare parts and just drove it home. I just loved that car. I learned how to drive in one of those. He joked about the car being indestructible and that they melted old WWII tanks to make them.
I recently picked up a V4 1999 Mercedes C230 Kompressor (SuperCharger) with 107,000 miles for $2,500 and it drives 10x better than my previous 2 cars! I love everything about it so far except for long term maintenance fees 🥵🧎🏻
Where's your Maybach?? No updates for a while!
Hey Hoonies, a big fan from Saudi Arabia, always love the intro lol - you should do a one on the 6.9L 1974 mercedes - you will never regret that - trust me. Have a good day. Fahad
Apparently he previously owned one. Quoted on one of his later vids.
I OWNED THAT CAR !! Well, not that EXACT car, but the same year/model [but an SEL] in a much better color. Bought it for a thousand bucks in 1998 at a junkyard, sorted it and drove it for a year, then sold it to Carmax for 2 thousand dollars !! All I had to do to it was find a used computer [it would continue to fill up the cylinders with gas after I turned it off]. Great driving car. I put a K & N air filter in it and the giant throttle body sounded like a '71 Chevelle when I hit the accelerator.
My parents had one of those, the rear suspension was already rotted lose from the bad underside when 7 years old, so he traded it in, unfortunately. Was a endless money pit, already in the 70, but oh it drove so nice
I have simpler tastes. One in this condition, with the carbed straight-six and a manual 4-speed would suit me just fine. Oh, and a garage to park it in!
In 2001 I acquired a '60 220S Fintail from the original owner, and after taking care of some deferred maintenance - brakes, motor-mounts, shifter-bushings, and installing seatbelts - that car was awesome! Sadly, terminal rust retired her after a few years.
In todays episode we see Hoovie trying to convince himself that buying a 50 year old German car was a good idea.
That's when they were still reliable!
Those things are tanks!
@@joaquinfranco9012 I was waiting for this one!! :))
Excuse me, sir.. I was also made in 1973. Not quite 50 yet, thank you!
Gotta admit, someone loved the hell out of this for 50 years. So nice to see an original car like this which has had nothing but owners who looked after it how it deserved.
Love the "Gone in 60 Seconds" bit!!!
2:25 Brilliant 👏👏👏
One of my all time favorite Nicolas Cage scenes
It was hard to tell who he was impersonating since the acting was soooo bad, but at least it came with a disclaimer!
@@Anders83B, It was EASY to tell who he was impersonating since the acting was soooo bad.
You have a vastly different definition of “really really cheap” than I do.
Same considering I bought the 76 Carburated straight 6 varient for $500
That's the problem of todays internet succes, they do not see anymore what normal folk have to live on, yes, we still watch, but they think it's still in reach for everyone, either that or they run out of good creative ideas in the E 5000 segment.
I have only recently upgraded to the $200 car club from the $100 car club 😄✌
@@youriardon8006 it’s because he smokes too much meth. He’s blinded by all the money
cheap can be very expensive, if you buy this car with 'some rust', repairing this can go in the thousands.
I had a '68 250SE with a 2.5 six and a 4 speed manual for over 24 years. The car was mechanically fuel injected and had the very rare, optional skid plates and limited slip diff. Completely original interior. I took great care of that car, even going as far as putting a 3,27 ring and pinion in, replacing the 4,06, to make it more drivable. I was heart broken to find that the driver's side frame rail had rotted from the inside. Sold it to a guy, fully disclosing the issues, for less than half of what Hoovie paid for this car.
Ed B nailed that role, because he lived that life.
Lol, so true 👍
My wife and I watched that episode from Car Trek yesterday and laughed our asses off at the Nicholas Cage part. We just were talking about that scene Friday after we visited a car dealership locally. Tyler wiiiiiiiiins!
That Gone in 60 seconds homage was great!
It's what Jay Leno would refer to as "a good ol girl" something looked after, driven and original.
