I was first looking at 450's then my mechanic talked me into buying a newer SL (post 1980) so I started looking at the 380's. <br>I see a few 280's listed for sale. <br>Can anyone tell me about these cars? <br>I know nothing about their performance or quality or longevity.
Hi Ed, I too have had a so called MB 'specialist' tell me to avoid the 450 cars. His words were 'the 380 will out perform the 450's', ie; more powerful engine. It just so happened that I found a good deal ( I thought anyway) on a 85 380SL. It has the smoothest engine I have ever seen in a MB. However it does not want to tangle with the 420SEL. This past Sunday I bought a 78 450SLC. The 380SL does not want to tangle with it either. The 380 is no slouch either although.<br> <br> Maybe the ill reference to 450's stem from the earlier models with the Bosch 'D' Jetronic fuel injection system. I have driven a 280SE 4.5 with the old 'D' system and it was lazy. The 76 I believe and later 450's use the Bosch 'K' Jetronic system (also reffered to as the the 'CIS' (constant injection system). It performs much better than the old 'D' units.<br> <br> I can not advise you on the 280 6 cylinder cars as I have had any experience with one, but I believe they are very durable. I think the 280SL's were European market cars, imported to the states as 'gray market' cars.<br> <br> I hope this helps you.<br> <br> Regards,<br> John
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