[{"id": 17844365, "authorName": "CarFoolLane", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/carfoollane/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Love the cellular phone - an '80s status symbol when they were pretty expensive and calls were billed per-minute. (But no, it will not work today. The analog system was deactivated by the FCC some years ago.)", "likes": 7, "timestamp": 1748988343, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-03 22:05:43+00"}, {"id": 17844388, "authorName": "4CG (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/4cg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Welcome. And thank you for having a look at this beloved MBZ 280SE 4.5. I\u2019m the son of the owner. I\u2019m not a Benz expert but I\u2019ll gladly answer any questions to the best of my ability. I\u2019m in SoCal, the car and all supporting documentation are in NorCal at our mom's house. Over a recent 2-day visit I scrambled to gather all relevant materials and shoot the photos, so apologies \r\nfor anything that may be lacking. I know more of the personal history of our dad's ownership vs. the mechanical, and I\u2019m more than happy to share that here. Our dad loved this car. He bought it in 1978 from the original owner, who kept it in Santa Rosa, California. As kids, we probably didn\u2019t realize it at the time, but looking back our father likely purchased it as a gift to himself after being appointed as a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge in 1977 \u2014 apparently more dignified than driving an orange Datsun 510 or Mercury Montego station wagon (our family cars) to the courthouse every day. The personalized license plate: 4JUSTS came shortly thereafter. With retirement from the bench in 1997 and his first grandkids relocating from the east coast\u2026he bought, yes, a mini-van, and his beloved MBZ was relegated to the driveway, where it sat covered, with the battery (and several batteries thereafter) being trickle charged for the next 28 years \u2014 only being driven around the block once every week or so or periodically to get an oil change, tuneup, gas, etc. For years our mother encouraged him to sell it, but he refused. Sadly, over the last 6 years of his life he developed dementia. The process of trying to simplify things (in his life) included renewed discussion of selling the Mercedes. But every time we would take him for a walk outside, around the house, and he would pass by the Mercedes, he would point over to it and say, \u201cThat\u2019s my car.\u201d We realized the empty space, if it wasn\u2019t there, would break his heart. Sadly, he passed in 2024. So now the time has finally come. Hopefully the next owner will cherish it as much as he did.\r\n\r\nAs far as I could tell, the official maintenance booklet tracks the service records from 1973-1990, about 90,000+ miles. I believe most all additional service records (pictured in the gallery) are also present. In 1999 my former brother-in-law borrowed and drove the car for a short period of time, which is why you will see a different name on the service records from that period. The gap in service records from 2000 - 2025 is reflected in the notes above in that it was rarely driven and sat undisturbed in my parent\u2019s driveway. To save a few bucks, after 2020 it was registered as planned non-operational/registration deferred which is why 2020 is the last registration sticker you see on the license plate.\r\nBoth my mom and dad (decd) are on the title.\r\n\r\nBased on the maintenance booklet, it appears the first owner drove it for about 45,000 miles, and our dad added the additional 67,000, over 47 years.\r\n\r\nGood luck to all bidders.", "likes": 22, "timestamp": 1748988460, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-03 22:07:40+00"}, {"id": 17844360, "authorName": "Dollycat3", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dollycat3/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Lots to love about this longtime family owned Dark Olive over Cognac beauty \ud83d\udc4c\u2026wonderful sunroof, valuable original documentation, and so much more, fix what needs fixing and enjoy \ud83d\udc4d", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1748988460, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-03 22:07:40+00"}, {"id": 17844442, "authorName": "Dollycat3", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dollycat3/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@4cg\u2026.thank you for sharing your heartfelt story with us\ud83d\udc4d\u2026 your father had excellent taste in cars, and I know he is very proud of you and is watching over you,\u2026and I know someone will cherish this exceptional beauty as much as he did \ud83d\udc4d", "likes": 9, "timestamp": 1748988757, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-03 22:12:37+00"}, {"id": 17844576, "authorName": "Fpsocean", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/fpsocean/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Don\u2019t sell this car, share it among your siblings for another 50 years.\nIm still driving my dad\u2019s 1955 Gullwing, (he passed in 1970!!!) because it honors one of his greatest choices.\n\nYou\u2019ll get more joy, sharing it with others at local meets, his grandkids will learn so much about the Judge", "likes": 16, "timestamp": 1748989450, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-03 22:24:10+00"}, {"id": 17844815, "authorName": "carstruck", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/carstruck/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Green & Cognac ! What a beautiful combo.. My 73 280 has same / similar interior.. Excellent .. Glwa", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1748991218, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-03 22:53:38+00"}, {"id": 17845315, "authorName": "Ratty", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ratty/", "bidAmount": 1973, "content": "USD $1,973 bid placed by Ratty", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1748995655, "type": "bid", "endDate": "2025-06-04 00:07:35+00"}, {"id": 17845346, "authorName": "4CG (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/4cg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thank you all for the nice and supportive comments, and for the first bid by Ratty. Fpsocean: 55 Gullwing. I looked it up. What a gorgeous creature!", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1748995884, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 00:11:24+00"}, {"id": 17845353, "authorName": "Ratty", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ratty/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@4CG (The Seller)\r\nExceptionally elegant and stately - a beautiful motorcar with a wonderful story.