I just inherited my grandmother’s ‘72 . Love the styling and road handling!
Lol that might have been the most ridiculous spaz out during the "Welcome to Hoovie's Garage" yet. XD 😂🤣🐸
The intensity is increasing... and I like it!
Finally Hoovie bought a German car that won't blow up after 10 miles....
I haven't yet seen the videos, but he did have some 123 diesels, I understand? I hope THEY didn't blow up after 10 miles! Even my $200 rustbucket '81 240D lasted 3 years!
Magnificent Performance Sir! "Gone in 60sec" skit couldn't have been better. Ed's voice was icing on the cake
I grew up in these. Utterly reliable, excellent handling & exceptional road holding. I ended up driving a 1969 250SE, that was well beyond satisfactory.
In a 1972 300SEL 6.3V8, we easily clocked 155mph with much pedal to spare. Wish I could lay my hands on one.....
I've been enjoying Car Trek. The 3 of you do a fantastic job together. Thanks Auto Tempest. Keep making great shows like this.
One of my dream cars. Believe me, if I could afford it, I would've bought it. You have great taste,
Tyler. :)
Those window gaskets are not 100$ each 😂 i own that green 280sel that you saw at the wizards and they are priced at ~400$ a piece shop price.
Yeah that's the reason old Mercedes are cheap, the parts are extremely expensive. Apparently according to Jay Leno, on his 600, *just the trunk latch* is $12,000. The car itself averages $45,000-$120,000 depending on condition.
@@CerberusProject And that driver door power switch assembly is worth more than the car. Unobtainable.
@@ksavage681 well tbh.. Mercedes will sell you any part for any car they have ever built.. just hand over your bank account and they will have it to you in a few weeks from the Factory!
@@CerberusProject you are aware that Jay Leno's 600 is a 600 Grosser, right? Those have hydraulic trunks and the parts are unique to that car.
@@CerberusProject A 600 is limited-production and practically hand-built - a whole different animal than a W108 280SE.
I loved when Angelina says "Hello Ladies!" to all the Ferraris.
The only movie that made me understand people lusting after her
MB 280 SE was pretty common in S. FL when I was growing up, the Pagoda-roofed 280 SL was also popular. These things were built like tanks but they could rust from lack of proper metal treatment (rocker panels). I always liked the looks of these cars.
Pagoda SL are gorgeous! (I think they sticks in Europe. I think Roger Waters from Pink Floyd had one).
Hoovie bought a car... and didn't have to immediately visit the Wizard... I'm stunned...!
The year I was born, my father bought Mom a brand new 280SEL in dark blue over tobacco. I wish that it was still ours : [
I absolutely love these cars and after owning one, they represent classic Mercedes styling, dependability, and build quality. I have also wondered why they dont bring more money than they do and also why more people dont have them tucked away for weekend cruises.
This reminds me of Hoovie’s old 300SD
The old Mercs will definitely become collectors items
@William Mulvaney they were much more reliable before cost cutting in the 90s/00s. Same with BMW
they all ready are collectors items, just not valuable ones
@@papa_pt I agree well maybe not with Audi
Audi has always been a hit and miss
@William Mulvaney it 100% depends on the car's mechanical history and location. I agree we are so far out now from 1970 that it's hard to find a decent car from then..easier in CA or FL. Good thing I don't buy my cars to impress people but for how they drive lol.
@William Mulvaney a lot of German cars last longer when they're run frequently due to gaskets not drying out etc
I had a 1969 280SE when I was living in Zimbabwe and I wish I still had it. It was the only car I have actually sold for more money than I bought. Everything was well made and I drove around Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia. It never gave me a problem and I enjoyed every bit of it. If you have one you are very lucky.
