Possible Purchase --- what else do I need to check?

[daw_two]

1983 380SL

I'm considering this one. $7K of work completed in March 2007 included:

• double timing chain
• water pump
• brake master cylinder & booster
• all hoses and belts
• new shocks
• motor & transmission mounts

The bad:

• NO hard top
• Soft top just okay --- has tear in passenger plastic side window
• 205K+ miles; odometer inop
• Climate control fan inop
• Seats, sun visors, and carpet need replacement
• Records of recent work available, but no history.

VINWDBBA45A4DB021604
Model380 SL
Chassis10704512021604
Engine116962 12 012207
Transmission722312 02 290993
Order0 2 705 26343
Approx. yearnot defined
LightsBOSCH
Cab08458DealerUnited States (USA) (705)
Interiorleather parchment (254)
Paint822forest green (T) (с 01.01.1982 по 31.12.1986)
822forest green (T) (с 01.01.1982 по 31.12.1986)
54Unknown codeOptions440bumpers with guards, front and rear (с 01.10.1970 по 30.04.1974)
bumper with horn and rubber buffer front and rear (с 01.03.1964 по 30.09.1970)
tempomat (cruise control) (с 01.09.1975)
467central locking system and instruments with english lettering (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)
461 + 462 + 463 (с 01.07.1968 по 31.08.1969)
491USA version (с 01.01.1963)
504outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (с 01.11.1978 по 29.02.1986)
outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (l.h.d.)
taxi version, f.r.g, and outside rear view mirror on the right
500 + 503 (с 01.02.1966 по 30.06.1968)
501 + 502 (с 01.08.1968 по 31.10.1974)
519Becker radio Grand Prix electronic cassette - USA (с 01.08.1980 по 30.11.1990)
Becker radio Grand Prix LW/MW/SW/USW - USA (с 01.01.1963 по 29.02.1972)
Becker radio Grand Prix stereo MW/USW - USA (с 01.10.1972 по 31.12.1976)
Becker radio Mexico Grand Prix, electronic (USA)
531automatic antenna (с 01.01.1963)
570folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (с 01.04.1970)
front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest
587front folding armrest
single seats with folding armrest (с 01.01.1963 по 30.09.1970)
automatic climate control and electric window lifters (front doors) (с 01.01.1977)
592wyellow foglamps (с 01.01.1963 по 31.10.1965)
heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
heat-insulating glass, side window panes (с 01.02.1967 по 31.01.1971)
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
639radial-ply tires, elimination of warning triangle (с 01.11.1973 по 31.10.1974)
elimination of first-aid box and warning triangle (с 01.08.1977)
640aluminium disc wheels with radial-ply tires (с 01.10.1969 по 31.12.1989)
tires with tube (с 01.01.1963 по 31.08.1965)
15-hole light alloy rims (с 01.01.1990)
740folding top fabric9001 black (с 01.08.1972)
803Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year


Any thoughts.

[450slcguy]

Way overpriced for miles and interior condition plus whatever else.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by 450slcguy

Way overpriced for miles and interior condition plus whatever else.

I didn't say what the owner was asking......

[DANSMB]

I bought a 2 owner 83 with 118K and both tops this last summer for $3750. Paint and interior are mint, needed exhaust, mono valve and idled bad due to a unplugged vacuum line. All perfect now.

Dan

[450slcguy]

Originally Posted by daw_two

I didn't say what the owner was asking......

Your right, the 7k was work done not price.

[neds380sl]

How does it drive? It all depends on the price, of course, but a high-milele peronage car, reasonably priced and well maintained can be a good deal. Have the engine and transmission checked out, etc. A new interior can be pricey, unless you can find a good one at a pick and pull. The top can be repaired. The suspension will probably need to be rebuilt, too, which for a DYI capab, that can be reasonable. On the suspicion side: why did someone spend that kind of money on such a high-mileage car??
Just my opinion, naturally. Ned

[meltedpanda]

my opinion but does not have the HP for an SL, go for an earlier one , also make sure that daggone ACC servo works

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

my opinion but does not have the HP for an SL, go for an earlier one , also make sure that daggone ACC servo works

I bought one a month ago with two hardtop and extra parts for 1500. It needs nothing except some refurbishment of the seats and some basic PM.

Roy HUnter has told me these are all over Texas for cheap. If you really want one, get a manual and go haul it home to work on. Might be fun.

The trannies on these, I have been told, are expensive to work on. If mine goes bad I'll let you know.

How much is he asking?

[TylerH860]

High mileage, not so desireable power plant, or color combo and in bad condition?

I wouldn't pay more than $1500 for it, but it could sell with a great salesman for $3000 perhaps.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by strelnik

I bought one a month ago with two hardtop and extra parts for 1500. It needs nothing except some refurbishment of the seats and some basic PM.

Roy HUnter has told me these are all over Texas for cheap. If you really want one, get a manual and go haul it home to work on. Might be fun.

The trannies on these, I have been told, are expensive to work on. If mine goes bad I'll let you know.

How much is he asking?

He's been slowly lowering the price........now at $2400. The 200K+ miles is a bit disturbing to me since most SLs tend to be lower mileage cars. I'm still on the hunt. I have the itch to try something different.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by TylerH860

High mileage, not so desireable power plant, or color combo and in bad condition?

I wouldn't pay more than $1500 for it, but it could sell with a great salesman for $3000 perhaps.

I like the shade of green on the exterior.....it's tired though. But Palomino interior......makes me frown . I just cannot get excited about Palomino anymore.

Yeah, Tyler, $1500-1700 would be my limit. I'll just keep looking for my next great big MB adventure.