Any suggestions on fixing sills and near tank filler? Some rear doors wouldn't go astray - 1968 W108 Melbourne

Started by tony_v_warrandyte, 05-11-2019 11:42 AM. 33 replies. 1,074 views.

05-11-2019, 11:42 AM

tony_v_warrandyte Member

Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Sydney NSW
Posts: 75

Any suggestions on fixing sills and near tank filler? Also some rear doors wouldn't go astray 😄 I'm in Melbourne but would like to attempt to sort rust and body before going into mechanicals. Interior is very sorted with original radio and books. M130 may need to be replaced or a new head.

1968 W108 280S Melbourne with major sill and tank filler rust

Bought her in November from a deceased estate near Geelong. The interior is honestly remarkable - factory radio works, all the books in the glovebox, the dash is uncracked. But the rust is what you see - both sills rotted through, both rear quarters around the tank filler, both rear door bottoms.

The M130 turns over but hasnt been run since 2009. Compression test pending.

I know this is a big ask. Want to do it properly. Where do I start?

05-11-2019, 02:18 PM

Vasilios_Billy

Lifetime Benzer

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 2,118
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 2020 AMG GT C

Tony welcome. honest answer, its bad but normal W108 bad.

Sills are structural. W108 sill is inner, outer, reinforcement and jacking points. your outer sills are gone and inner is probly touched. Niemoeller outer sills are EUR 280 each, inner has to be made. budget $4,800 both sides painted if done properly.

Filler neck / rear quarter rust is water past the filler seal. local cut and weld, about $1,200-1,600 a side. rear door bottoms, easier to find good doors at $380-450 each.

M130 parked 15 years means fuel, cooling, ignition first. dont buy a head until compression says head.

Real driver-grade budget $28,000-34,000 over 12-18 months. done value maybe $35,000-42,000. Quote Mick at Classic Restoration Enterprises Mitcham and Stelios at Lakeside Panel Werks Coburg.. pick the bloke you can talk to.

06-11-2019, 09:18 AM

Hugo_Darlinghurst Senior Member

★ Gold

Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Darlinghurst NSW
Posts: 524
Club: Mercedes Classic Drivers Australia (MCDA) - chapter committee
Car: 1968 W108 280SE 5.0 Coupe

Billy is right. 1968 W108 280S in DB050 White (Weiss) was about 31% of Aus deliveries, roughly 240 white 280S cars. Mercedes-Benz Group Archive Stuttgart can confirm yours off the VIN. €45 Certificate of Origin, colour, interior, options, delivery date.. do it before paint.

Books and intact interior are the gold here. Photograph every page, sleeve the books, cover the dash while the bodywork is happening.

06-11-2019, 02:42 PM

Wilfried_Stuttgart Adelaide 1973-1998 / Stuttgart since

Join Date: May 2012
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Posts: 1,418
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1985 W124 300E

As it is a merc... yes... Tony the car is worth saving 🤭

One thing I will add - when your body shop opens the sills they may find the floor pan is also rotted, especially the rear footwell behind the driver's seat where the wheelarch return joins the floor. This is a hidden killer on W108s that lived in Melbourne salt-air zones. Ask the shop to inspect the floor pan inner edges before they commit to a sill price... if the floor is gone the price doubles 😋

Niemoeller also has the floor pan stamped repair sections (130 610 02 60 LH and 130 610 03 60 RH) for €380 each if you need them.

09-11-2019, 06:14 PM

Boonie_W108 Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Marrickville NSW
Posts: 1,418
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: '67 W108 250SE

THE BOOKS IN THE GLOVEBOX MAKE THIS WORTH SAVING ALONE..

NOT KIDDING..STEVE WOULDA CRIED.

+ Reply to ThreadPage 1 of 1