Looking at an 82 SL380, what to look for?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by javadog

I've never used the guy, or bought anything from him. I wouldn't call him an absolute joke, regardless of what a bunch of peckerwoods on internet Mercedes forums happen to think about him.

I think he knows enough to opine on what to look at on that particular car, if you were to actually look at the link for that chassis on his website. If you find something on his website you disagree with, by all means inform the OP. I've yet to see anyone post a more inclusive list of things to look for. Feel free to outdo him.

I should amend my statement, he definitely knows and posts some useful info but he’s also a clown. I’ve bought from him, he somehow got the exclusive distribution in the USA for certain injectors, for instance. He sells some useful tools. He’s just a clown in those stupid videos.

And I’m not on any MB forums, so I wouldn’t know what people say about him there.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Any specific things I should look for, be aware of? I did a little research and found out about single row timing chain that should be upgraded to dual row. What else?

Eric, I think you invited a lot of the feedback you got. You were also under the impression that the 560SL is a pig, when in fact it's the better car. It seems you're "missing the forest for the trees." Your prerogative. I'd say get a first class PPI from a first class MBZ repair specialist. I suspect the issue will resolve itself.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Lighten up dude! You don't even know me. I didn't say I was going to buy it. Just go look it over.
If you had actually read my post and replied thoughtfully to it we wouldn't be here. But hey, you wanna be that guy, go for it.

I wanted to be the guy who helps you out. You’re considering spending good money on an unwise purchase that you know nothing about. But I’ve learned my lesson and will stay away from threads like this and let the other experts here guide you.

And besides waiting in a DMV waiting room right now, I guarantee that my life is pretty chill these days. Just bought a fishing boat and it’s tied to the dock 50 yards from my door.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Any specific things I should look for, be aware of? I did a little research and found out about single row timing chain that should be upgraded to dual row. What else?

Speeder will tell you how it is! No BS!

I think you got a lot of things you should be aware of and many of the voices of caution are from MB experts and even people that owned the exact same car before. You are the one who became openly critical of some responses. How much did you pay for the advice? See, next time just read over what you think isn't useful and move on!

G

[speeder]

He’s got a chip on his shoulder. I hope he buys the car.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by speeder

I should amend my statement, he definitely knows and posts some useful info but he’s also a clown. I’ve bought from him, he somehow got the exclusive distribution in the USA for certain injectors, for instance. He sells some useful tools. He’s just a clown in those stupid videos.

And I’m not on any MB forums, so I wouldn’t know what people say about him there.

So who's the "Mercedes-Benz repair world?"

I don't care if the guy is a bit of a nerd, not important to anyone or anything.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by speeder

He’s got a chip on his shoulder. I hope he buys the car.

I don't read him that way. It's just a car, not the most desirable automotive investment extant, so he's probably looking for some simple pointers to determine if he wants to buy that used car.

He's getting a lot of crap from people running that particular series of cars down, which isn't useful. They can vote with their wallets what they want to park in their garage. At some price, just about any car is worth owning. No idea if he'll buy this particular car but at least he's trying to check it out and make an informed decision.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by javadog

I don't read him that way. It's just a car, not the most desirable automotive investment extant, so he's probably looking for some simple pointers to determine if he wants to buy that used car.

He's getting a lot of crap from people running that particular series of cars down, which isn't useful. They can vote with their wallets what they want to park in their garage. At some price, just about any car is worth owning. No idea if he'll buy this particular car but at least he's trying to check it out and make an informed decision.

Thanks, glad I'm not the only one seeing it.

[KFC911]

^^^^ No dawg in this fight, but I see folks genuinely offering their own personal experiences and opinions....FREE

Just take what you need and leave the rest....

'Cause PPOT "is what it is"...and always has been.

Best to you and good luck with the house and car purchase!

Me....(and why I inquired about the price), at some point (low), it's moot...just buy it. Mid-price...the same, sell it if ya don't like it...then, at $ome price point....

Run away and don't look back ....

Sounds as if ya need some running shoes based upon your responses though.

Best of luck!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by KC911

Sounds as if ya need some running shoes based upon your responses though.

I need to just STFU based on reading the banter.

However, I can't picture Eric over the last 30 years simply lusting for an SL.

I'm sorry, but whatever Usain Bolt wears, get them.

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by javadog

I don't read him that way. It's just a car, not the most desirable automotive investment extant, so he's probably looking for some simple pointers to determine if he wants to buy that used car.

He's getting a lot of crap from people running that particular series of cars down, which isn't useful. They can vote with their wallets what they want to park in their garage. At some price, just about any car is worth owning. No idea if he'll buy this particular car but at least he's trying to check it out and make an informed decision.

