These AMG engines from this era are among some of my favorites and I absolutely love both platforms they were put in. Obviously the coupe is more special and more racey and the sedan is a great sleeper. Love Rob's excitement as always, perfect host for the show.
Shoutout Matt Kwiek for pushing the boundaries on what people know and realize possible about these cars. With my own Manual Swapped C55 AMG with the same drivetrain essentially, I can only imagine what a hoot it would be in this 280se... Great Job again Matt and THANK YOU to Top Gear and Rob Dahm (Rotary Dad) For Spotlighting an often overlooked Niche in the Tuning and Modification World!
What transmission and flywheel setup are you using? I have a c55 and want to make it a track day car soon and would be a huge improvement over the 722.6 in it
I'm generally not into beefcakes, and he does show off his guns all the time and moves his arms a bit like a T-Rex, but, he does seem like a genuinely nice guy, haha. I had not heard of him before he appeared here on the channel, he's fine, albeit a bit awkward sometimes in his humble shyness.
@@Games_and_Music liking guns and being fit does not make a man not humble. rob dahm has a channel by his own name - definately worth checking out, you'll see he's real.
@@piuthemagicman I did not mean literal guns though, i meant his biceps, because he tends to move his arms in such a way that it somehow always flexes them. Like if he wants to point at something, he will often flip his hand so that the palm is up, which of course activates the biceps. Not a lot of palm down moves, unless it's to spread his fingers and flex his triceps. And in general his arms are rarely not in a 90° angle. All the while cropped into a tiny shirt. I mean, sure, flaunt it while you got it, but it does remind me a bit of Instagram "models" "casually" showing off their new tattoos and whatevers all the time. I mean, it sounds like i make a big deal out of it, while it is merely an observation. I did the same with the two Ollies of Top Gear, one Ollie tiptoes around all the time, while the other Ollie walks around like a cowboy in leather chaps (his backwards leaning stance and bowlegs). The reason i mentioned awkward is because he's kinda shy or insecure, or just really humble, which just feels a bit awkward during the interview parts. But all in all i think he's fine, so it's not like a Dahmning review (sorry, had to).
Thank you everyone for the support, and Top Gear and Rob and Tangent Vector for making it happen. If anyone has any more questions on the cars or wants one built, feel free to reach out!
Reminds me of this very old issue of hot rod magazine where someone took an old Mercedes 240D and swapped in a Chevy big block 454 and renamed it the 740G.
I remember reading in a magazine, years ago, about someone dropping a (then) recent AMG engine and powertrain into an early-90s or late-80s Mercedes, and the nightmare that was getting all the sensors to cooperate :)
@@kristoffermangila But does not the ECU need tons of sensors and stuff to make the engine turn? Or do you use a 3rd party ECU? Greetings from Mercedes-land, where we were never allowed to put such a car legally on the street 🙈
@@kristoffermangila The engine and powertrain are the ones that require sensors, not the chassis. The lack of sensors on the car itself was the problem.
I think due to the TUV regulations in Germany it's getting harder to run old cars, and close to impossible to extensively modify them. Given it's the home of Mercs and BMs and the existence of unlimited speed restriction autobahns to really stretch their legs, it's feels a real shame it'll probably only be in places like the US that you'll get to see these classics getting the restomod treatment. Good video, and interesting mods.
I didn’t realize those engines made that kind of power. Maybe with tuning and such they are easily unlocked. I remember when new those mills were rated at like 3-355hp. Cool to see them making something more appropriate for the modern era (and entirely obscene when slotted back into 50-60 year old relics!).
Those engines are stock power, the M113 5.0 was making 302hp and the M113K was making 469hp from factory in their original cars, guys are pushing over 700hp from the M113K. He's just engine swapped them, nothing unusual going on there.
@@ukwan ah gotcha thanks. I thought when he mentioned the NA engine making 400bhp it sounded a bit high but I could be misremembering the generations and what they produced from the factory.
