MB 380 SLc Any experience??

[VINMAN]

My wife came home last night, and tells me she found a car that she wants. A 1983 Benz 380 SLC. She saw it in a dealership she passed. I know absolutley nothing about these cars. Other than the fact that they go for big bucks. Has anyone had one of these or any experience with that series?

[JeremyD]

From what I have read - the 450 is the better car - like pre 1981 - then wait until either 1984 or 1985 when they did some update to the cams/pulleys... it's been a while since I looked - - my wife wanted one too - She thinks she's going to snag richard gere in one -

[speeder]

Those are not great cars, Vinny. We have a 1980 450 SL sitting in the garage that my Dad bought new, it's a little better but all of them are getting old and need constant maintanence.

The 380s are the least desirable because power was really down w/o the fuel savings that was supposed to come w/ it, remember the first OPEC "crisis" in the late '70s? Mercedes' high-tech solution was to decrease the size (and output) of their V-8s while utilizing weight-savings by eliminating half of the size of the cam chains and sprockets.

The 380s go for cheap, check eBay completed items for accurate valuation. The only conceivable way to buy one of those is to get the best 450 SLC on the planet for about $6-7k, anything else makes no sense. There are some good forums for those cars, try this one:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/

[Noah930]

I always thought those SLCs looked a little oddly-proportioned. The wheelbase was a little too long, like MB added in an additional 4-6 inches to the wheelbase of a properly designed car, but didn't quite pull it off.

Can't help with any specific SLC advice, though I grew up with an '85 190E in the family. That car served us well, but I don't know if I'd want it as a daily driver 20+ years later.

[VINMAN]

Thanks guys. I figured they would be a maintenance nitemare. She used to have one years ago,and always wanted to get another one. Big change from the Acura TL shes been wanting. Her birthdays in a few weeks and was thinking it would be a nice present, but I really dont need another headache.
I passed by it this morning but didnt stop. I think she said they want $7500. says its showroom condition.

I'll tell her to get used to her Camry..

[Noah930]

My wife has a TL right now. We're very happy with it except for two items:

1) Rear 3/4 visibility is tough. Between the large front headrests, large rear headrests, large C-pillars, and rising beltline styling, it's a little tough to make lane changes and pull out from angled cross streets & driveways. Throw in passengers' heads, and it's even tougher. You get used to it, but it is a minor safety issue. Perhaps somewhat Darwinian, even.

2) The leather seat bolsters on the driver's seat look worn. They looked worn (creases in the leather) from about 3 months-onward. At 2.5 years of ownership, they look no worse. But I thought it's a little out of character for the rest of the quality of the car.

We like just about everything else about the car, so far.

[VincentVega]

I've done some work to a few 380's over the years. Timing chain and ramps and general CIS issues are pretty common. If the chain breaks, prepare to open the wallet. Old gas and vacuum leaks have also sidelined a lot of these cars.

Personally I dont find them that appealing. They arent fast, dont handle all that well and are pretty cramped inside. With that said, they are built like tanks and are very solid cars.

[VINMAN]

Well I stopped to take a look at the 380 last night. Pulled up to it. the car looked real clean. Glanced at the sign in the windowand did an about-face.

$20,000.?? Good bye!!

[JeremyD]

$20K? I'm guessing then there was a $10,000 gold brick in the trunk?

[TerryH]

For your wife's safety and your peace of mind, it would be better to buy the newest car you can afford. Upkeep and dependability go a lot further with modern machinery.

An early MB SL, would be a consideration for a 3rd car as the hood would be open more than closed.

[speeder]

$20k would buy the 5 nicest ones in the world right now. All 5.

This was the most expensive completed sale on eBay that I could find, granted it's not the best example ever, but I still stand by my statement above. In decent/average condition, they go for about $1500 in CA. right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VERY-RARE-NO-RESERVE-RUNS-PERFECT-DEALER-TRADE-CALL-US_W0QQitemZ200131823854QQihZ010QQcategoryZ6338QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Racerbvd]

$20 is way high unless it has no miles on it. The timing chains are way too small and tend to break, alot. For $20K, get her a Boxster.

[kstar]

I always liked the odd shape of the SLC. There's a 5.0 SLC on eBay right now that looks nice:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110154549549&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:11

FYI.

Best,

Kurt

[the]

The 380s from the early 80s are the "mid years" of the MBs. '86 was a revelation for those cars, with the introduction of the 560. I'd never touch anything earlier than an '86 560 (SL, SEL, etc. the SLC was canceled by then, it wasn't very popular).