help Pricing a 1982 380sel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sebass · #1 12-03-2010, 12:22 PM

I have no idea where to post this so im going to try here. Im interested in buying an 82 380sel from a friend. Its a one owner car and has 105000 miles on it. I have some service records but not all. The car has a clean title and has never been in an accident. It has some euro parts on it like headlights and some suspension componants. What would be a fair price for this car?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know the details are vague but thats as much as I know for now.

suginami · #2 12-03-2010, 12:29 PM

The interior looks really clean.

Do you have any records that the timing chain has been replaced to the double row chain?

The 3.8 liter engine originally came with the single row timing chain, which was a mistake, and most should've been converted by now.

Hogweed · #3 12-03-2010, 02:42 PM

when the economy was better a couple years ago, i had a low-mileage, very clean '83 380 se with a mint interior and clear title history that i had trouble getting 2 grand for. more recently i decided to part out my daily driver 1990 300se that had 136k and was in really good shape because i couldn't get a serios offer over $1000

t walgamuth · #4 12-03-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogweed

when the economy was better a couple years ago, i had a low-mileage, very clean '83 380 se with a mint interior and clear title history that i had trouble getting 2 grand for. more recently i decided to part out my daily driver 1990 300se that had 136k and was in really good shape because i couldn't get a serios offer over $1000

x2 any v8 car is a tough sell today with the poor economy and expensive gas. they are thought of as high maintenance and that is probably not completely fair. If in or brought to sound condition they can be run very inexpensively except for the fuel costs which are failrly high.

1000 to (on a good day) 1500 is my thought too.

Sebass · #5 12-03-2010, 04:59 PM

Thanks guys. The car is in great condition... however I have no idea about the timing chain and I left the seller a voice mail. He was asking $4k for the car. I drove it and it runs great. So im a little torn. If the timing chain hasnt been changed what would that cost to convert over?

TylerH860 · #6 12-03-2010, 05:14 PM

I'd say its a reasonable starting point, but 3-3.5k is where I'd peg it if it has the chain job documented.

I sold a minty 79,000 1991 560SEL in the high 6s a few months ago, and a 129k 1991 300SEL in great shape with an extensive history for $4750.

The 380 is the least desirable of the W126 unfortunately. Slow motor and horrible gas mileage.

Sebass · #7 12-03-2010, 05:36 PM

Does the 380 get worse mileage than its big brother engines? I dont know an extensive amount about the w126 cars.

TylerH860 · #8 12-03-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebass

Does the 380 get worse mileage than its big brother engines? I dont know an extensive amount about the w126 cars.

I don't know for certain if its the worst, but its on par with the 500-560. The problem is the 380 is so slow that there's no real advantage. My 300SEL felt like it had more scoot.

t walgamuth · #9 12-03-2010, 08:29 PM

You will be lucky to get 20 hiway, and 12 around town. Tyler's prices are not the norm I wouldn't think.

Sebass · #10 12-04-2010, 01:05 PM

I actually thought the car had pretty good power for its weight. But I have been driving an 88 260e that I borrowed from family with 315000 miles on the original motor. It too bad to hear that values are soo low for these cars. Other than the mileage... they seem to be great cruisers.

Would there be any issue if I just changed the timing chain more often if it was a single row?

Sebass · #11 12-04-2010, 01:08 PM

Im not a huge fan of the color combo and the only reason I was interested in the car was due to the fact that it is a well maintained car. But im on the fence. But I think the car isnt worth the money it would cost to convert over to a dual row chain.

TylerH860 · #12 12-04-2010, 01:15 PM

No, and I wouldn't want to be driving a ticking time bomb. If you wanted to go W126, I think the 300SEL is the best. Simple and reliable without the price premium a diesel brings.

Both of those cars I sold went to forum members, Mr. W, and sold within a few weeks of listing. Turns out the 560 was on the cheap side, since it was immediately flipped for about a 2k profit.

Sebass · #13 12-04-2010, 01:27 PM

So If I were looking at the 300sel, is there any years that are beter than others? Ive been looking for a wagon until I happend upon the 380sel. I could use the extra room for the kids. Thats why I also considered the SEL.

Sebass · #14 12-04-2010, 01:28 PM

Thanks again for all the advice. Tyler I appreciate the help.

compu_85 · #15 12-04-2010, 01:36 PM

If you aren't set on getting a 5 cylinder diesel W126, I would hold out for a late Gen2 car (IE 89+). They have nicer interiors, nicer radios, aren't as old, and have a better climate control system.

But that doesn't override the 3 rules of buying an older benz:
1)Condition
2)Condition
3)CONDITION!
If you find a documented, rust free early model for a good price choose that over a later model with a questionable history. IMHO any surface rust means there will be more lurking in places not so easily fixed.

-Jason