[Andyskol]

Good day community,

I have been looking for an affordable 380 SL in the best possible condition my price range can get me.
I have found many options online, all with different items that need restoration. There is one listing that has checked all the boxes except it has a crack in the dashboard that runs from the windshield, down to the AC vent on the passenger side.
Is it too expensive to fix? Over the dashboard covers are not really an option for me.

Thank you.

 

[CavallinoRed]

I'm going to guess a blue interior? All colors can get dash cracks but for some reason very common on blue ones. Also very $$ to replace correctly as is a 16+ hour job.

Assume you're looking for a 380SL due to lower buy in? Regardless buy the best one you can afford. It will cost you much less in the long run as you can toss $5K at a "needs nothing" example just to bring things like shocks, mounts etc. up to date.

 

[Andyskol]

You guessed right! Blue interior.

And yes, really like the way the 380 and 560 models look, but good 560’s are out of my budget for now.

Thank you for the tips and recommendation.

 

[Aussiemerc]

The crack in the dash can be vinyl welded. Possibly in situ. They air brush it afterwards.

 

[Weather Man]

I'd say you want an '84 or '85 as these have the duplex chain. There were options available in '85 like ABS and SRS which are nice but they'll also need attention. A 35 year old airbag would make me nervous. For these reasons I'd say go with an '84 or an '85 without. I inherited my '84 (free) but put $20k into it returning it to service. So yeah, find the nicest one you can afford, requiring the least service. But also find a mechanic who can work on it before you buy. Good luck!

 

[visman]

I think someone posted on this site that the most expensive 107 you can buy is a cheap one. I strongly recommend a cash reserve for repairs. These are 35 year old cars - some things like a cracked dash is pretty easy to spot - others like a cracked timing chain guide - not so much. Before you buy have a trusted mechanic look it over carefully to get a better understanding of what your total investment might be.

 

[[email protected]]

I have a 1985 380 sl 76000 original miles for sale. I m getting to old to [80] to enjoy a great car
Im in AZ

 

[cwmoser]

Don't overlook the 1981 through 1983 380SL's. Many have been converted to dual row timing chain.
My 1983 380SL has had the chain converted to dual row by a Mercedes dealership by one of their
older mechanics. It has 46K miles and has continually been in running condition over its entire life,
garaged and continually maintained. Even though some diss the 380SLs and even more so the
1981-1983 ones, I would not hesitate to at least evaluate one. If you are looking at a low mileage
380SL or any SL, take this advice from Pierre Hedary:

 

[Fonzi]

Where are you located? I was informed of a very nice looking real euro 380sl yesterday. I think the price is $7000.


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[tdoriot]

Plan on paying $ 1,200 to $ 1,600 to recover the dash at Bud's Benz or Just Dashes. Then the 16 man hours to take it out and put it in. That figure is accurate. I've done it twice. Hopefully this time is the last! I am planning on sending my dash to Buds for recover. Can't go as far as I am and have cracks in the dash. Dash covers are hideous! Good luck!

 

[cwmoser]

Interesting 380SL.

 

[Fonzi]

Where are you located? I was informed of a very nice looking real euro 380sl yesterday. I think the price is $7000.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I checked with this seller, and the car is not listed for sale yet. My friend bought a 944 from the same seller, and since he spotted this as a euro r107, he informed me of it, and got the asking price from the seller. I will be glad to connect a buyer with the seller. The seller offered to FaceTime me today to do a walk-around of the car. I expect to get more details. I can see it is not perfect, but it looks well kept.

 

[107042]

As far as the dash crack, depends on how "nice" you want it to be
1) Plastic welding and spraying will probably get you real close
2) When I got mine, it had a hard plastic overlay on it. It fit well and unless you touch it (to feel how hard it is), you probably would not notice it. I think they go for about $150 or so
3) Some other job required removing the dash, and my mechanic suggested that while it was out (the biggest part of this job) to consider getting it covered in leather. The leather cost $375, and it is the bee's knees. But I'm not sure I would want to do it, if the dash had not already been out.

These cars are so old, even if you find one with a dash that is not cracked, it will probably crack in another year or 3. I'd be more concerned about the mechanical stuff.

Good luck

 

[freshairfiend]

I checked with this seller, and the car is not listed for sale yet. My friend bought a 944 from the same seller, and since he spotted this as a euro r107, he informed me of it, and got the asking price from the seller. I will be glad to connect a buyer with the seller. The seller offered to FaceTime me today to do a walk-around of the car. I expect to get more details. I can see it is not perfect, but it looks well kept.

Euro 380 SL - great cars and severely underrated

 

[Quasmo]

Good day community,

I have been looking for an affordable 380 SL in the best possible condition my price range can get me.
I have found many options online, all with different items that need restoration. There is one listing that has checked all the boxes except it has a crack in the dashboard that runs from the windshield, down to the AC vent on the passenger side.
Is it too expensive to fix? Over the dashboard covers are not really an option for me.

Thank you.

I have a 1982 380SL that is mechanically great (After much time and money) and is about a 9.5 out of 10 for appearance. It does have a cracked dash. I’m ok with a dash mat. If you are interested feel free to contact me.

 

[Roy Knoechel]

Personally, I would check with Fonzi about the 380SL euro. It has much higher power (215 hp/221 lbs-ft torque) than the North American version (155/196). I would not worry about dash covers; they look fine to me. What I don't like are the ugly (to me) extended bumpers on the North American models. Not fond of the dual sealed beams either.

The euro version is how the car was designed to look. I have two 1984 500SL euros (240 hp/296 lbs-ft) plus a 1979 280SL euro that I use for parts

 

[JoeB]

I have to ask -
What is the current price range for a "good" 560SL ? (not a minty one, just one with good bones).

 

[cwmoser]

Euro 380 SL - great cars and severely underrated

I agree the Euro 380SL are great cars and severely underrated, AND the USA version properly tuned is too. Other than that the engine is not as powerful than a 560SL, there is hardly any difference to a 560SL or 450SL. Some folks diss the 380SL but a properly tuned 380SL has plenty enough acceleration and power to cruise anywhere.

I do agree that there are some advantages the 560SL has: more powerful engine, more comfortable seats, latest R107 design. The 380SL and 450SL pluses are that they have heavier doors, chrome metal door handles vs plastic on 560SL, better fuel economy. In summary, there are a lot of similarities between all the R107's. If you must have the Euro look and willing to spend $2K to $3K, you can transform a USA version to look European. I do like the Euro look and someday might lighten my wallet and make one of my SLs have that Euro look.

Really nice 560SLs seem to command ever more higher prices, the bargains are the overlooked 380SLs and 450SLs.