Another 280SL 5-Speed

[ctaylor738]

Last month I opened the Greater Washington MBCA section newsletter, and there was a 1984 280SL 5-speed for sale in Maryland for $1800, not running, clutch problems. I just couldn't resist.

So I bought it after seeing it and verifying that the engine ran. Also verified that the clutch went right to the floor. I had it hauled home, and my original intent was to use the drivetrain in my 280C. But then I got the clutch sort of working, cleaned it up, drove it a bit, and it sort of grew on me. So I went ahead with a new clutch and associated parts like flex disks and a center driveshaft bearing. Turns out the throwout bearing had siezed and eaten most of the way through the clutch fingers.

I just finished brakes, brake hoses, and wheel bearings. So now it both goes and stops, and can get inspected and will hopefully pass the smog test.

The car shows 181K, and the PO stated the "head was done" about a year ago. It goes like stink, has working air, seat heaters, working cruise control, and a genuine German trailer hitch. Interior is worn but decent, and the body is OK with a couple of rust spots.

Tomorrow it gets new plugs and a smog test.

Pictures attached.

[dpatterson]

Helluva nice car Chuck. Espcially at that price.

I just took the tow hitch off my 73 4-speed manual. Having just rebuilt that clutch at huge expense (try buying the clutch kit for the V8 - MB parts people just stare at you with a blank expression) I couldnt foresee ever wanting to hook any kind of load on the back of her to add to the load on that new friction plate.

I've heard the M110 6 cyl goes pretty much as well as the 350 and 450 V8s. Whats your impression?

Regards,
Daryl

[ctaylor738]

The HP ratings of the 280, 350, and 450 are 185, 200, and 225, respectively. I have never driven a 350. The 450 I drove years ago had a lot of power, but felt sort of dignified and ponderous with its automatic. Both my 280's seem to rev quickly.

I would really like to get my hands on a 350 with a 4-speed. I suspect that it is close to the 280 in acceleration, since the cast iron V8 has got to add a couple of hundred pounds. But probably different in feel with more torque.

I have also heard that the 3.5 engine is very conservatively rated and there is a big opportunity with compression and cams, and to tweak the D-Jet to match.

I need to find a suitable trailer. There was a picture a while ago of an Austin-Healey with a small trailer made out of the rear of another Healey. Maybe something like that from a 113?

[dpatterson]

The 350SL manual drives like a dream. It would give my four year old BMW 528i a decent run for its money. But then it should as it theorectically puts out 147kw in stock standard form cf. 142kw from the BMW, 30 years of hard work notwithstanding.

Not that I've had much opportunity to drive it as its been at the paint shop pretty much ever since I got it back on the road. It arrived back last weekend and I'm happily reassemblying everything. I will have to post a couple of before and after pics as this is one that really came back from the grave. If it hadnt been a manual I wouldnt have considered it.

The car I'm really hanging out for is my other 350SL, unfortunately not a manual, but also receiving a new paint job - from bare metal to show quality finish in the original Astral silver. I have an interior from an '88 300SL (last of the 107 6 cyclinders avail here in Oz) to drop into that one. It might not be as nice to drive as the 4 speed but its going to be immaculate.

Now you're not suggesting chopping the back of a cute little 230/250/280SL to make a trailer are you Chuck? LOL I'm sure that would have a few people on here twitching. Perhaps a 114 sedan or coupe and that way there would be some design relationship in the fluted taillights maybe.

[ctaylor738]

Actually, I was thinking of the rear of a wrecked or rusted 113. But now that you mention it, a 114 coupe would have lots more space.

Stay tuned, and please do post some pictures of your projects!

[nachi11744]

Hello,
I have driven a 350SL manual, with 200bhp, 3.46 rear end ratio and no LSD in the car I drove, it was an amusing tail wagging car. I could slid thru roundabouts(traffic circle to the Yanks, sorry)on an arm full of opposite lock in light rain
Needless to say, the owner was NOT amused and I never got to drive the car again
Tops out around 128mph and the mid range is very quick too, IIRC 0-100mph is 19seconds, 80-100mph around 10seconds in top(4th), 3rd. gear can crack 100mph before hitting the rev limit.
The 3.5 was a revvy engine, red lined at 6500rpm, to compete with the BMW M30 3 litre that was rated at 200bhp as well. Both engines reward a *determined* style of driving, if you pussyfoot around in these cars, you will be left to wonder what other drivers are raving about.