Values 2800cs vs 3.0cs?

craterface

craterface

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I am new to forum, but having been reading it for a month or so. I am looking for a coupe. Is there any inherent difference in value between a 2800cs and a 3.0cs? Of course I want to buy the best coupe I can afford, but all things being equal (which I know they never are), is a 3.0cs worth any more than a 2800cs? Are standard 3.0csi's worth any more? Do they have any noticable performance advantages? Thanks,
Scott in Southwest Fla
 
Really depends on who you talk to. An insurance company will see the 3.0cs as being worth more. A stock 3.0 will perform better - bigger engine, better brakes and other small factors. But it's not that hard to upgrade both main areas. In fact it is a very common practice to do the 3.5 and 5 speed upgrade. So in the end they become equal or close to it.
 
For stock US model cars, based on my experience with both, I don't believe you can tell the difference between 2.8 and 3.0 models driven on the street. For the additional displacement, the 3.0s got crappy early emissions controls and additional weight. They also had lower compression pistons and at least from my "seat-of-the-pants" feel, the 2.8s rev up faster. The 3.0s got 3.64 differentials so they would have about the same acceleration as the 2800s which had 3.45 differentials.

A 2800Cs with properly adjusted rear brakes performs just as well as a 3.0, unless perhaps you do a lot of hard mountain driving.

As far as value, for a long time after the cars were new, resale prices were affected in part by the car's original prices, which rose rapidly between 1971 and 1974 due in large part to the drop in value between the US dollar and the German mark. The $4000 2002 I bought new in late 1972 would have cost me something like $700 more in 1973, almost entirely the result of the rising value of the mark.

A 1970 2800CS started at just over $8,000. By 1973, that rose to almost $11,000. The later cars seemed to be more fully optioned and that cost more. A/c was $700, leather $650 and limited slip diff $160.
 
I kind of treat the 'value' in the 2800 vs 3.0 in the way I would treat 2002's.....

Condition, condition, condition....... (and bumper configuration... :) )

I had been looking (off and on) for ~10 years for an E9. I felt I understood the differences well enough and wanted (in a perfect world) a '72 or '73 3.0CS
I favored the larger engine and brake set up. That and I figured a couple of years less age couldn't hurt either.... :)

So - I'd say....
Treat all the E9's the same. My only real issue was the bumpers - The E9 had larger bumpers at the end (as did the 2002) so I kept my search to the earlier cars.
But aside from that - Next on the list was transmission, A/C and sunroof.
I actually wanted a car w/o sunroof. No drain problems to worry about.
I also wanted a car w/o air conditioning. Easier to work on.
Transmission - I wanted a 4 speed but would consider automatics as I could always convert to 5 speed later - But the car would have to be VERY appealing otherwise.

Then I ran across Tony's (Velocewest's) car in Portland.
His was a '70 2800CS in tremendous shape.
While I had previously driven the 3.0CS (carb) I had not taken a 2.8 out.

So - My original criteria as you can see was tossed aside when I saw Tony's car.... His car has air.
But the rest of the package was well worth it.

So - I think the 'value' in the car lies in its condition... with all the other factors playing second fiddle to that (even CS vs CSi discussion).

As to what that 'value' is...??? That is up to you and the seller.
I have seen some cars cross at very high prices and others for less than I would expect.

Good luck -
 
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If I lived in FL I would insist on ac, preferably upgraded and blowing cold at time of purchase. These cars are not called greenhouses for nothing.
After that I would look for a CSi. Delicate(in too many ways) beautiful chrome bumpers on all CSi's. Avoid the big bumpered 74 + US cars. The fuel injection system on my car runs flawlessly and smoothly, a bit more power, sips a little less gas(NEVER a factor if you love these coupes). I owned one Automatic, a 74 Bavaria. Coasted the car in for a trade when the auto died at 75K. Notorioulsy weak transmissions.

There is no such thing as a RUST FREE coupe. Unless you have seen the shell on jackstands before priming and painting. So you look for the car with the less rust. Shock towers, rockers, bottoms of doors, and yes, sunfoof cars. A little bubbling can be iffy. The hoses clog, moisture accumulates, rust awaits. No sunroof, less body flex.
Good luck. Let us know how you makeout.

Steve ONeill 74 CSi
 
'74

Steve check out the thread '74 bumper swap. The "big" bumpered cars can be made beautiful, and a lot of bumpers have out survived the cars. Reproduction bumpers are also available
 
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