82 380SL purchase
 

Looking at an 82 380SL for 7K any advice :confused:

Recommend you research/search info about timing chains... Also pay attention to any rust.

Good luck with your evaluation...

Took it for prepurchase the mechanic said he hasnt seen a car in his shop in such great shape in about 5 years, everything looks good but single timing chain, having a problem getting it to pass smog test, oxygen sensor ? : :confused:

My 1983 380SL still has single timing chain too. How many miles on yours?

The Oxygen sensor can cause the smog test to fail along with the catalitic converter. There are temperature sensors for oil and water that are inputs for the computer. There also is an air pump.

CW
www.380SL.8k.com

6,000 on the new chain. Engine has 125, 000, any idea how much to replace the oxygen sensor and what is that ?

Did you replace with a new single chain or did you convert the engine to dual timing chain? I've read that to replace the single chain is about $300 but to convert to dual timing chain is over $3,500.

The Oxygen sensor screws into the Exhaust Manifold. It has a wire that connects to the computer and the computer uses this signal to control air to the manifold and fuel mixture.

CW
www.380SL.8k.com

My mechanic quoted the same price to convert to dual chain. :mad:

Even at 3500, that brings the real cost of the car to 10.5. That cars isn't worth that much. You could get a 560 for just a little more than that these days.

On the flip side--you can replace the chain every 50K miles or even every 3 years and not spend much! I wouldn't be afraid of the single chain as long as it's kept fresh, and most of us don't drive these cars more than 5K a year or so.

I still have the single timing chain in my 1983 380SL with 38k miles on her. The downside to just replacing the single timing chain with a new single timing chain is that Mercedes will not supply the chain - you have to find an after market supplier for the single timing chain. There was a recent post that stated that a Mercedes technical directive stated that dealers are not to replace the single timing chain and to only convert the engine to dual timing chain. I would think that a Mercedes dealer would charge $10K to do it. I talked to my local Mercedes dealer and they did not even want to fool with it. It looks like Mercedes is walking away from THEIR problem. I perceive this as pure hypocracy and Mercedes states in the 380SL owners manual:

"You have chosen to drive a MERCEDES-BENZ, a car in whose construction and production we have taken great pains because we believe that quality is not a matter of chance." -- page 3, Owners Manual 380SL

And, you are right, these cars are not worth the expense of converting them to Dual Timing chains --- even if they are Mercedes.


CW
www.380SL.8k.com

BJKOLAR
I may have what your looking for.
I have a 85-380SL dual timing chain, no rust. I am the 2nd owner. the car is always garaged.All service records. 90k on the clock.
I need to sell because I just purchased a new home and need the cash.
I am asking $9500.00. I am located in the Phila/South Jersey area.
Drop me an email if interested. E320BB@aol.com.
See the FS forrum for more info.

joe moon

www.380SL.8k.com
 

CW
Thank you for the great information presented on your web site www.380SL.8k.com . This is about as complete as I have seen with all of the sites you offer links to. The link which provides production figures and prices by year certainly answered questions for me. Your site went to my favorites folder quickly.
Wonderful, informative reading through out including your commentary!
Best Wishes,
John

Thanks for the comments John.

Sounds like you and I have some things in common - 380SL Mercedes and Isuzu's. I have a 1998 and a 1999 Isuzu Troopers.

CW
www.380SL.8k.com

I think that the advice you got earlier was excellent - $7K for a single chain '82 with 125K is overpaying. Pay more and get a dual chain car, or maybe a 560.