@@ALMX5DP I guess the non-AMG engine cover kinda confused you. With it, it looks like a standard 5.0 306hp V8, while actually it's a 5.4 supercharged V8 with nearly 500hp and more torque than an F10 M5. That engine and transmission combo is definitely no joke.
@@Anders_HeymSR30 Yes actually. Tbh I didn't really notice until later into the video since I initially thought that non supercharged ones weren't sold in North America. Just did some research and it turns out they were, just in smaller numbers.
As the owner of two 280CE’s, and an 86 300E, i dream of a V8 conversion like one of these. I wish I had the talent and energy to do one, but that is not in the cards for me now. Congrats, your cars are amazing, so much more interesting than the new hyper cars.
So happy to see this, I have a W116 300SD I'm in the initial stages of swapping a N/A CL55 engine and 6-speed into. The supercharged engine would be a blast but not much you can do on these cars in terms of brakes (upgrades are the W126 V8 fronts and S123 rears) before going to expensive custom machined stuff, plus the complications of intercooler routing and whatnot. Car is going to be a hoot to drive I'm sure.
My dad had one for 20+ years back in Holland. It was a rock when other cars were built from Chinese restaurant 'To go' trays. The doors sounded and felt like vault doors when you closed them and there's not been ONE Merc since that has felt as solid as the 280 SE.
V8 Mercedes-Benz sedans with clutch pedals are one of those things I always want, probably more so because they simply don't exist except as custom drivetrain swaps.
Outstanding car. My dad has a 71 220SL first automatic version with everything still authentic and original to the product as if it was just out from the factory. And from my experience and memory, it's built like a tank. Your view is high, the power is there but underwhelming due to the weight and old technology, and the seats are just so comfortable with those huge springs. Everything about that car is just so different and odd, but that's exactly why it's so great. My dad and I share the same opinion, to keep them as original as possible.
Excelente los Mercedes hasta 1998 despues la cosa ya no es la misma. Yo tengo un w 210 nafta 230 E de 1996. Hace 13 años que lo tengo nunca un problema. Sin duda el ultimo Mercedes que comprare y que consevare de por vida. Saludos Carlos Balbi desde Uruguay. 😊
My dad had one of these (the 280 SE, not with an AMG V8) back in the seventies, in a red/ orange, that I can best describe as "Heinz Tomato Soup" colour. *edit" He also had a 280CE in the late 80's, but not such a nice colour - metallic olive green (that didn't have a V8 either).
The E30 is not bad! It was a fun plucky car, it's the drivers/owners that sucked. I have fond memories of our local distributor of green smokeable plants in his white E30, he always drove around the block a couple of times during the transactions and it was a blast to ride shotgun.
And the fenders reminded him of an E30 M3 which is even better than the normal E30 and just the most successful touring race car of all times! So 'great' statement of him!
Supercars aren't impressive to me anymore, cars like these pull on my heart strings, they have a soul
same here
a bmw 7 series is kinda drippy doe ngl, that said, i will never afford one ;/
@@Obtite e38 the drippiest of 'em all
@@piuthemagicman e32
Modern cars is suchlike a robot
Hey Top Gear, take care of Rob. He is the best part of the Top Gear catalog right now, and this series is great!
💯💯💯
These AMG engines from this era are among some of my favorites and I absolutely love both platforms they were put in. Obviously the coupe is more special and more racey and the sedan is a great sleeper. Love Rob's excitement as always, perfect host for the show.
Shoutout Matt Kwiek for pushing the boundaries on what people know and realize possible about these cars. With my own Manual Swapped C55 AMG with the same drivetrain essentially, I can only imagine what a hoot it would be in this 280se... Great Job again Matt and THANK YOU to Top Gear and Rob Dahm (Rotary Dad) For Spotlighting an often overlooked Niche in the Tuning and Modification World!
W203?
@@MD-uu5nt yep, all on my channel
What transmission and flywheel setup are you using? I have a c55 and want to make it a track day car soon and would be a huge improvement over the 722.6 in it
@@Somebabies_ same as mentioned in this video for the most part, it’s all listed on my channel
🙌
Rob makes such a good host.
