1985 380SE 143K - $2950

This car is my daily work driver. We also use it as our family vehicle as it's more fuel-efficient than our minivan - the kids ride in it nearly every day. In my job I worked mostly from home, however I now have to drive about 70 to 90 miles round trip through stop-and-go traffic each day. So I want something smaller and more nimble, like a 3-series with a stick, a Z3, maybe even a Miata. If you have a trade, let me know.

I bought this car exactly 2 years ago from a fellow Mercedesshop.com forum member. He bought it from his mother; it had been in the same family and dealer maintained for 21 years. The car had about 119K. He had just done the chain and guides, motor/tranny mounts and shocks, belts, a window regulator, cap/rotor, wires, plugs, ignition module, and a few other miscellaneous odds and ends which escape me.

Repairs performed in the 2 years I have owned it:

April 2006
new rear window glass
re-covered rear parcel shelf
redyed leather with SEM
installed dash cap
replaced cargo net elastic
replaced window circuit relay
replaced plastic sliding window jaw

May 2006
new front brake pads and sensors
complete brake fluid flush

June 2006
new fuel pump relay (fastlane)
new clarion am/fm/cd/mp3

flushed cooling system with citric acid

September 2006
4 new gas shocks (lifetime warranty)
4 new kumho 758 tires

October 2006
removed, cleaned, and re-lubed driver side door

lock cylinder

December 2006
new air intake hose (fastlane)
new camshaft oiler kit (fastlane)
new valve cover gaskets (fastlane)

January 2007
resealed power steering gearbox (kit from fastlane)
new high-side power steering hose (fastlane)
flushed power steering system
new (used) driver side kick panel and dead pedal
new (used) parking brake pedal and bracket assembly

October 2007
adjusted transmission modulator and bowden cable
cleaned sunroof rails and lubricated with correct Mercedes grease

February 2008
new right rear door check (fastlane)
new mirror switch (fastlane)
new alternator belt

April 2008
new front brake pads (lifetime warranty)

All power accessories such as interior lights, glove box light, windows, sunroof, cruise control, rear defrost, power side mirror, power seats and memory, etc. work. The only thing that doesn't work is the power antenna. I moved it to the up position and removed power, and the reception is fine.

The interior is in pretty good condition. I dyed it with SEM when I first bought it, and it has held up pretty well. There is a small cracked area on top of the driver's door panel where you rest your elbow, but it is minor. There was a crack on top of the rear seatback, but I tastefully covered it with matching fabric. As with all W126s of this vintage, there are squeaks from the door panels and the rear bench. About a year ago I went through with my anti-squeak tape and eliminated about 50% of the squeaks. I'll include more tape so you can finish the job. Most of the wood trim was lifting when I got the car; I have glued most of it back in place but there are a few spots where it could use more work. EDIT: Forgot to mention, as with all my cars when I first got it I removed all the seats and steam cleaned and scotchgarded the carpets, so they are clean especially for the age of the vehicle. I was able to remove chocolate, grease, coke, and other stains. I was a professional carpet cleaner years ago and still have all my equipment.

The exterior is also in great shape. The car originated in Atlanta and has spent most of its life in TX, and it is rust free. There is a small dent in the right rear quarter panel. It was there when I bought it and never bugged me enough to fix it. As with my other cars, I only wax it with Zymol Vintage; it currently has about 6 coats on it. The roof and trunk lid are a little bit faded. I hit them with Meguiars DACP #83 about a year ago and it helped a great deal, but they're still not perfect. The rear bumper cover is also faded.

The engine does not burn any oil. Oil was changed every 3 to 3.5K while I owned it, with the exception of one extended stretch I tried out Mobil 1.

The transmission shifts as it should, albeit a little firmly. I adjusted the modulator, which softened it a bit. I also adjusted the bowden cable to improve downshift response. It leaves a tiny drip of ATF overnight, but it is a minor drip. You are welcome to see the spot where I park it on the street - there is a small spot, but no huge oil slick. To give you an idea of how small the leak is, I have only topped the fluid about 3 times in the 2 years I have owned it.

The A/C was professionally converted to R134a back in the mid-90s by the previous owner. It was done properly at the dealer, with full flush and new TXV, as well as new fittings and decals, and blows cold. EDIT: Forgot to mention the "automatic" feature of the climate control doesn't work very well on A/C setting (it works fine for heat). When you set to auto you will occasionally hear a "clunk" which I assume is one of the air handler flaps opening or closing; after the clunk you will get tepid air for a few seconds until the flap recovers its proper position. So when using the A/C, I just put the wheel all the way to full cold (blue). If it gets too cold, I just set the fan on low or point the vent away from me to compensate.

