380SL Mercedes w/CIS injection

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Anyone have experience with one of these cars? Do they experience the same kind of problems that the 911s have from time to time? I'm considering buying one to have a convertible in the family as another "fun", weekend, nice weather kind of car.

Thanks,

E Sully · E Sully's Garage

My neighbors 560SL with cis runs very well with minor maintenance.

VincentVega · 04-14-2014, 07:34 AM

I've worked on a few with the same issues as my SC. Tons of euro cars used CIS so there are some interchangeable parts and some good info on the interwebs. One thing that took me a while to figure out was the benz integration of computers into CIS. Nothing to be afraid of, but if you have issues you need a manual.

Vacuum leaks and bad gas were the most common root issues.

Seahawk · 04-14-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred cook

Anyone have experience with one of these cars? Do they experience the same kind of problems that the 911s have from time to time? I'm considering buying one to have a convertible in the family as another "fun", weekend, nice weather kind of car.

Thanks,

I've only owned my 1988 560 for a few months with no issues so far.

I can tell you that I really enjoy the car.

slow&rusty · 04-15-2014, 05:23 PM

I own a 560SEC and the CIS injection is reliable, straightforward to diagnose and easy to work on.

ertech · 04-15-2014, 08:01 PM

I think early 380sl had problems with single chain timming chain ,up to 84 they would snap
Later 380 has double . You can see if single or double with a mirror in the oil fill on valve cover.
Don't buy a single chain version. Most were converted
Good luck
One other thing you can't reset the o2 sensor light in dash you have to remove it

sammyg2 · 04-16-2014, 12:48 AM

Like with 911s, it probably depends on if it's been messed with and by whom.

Chocaholic · 04-16-2014, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Quote de fred cook

Anyone have experience with one of these cars? Do they experience the same kind of problems that the 911s have from time to time? I'm considering buying one to have a convertible in the family as another "fun", weekend, nice weather kind of car.

Thanks,

I've only owned my 1988 560 for a few months with no issues so far.

I can tell you that I really enjoy the car.

I concur!