It's good to see a humble, honest guy succeed.
I'm generally not into beefcakes, and he does show off his guns all the time and moves his arms a bit like a T-Rex, but, he does seem like a genuinely nice guy, haha.
I had not heard of him before he appeared here on the channel, he's fine, albeit a bit awkward sometimes in his humble shyness.
@@Games_and_Music liking guns and being fit does not make a man not humble. rob dahm has a channel by his own name - definately worth checking out, you'll see he's real.
@@piuthemagicman I did not mean literal guns though, i meant his biceps, because he tends to move his arms in such a way that it somehow always flexes them.
Like if he wants to point at something, he will often flip his hand so that the palm is up, which of course activates the biceps.
Not a lot of palm down moves, unless it's to spread his fingers and flex his triceps.
And in general his arms are rarely not in a 90° angle.
All the while cropped into a tiny shirt.
I mean, sure, flaunt it while you got it, but it does remind me a bit of Instagram "models" "casually" showing off their new tattoos and whatevers all the time.
I mean, it sounds like i make a big deal out of it, while it is merely an observation.
I did the same with the two Ollies of Top Gear, one Ollie tiptoes around all the time, while the other Ollie walks around like a cowboy in leather chaps (his backwards leaning stance and bowlegs).
The reason i mentioned awkward is because he's kinda shy or insecure, or just really humble, which just feels a bit awkward during the interview parts.
But all in all i think he's fine, so it's not like a Dahmning review (sorry, had to).
Thank you everyone for the support, and Top Gear and Rob and Tangent Vector for making it happen. If anyone has any more questions on the cars or wants one built, feel free to reach out!
Superb build, reminded me of the Meguiars UK Mercedes W114 build and the Hammer racing cars of the 80s
These are amazing! Have you done any work with the M156 engines? Have been daydreaming of a manual swapped C63 for years.
@@anthonysloanmusic I’ve been looking for someone to let me do an M156 6-speed swap, it needs to happen.
I know of a 380SL in red I might be able to poke you guys about, one day.
You just got yourself a new subscriber, love the uniqueness!
Reminds me of this very old issue of hot rod magazine where someone took an old Mercedes 240D and swapped in a Chevy big block 454 and renamed it the 740G.
Finally some Mercedes content!
I love these cars. These are some really rad builds. Looking forward to more from this series and Matt Kwiek!
That W123 Coupe with the 55K engine is just perfection
Dude even looks like the kind of guy who would do this. Looks like he'd be a lead guitarist for a prog metal band.
This guy has got some cool cars. Absolutely loving the variety this season. Hoping for a S3 with Rob on board again!
What’s with his accent? I’ve never heard this accent before
Rob and I are both from Michigan
Both of those are gorgeous. He’s definitely got two something’s to be extremely proud of
I happy to tell you that this car is so common here in Jordan 🇯🇴
How much is this car in Jordan?
How much it costs?
Yeah, Beirut too. BBC journalist Quentin Somerville posts photos of them all the time. First place I would go to buy a couple.
That body kit is disgusting, all else goid
@@johnprescott7389 well I don't know but , it's Cheap(:
I remember reading in a magazine, years ago, about someone dropping a (then) recent AMG engine and powertrain into an early-90s or late-80s Mercedes, and the nightmare that was getting all the sensors to cooperate :)
He should have used a '70s era Merc, instead of an '80s one, not much need for sensors.
@@kristoffermangila But does not the ECU need tons of sensors and stuff to make the engine turn? Or do you use a 3rd party ECU?
Greetings from Mercedes-land, where we were never allowed to put such a car legally on the street 🙈
@@kristoffermangila The engine and powertrain are the ones that require sensors, not the chassis. The lack of sensors on the car itself was the problem.
@@MravacKid fair enough... so an '80s or '90s Merc is needed then?
@@kristoffermangila considering the advances in technology, I'm not sure even a 2010s one would be sufficient now... :)
“Almost a tuner vehicle” most extreme understatement so far of 23’.
