[BowMan]

Superb...!!!

How difficult (or easy) are these to maintain these compared to 123s? I am talking about these gasoline engines because the 116 300 SD shared OM617 power plant with the 123 so parts should be comparatively easy to find (but it was restricted to some markets only). But what about the petrol M110 which is perhaps more common in India?

[vinay kamath]

a 1967 w110 '200' with a sunroof ! how I love these fintails!

[vinay kamath]

bowman,

happy makara sankranthi!

there was one more w123 (Rs 50,000) that needs to be restored fully at Ahmedabad itself . i have misplaced their cell number.

some others are below:

http://mysore.olx.in/classic-mercede...-iid-584465974

http://mumbai.olx.in/mercedes-w123-g...-iid-540883231

http://chennai.olx.in/hai-frnds-sell...-iid-589275116

http://kochi.olx.in/mercedes-benz-12...-iid-537248919

http://mumbai.olx.in/mercedes-benz-2...-iid-559250355

http://palani.olx.in/benz-1984-diese...-iid-550054480

http://alappuzha.olx.in/mercedes-ben...-iid-542516968

[BowMan]

Hey there Vinay,

Thanks for the wishes...I guess not too late for me to say Happy Makarsankranti to you!!!

I've probably seen the pics of the car you are talking about. It's actually in Jamnagar and the owner was a Swaminarayan sect follower coal trader there. He locked the car in his coal godown for years and being close to the sea the floor pan has actually rusted so badly that not much of it is left now. That car is not a restore. It's a rebuild. Too much work for my liking.

http://mumbai.olx.in/mercedes-w123-g...-iid-540883231

I've also seen this car. I specially made a trip to Mumbai to check out 3-4 potentials. This one seemed the most promising from the pics but when i reached Alibaug (the car is actually not in Mumbai) I was really disappointed. Totally rusted, interiors kept in a shabby manner, automatic tranny totally shot...The owner bought this car from Pune a few years back and he has uploaded very old pics. What unscrupulous behaviour I say.

http://mumbai.olx.in/mercedes-benz-2...-iid-559250355

This one is with a guy who lives in Ghatkopar. And actually was the best car of all the Mumbai cars I saw. It's a 200D LHD euro specs and has been reasonably well kept. He has reduced his asking price a lot since then. The only reason I am staying away is it is a 200D and has few rust spots (but these are not that bad).

[NKR]

Hi all,

1. I had been on the look out for a classic Mercedes. In my search I came across a W115 230/8. The car looked in decent shape. The car belongs to a collector, who does not wish publicity. All the parts looked original (please see some snaps that are attached).The pain work was decent. Interior requires cleaning and renewal/repair. I could not inspect the papers, by the look of it (by the headlights), it looks like a post 1970 model. The ID plate revealed the following- Make 230/8, RHD, Manual.The owner claimed that it has an original Mercedes diesel engine, however on the bottom of the engine the following was stamped 18095420011039, from which, I understood that it is a M180 series petrol. I have not seen the car started. He claims that it is a single owner car ( he being the second). We have not agreed on a price. What is the right price and what all should I check. Please advice.

Thanks NKR

[kasli]

Originally Posted by NKR

Hi all, 1. I had been on the look out for a classic Mercedes. In my search I came across a W115 230/8. The car looked in decent shape. The car belongs to a collector, who does not wish publicity. All the parts looked original (please see some snaps that are attached).The pain work was decent. Interior requires cleaning and renewal/repair. I could not inspect the papers, by the look of it (by the headlights), it looks like a post 1970 model. The ID plate revealed the following- Make 230/8, RHD, Manual.The owner claimed that it has an original Mercedes diesel engine, however on the bottom of the engine the following was stamped 18095420011039, from which, I understood that it is a M180 series petrol. I have not seen the car started. He claims that it is a single owner car ( he being the second). We have not agreed on a price. What is the right price and what all should I check. Please advice. Thanks NKR

That's the MLA from Kerala's car. Please see the papers for sure & 100% check the car is working as an advice . Also check the blower for the AIRCON and dash Cheers

[harit]

Originally Posted by NKR

Hi all, 1. I had been on the look out for a classic Mercedes. In my search I came across a W115 230/8. ....Please advice.
Thanks NKR

Hi in my humble opinion you should forget this car, forget about MLA, documents etc. When you find some sort of vehicle and are not sure, why don't you simply google it? There is no 230/8 even in Wiki
I consider W114 and W115 to be of the same genre. These cars are to be collected only if, in my opinion, they are 6 cylinder, coupes, stretch, or really original. You say the label states 230/8, please check again. As far as I remember, and Wiki says so too, 230 were petrol 4 cylinder cars.
I would buy this car only if it was usable for fun, cheap, and I would not even think of ever restoring to original.
Hope to have been of some help.