It might help some of the respondents here to imagine that, instead of asking about a 380SL he was asking about, say, a base '76 911. It looks to be in decent condition and he may be interested in buying it and, hey, what should I look for on a '76 Targa? Sure, you could say mid-years suck and you should get an SC or 3.2 or Turbo or coupe instead. But that would be considering *that* 911 instead of nothing at all, so saying you should buy Y instead is not germane to the situation. Productive answers would tell him about, say, rust areas and head studs and thermal reactors and whatever else. Now just replace "'76 Targa" with "380SL." The woman doesn't have a lot full of cars, or a 350SL or 450SL or 560SL. He's not shopping for the best R107 he can afford. She's got a 380SL, and he thinks he'd like it so hey what should I look for to see whether *this particular* 380SL is worth looking at?

[Eric Hahl]

Thank you folks.

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Old, or good with the ladies...

This is the reason we have a 560sl in the garage. I think my wife thinks she's going to run into a young Richard Gere in it... BTW - we paid $18K for ours - 60,000 mile '88 a year ago.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

Hey, I have a real nice one for sale right now!!! Its amazing that the W123's which sold for way less than the R107's are now worth way more.

https://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/d/fairport-1985-mercedes-benz-300cd/7166153581.html

What a super nice car, buy this one instead.

[Seahawk]

Here is mine - with two Aussie Pelicans taking it for a ride six years ago.

I got slight more selling it than when I bought it. Had just under 78k at sale.





To the OP, again, if you like driving with the top down, they are great cars. I never put the hardtop back on after I got the car home.

[slow&rusty]

First rant or pet peeve, let's get the model designation right its not "SL 380" or "SL 560" or "SL 450"...its 380 SL, 560 SL and 450SL!

And don't let Speeder get under your skin, its just Speeder being himself.

These SL (107 chassis) cars are very close to their 126 chassis brethren (which are the 4 door and 2 door S class cars from the same '80s time period) - mechanically, electrically and chassis wise. So there is a lot of parts availability, lots of enthusiastic owners and ownership cost is surprisingly affordable with many many if not all maintenance that can be done at home, especially if you like to tinker and turn a wrench.

I have owned my 560 now for almost 9 years and it has been a a great car. I rushed into buying a neglected car and it took some time and $$$ to sort but is now a great driving car. It is not a pig as stated earlier and I would ignore comments from those who actually have not owned one. All maintenance is done at home by myself.

A quick summary:
- Fuel injection is bullet proof and all mechanical Bosch CIS. Easy to source, maintain and replace components

- Engine temp, if the car runs hot, its time to replace the thermostat, radiator (or thoroughly clean it) and water pump. Water pump replacement is a bit tricky as it will require removal of the crank pulley. But this can all be done in a day.

- Transmissions tend to fail as they age noted by a delay engaging reverse or between shifts. The best rebuilt MB transmissions are from Sun Valley MB and run less $2k with your core

- AC repairs can get pricey by the time you price out a compressor, drier, expansion valves. I've kept mine on R12 and its freezing cold even in the middle of Houston's summer.

- Leather or soft top if needing replacement look at GAHH, they have the best stuff...period

- Timing Chain, Chain Guides and Tensioner - Can be done at home on a Saturday and you will need a genuine MB tensioner which is pricey. Lots of tips and tricks on how to "roll-in" in a new chain.

- Valve seals, not an if but when. The engine will smoke at idle and it will be time to replace them - typical with age. I did mine at home with the engine in the car, you will need at least one friend to assist and the valve spring compressor. After I did mine, I literally helped a dozen other owners as mechanics will charge a healthy amount for this.

- Electrical, stable and well built - typical for MB. If there are issues it could be a hack from an aftermarket stereo for example

- Chassis, simple and well thought out, replacement of items are about what you expect for a car of this era. Steering boxes will leak, but takes a morning to pull it and replace with a re-man. unit. All other items like shocks, ball joints, tie rod ends, center links and pitman arms can be removed and replaced with regular tools.

As stated above the 380 is extremely well built and will last forever, but the performance will be far from thrilling. If you want a cool car to cruise then its the ticket, if you want something that has a bit more giddy-up the 450, 500 or 560 would tick those boxes.

Hope this helps.
Yasin

[Eric Hahl]

Thanks Yasin

[javadog]

Couple more things. Look at the service records. If they don''t have any, I'd want to discount the price a bunch and do the mother of all PPI inspections. You need to know how this car was used and how often. Were there any periods in it's life where it sat? Did things like the brake fluid get changed regularly, or not at all? Cars of this age can have a huge to-do list, if you want it to be mechanically sound, if the previous owners have not done all of the suggested maintenance. Who did the work? Dealer, good shop, bad shop, Walt-Mart?

The other factor is price. If they are expecting full retail and can't back it up with complete provenance, these are the kind of owners I tend to not buy from. Prices of these things are all over the map. Two kinds of owners... those that are realistic and those that think they own the most valuable car in the world.

[Eric Hahl]

Thanks, as mentioned in my first post...

"Turns out it is under 60k miles, has all records from new and this is the third owner. Owner says she knows the prior two owners so might be a family car. Don't know for sure yet." She also mentioned the car is driven, not just sitting so that's a plus. We'll see once I get there tomorrow.

Will definitely be looking over the records.

[javadog]

I read the first post. Just pointing out the difference in perspective from owner to potential buyer.