1985 380SL purchase?

[cbdo]

I wouldn't automatically be afraid of a car here in MI. Mine was initially owned by a guy about a mile from our house here in Grand Rapids, and driven 100K through its first five years including winters. It then went into semiretirement and accumulated another 45K over 1994-2003. I know that it was summers only for at least the five years before I bought it, and 5K/year would suggest it went that way from 94 on. I've had some rust work done on the sills around the jacking points, and there's no other significant rust beyond a bit in the spare tire well that a steel brush and some paint will fix when I get to it.
Cars that have sat a lot need checking of brakes, hoses, belts, and the other rubber/soft bits. And for any of the V8-engined 107 cars:
Check the timing chain and guides.
Check the timing chain and guides.
Check the timing chain and guides.
(Repeat infinitely)

[mangrum]

Thanks everyone for your replys. I have decided not to pursue this purchase. Things kept adding up that started making me nervous. The pics showed the car in the snow at an appartment complex. The emails stopped when I started asking serious questions on the condition of the car. The car did not have legal plates so I could not drive it on the high way or to a mechanic, etc. The seller said the car "only needed $1,000 to make it nice." This required a paint job and new seats. I don't know where you would get a quality paint job for under $1k. Even if there was no rust. So I did not even go look a the car even though it was close. Plus I could not have this car and the one I really want. A 190SL.

Thanks again.

Mike