Looking at an 82 SL380, what to look for?

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Well, thanks for, um, opinions I guess. Not sure how a post goes from asking a simple question to "it's not sporty, it's not this, they made a million of them", etc. Thanks to those that gave advice on what to look for.

It's simple Eric. If you like the car and it's the right money then buy it.

Mercedes Benz make great cars and like I wrote earlier they're fixable. I drive a 1992 400SE (W140).
Honestly it's a great car. I would rather drive and old Benz or Porsche than anything modern.

[Seahawk]

I owned a 1989 SL560 for five years, sold it 16 months ago.

Great car, not Secretariat but not Porky the Pig either. I think I wrote years ago that while the 560 is a boat it is more like a Frigate than an aircraft carrier.

I will say that the previous owner, Choc, did all the right maintenance so I did nothing other than routine stuff for all the years I drove it. I really enjoyed the car for what it is.

One of my neighbors used to tell me that he would see my son driving me around (Driving Miss Seahawk) with the top down on the weekends and wonder how much fun we were having.

Lots. Drive westbound to the sea....

Concerning the 380, if the price is comfortable and you do your homework, expect average performance but maximum smiles. Only pay enough for it that you can walk away should the mechanicals/electrical go South.

This link will look familiar:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/

[JeremyD]

Great cars - about as solid as you can get - everything is heavy. The 560sl just offers you more torque and the 560 engine is about as close to a SBC as you can get.

They are great cruisers - check for motor mounts and subframe mounts (we replaced on ours) the AC works - the car drives great - lots of fun and you feel like a million driving around in one. (we have an 88 560sl that my wife drives all over the place.

[Chocaholic]

Probably the biggest challenge I had with Seahawk’s 560 was replacing all the rubber bits. Subframe bushings, engine mounts, etc. It’s a long list including hoses, belts, spark plug wires, various grommets, etc. And yes, on the 560 (and certainly the 380) the battery is in the trunk. It’s a big heavy mutha and invariably there is leakage that will rust out the pan that holds it. Mine wasn’t terrible but I still had it cut out and new metal installed.

A very heavy, smooth cruiser that is more about the experience than it is pure fun. 560’s seem to hold value a bit better than 380’s...for good reason.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Probably the biggest challenge I had with Seahawk’s 560 was replacing all the rubber bits. Subframe bushings, engine mounts, etc. It’s a long list including hoses, belts, spark plug wires, various grommets, etc.

The guy I sold it to, a mechanic who owns his own place I first met in 1991 to help me with my father's grinding my 1983 911SC third gear when I was in the Gulf War (Jack worked for him for two summers) said to me someone knew what they were doing with the maintenance.

I said, with a straight face: "Thank you."

Bill didn't buy it either

To the OP, the price point is everything followed by a look see.

The Peach Parts folks are really good at real world advice...sometimes a little caustic but I have thick skin.

[greglepore]

They are grand touring cars in the true sense. Not sports cars. Think the op knows that.
Mine is an r129 v12, and I can attest to rubber everything going. There are tons of bushings in the suspension and it all deteriorates from the weight of the car whether its used or not, as do driveshaft guibos, center bearings, shock mounts and engine and trans mounts. Nothing a deal breaker, but it all adds up if you don't diy. It's all diy-able, and Benz's are laid out well to be worked on, but that doesn't mean its easy.
Like others, not a fan of that engine given the era, emission controls and the chain, but it is what it is. What do you think the car is worth as it sits?

That said, I love both it and the 140 coupe I have from the same year-both 96 v12's.

[Eric Hahl]

[QUOTE=greglepore;
Like others, not a fan of that engine given the era, emission controls and the chain, but it is what it is. What do you think the car is worth as it sits?[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure the worth. I only gave the car cursory look as I was touring the home. From what I saw it looks excellent plus condition. Will give it a thorough look over and test drive on Thursday. Owner says it is driven, so it hasn't just been sitting there.

[aigel]

Ah, I thought it was sitting. That's good news. I don't think people here are trying to pee in your cornflakes telling you it is an undesirable car, rather than warn you that it is not anything special and keep you from overpaying. Sometimes we have a "barn find" moment thinking we just found something special and we end up buying a project we would have never searched out on the open market. In a similar fashion, sellers often see something similar to their car sell for a ton and now think their car is worth the same. On this car, they may think it is the next W113, which is highly doubtful.

I like the color!

G

[javadog]

One thing I'd ask about, in addition to all the usual stuff in the link I posted above, is how often the car has been driven in the last two years and the longest period of time it's sat in one place. Cars like this often sit for months at a time (this one may have not averaged 1500 miles a year) and the injection used on these doesn't like to sit. It's not very fond of ethanol fuels, either.

There's a guy in Bellingham that knows these well. Don't know if he does any service work or PPI's at this point but here's a link to the 107 page on his website:

https://mercedessource.com/chassis/107

[Eric Hahl]

Excellent info, thank you!

[vonsmog]

I had a Euro 84' 380SL which I paid $1600 for. Pulled both front and rear subframes, did some minor rust repair, replaced the timing chain. (had 172k miles on it) Drove it in one of the hottest summers and the wife hated it. You baked at every traffic light with the top down. Sold it for $5500 and only got that because it was a Euro with the good looking bumpers, air bag, and ABS on it. I got my wife a 84' Euro 280CE which has ice cold air and she likes it much better. I would still like a later SL if the right one come up. I would not pay much for a US 380SL as they are dogs.

[1990C4S]

Seems like you need to look out for people with very negative opinions on this particular sports car...

[Eric Hahl]

Indeed!

[1990C4S]

If everyone wanted it you would not be able to afford it.

If you like it, buy it and drive it.

[Steve Carlton]

A friend of mine owns an independent MBZ repair shop and my understanding was the 560s were much better than the 380s, which were a litttle doggy. The 560 has a stronger transmission as well, per my understanding.

This isn't a choice in this opportunity, of course. But if the seller wants top dollar for that car, what's the incentive, unless you really want one, anyway?

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Didn't say the 380 wasn't, also didn't ask about opinions on other cars. Not sure why every thread dissolves from on topic to off so quickly.

You asked “what are things I should look for?”

Someone responded “look for a 560.”

IMO that’s the best advice you’ve been given, esp. if this ‘82’ 380’s price is “in line with what excellent SLs are going for.” Which I will take to mean not a dirt cheap price.

[KFC911]

Sooooo....how much is she asking?

[Eric Hahl]

It's not cheap, that's for sure.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

It's not cheap, that's for sure.

I don't wanna be no$ey....but how much (ball park)? That will allow us to offer even better choices instead....LOL.

It's PPOT

[Steve Carlton]

It'll clue us in to what kind of discount to look for.