Just joined.... considering an '82 380SL
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Possible leap into the deep end of the SL pool
If you have mechanical, electrical and bodywork skills , are very patient by nature and poor with money you will be just fine. The less skill the greater the money. However it will be a very rewarding hobby and in Ontario you have some excellent advice and experience available to you.
The biggest thing to look for is rust - it's not always visible on the exterior.
Do a search on this site for pre purchase will give you lots more detail.
I bought mine in 1995 and have had many years of happy motoring ( albeit low mileage) Now that it is 33 years old it is more of a challenge but still rewarding.
If you have mechanical, electrical and bodywork skills , are very patient by nature and poor with money you will be just fine. The less skill the greater the money. However it will be a very rewarding hobby and in Ontario you have some excellent advice and experience available to you.
The biggest thing to look for is rust - it's not always visible on the exterior.
Do a search on this site for pre purchase will give you lots more detail.
1983 380SL, ivory/dk brown, 46k miles, dual roller timing chain. 1986 560SL, red/white, 190K mile.
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9,223 Posts
I purchased my 1983 380SL new and still own it.
Love my SL and I lavish a lot on it.
Other than the single row timing chain, its been pretty much like any car - gas, oil, brakes, water pump, cosmetics. 380SL's often get dissed for not having much power but mine is pretty responsive - I suspect neglected out of tune engines give the 380SL a bad name.
Now your 1982 380SL's big issues are:
1-) what you see - paint, interior, convertible top, tires
2-) has the Engine been converted to dual row timing chain
3-) Rust, if you see rust think twice, three times.
4-) Maintenance history - a well cared for SL is usually the best buy
5-) drive it and see if it feels right
you might also check the sub frame to make sure it is intact. could need to be reinforced to eliminate future stress
1983 380SL, ivory/dk brown, 46k miles, dual roller timing chain. 1986 560SL, red/white, 190K mile.
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9,223 Posts
I have not done the subframe gussets yet but it is on my watch list. I've inspected my 380SL subframe and it looks good. I wonder if cracked subframes are because of rough handling or accidents???
Thanks for your comments guys.... all food for thought. I'm aware of the single chain issue but is it true you're okay if you have it replaced every 40,000 miles or so?
Also, I'm confused by an article I read by Peter Bohr that says they went to double timing chain in 1984 and that 81-83 would be his last choice. But it's not clear if he's saying ALL years and models prior to '83 are single chain?
For instance, there's a 1983 380SL with only 26,841 miles on at Daniel Schmidt's in St. Louis. It's $29,000 US but it's absolutely stunning inside and out! Being a newbie I can't figure out why it sits there for months and months. I worry that it's because it's a single chain '83.
Also, I'm confused by an article I read by Peter Bohr that says they went to double timing chain in 1984 and that 81-83 would be his last choice. But it's not clear if he's saying ALL years and models prior to '83 are single chain?
For instance, there's a 1983 380SL with only 26,841 miles on at Daniel Schmidt's in St. Louis. It's $29,000 US but it's absolutely stunning inside and out! Being a newbie I can't figure out why it sits there for months and months. I worry that it's because it's a single chain '83.
Well, it's nearby, in a "ritzy" neighbourhood, I can probably have it checked at my dealer before buying, it's $19,500 Canadian money, there's no shipping, it looks good in the pics (the owner is away for the weekend).
1986 560SL: '84 500SL: '84 280SL 5 speed: other 107s ALL SOLD
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32,794 Posts
Wrong. Only the North American '81-'83 380SL had the single chain. Rest of the world (ROTW) 380SLs and all other 107 had dual row.
C$19,500 should buy you a very very nice 560SL, a better car in all respects than any 380, single chain or not.
I suggest you test drive several 107 variants to see what suits you and your wallet best. You haven't said where in Ontario you live but there are more 107s around than you might think.
Carl, above, cautioned about rust which is the bane of these cars, especially earlier models. Be very careful about buying a Canadian car. The selection of rust free 107s is much larger in the USA west and south. True, it's more of a hassle to buy from the USA but the result is likely to be worth the trouble.
Oh and US cars are cheaper than Canadian, despite that unrealistically dear 380 languishing in Schmidt's showroom.
I suggest you test drive several 107 variants to see what suits you and your wallet best. You haven't said where in Ontario you live but there are more 107s around than you might think.
Carl, above, cautioned about rust which is the bane of these cars, especially earlier models. Be very careful about buying a Canadian car. The selection of rust free 107s is much larger in the USA west and south. True, it's more of a hassle to buy from the USA but the result is likely to be worth the trouble.