This is my absolute favorite kind of older car. Love this!
I think due to the TUV regulations in Germany it's getting harder to run old cars, and close to impossible to extensively modify them.
Given it's the home of Mercs and BMs and the existence of unlimited speed restriction autobahns to really stretch their legs, it's feels a real shame it'll probably only be in places like the US that you'll get to see these classics getting the restomod treatment.
Good video, and interesting mods.
Facts
That's my friend! Go Matt!
absolutely LOVE it. W108 is one of my dream cars and I am going to have to buy one pretty soon...
damnnnn rob dahm in top gear? woah
Supercars don't impress me much, these do.
Awesome review Rob. Bring us more like this!!
So sick. Love it. Perfection. Classy.
nice to see ol' RobbyD in the limelight
siiiiiiiick cars too. esp the red one
I love these cars.
This is how it's done, classic Benz with muscle
I absolutely adore this car!
This dude basically created a 280 55 AMG Black Series
Life goals
This is so cool.....Mercedes Benz the best or nothing!
This is an awesome project. ^^
I love both cars.
70's people watching this: That intro isn't even close to what cars really looked in the 70's
YEAH THAT Kompressor M113 is FTW!!!!
Wow love this types of builds.. live for this kind of stuff
I didn’t realize those engines made that kind of power. Maybe with tuning and such they are easily unlocked. I remember when new those mills were rated at like 3-355hp. Cool to see them making something more appropriate for the modern era (and entirely obscene when slotted back into 50-60 year old relics!).
Those engines are stock power, the M113 5.0 was making 302hp and the M113K was making 469hp from factory in their original cars, guys are pushing over 700hp from the M113K. He's just engine swapped them, nothing unusual going on there.
@@ukwan ah gotcha thanks. I thought when he mentioned the NA engine making 400bhp it sounded a bit high but I could be misremembering the generations and what they produced from the factory.
@@ALMX5DP I guess the non-AMG engine cover kinda confused you. With it, it looks like a standard 5.0 306hp V8, while actually it's a 5.4 supercharged V8 with nearly 500hp and more torque than an F10 M5. That engine and transmission combo is definitely no joke.
@@brunobegic3841 isn’t it the non-supercharged S55 engine that he fitted to that SE280?
@@Anders_HeymSR30 Yes actually. Tbh I didn't really notice until later into the video since I initially thought that non supercharged ones weren't sold in North America. Just did some research and it turns out they were, just in smaller numbers.
Rob and the whole AT series have been great.
As the owner of two 280CE’s, and an 86 300E, i dream of a V8 conversion like one of these. I wish I had the talent and energy to do one, but that is not in the cards for me now. Congrats, your cars are amazing, so much more interesting than the new hyper cars.
This is awesome!
Them Merc's are awesome.... excellent job
So happy to see this, I have a W116 300SD I'm in the initial stages of swapping a N/A CL55 engine and 6-speed into. The supercharged engine would be a blast but not much you can do on these cars in terms of brakes (upgrades are the W126 V8 fronts and S123 rears) before going to expensive custom machined stuff, plus the complications of intercooler routing and whatnot. Car is going to be a hoot to drive I'm sure.
Update? I also have a w116 300sd roller. But I'm not doing anything with it
Love the old Mercedes. I really like the rims on this too.
German Rial “Mesh” wheels.
An evolved masterpiece
Thank you, Rob!
My dad had one for 20+ years back in Holland. It was a rock when other cars were built from Chinese restaurant 'To go' trays. The doors sounded and felt like vault doors when you closed them and there's not been ONE Merc since that has felt as solid as the 280 SE.
V8 Mercedes-Benz sedans with clutch pedals are one of those things I always want, probably more so because they simply don't exist except as custom drivetrain swaps.
Great review Top Gear and Rob! Top Gear don't lose Rob!!!!
Outstanding car.
