Tell me about an 82 350SL

[Robert Adams]

Would like some collective info on these cars.
2nd owner

Wondering what to look for.

Been sitting 'for a while' but body looks clean hence the need for a tune up; figure all the fluids need replacing and probably brake work, maybe exhaust too?
Needs a new top, but has the hard top.
White/black top/ tan interior.
Car is all there, chrome looks brand new so does the paint for the most part.

1982 Mercedes Benz 380SL Convertible
All original parts
78,000 miles
Runs great but will require a tune up
V8-3839cc 3.8L
Auto windows, doors and seats
Automatic

[Ferrariguyma]

if it has had the updated "double row" timing chain retrofit...

Mercedes-Benz Forum has an excellent R107 forum

[McLovin]

With all the costs and hassles of owning, keeping, storing, maintaining, insuring, etc. a car, I'd hold out for an 86-89 560SL if you are interested in an 80s SL. They have less issues, and drive much better.

[Dottore]

I've owned two R 107s, and think they are fabulous cars. Great long distance cruisers. Virtually bulletproof. Very comfortable. Transmission is clunkier than current transmissions, but you get used to it. Despite the different designations (380, 420, 560) I dont think there was ever more than a 15 hp difference between them - so I wouldn't worry too much about the number. These cars are becoming very desireable again in Europe and prices are going up yearly. I have also been thinking of getting a nice one and salting it away before they reach Pagoda prices.

[McLovin]

In the US, there was a big power difference between the early 80s 380 and the late 80s 560.

The 560, for example, was tested by most mags 0-60 in upper 6 second range.

The 81 380 was closer to 10 seconds (or more, sometimes), or at least mid to upper 9s.

I think Mercedes didn't really have the US smog laws dialed in until the 560 era.

I agree they are great cars that will go up in value. But at this time, they are all fairly inexpensive, which is why I would hold out for the 560.

[Robert Adams]

Prefer the 560 myself, but came across what appears to be a phenomenally price 350. Going to check it out tomorrow in person so we'll see what kind of deal it is!
Thanks for the input! I'll keep you all posted.

[aigel]

A buddy bought one of these and had to replace virtually every hose on the vacuum system to make it run right and pass smog. Not expensive but tedious. Otherwise it proved to be quite a nice driver for $5k.

I would not touch one with a 10 foot pole however. They aren't worth much, will not appreciate significantly and still need $$$ and effort to keep up. They also are boats, completely non-sporty with big dump truck steering wheels. I realize that's all a matter of taste!

G

[racer]

iirc, the US smogged 380 was rated around 155-160hp. The latter 560's were rated at 240ish hp. That sure sounds like a healthy difference.

Early 450SL was rated at 190hp.. later 450s dropped at least 10hp or more for emissions.

500SL (for the 107) was a euro only motor I think.

350SL was a first year only in US (or perhaps Euro only).. same hp as the early 450 iirc.

[Robert Adams]

Hum, I just realized I misread the ad; it is a 380SL; I need to get more sleep; GEZZ WHAT A DOPE!
SO ANY THOUGHTS ON THE 380SL would be appreciated!

Decided to do some more research, always a good idea.


Source: http://mb107.com/production.htm

The 350 SL (later rechristened 450 SL) remained the only available model in the USA until 1980.

A reshuffling of engines took place in 1980. The 280 SL regained its former strength of 185 hp (after suffering a slight detuning to 177 hp in the late seventies), a 3.8 litre light alloy V-8 (218 hp) replaced the former 3.5 litre (down to 195 hp in final form) and a new 5.0 litre (240 hp) superseded the 4.5 litre engine (down to 217 hp)). Shortly after their introduction, the new V-8 engines underwent some detail work stressing fuel economy and diminishing their output slightly. In the USA, the 450 SL was replaced in 1980 by the 380 SL, detuned to 155 hp.

Despite the larger 5.6 liter engine of the 560SL, the 500SL is recorded as being the fastest production 107 produced (mostly because of the lack of emission restraints.) The 500SL was published by Mercedes-Benz as having 0-60 times of 7.4 seconds for a top speed of 140 mph (230 km/h). Torque for the 500SL is 297@3200 rpm and for the 560SL 279@3250 rpm. The 500SL was not available in the U.S. or Australian markets through Mercedes Benz dealers.