Tires are currently about 2/32 away from the wear bars (I think the bars indicate 4/32), so they will need to be replaced before winter. Front-to-back rotations and balances were performed faithfully every 5K at Discount Tire, and I rotated left-to-right every 2500 in between. There is absolutely no abnormal wear or feathering in the tires, and the car tracks straight and true when driving.

EDIT: Oops! Forgot to mention that the odometer does not work. It worked when I bought it at 119K but began "slipping" around 122K. I noticed right away because the gas mileage calculations in my log started dropping into the single digits. Fortunately, the odometer started slipping during my ownership, so there's no mystery surrounding the mileage, and 143K is probably accurate to within 200 miles. As the odometer began slipping I continued recording mileage using my GPS and entered it into my log. As with all my vehicles, I keep a detailed maintenance and repair log which includes gas in gallons, octane, station, price, etc. I have also been asked about gas mileage - this car consistently gets 16 mpg around town and 19/20 on the highway using 87 octane. It does not need premium fuel.

This car is dead reliable and I would drive it anywhere in the U.S. without hesitation. Let me know if you have any questions.

Here are some pics, unfortunately the most recent ones I have are from October of last year. I will try to take more current ones within the next few days.

Here's a link to Photobucket with more pics: http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/pikxchick/380SE/?start=all

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Looks like a nice one that you've kept up well too. You still have all those other's in your sig? Doesn't look like you'd have the place for them all in your domicile.
When you say the timing chain was done. I assume it has the double row chain? Was that a conversion from the single that was done or a replacement of the original double row?
Also. You mention it being more economical than you mini-van. What figures are you getting?

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

This car had the double row from the factory, no conversion needed. 83 and older had the single row. Fuel economy is a consistent 16mpg around town and 19/20 on the highway using regular 87 octane - this car does not use premium. Our minivan gets about 14mpg around town and 20 on the highway. We mostly use the van on road trips because of the DVD player. But for the most part this W126 is our family car.

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Do you have smog checks in Dallas? If so how did it perform?

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Yep, we have annual smog checks. It passed with flying colors, not even near "marginal". I'll see if I have an emissions report in my records and will post the results if/when I find them. When idling you can barely even tell the engine is running.

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Since this is an 85, they put it on the Dyno. On this printout, the left side is barely legible, looks like they needed a toner cartridge. So I have no idea what these categories are, but here are the test results:

high speed (25mph)
standard 137(?) result 26
standard .87 result .12
standard 956 result 18
standard >6 result 15.1

low speed (15 mph)
standard 140 result 41
standard .79 result .08
standard 1046 result 43
standard >6 result 15.1

The guys at the testing center were amazed; they told me there are much newer cars which have much worse readings than these. I guess that means the engine is running in top shape!

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Does seem like a nice one. In terms of physical condition the only thing that would concern me is the incipient problem of the airflow flap in the A/C. Pity I don't have a wad of cash on hand. Dallas might be close enough to Phoenix in this case if I did.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I understand where you're coming from. While "auto" A/C is a nice feature, I don't really mind activating it manually. I'm just happy the A/C blows cold!

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

That looks like a terrific car. It's too bad you're so far away. I'm curious what the gas mileage is on the 380?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Actually. I've never owned a Mercedes with this type of A/C. Can you explain what the auto setting is and how it's used? As opposed to having the wheel on full cold or example. I always have A/C turned to max in whichever vehicle I own.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Vehicle S O L D for my asking price within 4 hours of listing on Craigslist. I think this was my easiest sale ever. Thanks everyone!

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

On W124 cars, it is best to not set the wheel in the fully hot or fully cold position, and also to not set the fan blower speed to continuously on "high" or "low", but rather use the "Auto" button.

Drivers have the feeling that full heat or full A/C will get the passenger compartment to the correct temperature fastest.

This doesn't allow the system to work as designed.

To get the longest life from the automatic climate control system, allow the system to exercise all components.

If the temperature inside the car is more than 4 degrees away from the setting on the temperature wheel, the system will use full heat or full A/C regardless.

As the interior temperature approaches the setting at the climate control panel, the automatic functions will slowly reduce blower speed.

Allowing the system to work in its automatic mode, with all components functioning, will prolong the life of the system.

When flap controllers and valves (vacum operated) don't move for long periods, they tend to stick in position and ruin the component.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Yes, I remember this stunning car! I remember how I compared it to the dull paint on my old 85' 380SE! It was a nice car you had there and I am sure the new owner will enjoy it immensely.

Wow! I need to list my 380SE euro then.

BTW, I get around 21mpg combined city/hwy. The US spec SE that I owned did about the same mileage as you listed.