Steve_Mack_CT Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Looking for feedback as we are probably checking one of these out in the next couple weeks. Originally a CA car, so hopefully it is clean as described. I already know about looking for the improved timing chain; any other hints? I think a couple of regulars here have simillar MBs. Appreciate any feedback.Now dear, about that barn.... Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earl e rizer Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I've owned a few SL's of that vintage (W107 i believe). The 380's are underpowered compared to the older 4.5's and the newer 5.6's. The cast iron 4.5 is a more durable engine than the aluminum 3.8. I had a 83 380 that was too slow for my tastes. Otherwise it was the same as the older ones I had. Check out the chassis for rust around the front suspension mounts as this was a weak spot on certain vintages. Also floor pan rust. Fuel pumps regularly pack it in, but no big deal. All 3 of mine were leakers, but that was mostly from not enough use and dried out seals. If it's cheap, they make a comfortable driver. The 380's also had a oil line problem with deteriorating. these are located under the cam covers and not a big deal to replace, but the old ones can fall apart and clog up passages. I did mine in an afternoon along with a few beers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 The transmissions can also be troublesome leakers if they're anything like any of the other Mercedes models of that vintage from deterioration of seals. Also the transmission can have shifting issues such as sudden hard shifts or flaring if the vacuum modulator is leaking or misadjusted. A good transmission shop that specializes in MB transmissions can usually replace all the seals for $500-$700 if you can R&R yourself. A total rebuild can run $2K+, again if you R&R it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted September 30, 2011 Author Share Posted September 30, 2011 Thanks guys, I understand the power comments but as long as the 380 is not underpowered in terms of keeping up with typical traffic that's fine. We basically want a comfortable runabout for summer that we can leave somewhere without stress... I think if I was really searching the whole series of cars based on the 107 chassis I would lean towards a later 560 but this lead came to us through someone my wife works with and seems like a good deal. Appreciate the tips (and any additional ones!), we plan to give it a real good look, as we both like the styling and I have heard overall, they are pretty durable cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 If you want a good rust-free solid example that needs a bit of tender loving care and major clean up, send me an e-mail. (I'll be gone this weekend, but will have my Blackberry with me). editoraaca at aaca dot org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted September 30, 2011 Author Share Posted September 30, 2011 Thanks West - will do but also hoping to catch up with you next week anyway.Thanks, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memaerobilia Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 I had a 83 380 that was too slow for my tastes. We just sold our 77,000 miles, 82 380 after some six years. I "get" the too slow comment, but it was the deciding factor for us. I got the car Mostly for my wife to use for going to the beach with her friend. We had looked at 450s and when she stepped on the gas, the power scared her. We both enjoyed the 380. Still had a LOT of pep, and could take tight turns at speed, like it was on rails. Only had one fuel pump problem, (half-priced NOS Orig Mfr. pumps are all over Ebay..)and that was my fault....as I let it sit too many months, with old gas. Too hot too use with the top down in Florida, most of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 37mclaughlin Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 I'm new to this forum, but have several 1980s MBs. The car is pretty heavy, and in my experience the 380SL is just as thirsty as the 450, but has far less power. The only thing that I would also be careful of is the transmission, check reverse and first gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 37mclaughlin Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Dave with my experience the 380 is no better if not worst I know the 300 does best in MPGS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 If you can find a 280SL European model with a 5 speed, then you would have a better performer with better gas mileage to boot. I saw a couple of nice ones in my area last year and the asking prices were less than $6000 for either one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi guys - thanks for the feedback earlier. Here is a quick update. We finally settled on a 560 SL which is now home (after putting about 100 miles on her in 25 degree, but clear and dry weather last night). Signal Red with Palamino interior, all research seemed to point towards either an early 450 or end-of 107 chassis series 560. I am sure, over time, I will find something to do to it but for now with snow coming in we are mainly counting the days 'till springtime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stock_steve Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi guys - thanks for the feedback earlier. Here is a quick update. We finally settled on a 560 SL which is now home (after putting about 100 miles on her in 25 degree, but clear and dry weather last night). Signal Red with Palamino interior, all research seemed to point towards either an early 450 or end-of 107 chassis series 560. I am sure, over time, I will find something to do to it but for now with snow coming in we are mainly counting the days 'till springtime!Congrats and best wishes for many happy miles, Steve!Don't forget *pictures*!Steve from Stony CreekP.S.: High 40s and even possibly some low 50s next week for my area--at least as far as we can believe weather.com--so I am planning to get my '70 Bug out for some driving (& keeping my fingers crossed also, of course)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stock_steve Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 And it's still 20 years for 'EA' plates too, Steve, isn't it? So some protection from your tax collector may also be afforded... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi Steve. Yup - CT allows "EA" plates at 20 years now, so we took advantage of that, Hagarty also recognized it as a collector vehicle, most likely since we have daily drivers - I think, on newer non-"antique" but "special interest" vehicles they look at factors like that, plus, we have been with them for 10 years.Still need to wait a couple years though, to show at an AACA meet. We think this will be a good "HPOF car" as it is very original. MB actually numbered the fenders, hood, etc. on this model - all matching. Some nice technology in the car but the platform is almost 20 years older so you get a vintage feel in a lot of the details. Pretty good power also! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Rat Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Haven't had good luck with the 1974 450SL we got but it had been messed with a lot before we got it. Sadly a bus company were the owners before us and we guess they tried to work on it. We had the local MB dealership put a full on new wiring harness on it and it still doesn't run right. It has been sitting under it's cover for two and a half years. We did get it a new cover this year as the other one that was only seven month old rotted off of it with a seven year warranty. Excellent for taking up driveway space though. Better luck with yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hill Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Congrats - sounds like you made a wise decision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stock_steve Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 (edited) Hi Steve. Yup - CT allows "EA" plates at 20 years now, so we took advantage of that, Hagarty also recognized it as a collector vehicle, most likely since we have daily drivers - I think, on newer non-"antique" but "special interest" vehicles they look at factors like that, plus, we have been with them for 10 years.Still need to wait a couple years though, to show at an AACA meet. We think this will be a good "HPOF car" as it is very original. MB actually numbered the fenders, hood, etc. on this model - all matching. Some nice technology in the car but the platform is almost 20 years older so you get a vintage feel in a lot of the details. Pretty good power also! Sounds great, Steve--once again, good for you! Showing in HPOF is a ton of fun too, by the way--hope you can do it when your MB becomes eligible.Speaking of EA-plate-eligible cars...and snow...here's my '92 Taurus wagon almost exactly one year ago (exact date of photo was January 12, 2011). Hope I haven't jinxed myself with that shot (and Bob "37HD" will also be happy to know that we're probably not going to put EAs on it--at least not in the immediate future). And that's my super-gnarly '90 F250 beyond the Taurus--no EAs there either... Edited January 19, 2012 by stock_steve mis-spellings (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stock_steve Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Ugh, I'd say we got a solid 8" on the Shoreline. Snow sucks. But at least I got the '70 But out, at least to idle around in the driveway a bit. The Taurus looked egg-shaped again, thanks to the snow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Yeah, snow a bummer but we really lucked out the other night, cold, but clear and dry. After a couple week's wait for them to address some minor things I picked up the car solo and left my new car, drove the MB 30 + miles home, picked up the Mrs. and drove it back to get my car, then she drove it home again. Have not been able to get it out since, and honestly very cold to poke around in the garage right now for any length of time! Snow came in the next night and it has been a mess ever since - Oh well, New England for ya Steve!BTW - Bob, thanks for compliment! An alternate choice was an MGB or TR; which will probably happen at some point anyway (one of those would fit into a clean tool shed..).Steve we had one of those wagons, yep, kind of egg like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stock_steve Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) Yeah, snow a bummer but we really lucked out the other night, cold, but clear and dry. After a couple week's wait for them to address some minor things I picked up the car solo and left my new car, drove the MB 30 + miles home, picked up the Mrs. and drove it back to get my car, then she drove it home again. Have not been able to get it out since, and honestly very cold to poke around in the garage right now for any length of time! Snow came in the next night and it has been a mess ever since - Oh well, New England for ya Steve!BTW - Bob, thanks for compliment! An alternate choice was an MGB or TR; which will probably happen at some point anyway (one of those would fit into a clean tool shed..).Steve we had one of those wagons, yep, kind of egg like! Sounds good, Steve--hope you get to spend some more "quality time" with your new MB again soon!Sorry for the minor thread hi-jack, by the way! Edited January 23, 2012 by stock_steve correct a spelling mistake (as usual) (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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