\r\nI purchased a stablemate - Arabian Grey with Burgundy MBTEX - several years ago in Omaha Nebraska, from the sister of the original owner.\r\nI flew to Omaha and drove that 4.5 back to my then home in Alabama. The car was flawless on the trip, and continued to provide the best daily driving experience. Sadly, a relocation meant the Baroness went to a new caretaker.\r\nI need to look closely and carefully at this auction.\r\nThese are my colors>\r\nGLWTA", "likes": 4, "timestamp": 1748995941, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 00:12:21+00"}, {"id": 17845484, "authorName": "mdgrier", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/mdgrier/", "bidAmount": 2108, "content": "USD $2,108 bid placed by mdgrier", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1748997028, "type": "bid", "endDate": "2025-06-04 00:30:28+00"}, {"id": 17845571, "authorName": "jrmedsel", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jrmedsel/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "This is by far the best (well at least my favorite) color combination for a W108!", "likes": 5, "timestamp": 1748997677, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 00:41:17+00"}, {"id": 17845993, "authorName": "ejoak", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ejoak/", "bidAmount": 2300, "content": "USD $2,300 bid placed by ejoak", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749002328, "type": "bid", "endDate": "2025-06-04 01:58:48+00"}, {"id": 17847512, "authorName": "Carpatrick", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/carpatrick/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "I had a \u201872 280 SEL about 40 years ago and I still miss it. I agree that this is the perfect color combination. Although the car appears to be in great condition, the amount of rust on the underside of the hood perplexes me. I am wondering if it once had a hood liner that was removed and the rust is the result of it being unprotected. I\u2019m sure it can be repaired but I find it odd. GLWTA.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1749042486, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 13:08:06+00"}, {"id": 17848280, "authorName": "4CG (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/4cg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Ejoak and mdgrier, thank you for throwing your hat in the ring. Carpatrick, I'm not sure about the hood liner question. Neither my brother or I recall there ever being one.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1749049063, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 14:57:43+00"}, {"id": 17848984, "authorName": "Dollycat3", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dollycat3/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@4cg\u2026.@carsick\u2026.It DID originally come with a hood insulation pad and has deteriorated leaving remnants and bits of it\u2026relatively easily replaced\u2026\ud83d\udc4d", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1749054170, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 16:22:50+00"}, {"id": 17849074, "authorName": "Dollycat3", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/dollycat3/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@Carpatrick \u2026.see below\u2026.\u2b07\ufe0f", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749054593, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 16:29:53+00"}, {"id": 17849360, "authorName": "Ratty", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ratty/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@4CG (The Seller):\r\nAgree with @Dollycat3 about the hood insulation pad.\r\nAll 4 of the 108's I've owned have had one, and all in various states of deterioration.\r\nAnd as per @Dollycat3, easily replaced>\r\nGLWTA of this graceful piece of moving art.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1749056359, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 16:59:19+00"}, {"id": 17849703, "authorName": "Walter_Gomez", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/walter_gomez/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "As others have mentioned, a beautiful Mercedes in the best color combination, although I am a bit biased since mine is Moss Green Metallic.\r\n\r\nPersonally, I would just refreshen and check everything; new tune-up, new vacuum lines, new tires, fix the heater controls, shocks, brake lines, etc. One of the best thing about this car is that the MAP sensor (photo 47 behind air filter housing) still has the original black seal on it, meaning the rest of the FI system is probably at the original factory settings. As I mentioned in the previous 280SE 4.5 auction, a lot of MAP sensors have been 'adjusted' to compensate for vacuum leaks.", "likes": 3, "timestamp": 1749057616, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 17:20:16+00"}, {"id": 17849871, "authorName": "4CG (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/4cg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thanks for the enlightenment, guys. Interesting about the hood liner/insulation pad. But that does make sense.", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1749058047, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 17:27:27+00"}, {"id": 17851773, "authorName": "Carpatrick", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/carpatrick/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Thanks everyone for responding to my inquiry.