Ultra low mileage M-B, how low is too low?

[Sarc]

My dad’s neighbor has decided to sell his ’84 380SL, and he’s given my dad first right of refusal. I have never seen it, but my dad has been in love with this car since he first laid eyes on it and has frequently described it as a time capsule. The seller is clearly fanatical about it and has spared no expense in maintaining it throughout his 25 years of ownership. My only concern? It only has….6K miles. According to pops, the owner exercises the car every weekend and has never sat longer than 6 days at a time. The car does not leak any fluids.

In your opinion, is the extreme low mileage a cause for concern? Would it be prudent to replace all the gaskets, seals, belts and hoses, or can he just “get in and drive”? My father has a history of buying garage queens and using them as god intended with little penalty , but he’s never gone this low-mileage before. Just want him to be prepared.
Anybody ever put a queen back into service?

[ben parrish]

no issue if it was really excercised weekly..no leaks= good to go.

[kaisen]

Putting a queen back in service? It sounds like it never left service. Should be good to go. A comprehensive lookover may identify what's the next preventative maintenance (like a dried hose, seal, or belt) but likely not a big deal

[mikeferg75]

Make sure he reads up on 380 related motor issues, sounds like a neat car, but IIRC some timing chain mods are recommended and not cheap.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Putting a queen back in service? It sounds like it never left service. Should be good to go. A comprehensive lookover may identify what's the next preventative maintenance (like a dried hose, seal, or belt) but likely not a big deal

I meant to say "normal service", but yeah, no leaks. Belts have been routinely changed, etc.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by mikeferg75

Make sure he reads up on 380 related motor issues, sounds like a neat car, but IIRC some timing chain mods are recommended and not cheap.

If I recall correctly, '84 was the first year for the double chain, which was an improvement over the single chain, no?

[mikeferg75]

Originally Posted by Sarc

If I recall correctly, '84 was the first year for the double chain, which was an improvement over the single chain, no?

Ah correct, I had it in my head it was 86, should be good then. Loved my 86 560sl.

[Sarc]

Great, thanks guys. My dad's pretty excited to finally get the "new" SL he's wanted since I was a kid.

[RANDY P]

do it, just keep a close eye on the fuel lines.

[slow&rusty]

380SL....single row timing chain and the acceleration of a 8year old on a Big Wheel..tell Dad to pass. If he craves a W107 Chassis there are lots and lots of them for decent money with the much more desirable 5L or 5.6L as one member on here can share from his recent 560SL purchase.

A 100,000 mile W107 that has been maintained will drive and look the same as one with half the miles.

[aigel]

I am with slow&rusty. I'd look for a later example. I just researched this for friends who had the opportunity to buy a 380 and came to the same conclusion / gave them the same advice.

Of course, if this is the car he wants and it is PRICED RIGHT, he can still go for it! My fear would be that the guy wants top dollar. These cars are just not worth much, so even a pristine example should not fetch a lot. (A decent driver 380 can be had for $5k).

G

[speeder]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

380SL....single row timing chain and the acceleration of a 8year old on a Big Wheel..tell Dad to pass. If he craves a W107 Chassis there are lots and lots of them for decent money with the much more desirable 5L or 5.6L as one member on here can share from his recent 560SL purchase.

A 100,000 mile W107 that has been maintained will drive and look the same as one with half the miles.

A 1984 380SL has a double timing chain and it's a great car, depending on condition and care it's gotten. I disagree about a 560SL being a better car, I know that the internet thinks so but I consider the 560 to be the least desirable of the w107s both aesthetically and because of their too heavy, gas guzzling engine. All w107s are slow cars, the 380 is a nice cruiser and gets relatively good mpg for that chassis.

We are not talking about 100k vs. 50k mile cars. He has a chance to buy a brand new w107 with 6k original miles on it. That is a whole 'nother kettle of fish from average used cars, no matter how often someone changed the oil.

Originally Posted by aigel

I am with slow&rusty. I'd look for a later example. I just researched this for friends who had the opportunity to buy a 380 and came to the same conclusion / gave them the same advice.

Of course, if this is the car he wants and it is PRICED RIGHT, he can still go for it! My fear would be that the guy wants top dollar. These cars are just not worth much, so even a pristine example should not fetch a lot. (A decent driver 380 can be had for $5k).

G

You guys know absolutely nothing about the pristine vintage MB market. A "decent driver can be had for $5k..." More like a typical, high-mileage worn-out w107 that's going to need $10k in repairs soon can be had for $5k. That's usually a stupid purchase.