Oh and US cars are cheaper than Canadian, despite that unrealistically dear 380 languishing in Schmidt's showroom.
So any North America 107 other than 81-83 has double chain.... great to learn this! Thank you.
Thanks, I hear you.
Would this be worth investigating at this price Canadian?
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 Series V8 - MISSISSAUGA $28,000 | autoTRADER.ca
And the pickin's are kinda slim within 250km of me... at the moment.
http://www.autotrader.ca/cars/merce...ed&hprc=True&wcp=True&inMarket=advancedSearch
I'm curious, when you say... "better car in all respects than any 380"... what exactly are you referring to?
Please don't misunderstand the reason for my question. I'm not challenging your comments, my only intention is to become a better informed 107 owner.
Lester, I think you should be able to get a nice 560 for under C$15000, especially in the waning weeks of summer.
Here are a dozen or so in Ontario:
https://www.kijiji.ca/b-classic-cars/ontario/mercedes-560sl/k0c122l9004
Plenty more on eBay.
Here are a dozen or so in Ontario:
https://www.kijiji.ca/b-classic-cars/ontario/mercedes-560sl/k0c122l9004
Plenty more on eBay.
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22,890 Posts
Handling refinements, better engine management, improved rust protection, climate control, the list goes on...
Don't be afraid to challenge. Not everyone shares my opinion.
However the facts are:
The 560 has an improved suspension.
The 560 has larger wheels - easier to find modern tires.
The 560 has much more power.
The 560 has a reinforced subframe.
The 560 has ABS.
The 560 is newer.
The only advantages of the 380 are its better gas mileage and its lower purchase price. Oh, and maybe its chrome door handles are prettier.
Lester, if your budget can handle a C$19K car, you can do a lot better than a 1982 380SL. For that price, I'd want it to be in like-new condition with all maintenance absolutely current, full maintenance records since new, all fluids and rubber recently replaced, zero rust, and immaculate paint, interior, and soft top.
The 380SL does have a few advantages (top on the list, for me: regular gas), but it's never going to be as desirable a car as either the earlier or later ones. After having owned one, I wouldn't call it underpowered, but there's a noticeable difference between it and the 560SL I own now.
Just for comparison purposes, there are several 560SLs in the Twin Cities, all in seemingly pretty good condition, on Craigslist for between US$15K and 25K. There's also one maniac who thinks his 380SL is worth $42K.
Don't get hung up on low mileage. On these cars, mileage is not a deal-breaker; I'd much rather have a higher-mileage example than one with low miles that never gets driven. The latter is much more likely to need lots of deferred maintenance done. Pay attention to condition and maintenance first.
Finally, think about what you want the car for. Are you looking for a collector car that you drive seldom if at all? Or are you interested in a car you can take out on the road and not worry about? What you want it for will make a difference as to which car you should pursue.
The 380SL does have a few advantages (top on the list, for me: regular gas), but it's never going to be as desirable a car as either the earlier or later ones. After having owned one, I wouldn't call it underpowered, but there's a noticeable difference between it and the 560SL I own now.
Just for comparison purposes, there are several 560SLs in the Twin Cities, all in seemingly pretty good condition, on Craigslist for between US$15K and 25K. There's also one maniac who thinks his 380SL is worth $42K.
Don't get hung up on low mileage. On these cars, mileage is not a deal-breaker; I'd much rather have a higher-mileage example than one with low miles that never gets driven. The latter is much more likely to need lots of deferred maintenance done. Pay attention to condition and maintenance first.
Finally, think about what you want the car for. Are you looking for a collector car that you drive seldom if at all? Or are you interested in a car you can take out on the road and not worry about? What you want it for will make a difference as to which car you should pursue.
I'm looking for a "driver" that looks good, runs well, appeals to me int. and ext. colourwise, and for $15,000, might only need $1,000 to $2,000 per year of work at my MB shop.
Close to home is best so I can have it inspected first... I know virtually nothing about sizing up a car (as you can probably tell)!
Do you have a good relationship with your shop? Talk to them and see what they think. They may know of a good one for sale.
For what you want, though, I'd recommend considering maintenance history and lack of rust above pretty much anything else. You want a car that's well taken care of. All else being equal, I'll second the recommendation for a 560SL; you should be able to find a good one, or one with maybe one or two things wrong with it that can be fixed and still remain within your budget.
Absolutely. The prepurchase inspection is imperative.
Well, that's what we tell everyone to do, but I didn't. Did you?
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