it seems like they made the cars during the same years..so is it engine size?

The didn't make them the same years. The 450SL ran from 1972-1980. The 380SL ran from 1981-1985.

The 450SL has a 4.5 liter cast iron block. The 380SL has a 3.8 liter alloy block. The earliest years of the 450 (up through 1975 for Federal and 1973 for California) didn't have any emmissions control equipment and had more horsepower. As the emmissions requirements became more strict, the power output went down, and the amount of equipment on the engine went up. My '78 450SL is rated at 180 hp. For a V8 engine roughly equal to a Chevy 283, that's pathetic output - BUT - the 450 engines last just about forever if they're properly maintained. The exception is the 75-76 model years, with the catalytic converter in the engine compartment. The heat from the CC cooked the engine wiring and parts.

The 81-83 380 engines had a single-row timing chain that stretches and can cause catastrophic engine failure if the timing chain breaks or the gears jump. They fixed it for the 84-85 model years and put on a double row timing chain. The only thing that means for the 380SL owner is that they have to have the timing chain checked/replaced more often than other model years, and the sale price will be lower because they're considered less desirable than other years.

 

What Scott said.

 

so it sounds like the 450's had more power due to engine size, ane the first two years of the 380 had a poor(er) engine design. ..does that mean the 560 had a bigger motor?...I was just looking at a couple of cars on craigslist...one is a 81 380...and the other is a 84 380...thanks guys

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/239805275.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/239615896.html

 

so it sounds like the 450's had more power due to engine size, ane the first two years of the 380 had a poor(er) engine design. ..does that mean the 560 had a bigger motor?...I was just looking at a couple of cars on craigslist...one is a 81 380...and the other is a 84 380...thanks guys

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/239805275.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/239615896.html

I like the second one better.

 

so it sounds like the 450's had more power due to engine size, ane the first two years of the 380 had a poor(er) engine design. ..does that mean the 560 had a bigger motor?...

560 is the way to go if you can find one you can afford.

Here's a link to a very informative article. Ignore the prices, because the article is 12 years old...

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~gbf/107/rt.html

 

that article is very helpful...thanks...it sounds like the best idea is to avoid the 81-83 380's....if given the choice

 

560

And, yes, the SL 560s have a 5.6 litre engine, roughly the size of the General Motors 350 cid engines that power most post-1982 corvettes and IROC Camaros. Extremely powerful. The 560s that I've driven seemed about as fast as any GM small-block I've ever driven (but nothing compares to my '72 Cuda).

 

that article is very helpful...thanks...it sounds like the best idea is to avoid the 81-83 380's....if given the choice

Dang

 

hi guys .well about the engines here M 117 cast iron called M117 981. and the so called aluminium block thats wrong . its alucil how ever the iron is as u know by now reliable AS HELL and not to talk about the alucil block as well .but i think M 117 981 4.5 liter is more to use when we talking about power and more abuse here.. like my own car.. a 450 SLC 75 using a Vortech T- trim supercharger with Autronic SM4 together with R500 CDI .check the website WWW.AUTRONIC.COM i use to day this setup... Vortech T-trim together with Mondo intercooler air to air so called and Autronic SM4 fully diagnostic management system with R500 CDI power ignition system. Bosch highpressure fuel pump 044 with fuelab regulator .custom fuel´rails and so on.. the engine is bonestock i will send some picture maby u know me from this 450 sel 6.9 supercharged earlier before nutzfore benz he does ...

 

hi guys .well about the engines here M 117 cast iron called M117 981. and the so called aluminium block thats wrong . its alucil how ever the iron is as u know by now reliable AS HELL and not to talk about the alucil block as well .but i think M 117 981 4.5 liter is more to use when we talking about power and more abuse here.. like my own car.. a 450 SLC 75 using a Vortech T- trim supercharger with Autronic SM4 together with R500 CDI .check the website WWW.AUTRONIC.COM i use to day this setup... Vortech T-trim together with Mondo intercooler air to air so called and Autronic SM4 fully diagnostic management system with R500 CDI power ignition system. Bosch highpressure fuel pump 044 with fuelab regulator .custom fuel´rails and so on.. the engine is bonestock i will send some picture maby u know me from this 450 sel 6.9 supercharged earlier before nutzfore benz he does ...

Hello bro',

Looking forward to seeing pics of your newest creation. That supercharged 6.9 was a sight to behold :thumbsup: PM the administrator to get your 'supercharged6.9' account back up and running if you're worried about it.

Link to his 6.9

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w116-s-se-sel-sd-class/1229635-picture-supercharged-6-9-a.html

 

hi guys .well about the engines here M 117 cast iron called M117 981. and the so called aluminium block thats wrong . its alucil how ever the iron is as u know by now reliable AS HELL and not to talk about the alucil block as well .but i think M 117 981 4.5 liter is more to use when we talking about power and more abuse here.. like my own car.. a 450 SLC 75 using a Vortech T- trim supercharger with Autronic SM4 together with R500 CDI .check the website WWW.AUTRONIC.COM i use to day this setup... Vortech T-trim together with Mondo intercooler air to air so called and Autronic SM4 fully diagnostic management system with R500 CDI power ignition system. Bosch highpressure fuel pump 044 with fuelab regulator .custom fuel´rails and so on.. the engine is bonestock i will send some picture maby u know me from this 450 sel 6.9 supercharged earlier before nutzfore benz he does ...

That is sick bro'. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Look foward to seeing more!!!!!!!

 

If you can't get a 560SL, an 85 380SL is not a bad second choice. It has many of the refinements of the 560SL but runs OK on unleaded. Unless you are a gearhead the lack of power isn't that bad - these cars aren't going to be speed demons or autocross machines no matter what you do or spend. The "bad" reputation of the 380SL engine due to the 81-83 timing chain problems hurts the resale of the (unaffected) 84-85 models, to your advantage. I've also found that 380SL parts are somewhat less expensive and somewhat more plentiful.

 

IMHO, 380 relates to 350 engine same as 500 to 450. 350/380 is like mid sized engine for SL/SLC's inspite of short sales life of 350 engine.

I must admit too that 350/450 and 380/500 engines are veeeeeery similar by all means

 

Well I'm about 20 years too late on this thread but enjoyed reading all your posts good info! Personally the 67-71 280 SL is my fave. But correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there also a 350 SL during the early 70s? Seems I remember seeing a 350 SL somewhere along the line? Just wondering.

 

The 350SL ran from 1971 to 1980....early 350SLs made it to the USA but were rebadged 450SL. The rest were for ROTW.

(rest of the world)

 

NOT BORING AT ALL, IN FACT QUITE FASCINATING AND INFORMATIVE.

 

Now @nobby is THAT informed.