Hoovie, Im glad you found a wonderful car. No this is not a car, this is an automobile, a fine vehicle that dose not get you from point A to B, this is a mode of transportation that takes you back in time and tells you a story, it could be a spy, or romantic or even an old action story. It can be anything, but it tells a story. Also, thanks to you and Car Trek I just used Autotempest again and bought a 2017 Pacifica last night. This is my 2nd vehicle that Autotempest help me to find and buy a car that I wanted, not what some salesman said I can afford. Thanks again for the entertainment you do for the world of UA-cam.
Tyler speaks German 😅
6:26 "Einspritzer"
6:28 "Sonderklasse"
Greets from Germany 😉
Ausgezeichnet!
This sounds so cringy for me. I'm 10 % Austrian :)
@@MrPeteragent to be fair, he tried his best and I've heard much worse pronunciations of German words
@@beratsbuilds Americans will understand. I've been in Germany 2 times and learned something there.
@@MrPeteragent I've been in Germany for over thirty years now 😆
Come over, do some speed runs on the Autobahn or enjoy the awesome back roads or even our nice race tracks
Now you're talking my language. Love old Mercs
They were built to last, not built to lease
Wow. I can never imagine how this Merc get passed up by everyone. Tyler says I'll take it. Hopefully there's not bad news when the Car Wizard takes a look at the Merc.
Aww how cute lol a new guy...welcome to the channel new guy lol (I'm obviously kidding) I think I'd start guessing a total amount for repairs the wizard is going to charge him as well as what new high end...thing he will buy from said bill lol
@thecryptochaser3945, are you done eating yer words yet, huh?
In the late 1980s, I knew someone who bought the same, Mercedes. He emptied his bank account to buy it. My boss asked me what was happening in our department. I mentioned, "Bill bought a Mercedes a few days ago." Without looking up, my boss said: "He will file bankruptcy. What else is happening?" LOL
The Gone in 60 seconds remake was too much!! I love it
I have a 1969 mercedes 250, straight six manual.
I got it for free lol
(It’s for sale)
Are you located in Canada :P
Want to double your money?
@@joequixotic3039I'm kinda on my limit here, but i'll triple it
where are you from, my good fellow? 👀
The car is located in eastern WA if anyone actually wants it. Ran when parked 8 years ago.
One of my all time favorite vehicles. If you owned one of these in the early 70's you had money. Something we all looked up to back then.
Probably one of the best cars you’ve bought in awhile. The 300SEL 6.3 is a highly coveted collectible.
convertibles are
As someone who bought a moderately rusty one, pay the extra few grand and get a zero rust one. And make sure it is zero rust and not just one that is bogged up. Rust repair on these is a major undertaking and can have the car off the road for a very long time.
0:22 Like The Wizard says, how do you make your goofy intros look so professional ... It fits you so well :P
Those were the times a Mercedes was still a Mercedes.
Kinda reminds me of Jeff Goldbloom sometimes in his dialogue delivery. Fun to watch
Nothing looks more glorious than an old merc ,they are just breath of fresh air.
A vintage 2002 looks better. 👌
Beautiful car. The main problem usually is the rust. A friend of mine back in Germany used to own a 1971 250C in the mid 1980s and he could watch the driver side front wheel do its work while driving the car. After about 10 years the floor was rusted out. Of course back then they still used salt on the roads every winter.
Was driving a 1973 280 SEL 4.5 at about 95mph on the interstate and the front right tire started to make a sound so I let off on the gas and then the tire blew up. Car hardly noticed. No swerve, no drift towards the failed tire, gave a couple of exploratory taps to the brakes as I was coasting and the car responded softly with not even a hint of drama. They are fantastic cars but when parts start wearing out the dollars start to add up. All that said, the 8 cylinders under the hood would kick you back into the seat and while I never really drove the car hard, it handled very nicely and cornered well on surface streets.
Hoovie: *has over a million subscribers*
also Hoovie: even if I say anything it's not going to change anything.
And then a week or so after this video, the price spikes to $12,000, Hoovie sells it, and the Hoovie family spends the holiday weekend at Disneyland. Well played!
