Tell me about an 82 350SL

[speeder]

Originally Posted by 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.

Not true. Even my old 450 has a 4-speed slushbox. I'm not a big fan of w107 cars but the 560s are my least favorite.

[aigel]

I also fondly remember spending time under the the rear end on my buddies car. Didn't look like fun to work on IIRC. Any input from the experts on that? Even the Pagodas had already a pretty complicated setup for a cruiser.

G

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by speeder

Not true. Even my old 450 has a 4-speed slushbox. I'm not a big fan of w107 cars but the 560s are my least favorite.

OK, I might be a year or two off on the trans changeover.

I know the 3 speed went through all or most of the 70s. If your '80 had a 4 speed, my guess would be it was one of the first with it, 80 must have been the first or second, at most, year for it.

The US version 380 is still a smog choked dog, though.

[slow&rusty]

Your money is best spent on a 560SL, if you are looking for this particular chassis Mercedes (R107)
Yasin

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aigel

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

I'm one of those sickos that enjoys it. Replacing every vacuum line on my 951 solved a bunch of minor irritating issues, after that point I've done it on every old car I buy. I even try to go all out and replace them with silicone tubing, which will probably outlast the car.

Regarding the SL, is it common to desmog these cars? My FJ80 Land Cruiser had a cobbled together emissions system, of the 30 odd markets that got them the USA was the only one with the system. Removing the EGR and air pump made it run like a new car.

[intakexhaust]

I don't know much about the later years but enjoyed a 1972/73 350SLC (US version) for a driver. Great car and a more solid rigidity feel compared to the open top SL. Had the smaller pre-nerf bumpers and the 4.5 yet this US car kept the 350 nomenclature. Decent punch off the line for its time and recall hard shifting from the automatic. Normal and typical but the dealer service simply adjusted it enough (bands or valving??) to smooth it out. The SL of that series seem like a bargain buy and wouldn't mind one today. Good luck.