MB newbe 78 350SE

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

john - 09 Feb 2007 21:30 GMT

Went and looked at a 78 gray market 350SE (I'm in US) it has had
reinforcements done on the bumpers, the DOT headlights and reinforcement in
the doors back in 1983 is when it came in. Anyway, I have some questions
that some of you would be able to help with. First, It appears to be a short
wheelbase sedan. Is that a 114 or 116 (I don't have the VIN) secondly what
would my biggest concerns be upon buying this car in regards to being 1.) an
imported MB and 2.) being a MB of this vintage? Also what US MB would be the
replacement windshield (It needs one?) a 78 450 the same? I would like this
car to be a painless daily driver for my young daughter.
Thank you in advance.
Dan

Reply to this Message

-->> T.G. Lambach <<-- - 10 Feb 2007 22:43 GMT

Don't buy this car. There's no shortage of cars in the USA so why take
on a compromise? --- a car that has a "story" to be explained at every
need for parts, insurance, DMV etc. Why BUY a headache?

If you daughter needs a reliable car buy a 300D or 300SD Turbodiesel c.
1982 to 1985 that has no rust. The powertrain is well known to many
shops and repair parts are available from multiple sources. And its
simple so DIY maintenance is possible, if that's part of your program.

A step up from the diesel would be a 300E (gas) sedan c. 1986 - 1992.

Signature

Reply to this Message

Richard Sexton - 12 Feb 2007 13:33 GMT

>Went and looked at a 78 gray market 350SE (I'm in US) it has had
>reinforcements done on the bumpers, the DOT headlights and reinforcement in
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>Thank you in advance.
>Dan

PAarts are available. Just make sure you specify it's euro spec. Things
like the glass is differnt from US versions.

Helluva car for a daughter. They're FAST. Great engine.

Signature

Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

Reply to this Message

john - 12 Feb 2007 02:00 GMT

Thanks for the comments Richard. I've checked on glass, the windsheild runs
about 129.00 or $250 installed. The AC doesn't work, and there are a couple
other issues that need attention. I'm wondering though about the windsheild
fittment. It looks the same as a 300 series (W123) but I'm not so sure the
glass people need to KNOW for sure so I don't end up buying two, one for a
300 and one for a 450. Anything way you can enlighten me would be
appreciated. danno16@excite.com
dan

>>Went and looked at a 78 gray market 350SE (I'm in US) it has had
>>reinforcements done on the bumpers, the DOT headlights and reinforcement
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Helluva car for a daughter. They're FAST. Great engine.

Reply to this Message

Richard Sexton - 13 Feb 2007 04:12 GMT

>Thanks for the comments Richard. I've checked on glass, the windsheild runs
>about 129.00 or $250 installed. The AC doesn't work, and there are a couple
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>300 and one for a 450. Anything way you can enlighten me would be
>appreciated. danno16@excite.com

It's a 116 Chassis and it uses the glass for a 116. BUT - and I KNOW
this is true for a 108 so I'm assuming it's true for its sucessor -
that the Euro glass is different its thinner. The geasket is different
to accomidate the thinner glass.

What you want to tell your glass guy is "It's 116 chassis - EURO,
not US version" to get the right gasket and glass.

Signature

Reply to this Message