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1749064258, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 19:10:58+00"}, {"id": 17852510, "authorName": "stet548", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/stet548/", "bidAmount": 2400, "content": "USD $2,400 bid placed by stet548", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749066307, "type": "bid", "endDate": "2025-06-04 19:45:07+00"}, {"id": 17853346, "authorName": "nbrockmeier73", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/nbrockmeier73/", "bidAmount": 3100, "content": "USD $3,100 bid placed by nbrockmeier73", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749068541, "type": "bid", "endDate": "2025-06-04 20:22:21+00"}, {"id": 17853478, "authorName": "stet548", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/stet548/", "bidAmount": 3200, "content": "USD $3,200 bid placed by stet548", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749068849, "type": "bid", "endDate": "2025-06-04 20:27:29+00"}, {"id": 17856395, "authorName": "Urbanista", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/urbanista/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Never met a 280se 4.5 I didn\u2019t like! Agreed the sunroof is a great option. The Binnacle and dash got fried in the California heat and is probably the biggest work order. Any BAT members who are old Benz aficionados have a specialist who is proficient at re-covering or replacing the binnacle?", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1749078826, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-04 23:13:46+00"}, {"id": 17856781, "authorName": "cmrecker", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/cmrecker/", "bidAmount": 5000, "content": "USD $5,000 bid placed by cmrecker", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749081948, "type": "bid", "endDate": "2025-06-05 00:05:48+00"}, {"id": 17857104, "authorName": "4CG (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/4cg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Very much appreciate all the new bidders today -- @cmrecker, @stet548 & @nborckmeier73 -- plus I learned a cool new word -- \"Binnacle.\"", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1749085169, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-05 00:59:29+00"}, {"id": 17857459, "authorName": "porkpiehat", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/porkpiehat/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "For Merc saloon aficionados of a certain age (such as yours truly) this may well always be what a \"proper\" Mercedes sedan looks like! GLWA", "likes": 2, "timestamp": 1749088836, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-05 02:00:36+00"}, {"id": 17857620, "authorName": "Allan_L.", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/allan_l.-user/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "For those wondering, it does have the replacement single spring kit installed on the rear suspension in place of the original Hydropneumatic Compensator. It is just barely visible in picture # 51.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1749090612, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-05 02:30:12+00"}, {"id": 17857668, "authorName": "ejoak", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/ejoak/", "bidAmount": 5100, "content": "USD $5,100 bid placed by ejoak", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749091261, "type": "bid", "endDate": "2025-06-05 02:41:01+00"}, {"id": 17857878, "authorName": "jrmedsel", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jrmedsel/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Interesting that the dash is cracked (got cooked by the sun??) but the wood bow appears to be in pristine condition. Was it refinished at some point?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749094157, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-05 03:29:17+00"}, {"id": 17858037, "authorName": "4CG (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/4cg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@jrmedsel, in briefly looking through the stack of repair bills when I was home, I noticed one for $882.24 that indicated something like center wood -- which I take to mean perhaps the panel of the glove compartment and possibly the ashtray. So I'm thinking it may have been replaced or refinished, which ever makes sense at that cost.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749097532, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-05 04:25:32+00"}, {"id": 17859250, "authorName": "jrmedsel", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/jrmedsel/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@4CG - I was referring to the wood strip at the base of the windshield (above the defroster vents). Yours is very nice, perhaps the receipt is for refinishing that?", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749131149, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-05 13:45:49+00"}, {"id": 17871778, "authorName": "4CG (The Seller)", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/4cg/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "@jrmedsel - As far as we know, the wood bow is original. However, the ash tray, glove box and center wood were replaced in October of 1999. I reached out to my erstwhile brother-in-law who told me that during the period my Dad loaned him the car someone broke in and stole the Blaupunkt CD/Cassette player damaging the wood paneling around it in the process. And while the radio does work, the Kenwood is apparently just a face plate cover for a removable Kenwood car stereo which I\u2019m just now realizing my Dad must have stashed somewhere in the house, and which may have been unwittingly recycled. My brother and I will actually be at the house this weekend and if we happen to find the car stereo of course will include that in the sale. BAT rep. welcome to make correction/notation to description above.", "likes": 1, "timestamp": 1749222255, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-06 15:04:15+00"}, {"id": 17880565, "authorName": "funkaholik", "authorUrl": "https://bringatrailer.com/member/funkaholik/", "bidAmount": 0, "content": "Cognac interior with dark olive paint is very classy.\r\nThey don't build them like this anymore.", "likes": 0, "timestamp": 1749259445, "type": "comment", "endDate": "2025-06-07 01:24:05+00"}]