1985 280 SL questions
 

Sorry about this but the Frank Barret book has yet to arrive--was due days ago.

Is not this a European auto?

Has 114K miles Engine rebuilt at 100K

What usually goes wrong with a 280 engine?

Some say a 3800 has too small an engine

This has an automatic tran -- is it way under powered?

Thanks

hmm?
 

Dan,the 280sl is most certainly a euro model.They are my personal favorite because of several reasons.Small bumpers...manual AC controls...nice headlights...generally more powerful.They can sometimes have a rust issue based on how they were driven in European winters(translated salt).If I lived in a less emission sensitive area,I would have a euro in a heartbeat.

An engine rebuild at 100 k is not neccessarily a bad thing...you should be good to go for a while.

280 problems?I am not aware of any except that the valves should be adjusted every 15 k or there will be the usual problems,e.g. excessive cam lobe wear.You would probably feel a little more zip if this car had a manual rather than auto trans but I wouldn't let that stop me.

Is the 380 too small?No,not really...but it is not as torquey as a 500 or 560.I have driven a few 380 sl's and I just like the throttle response of the bigger engines.

You need to drive the 280 sl automatic to see if it has enough zip for you to live with.

Best Regards,ch7ckc

Great cars the 107 280SLs. Specially with a 4 or 5 speed manual. very reliable and fun to drive, economical to. I have two for this reason.

Ditto. Actually I have three. It is a completely different than the 380 - more HP, less torque, happy at high RPM, lighter, and IMO, more fun to drive. Especially with a manual trans.

Chuck-

Did you buy the one in VA with a bad clutch, grey on tan? You have 3 280SL's? When will you sell me one, I have decided that the 107 euro 280 with manual tranny is my next car...

Cheers,

JAS

Yes, I bought it in October. New clutch, brakes, shocks, better wheels and tires, good tune-up, and a stereo I had laying around. It's now my daily driver.

The others: Anthracite/gray 13K 5-speed garage queen, and the newest, an automatic blue/bamboo problem child that just got brakes and its head rebuilt.

Wow, I think that is my dream 280SL, same color as my TD, too...

Crank windows, no A/C, very appealing to a frugal Yankee like me...!

Thanks,

JAS