Mercedes SL 107 Production
Model Years Chassis # Engine #HP Produced
280SL 1974-85 107042 I6, 177-185 hp 25,436
300SL 1985-89 107041 I6, 180-188 hp 13,742
350SL 1971-80 107043 V8, 230hp 15,304
380SL 1980-85 107045 V8, 155hp 53,200
420SL 1985-89 107047 V8, 204-218hp 2,148
450SL 1973-80 107044 V8, 230-160hp 66,298
500SL 1980-89 107046 V8, 240 -245 hp 11,812
560SL 1985-89 107048 V8, 227hp 49,347
TOTAL SL PRODUCTION 237,287

[Por_sha911]

I got an `85 for the wife (bucket list).
IMO, under-powered, terrible mpg, extremely complicated HVAC system, CIS

[Nostril Cheese]

Lots of special tools needed to fix it, a maze of vacuum lines, slow, boat-like handling... read up on the timing chain retrofit.

I'd be much happier with a 535i from the same era...

[Robert Adams]

Gezz, sounds like real dud!
Thanks!

[aigel]

If you have the coin, get the previous model - much more $$$ but more respectable in terms of being a roadster and even available with a stick. MFI too!

G

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aigel

A buddy bought one of these and had to replace virtually every hose on the vacuum system to make it run right and pass smog. Not expensive but tedious. Otherwise it proved to be quite a nice driver for $5k.

I would not touch one with a 10 foot pole however. They aren't worth much, will not appreciate significantly and still need $$$ and effort to keep up. They also are boats, completely non-sporty with big dump truck steering wheels. I realize that's all a matter of taste!

G

Having owned multiple old cars, replacing everything under the hood that is rubber or plastic is a great first step. $20 worth of vacuum tubing and a few hours go a long way towards making it reliable. Coolant and breather hoses are a must do as well.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Having owned multiple old cars, replacing everything under the hood that is rubber or plastic is a great first step. $20 worth of vacuum tubing and a few hours go a long way towards making it reliable. Coolant and breather hoses are a must do as well.

Indeed - I just remember spaghetti on top of that engine - and it was all 3 mm diameter and brittle to the point where it'd turn to dust when you look at it wrong!

Like I said, not expensive, but tedious. If that's what you like to spend your time with? My buddy did enjoy it. I thought it was torture.

Of course, replacing ignition wires on the 993 is about as much fun, but at least I don't work towards driving a dump truck when I am done. LOL!

G

[aigel]

Anything in Europe has doubled in price the last 10 years, partly because folks have extra $ and want something tangible and partly because many of these now are meeting classic car requirements and are cheap and easy to register. However, there are just too many of these made over the years for them to reach real collector status. It would be much better to get a pagoda car IMHO.

G

[Dottore]

There must be a serious discrepancy between the European and US cars.

Horsepower figures in Europe:

380 SL - 218hp
420 SL - 218hp
450 SL - 225hp
500 SL - 240hp
560 SL - 230hp

I agree these are certainly not sports cars. But they are great gum-boat long distance cruisers IMO.

[speeder]

Here is my 1980 450SL, my dad bought it new in 1980:

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Dottore

There must be a serious discrepancy between the European and US cars.

Horsepower figures in Europe:

380 SL - 218hp
420 SL - 218hp
450 SL - 225hp
500 SL - 240hp
560 SL - 230hp
.

yes, there was a big discrepancy.

That 560SL number would be about right for an 86-89 US model 560SL.

But the US '81 380SL only had around 150-155 hp. It's really not adequate for a car of that weight. That's in addition to the other issues that engine had.

Like I said in my first post, given the costs of owning, maintaining, insuring, finding a place to store (or taking up garage space), I wouldn't really care for an early 80s 380SL, even if it were free. I'd rather pay for a 560SL. They aren't that expensive right now.

[McLovin]

oh, and the 380SL had a 3 speed automatic, instead of the 4 speed of the 560.

A 3 speed automatic in a low powered, heavy car isn't a lot of fun.