He has 10% or less average view count per video. That's normal boring YT channel level or payed subscriptions.
@@UrSSuL guess you were best in mathematics in high school
@@gabrieladimabua Or maybe I saw the videos at that point and didn't check?
You do know that when I typed there wre only 15k views. Isn't that less than 10 percent of the total subs?
You tried to seem smart, but you projected a scenario that isn't really valid.
Best of luck in you imaginary life!
Would definitely love to own one of these beauties, but here in India, you never find them in anywhere close to respectable condition. And all the well restored ones go for a leg and an arm. 😥
Same here in Guatemala 😞
But W124s are Hella affordable here. You can get one for sub 5 lakhs with almost 70-80k miles. Way cheaper than the global market
Aaaand they've gone up 10x in value since this was posted
Hold my beer. I'll buy one for top dollar and values will plummet while I'm driving it home.
@@Blippity_Bloop64 HODL
Lol no they won't
That’s gotta be what Hoovie’s doing. But cheap car, talk it up, sell for more money.
Important consideration on the 'nobody':
For a used/classic, private purchase, the buyer needs 1) cash to buy and 2) cash to run and 3) cash to maintain.
This isn't an approved used Merc, or Audi, buyable from the dealer, with a low, low monthly payment... or a new BMW or even Lambo or Kia, with a low, low monthly payment.
These cars' sellers need people to buy who have real, actual cash currency, or a willingness to take out a personal loan.
The people with money either have (see comments here) a couple of thousand, or have hundreds of thousands, and are hiring Wayne Carini, not browsing Auto Tempest.
It's a small, small market for these types of 'intermediate' cars, in reality.
Why it is so cheap....:
Complicated rear suspension with hydraulic leveler. That most of the time has worn out.
13 greasepoints to be greased every 3000mls.
Corrosion, Corrosion, Corrosion, did i mention Corrosion already?
Manually to be adjusted contactpoints every 3000mls.
Crappy power window guidance.
Crumbled interior materials.
Etc, etc, etc.
I spend 20k before it ran as a dream.
Mom had one in that mustard brown color. Helga was a great car.
Neighbor of mine had a 280 s in the sane color...black interior...
What kind of mustard is brown? That stuff has gone bad!
@@apj341 brown mustard is 100% available at any legitimate grocery store.
They want too much money for that thing. But you… you went and got it so we didn’t have to well done Tyler!
Really relieved that Hoovie finally has a daily driver! I was worried about whether he would be able to get around. The man really needed a new car. Reliable, easy to work on, tires that chirp....
I think the problem with these isn't that no one wants them, it's that the people who do want them either don't have 5-10k to throw around, or they live in an area that is bad for them and can't afford to ship it, like I know myself, I'd have one of these, but I A. Have no money, and B. Live in the north east in Pennsylvania where this thing would just get ruined. I can't afford to park a car in the winter to protect it so I choose not to get one, because my daily driver is my daily driver, and I don't want to ruin one of these.
I think I'm traumatized by hearing Tyler pleading: "It's fun, I promise. Go do it. Right down there..." 😱
Never been this early on a hoovie video but glad I am.
Same
Same
Same
love the "gone in 60 seconds" dialog, bloody funny it is!!!
Yes, it was hilarious.
But, Gone in 60 Second 1974 was a much better car chase movie,
@@GTVAlfaMan mr.killjoy over here just enjoy the bit movie correction guy
About the strange name: This car is called 280SE 4.5 because Mercedes didn't want that the number in the name would be higher than the number of the higher class/more expensive car (W109). The W109 was called 300SEL. When they put the 4.5l engine into the W108 they couldn't change the name to 450SE because that would put the W108 higher than the W109.
This nomenclature actually went oon for the following decades. All W201's were named 190e ... to not put them over the W124.