Cheers harit

P.S. There is a possibility that the /8 refers to the type "strich acht" as W 115's are commonly referred to in Germany.

[NKR]

Hi,

Thanks Harit and Kasli

This is a straight eight. The engine seems to be six cylinder petrol and not the 4 cylinder as were fitted on the W 115. The car is an original right hand drive manufactured in Germany with a manual transmission for export , this information has been found from the engine and chassis. The documents again seems to be genuine. If an offer needs to be made, what should it be. The pictures posted are
without bumpers and the Star on the Bonnet, but they are all stored and in good shape.

Another issue- I have also come to know of the following, a Ponton and a Fintail.

First the Ponton - The engine of the Ponton has been converted from a petrol to a diesel ( Diesel not original),interior configuration of the Ponton has been changed from a LHD to a RHD and the gears changed from the steering column position to the floor, in fact only the body seems to be original. Is it possible to change the car back to it's original form by sourcing the engine and parts and what would a ball park figure for the restoration be ?

The Fintail - The car has been converted to a diesel (not original). It is a Right hand drive, the dash board configuration and the gear position has been retained. Interiors need repair, Engine (190) petrol needs to be found. Again, Is it possible to have a ball park figure for the restoration.

Thanks

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by NKR

The owner claimed that it has an original Mercedes diesel engine, however on the bottom of the engine the following was stamped 18095420011039, from which, I understood that it is a M180 series petrol. Thanks NKR

From the picture I think I can see a diesel engine (injectors in place of spark plugs? Forgive my elementary knowledge).

I would steer clear of all three cars - unless you dont mind using it on the diesel. To revert back is a herculean task these days, lack of supply of parts and labour being a big setback.

Having said that - what else is in the collection? Do share pics

[ajmat]

If I am right, the w114 was in Kollam, belonged to a big cashew exporter. My aunt used to work for him. I recognise it from the US spec headlights. It used to be grey with a white roof.

Till 1973, Merc 230's were 6 cylinders. 220's were 4 cylinders. Both were supercedes by the 230.4 in 1973

[JayD]

If i remember correctly, this 115 is a left hand drive petrol originally. Its been converted to RHD and diesel. The car bears a Quilon registration, as ajmat has mentioned, and is repainted.

My personal suggestion is to avoid the same.


Regarding the Ponton, are you talking about the grey one? If so, its not even worth taking it for free. Its been ruined far too much, amby nova dashboard and what not.




The black ponton he has is slightly less molested, but that too has a conti engine.

The fintail again, one was a floorshift 230/220, and the other is a 190 columnshift. Both run diesels.

Both vars have the dashboard cut up to accomodate AC vents.







My personal opinion is to walk away from these and search a lil more to find better cars.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by NKR

Hi,

Thanks Harit and Kasli

This is a straight eight. The engine seems to be six cylinder petrol and not the 4 cylinder as were fitted on the W 115. The car is an original right hand drive manufactured in Germany with a manual transmission for export , this information has been found from the engine and chassis. The documents again seems to be genuine. If an offer needs to be made, what should it be. The pictures posted are
without bumpers and the Star on the Bonnet, but they are all stored and in good shape.

Another issue- I have also come to know of the following, a Ponton and a Fintail.

First the Ponton - The engine of the Ponton has been converted from a petrol to a diesel ( Diesel not original),interior configuration of the Ponton has been changed from a LHD to a RHD and the gears changed from the steering column position to the floor, in fact only the body seems to be original. Is it possible to change the car back to it's original form by sourcing the engine and parts and what would a ball park figure for the restoration be ?

The Fintail - The car has been converted to a diesel (not original). It is a Right hand drive, the dash board configuration and the gear position has been retained. Interiors need repair, Engine (190) petrol needs to be found. Again, Is it possible to have a ball park figure for the restoration.

