1982 Merc 380SL

[thingmon]

Clean. Garage kept. Sat for a while. 110k.

Needs a tune up, tires, key….

$2500?

Thinking about it…

[Racerbvd]

Timing chain issues

[sc_rufctr]

Some photos would be helpful.

[Steve Carlton]

Was the double timing chain upgrade done?

[RNajarian]

Must Have !

[onewhippedpuppy]

$2500 for anything that’s clean and runs is a good deal in 2025…

[HardDrive]

My neighbor had a 560. She was elderly and had me take it for service. The seats are truly terrible. I’m 6’2”, and I felt like I was sitting on a slippery bench.

[slow&rusty]

A $2500 R107 SL is certainly tempting.

But make sure you go in with eyes wide open.

I am sure this is a US spec car. If it is, then it has a single row timing chain, which would require replacement along with the plastic guides if it has not been done. Several engines have been badly damaged from these chains breaking. The 500SL and 560SL had the much stronger double row chains.

Also, the R12 AC systems can be expensive to repair if non-op.

Double also, if there is a delay on the transmission when you go from P to reverse, you could be on borrowed time.

A few years ago, I replaced the windows at home. The contractor realized I owned a few older Benzes and offered his wife's SL for $1500 (pics below). It was a decent car that lived a charmed life. I did not end up buying it.

[Chocaholic]

For $2500, you have little risk. In the event of something catastrophic wrong (and if it runs, moves and stops, that's unlikely)...you could part it out for more than the price of entry...assuming you feel like dealing with that.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Speeder/Denis is an expert on these cars, get his advice on it

[matthewb0051]

At that price, yes please.

Then add euro bumpers and headlights and transform the car:

https://www.hamiltonmotorcompany.com/products/mercedes-r107-sl-euro-bumper-conversion-kit-380sl-450sl-560sl?variant=35760700358812&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-02-26&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5i8BhDmARIsAGE4xHy0Wn_yx_0WU0zxsbNs Hkr6cq6XHZWKupHFXN-IuxRoWwHtvq-487kaAtt4EALw_wcB


And 16" wheels that look like original MB.

https://www.macarbon.com/component/virtuemart/16-bundt-barock-wheels-oem-mercedes-detail?Itemid=977

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

At that price, yes please.

Then add euro bumpers and headlights and transform the car:

https://www.hamiltonmotorcompany.com/products/mercedes-r107-sl-euro-bumper-conversion-kit-380sl-450sl-560sl?variant=35760700358812&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-02-26&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5i8BhDmARIsAGE4xHy0Wn_yx_0WU0zxsbNs Hkr6cq6XHZWKupHFXN-IuxRoWwHtvq-487kaAtt4EALw_wcB


And 16" wheels that look like original MB.

https://www.macarbon.com/component/virtuemart/16-bundt-barock-wheels-oem-mercedes-detail?Itemid=977

That’s how they all should look. From ugly duckling to classic.

[speeder]

I think that those giant Bundt wheels look horrible...wrong proportions and ruins the car. Just my super humble opinion, of course.

I like most old cars as stock as possible, or with period correct upgrades. Just me. An early 380 car, (1981/82/83), has the timing chain issue mentioned already. They are generally not very valuable cars, so you need to be careful about sinking any money into one. Mercedes-Benz sold so many R107s that the world is kind of flooded with them.

If you are patient, you can score a deal on one in a local sale. They frequently come up in estate sales because the people who bought them back in the day are generally dead. My dad died 10 years ago at 82 and he bought a couple of them new, 1976 and 1980. I'll try to dig up a picture.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ll leave the fugly old people ones to you Denis!

[Steve Carlton]

If I was into stuff like that, I'd find a deal on a 560. Why run the risk of spending too much money on a 380?

[oldE]

Because you can stuff an LS into it?

Best
Les

[Por_sha911]

I bought an `85 380SL for Mrs Porsche. She never drove it. I drove it and loved the look but:
-you'll need a hoist to remove the hard top without help (110 pounds)
-the car felt great on the highway for cruising because it it feels like it weighs 3 tons
-the 380 is way under-powered for the weight of the car so acceleration is slow
-handling is not nimble
-I didn't like the transmission at all
-pray you don't have to replace the valve cover gaskets (ask me how I know)
-no power top means minutes of hassle to bring up of the soft top if it starts to rain.
-you don't want to have to buy interior pieces: cost of parts makes Porsche seem like a budget car.
-runs on 92 octane and no ethanol due to old gaskits and hoses
-expect 15 mpg at best



Find a 450SL and get the power you need to move that sled (and have the double row timing chain)

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

I bought an `85 380SL for Mrs Porsche. She never drove it. I drove it and loved the look but:
-you'll need a hoist to remove the hard top without help (110 pounds)
-the car felt great on the highway for cruising because it it feels like it weighs 3 tons
-the 380 is way under-powered for the weight of the car so acceleration is slow
-handling is not nimble
-I didn't like the transmission at all
-pray you don't have to replace the valve cover gaskets (ask me how I know)
-no power top means minutes of hassle to bring up of the soft top if it starts to rain.
-you don't want to have to buy interior pieces: cost of parts makes Porsche seem like a budget car.
-runs on 92 octane and no ethanol due to old gaskits and hoses
-expect 15 mpg at best

You make 'em sound so appealing.

I'll continue to look at them fondly. It sounds like they are the equivalent of a cute, redheaded, Cuban, hair dresser named Tiffany without also being a fun ride.

[Racerbvd]

[speeder]

Someone has quite a collection there.