I worked on those MBZ 4.5 SE and SL's at a U.S. west coast dealership as a journeyman technician when they first came out. As with the 4.5 SL, the earliest ones came badged 3.5 SE, 3.5 SL...I have 3.5 badges I exchanged for the updated 4.5 badges as proof.
The next thing I did after rebadging on the P.D.I. was to exchange the Champion spark plugs for Bosch or NGK in a warmer heat range. I used NGK BP6ES in my 4.5's, 911's and BMW's.
I owned several under 75k miles 4.5 SE's that I bought for as low as $1,500 [in the '80's] that were cosmetically 7 to 9, that had a major defect. Broken transmission cases, worn out timings chains, scuffed camshaft lobes, worn out steering link pin bushes, howling differentials, bad heater cores and related coolant damage, pin holes in the aluminum heads and a litany of other EXPENSIVE REPAIR issues.
Almost all of these EXPENSIVE to repair issues were from lack of PROPER and TIMELY MAINTENANCE, NEGLECT AND ABUSE. Mostly engine oil, ATF and general lack of timely proper care.
The car you bought for $9k would bring $2,500 on a trade in if it was cosmetically a 7 or better in the 80s. The killer is the 100k miles. If all original and properly maintained it will need MAJOR REPAIRS VERY SOON.
THIS MODEL IS A REAL MONEY PIT!
Enjoy your new ride and be safe
Hoovie you became like a family member really love your videos keep them coming great work
I've wanted one of those since I was a kid, I would proudly daily drive that car. Those cars are amazing and cannot be mistaken for anything else on the road.
Hoovie: Why does nobody want this car?
Me: Speak for yourself I want it
i like it but 4k at best, i would give 7600 much 9
You are nobody. You want it. Me too.
@@RD-km4yi and pray tell who are you
Hoovie bought this to flip it. What you just watched was an infomercial to convince some people that they couldn't live without it. Somehow, the airhead approach to selling used cars just doesn't fly with me. Somebody will buy this cat just to be able to say it was in one of Hoovies videos thinking that is a bonus and probably pay a bonus price to pry it from his collection. There's one born every minute.
I had my dad's in HS in early 90s. Had 5 girls in the car and was showing off the v8 power in the rain. Jumped a curb and smacked a tree. No damage other than two flat tires. Parents made me re sod the guys lawn
One of my favorite models!! And this one is beautiful!
It's not a matter of nobody wanting it, it's a matter of nobody wanting it for $9,000. Personally, I thought $7,600 was a lot of money for it.
Loved the latest Car Trek series, especially Bolian's expression when assaulted with "Tyler wiiiiins."
My first car was a 1970 Mercedes 250C inline 6 double overhead cam. Bought it for $2500 in Canada and drove it back to Chicago with my dad on a learners permit lol. Restored it while I drove it in HS and college and when I finished sold it. Loved that car. Ran like a champ at 70 on the highway. Plus being eurospec and a two door, it looked really cool too. I wish I hadn't sold it at some points, but thats life.
Was yours the 4speed auto?
@David no it had a manual. Trying to remember if it was 4 or 5 speed...
@@grahamwelch3045 I’m looking at a ‘69 250 auto. Did yours cruise at hwy speeds alright?
@David it sure did! That's when it was at its best. Around 70 she sang her song man. Idk if the gearing is different between the manual and auto though, so I would look I to that. Also, mine was a Euro spec car (no safety bumpers, different lights, ect) so I would do some research if there are differences. I'm sure emissions would be one for sure.
@@grahamwelch3045 that’s a good point, the gearing may be a little different. We have a lot of highways and interstates where I live so good to hear it’ll cruise at higher speeds
I drove one for several years in the 80's to go to work every day (a 250 s 1966 with a diesel 2.0 l, top speed 60 mph) in Belgium. It never let me down. Everyone loved the car!
This is literally the EXACT car I want but I'm stuck fixing my Hyundai 😭