280 Vs. 450 Vs 380

I was first looking at 450's then my mechanic talked me into buying a newer SL (post 1980) so I started looking at the 380's.
I see a few 280's listed for sale.
Can anyone tell me about these cars?
I know nothing about their performance or quality or longevity.

The 107-body 280SL used the M110 engine. It was also used in the US 280E and 280CE. It is a 2.8 liter DOHC inline six cylinder with around 180 HP. The 107-body 28o SL was not officially imported to the US, but lots of them found their way here. They were available with 4 and 5-speed manual transmissions, whereas all V8 SLs were automatics. The smaller, lighter six cylinder engine makes for a more nimble handling car than the 450 with its cast iron V8. A friend of mine has an '85 280SL with 150,000 miles on it and it is very reliable. From what I understand, the SL to buy is the 560. It had the most power and was the most sorted out. The 380s were very low powered (160HP, I think) and had weak single-row timing chains, among other problems.
Colin

[Mark Herzig]

I just recently went throught this decision process as well... Did not look at the 280 BUT considered a grey market 500SL ('78 I think??).

The 560SL's are still a little pricy for my requirements... I found a well maintained '79 450SL... I've had it on the road for 2 trips already including this last weekend. It's been a lot of fun and my wife really enjoyes it as well... We paid around $8500 and it JUST turned over 100K. I figure we will learn about this car (i bought a 107 Maintenence CD) and then maybe upgrade to a nice 560 OR just skip the 107's and get in a early '90's 500SL since it has the same engine as my '92 500E.

I've had too many people advise me to stay away from the 380SL's... I'd also be concerned about resell...

To me, the cast-iron 450 is the gasoline equivalent to the cast-iron diesels.... debatable.... but this STORY makes me feel good!! I'm looking for the 450 to perform for a LONG time....

[John R. Boyce]

We bought a 1983 280SL about two years ago. It's a Euro model with a 5 speed manual tramsmission, which I prefer. We bought it from the original owner, who imported it from Germany himself.

In addition to the 5 speed, it has plaid cloth (heated) seats, and a dual zone heater with no air conditioning. We have the smaller Euro bumpers, but the quad US headlights, which were added along with some other stuff when the car was imported.

The car runs great. The inline twincam six is very smooth and fairly peppy. I suspect that it's at least as "quick" as a 450 or 380 with automatic, but it's certainly not a Corvette.

Here's a picture:

Good luck with your purchase decision. Driving one of these cars with the top down on a nice spring day (like we've had here this week) is pure joy. I also get a reak kick out of the "thunk" you feel and hear when shutting a door. What a car!

John R. Boyce
Bismarck, ND

Had a 76 450SEL that I it sold at 318K, was a grey market car and the fastest auto I will probably ever own. Used no oil until after 275K. I thought it a great engine.

I inherited Dad's '81 380SL 3 years ago. It has 175,000 miles. It had the single row cam chain. The car was running great, looks good, and I had installed a good sound system. Upon finding a sprocket tooth in the used oil during a change, I decided to do a dual row chain conversion (found out the tooth must have come from an earlier chain roll-in as no sprocket was missing teeth after teardown). I checked prices and found most shops wanted around $3500 for conversion. I found a kit for $360. I bought a manual, took the engine and transmission out of the car in my double garage, took off the heads and farmed out a valve job, put in the double chain and sprockets, new injectors (while I was in there), rebuilt oil pump, A/C conversion to 134a, water pump, resealed transmission and the car runs better than before as I speak. I had done nothing like this before. (maybe changed spark plugs and oil). M/B manual is sorta like 'the complete idiots guide to engine assembly'.
Not a lot of special tools needed. It is easy and makes me want to find maybe an SLC to work on. Seriously, these things are simpler than a Briggs and Stratton! Go get an '81 to '84, have some fun doing it yourself and enjoy 150,000 trouble free miles!!!!

[MB190D]

Originally posted by CMCon98
The 107-body 280SL used the M110 engine. It was also used in the US 280E and 280CE. It is a 2.8 liter DOHC inline six cylinder with around 180 HP

Everyone that I've spoken to has told me to stay away from (Not that I considered one..) the M110 2.8 litre engine. I have up untill today never understood why! My last car was a 1978 280SE, and this was one of the most reliable cars my family has ever had! It ran great, didn't consume much oil and always started! Mileage you say? Don't know.. The odometer stopped on 186.000km shortly after we got it. My father always meant that it most likely had 3-400.000km behind it. Couldn't think of it with a manual transmission though!!

I guess the common rule applies here as well; Mileage isn't important! My point is; If a car with 200.000 miles on it is well maintained, it may be in better condition than one with 100.000 miles..!


Just my thought on the subject

[ericdee]

Here's a site that has some great data on the Euro 107 specs.

http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Lab/1964/cpage4.html