Need some answers Quick..if possible!! Looking at a car today

[FloridaGuy]

Ok..
Looking at a car today. 84 380SL 71,000 miles Silver Blue with Navy leather.
Could a 84 still have the single chain? Or is that not an issue. Pics look great. Only flaw they tell me is one small hairline dash crack up near the window. Leather is supposedly perfect and car is in excellent condition. They are asking $7975 and are negotiable. They are snow birds leaving Florida in a couple weeks and want the car sold before they leave for the summer. Thought if it was great I'd offer $6500 and see if they grab. Providing it checks out that would be a good buy, right? Any other major questions I should ask?
Thanks in advance.
Ed

[suginami]

I believe 380SL's went with the double row chain in the middle of '83.

In any event, you shouldn't buy the car until you take it in for a PPI (pre purchase inspection) by a well-regarded independent Mercedes shop.

[ericdee]

Originally Posted by suginami

I believe 380SL's went with the double row chain in the middle of '83.

This is true

[David Langsam]

In any event, you shouldn't buy the car until you take it in for a PPI (pre purchase inspection) by a well-regarded independent Mercedes shop.


This is true, too.

[page62]

Originally Posted by suginami

In any event, you shouldn't buy the car until you take it in for a PPI (pre purchase inspection) by a well-regarded independent Mercedes shop.

Bah. Where's your sense of adventure. If I did that every time I bought a car, I'd have MUCH more money than I do now...

This sounds like a fair deal, if everything in the car is OK. Does the car have service records? How long have the owners had it? Does the AC work?

If you're a car guy, you should realize there's no "magic" about a Benz. It's still a car -- engine, tranny, 4 wheels, brakes, etc. -- but perhaps somewhat better engineered than most.

Hope this car is a winner!

[FloridaGuy]

Thanks..I appreciate the response..going to see it tomorrow instead..I'll learn more about service records and owner history...Hope it checks out..I'm excited
Ed

[mbc43amg]

There were a few people in the "107 Subframe Recall" thread with post '80 cars [the reacall covered up to '80] that also had serious sub-frame failures. So you might want to read up in that thread for what to look for to ensure this car has the gussetted (sic) sub-frame.