how long do the 3.8 in the SLs, last

[rickjordan]

I have an opportuntiy to buy a '83 380SL (chains have been done). I have not seen the car or driven it, so everything I know is just through phone conversations with owner. Has owned the car for 6 years, dealer serviced during that time, BRAND new MB exhaust, from the engine back and a new soft top. He said the car has 190,000 miles on her. Doesn't smoke and starts every time, not driven in the winter. 190,000 miles by 22 years is only 8636 per year.
Opinons, advice, etc.

[Ara T.]

If he has all those maintenance records and regular oil changes and such I'd say don't be afraid of the mileage.

[elau]

Sounds like it wil last longer than you will be alive.

My 83 380Sl has 216,000 on the odo, runs great and it appears this car was not taken care of before we acquired it.

[rickjordan]

thanks for the replies. One additional general question about R107 SLs, how heavy are the hard tops, what are they made of, steel, aluminum, fiberglass?. I have seen mechanical hoists sold for removing the top, but they want $190. I figure if needed I could put one together myself with parts from Home Depot.

The tops are steal I believe never put a magnet to it. Would not surprise me if it was aluminum since the bonnet and the trunk lid our. They are not that heavy just very awqard (spelling) Myself and my 13 year old can remove it with no issue just make sure you don't drop or drag across the trunk lid. The hoist would be the easiest solution. I will either invest or make one once I get my SL painted. However I don't beleive I would store the top on the hoist set up. I built a roll around frame to hold my hard top when it is not on the car

[dougmcp]

Rick,
An inexpensive top lift I built was a boat trailer winch w/cable from Harbor Freight $15, a pulley from Home Depot $4 and 1/2 of an old ski rack $0. Works great! Good luck!

I wish they had made the hard tops of aluminum because they are a two man job to lift off. However, if you are desperate, and have a strong back, it can be done alone! I know this because I have done it alone, and didn't scratch the trunk either! ......BB

[rickjordan]

I am going to look at the car tomorrow afternoon. We could use a thrid car simply because if one of the other 2 are out of commission for repair, we won't be stuck. Just this afternoon My wife pulled up in the '83TD and I hear an awful rotating scraping noise. With the engine off, I grabbed the fan, and it wobbled a bit. So I'll have to replace the fan clutch, which means pulling the radiator, etc. So if we had the SL, it wouldn't be a set back if I didn't finish the work on the '83, in a day's time. At least this is the logic I am telling the bank (wife).

[airedale]

I plan for mine to last forever. Here is a nice, comprehensive article in Road & Track from 1994. http://fly.hiwaay.net/~gbf/107/rt.html Look at some of the expenses you can expect, parts seem abundant.

[cbdo]

The top weighs about 95 pounds. I've got a hoist I put together from parts from West Marine; works well. Once you're caught up on the maintenance, the cars are pretty close to bulletproof.