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  #1  
Old 07-21-2005, 01:35 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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Talking Don't shoot the newb!

Hello, my name is Jake and myself and my better half just aquired a 1982 380sl convertible with the hard top. I am not new to the german car scene for I have done work on volkswagens in the past but this one has me stumped. the car is in good condition but has a few things that need to be fixed. One thing is when the car turns left no matter what you can hear a grinding sound coming from the rear and i have crawled under it and see nothing scraping. The dash console doesnt light up at night so you have to play guess the speed when in dark areas. the radio is missing...but thats an easy remedy. and the car burns a half tank of gas in 150 miles. I have been looking for a car club or gang in the New Orleans area to join so I may possibly get some help. I need to know if i can fix some of these things myself or do I have to bite the bullet and spend mondo dollars bringing it to the dealer...any help would be appreciated.

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  #2  
Old 07-21-2005, 05:29 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Coos Bay Oregon
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Great Mileage

My 74 450SL with 212K burns up all 16 gallons in about 160 miles! No, my foot isn't made of lead... Unless your tank is twice the size of mine, consider yourself in great shape!
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  #3  
Old 07-21-2005, 05:31 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 89
congrats on your MB.

there are two little lights for the instrument panel that come out from the
back. There's a place called ************** that sells a little booklet on DYI instrument panel repair. The lights are easy - you just have to get to them. I think that is also covered in the Haynes book on Sls - about $15.oo.

There are factory repair/maitenance CDs for the SLs - sometimes for cheap on eBay.
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Old 07-21-2005, 09:51 PM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 766
The 107 doesn't have a lot of insulation between the differential and the body, and a bit of noise from same will sound like it's right behind you.
Re mileage--A 380SL in good shape will typically do 16-18 or so, and might hit 20 or a bit better on pure highway driving; they're the least thirsty of the V8 107s. A half tank in 150 miles is about right.
Also, if your car is anything like my 560, the gauge may read a bit on the low side. I've never put more than 17 gallons into what is nominally a 22.5 gallon tank, and that's with the reserve light on for a while. I've been tempted to run it dry some time when I've got a gas can in the car, just to see what the true usable capacity is.
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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)
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  #5  
Old 07-22-2005, 09:24 AM
Rayson
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Good Morning Jake,

Welcome to the forum. You have found the right place to find out almost anything you need to know about your car. I am in Calif now but moved here 6 years ago from NOLA. We lived in Metairie just off Transcontinental and West Esplanade. Miss alot about NOLA except the weather. Enjoy your SL.
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  #6  
Old 07-22-2005, 11:36 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5
thanks for all the info. It is very helpful, now I am in search of a trunk lock. My darling better half locked the keys in the trunk and no one in nola has a sidewinder pick for the high security key so they had to drill the lock after we where there for 6 hours. I may end up having to order parts of the internet because all the mercedes dealers down here will not touch something this old... If there are any recommended sites to order from please let me know.

Last edited by 380sl; 07-22-2005 at 11:38 PM. Reason: grammer
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Old 07-23-2005, 02:15 PM
airedale's Avatar
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Kansas
Posts: 187
Check the Mercedes Benz Club of America http://www.mbca.org/ for a local chapter. The Star Magazine they publish has many parts sources.
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'02 Isuzu Axiom Canal Blue Mica "Wonder Car"
'02 Isuzu Axiom Garden Green Mica from Alaska "Sara"
'97 Ford Taurus Wagon 225,000 miles Intense Black "Batmobile"
'91 560 SEC Ice Blue Metallic "Big Benz"
'84 380 SL Astral Silver "Pretty Girl"
MBCA member
Chance favors the prepared mind.
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Old 07-25-2005, 11:07 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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Not to mention Fastlane, which is a sponsor of this site and frequently positively mentioned by posters. They've got more than shows up on the website--call if necessary.

No connection--just supporting Mercedesshop.

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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)
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