My dad has a 71 220SL first automatic version with everything still authentic and original to the product as if it was just out from the factory. And from my experience and memory, it's built like a tank. Your view is high, the power is there but underwhelming due to the weight and old technology, and the seats are just so comfortable with those huge springs. Everything about that car is just so different and odd, but that's exactly why it's so great. My dad and I share the same opinion, to keep them as original as possible.
would love to see more resto mod Mercedes and of course of the legend Rob Dahm 👍
This episode helped me to warm up more to Rob. Rock on
This is my dream car even un-modded
Thank you for this video! This is nice nice nice !!
Wowser, love these. Also love the comment about having drivers think that he surprises a few drivers hoping to jump the queue.
Good job mr. Dahm ! Fine video and great with a true petrol head.
Excelente los Mercedes hasta 1998 despues la cosa ya no es la misma. Yo tengo un w 210 nafta 230 E de 1996. Hace 13 años que lo tengo nunca un problema. Sin duda el ultimo Mercedes que comprare y que consevare de por vida. Saludos Carlos Balbi desde Uruguay. 😊
After decades of technological evolution Americans are finally able to tune German cars from the 70s.
Didn't think the German market 108's had he side markers. Really great job, I love that it's a driver and not overly restored.
Thanks! It got corner markets and US market headlamps as part of the federalization process. I have euro headlights on the way for it.
Mercedes + rust = ❤️ for ever
This man is the absolute super star of rockstars 👍👍
The front area with no big center console, just open to the back seats, thats really cool to see. Dont see anything like anymore.
Super cool two-car garage. The W108 for weekdays, the C123 for weekends.
How the hell is rob literally a top gear host? Mind blowing
All the Joy of the Oil pickup O-rings
Definitely have to get my next build on this show.
I want 1 now.. The red 1 looks like a monster power
The real definition of sleeper car 😍
I like rob because he uses automotive jargon which most auto presenters dont, which is both more involving and more entertaining
Mercedes and german always create a invension features at cars love them
nice ONE ROB !!! Followed u everywhere in socmed.
YES Mr Dahm is the shit for Top Gear!
That steel widebody is just absolutely gorgeous
Awesome cars!
Wonderful experience and awesome works of art...thank you for sharing this.
amazing the guy is absolute BOSS!!!
I need one in my life
Beautiful car great for tuning
really cool builds! I have some ideas.....Really exciting to see what he's doing.
My dad had one of these (the 280 SE, not with an AMG V8) back in the seventies, in a red/ orange, that I can best describe as "Heinz Tomato Soup" colour.
*edit" He also had a 280CE in the late 80's, but not such a nice colour - metallic olive green (that didn't have a V8 either).
personally I love those 70's colours :) and yes I know exactly which you mean.
He have some cool cars.
Sick. That’s my dream
Was reinforcement of the chassis a mandatory requirement? Thx for sharing. These two cars did more than pull at your heart. It did a burnout!
My God this is awesome!
Awesome machines 👌
It’s soooooooo weird hearing a W123 coupe sounding like a 60s muscle car
Old restomod benzes. THATS a car.
Very cool pair of Benzes, the M113K in the CE is definitely something. Great builds.
The 55 engine is such a good pick too since those M113s are some of the most reliable AMG engines they made
Any of the M1 series engine are very durable , imo the best balance of technology and durability.
The E30 is not bad! It was a fun plucky car, it's the drivers/owners that sucked.
I have fond memories of our local distributor of green smokeable plants in his white E30, he always drove around the block a couple of times during the transactions and it was a blast to ride shotgun.
And the fenders reminded him of an E30 M3 which is even better than the normal E30 and just the most successful touring race car of all times!
So 'great' statement of him!
Fantastic video with Rob Dahm
It is impressive what the guy has achieved but these cars especially S-Class are made to stay just as they are all original.
Hats off to you for making them. I love them so much. They are so desirable.
Impressive!
That’s my best friend Robert doing his thing
Matt looks like a generational Terminator😂
That gorgeous v
, vintage and sleek
Classics Mercedes benz are beautiful.
Hi thanks for this.i love Germany.
Very cool !
Hope he made some content on that mod