Thanks

[NKR]

Thanks, Karlosdeville, Ajmat and Jay D

1. As mentioned earlier, the owner said that it had a diesel engine. Why I put forth then idea of it being a petrol is because of the numbers stamped on the engine’s bottom. I am not sure as to how the Diesel engine can have the Petrol’s marking, may be it is the just the numbering on the base.

2. He has a large number of cars, which he does not want publicized. Hence no photos, pardon me. I will try to obtain his permission to post a few photos and the details.

3. I also have been told that the car belonged to a Cashew exporter in Quilon. It has also been told that the engine is an authentic replacement with original papers. I am not aware of the change in paint scheme.

4. I do not think that it is a left hand drive, as I dug up the chassis records it clearly indicates that it is a right hand drive, with manual transmission.( See the attached pictures of the Chassis plate)

5. The Ponton I am talking about is the white one. Interiors pictures of which has been posted by Jay D. What is your take on the Fintail. It has a wrong engine but everything else seems to be Ok. Since Jay D has seen the Fintail can you offer any final opinion, ( I am posting the photos of the interiors and the chassis plate)

6. Now with all the draw backs these cars have what offer should I make for the Fintail and the W114

Thanks NKR

[mbz180]

Originally Posted by NKR

Thanks, Karlosdeville, Ajmat and Jay D. Now with all the draw backs these cars have what offer should I make for the Fintail and the W114. Thanks NKR

NKR,

As others have said, please walk away from all 3 cars. Karl has rightly observed the diesel injectors, certainly not a 6 cylinder petrol engine. The numbers you quote-are you sure they are on the engine block itself? It may be the chassis no. Also, why don't you post a better picture of the engine bay so that we can conclude once and for all what engine it has instead of the tiny glimpse we have in the earlier photo.

Trust me, you do not want to know how much it would take to restore these cars in their condition, especially the Fintail & Ponton. Even if someone paid me, I would not touch the cars because parts prices are astronomical.

If you want my advise, please look for an unmolested car. It may be rotting, but as long as it has the original parts, it may be worth restoring.

[NKR]

[quote=mbz180;3351575]NKR,

Hi all,

Thanks MBZ180

1. I am definitely walking away from the Ponton. As she has been mutilated extensively.

2. As Karl and MBZ180 have observed (and the owner has said) the W114 has been refitted with a diesel engine. It is an original diesel engine imported engine (owner's statements). I think the diesel is an original OM 615/616,The W114's diesel engine's picture is given as the last attachment in this post (That's all I have). The number stamped is not the Chassis number as it has separate chassis plates. The car also has a separate Chassis plate in addition to the usual one- it may indicate the replacement

3. I am posting a number of photos of the Fintail for your perusal. She looks nice. I have also been told by a mechanic of a petrol engine in Bangalore that belonged to a fintail (190). May be I can refit it into this Fintail. Please see the photo of the Chassis plate of the Fintail- Originally the car is a Petrol, RHD Manual. So the owner/s haven't manipulated the overall configuration. I have posted a number of photos. Alas, she has the wrong heart.

4. The expert advice and my head says- walk away, my heart says (and as also PMd by a senior bhpian) if you are able to acquire it cheap, then pick it up. I am sorry to offend the senses of the very learned lot of this forum. I am also considering the fact that what ever Pontons/Fintails that I have seen/heard for sale are either rotting away making the restoration very expensive (as MBZ 180 has said), or the concourse models are frightfully expensive

5. So my request is this, What should I offer for the Fintail and the W114.

Regards - NKR

[mbz180]

[quote=NKR;3351611]

Originally Posted by mbz180

NKR,

3. I am posting a number of photos of the Fintail for your perusal. She looks nice. I have also been told by a mechanic of a petrol engine in Bangalore that belonged to a fintail (190). May be I can refit it into this Fintail. Please see the photo of the Chassis plate of the Fintail- Originally the car is a Petrol, RHD Manual. So the owner/s haven't manipulated the overall configuration. I have posted a number of photos. Alas, she has the wrong heart. Regards - NKR

NKR, if I understand you correctly, the photo of the chassis plate is of the Fintail which you state has had it's original petrol mill transplanted with a diesel unit. But look at the chassis plate photo; to me it looks like the model stamped is 190 "D", 1965, and therefore I would think the car was diesel to start with.