Advice on a 1980 Euro 280 SL for sale near me?

[cdh]

Hi all--

Great to see several people here with euro 280 SLs who really seem to know what they're talking about. So I'm hoping for some advice on whether or not to pick up a 280 SL on the market near me. It appears to be a beautiful and solid car. It does, however, appear to have some superficial rust on lots of stuff underneath it, and a problem at the right front fender. How scared of this rust situation should I be? Have a look at the attached pictures and let me know what you all think.

I'm excited about this car because it is a manual transmission SL, which is the only kind I'm interested in getting. Is this a car I'd want, or a big disappointment waiting to happen?

[ericdee]

I'd pass too much rust for me. Keep looking, more of them out there than you think.

[G-Benz]

I agree...that particular example seems to have seen more than its share of winters enduring salt-encrusted roadways!

The underbody looks to be marvelously intact, but the front and rear subframes are suspect...in fact I believe there was a problem with rusted subframes on particular SL models?

Looks like a lot of work (and $$$) to bring the undercarriage up to full integrity...I'd pass for a fair-weather version...

[KirkVining]

Pass on it dude. Buy one in Arizona. Old saying with SL's "the rust is five times as bad as what you can actually see"

[c107]

(off topic, sort of, more curiousity)

Is that 280 near the Little Garage in Queens?

Steve

[cdh]

bingo!

[KirkVining]

If you don't mind me asking, whats the ball park price?

Kirk
83 280SL 4spd Auto
84 Porsche 944

Im a survivor from Queens, ny. Moved to the west coast
years ago. My 84 280sl just passed 180k last weekend. The only grey rust i can see near my car is the grey in my hair.

Id pass on that car in a ny minute.

ps.. east on any further queens bashing!!

steve c.

[1984 280SL]

Look for a solid clean rust free car- they are out there and at a good price.
I have had my 1980 280 SL manual 4 speed for 18 years and 168K miles and my 1984 280 SL 5 speed manual 72K miles for a month or so. These are some of the best cars built by Mercedes. My 1980 has only had small very small problems or maintenance. Water pump and alternator and fuel pump relay have been the only things replaced. Still has the original shocks, muffler system, and clutch.
Good luck.. BTW - I bought my 1984 off of Ebay sight unseen and had it delivered to Seattle from San Diego. Very nice car and I see quite a few of them there every week.

[cdh]

Originally Posted by KirkVining

If you don't mind me asking, whats the ball park price?

Kirk

About $4000.

[KirkVining]

That's a crazy price to pay for that car. Do the the math. You can buy a nice 280SL on ebay right now for 6 to 8, tops. Repairing an SL with problems like that is going to cost you at least 5k. When they get rusted to that point, they're parts cars. $1500 would be closer to top dollar. That cars seen 24 years of salt. One day its going to break out like a baby with a bad case of ass rash, but in this case, you'll be crying.

[cdh]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep on looking. Great that so many of you tossed in your 2 cents.

[KirkVining]

I bought a really nice 1 owner last year over ebay for $6700. Pristine. Perfect interior, nice paint sweet motor. It's auto, but there a plenty of standards out there. Mine had 91k on the clock whn I bought it, I dropped $500 into for a tuneup, and it has run trouble free ever since for the last 10k miles. Do it that way, there are a lot out west. I travel to the NE a lot to, I'll do you a deal to drive one up from AZ,CA or TX. Here's my baby:

[kip Foss]

CDH,

Check www.collectorcartraderonline.com. They have a huge selection of sl and slc.

[cdh]

Wow Kirk... that is a beautiful baby you've got there. I'll keep my eyes open for SLs in the southwest and might just take you up on that offer of a deal on transporting one up into the greater Northeast megalopolis.