1982 380 SL What's it worth

I am considering travelling to look at a 380 Sl in "pretty good shape". What sort of things are trouble areas in this car and what is a ball park value for them. Thanks DJ

Folks I could really use some input here. Thanks:p

[Tom McMenamin]

Her is a copy of what I posted regarding the 560SL sometime ago!

The 380 is a similar car with the exception of the Timing chain which is a single chain set up. The 560 has a dual chain! Make sure the current owner has retrofitted the car with the dual chain upgrade. He probably has not! You may however get lucky!
A 560 will sell for between 15 and 22K depending on the year. My opinion is that regardless of miles etc. That is all they are worth.

The 380 1985 is the better year as that is the last year they made them prior to the 560 in 1986 thru 1989. I would go for a 560SL it is the last years with the style we all like.

A 380 will be all over the ball park on price upkeep and mileage. You are going to spend 3 to 5000 on the car after you buy it! Thats mechanical so the Body and Interior better be real good!

TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIS WHO KNOWS THE BENZ. dON'T BUY IT UNLESS YOU DO!

A word to the wise is sufficient! Anyway read on!

560SL
Ahh! A new 560SL owner! Congratulations. You have just purchased the finest car Mercedes ever made! (My opinion)

I too purchased a 560SL under many of your same circumstances in July of this year. I found this site 5 days after purchase! Wish I had found it sooner.

The problem with the 560SL is that those who bought them new may have driven them down to Florida in the Winter and then took trips to the Golf Course with them and ergo low miles. (Who had 70K for a car in 1986 thru 1989)Answer: Rich Old people.
I have found that used Mercedes are a good buy as long as you understand a couple of things. They are used cars and they come with the positives and negatives of all of the previous owners. Rich people take care of cars to a point. They are generally not fanatical. Major problems or expense generally finds them trading the car in. That is why you see alot at 85K to 140K on the market.
You may ask Why? Well thats when the chain etc needs replacement and a guy or gal with dough trades it in and buys a new one. If you watch EBay you will see alot of Mercedes at this mileage not just 560's. OK those are opinions thats not what you asked.

A used 560SL will generally have the following problems:

1) Valve Cover Gasket leaks.
2) Valve Seals leaking sometime bad hi oil consumption sometimes not so bad. As stated if they sit they still deteriorate. Age has its own problems. Ask any 58 year old male.
3) Headgasket: Maybe. they all leak some more than others.
4) Brakes/Rotors/Pads/Sensors. Don't turn em replace em!
5) Monovalve. You would deteriorate to if your back side sat in AntiFreeze all of its life!
6) Transmissions seldom drained and filter replaced.
7) Differential seldom changed
8) Radiator generally has been replaced due to plastics on the top end. Use MB Anti Freeze. Most Radiators are new. If yours isn't you probably need one!
9) Radio, Becker in these years is not so hot! Speakers are good! Swap it out for a Blaupunkt.
10) Replace Cheap tires. Michelin MX is the way to go.
Get a Hunter Front End Alignment and balancing!
11) Drain and flush the cooling system.
12) You WILL replace the dash lights. So read the Archives.
13) Get the Timing chain checked and determine the amount of flex in the chain. As stated the guides go moreso than the chain. At any rate at 100K replace it and be done with it!
14) Use Premium Gas and change the oil every 3000 miles. Filter to. While your at it do the air filter every other change!
15) After you complete or verify all of the above. Sit back and relax you have overcome the majority of the problems.

16) Maybe this should be 1) Go out and find a good honest Mercedes Benz mechanic. Dealers are expensive. Be careful. Check everything with a second or third opinion until you know you can trust the guy your dealing with. Also check this Board and confirm the problem with the many talented folks on this Board. There is no better advice than from someone who has been there and believe me these folks here are great people, mechanics and human beings.

17) Buy your parts from Shop Forum or Parts Shop. They are more than helpful and they ship like really fast!

Hope this helps!

Anecdote:

The guy I bought my 1988 from traded it with 76K because it was using oil. The Dealer wanted 5000 dollars american to do the Head, Valves, Valve Seals and Guides. I replaced the valve seals and the 1 quart per 400 miles went away and now nary a drop between changes. Again, trust, know who you are dealing with!

I know nothing about cars. I only like them alot. What I learned I learned from working on Model "A" Fords. The most valuable lesson is that a Used Car is Used. Regardless of what you pay for it you will spend money on it to get it up to your standards. It is worth it to catch it up as expressed above because then you can STOP worrying!

God Bless You! You bought a fine car!

Oh! one last thing: Polish clean and detail with Zaino! It is the greatest. (My opinion again!)

One last thing!
17) Replace the muffler!

I think you mentioned you did that. They all need one!

If these things I mentioned are all needed its normal. If everything was good it wouldn't be a used car and the previous owner would still be driving it! He/She got rid of it because of these costs upcoming. The costs for all I mentioned with doing a little yourself is around $2-3 Thousand.

You didn't say what you paid for it but when you look at one add $3000 to the purchase price and thats what you will have paid.
Rule of thumb, not scientific! Again my opinion!

As mentioned in other Posts, Low miles means nothing. Deterioration with age is what this is all about! Regardless of what you pay, low miles or not figure on the money and effort I mentioned!



larrysiny
Junior Member

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: New York City
Posts: 22
560 SL Problems
I got to say Tom hit the nail right on the head. I too recently bought in September a 1986 560 SL with 123,000 miles. I have replaced everything Tom has mentioned except the radiator and the head gasket. I had to put a paint job on the car so do you really count that? I would say a $3000+ is an accurate figure to what you have to put into these cars excluding the cosmetics.
What I am left to do on this car is replace one door panel and bolster up the seats as I am sitting on the floor and to replace the rotors as I had cut them and now they squeal. I hope that my major repairs are over and I too must remember a used car is a used car....
Larry

[JRJ]

Having been there and done that I can share the following experiences about the 82 380 SL. Since your location is listed as Canada rust in the frame rails and lower fenders and doors should be a major concern for a northern car. Also look under the convertable cover for rust. The single row timing chain is a big issue with an expensive conversion. The 107 is basically the same from the 350/450/380/560 with emmission gear and horsepower changes. The 380 was the lowest powered but gives very adequate touring performance. You may want to avoid euro (gray market) cars because of issues of service/parts/and insurance. I have a euro model because I desired the higher horsepower and performance similar to the later 560 and the more esthetic euro bumpers. The A/C system also is weak. All that aside it is a great driving experience.

Price depends on condition and can range from $5,000-$10,000 US. Very low milage cars in great condition can go to $15,000.

Have an experienced mechanic fully inspect the car to prevent expensive surprises.

Wishing you good luck in your search
JRJ

Thanks for all your help guys. Does anyone live near Hollywood, California. That's where the car is and that's about 3500 miles from me.

[ericdee]

Yes, I do. Let me know if I can be of some help.

A special thanks to you Eric for having given up your time to go and look at the 380Sl for me. It's people such as yourself that make this forum so enjoyable and rewarding. Sincerely, Dave Joyce

[ericdee]

Dave,

I'm glad I could do it. Good luck on your search