The car described by the OP is a $20k+ car all day long, maybe $30k on eBay to a European buyer. It is not as valuable as the 3k mile '67 427 Stingray from the other thread but there is a HUGE premium on true collector quality MB cars with crazy low miles, regardless of the model. The pricing is not even remotely linear, i.e. there is no relationship between what the $5k worn-out driver is worth and a 6k mile time capsule car.

Sometimes I think that people could get better advice from their wife's sewing circle than on this board when it comes to random car value questions.

[Chocaholic]

I'm the guy who recently bought a 560SL. At that age, mileage is "interesting" but not as important as condition of everything including those made of rubber like motor mounts, trans mounts, diff mounts, front and rear subframe mounts, bushings, exh hangers, hoses, fuel/brake lines, etc. Lot's of rubber in these cars.

But....if he is attached to this car and the price is right, why deny him his passion? Just make sure he goes into it with open eyes. If the owner was as diligent about maintenance as you say, perhaps many of those age-related issues have been addressed. Even if not, it's not a huge investment. Many can be DIY and parts are readily available. The 380SL was pretty anemic power-wise and fuel economy will be about 12 mpg if properly tuned. I've been seeing about 17 mpg in my 560SL by comparison, but neither can be considered "quick" cars. I've owned both and suspect he'd be equally happy with either one although there seems to be a stronger market for the later 107's....but that's somewhat irrelevant in this case.

Ultimately a very cool car and very well built. Easy and fun to work on since everything is so well made. Sounds like an emotional decision for him but sometimes those are the best ones.

[RANDY P]

lazy 2nd gear start is what makes these cars pokey and lethargic off the line. Get it to highway speeds it's a different story.

PS case in point my mom's 81 280E (owned since new) was taken off the road (FT duty) at 65K miles in 1993. Garage queen now, currently has 78K miles. Only thing that failed are the fuel pump and lines all came apart at the same time...

That's it folks, that's it.

My C36 has almost 200K and it's still on original stuff.

rjp

[fingpilot]

I bought Fletcher Jones' Sr. personal '84 380SLC. When I got it it had 308k miles. It was immaculate, and had every single maint record since new. When I sold it to a friend, it had 338k miles, and was still perfect.

I also bought (at the same time) Mrs. Fletcher Jones '84 380 SE. It had 280k, and when I gave it to my mother it had 300k. She still has it 20+ years later.

I'd say go for it. I had a 560SLC for a while. Hated it. Massive understeer, I had gotten spoiled by the perfect balance of the 380. I have a dash pic of it on my 'commute' from LAS to LAX. I'd put it here, but I'd probably get a ticket from Kalliefornica remotely. It was very happy in the 3 digit speed continuously. You could carry on a conversation with the top down at 80.

[5String43]

I'd be all over that car. I say, go for it.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by fingpilot

I had a 560SLC for a while. Hated it.

As far as I know, they never made a 560SLC (107 longwheelbase coupe). They made a 560SL and a 560SEC, and they did make 107 coupes as 280 SLC, 450 SLC, and 500 SLC (or 450 SLC 5.0). I've been wrong before, but I'm 99% sure.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by speeder

A "decent driver can be had for $5k..." More like a typical, high-mileage worn-out w107 that's going to need $10k in repairs soon can be had for $5k. That's usually a stupid purchase.

I have seen it done. Sub $5k car. Needed vacuum lines, shocks and some bushings. Came with the hardtop, good paint and nice leather interior. It is debatable what a 6k mile car is worth, but with the driver being $5k, it can't leave the 6k mile car unaffected. I know you are an expert MB guy, but don't ignore the fact that these cars are a dime a dozen, especially here in CA. They are not sought after, so price pressure is pretty high. Add to this the fact that their owners are passing on at a high rate and there are bargains to be had.

G

[speeder]

I agree with you for the most part and I know that bargains can be found, but a 6k mile documented one owner car that's been pampered is a whole different market than normal used cars. No relationship at all.

[speeder]

Quote de fingpilot

I had a 560SLC for a while. Hated it.

As far as I know, they never made a 560SLC (107 longwheelbase coupe). They made a 560SL and a 560SEC, and they did make 107 coupes as 280 SLC, 450 SLC, and 500 SLC (or 450 SLC 5.0). I've been wrong before, but I'm 99% sure.

Last year for the w107 SLC was 1981 and it was a 380SLC. One year only car and pretty rare. I think that he meant to type "SEC", that's the only way that what he wrote makes sense.