New to forum - 107 I just purschased w/ ?s & parts for sale - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RickM · #1 03-19-2003, 03:09 PM

Hi all,

Glad I found this forum. There is usually one (maybe two) that turn out to be THE place to go for each model of enthusiast car.

In any case I just picked up a 1985 380sl (or is it?) with 55k miles on it on Saturday. The (original) owner apparently took very good care of the car until his passing a couple of years ago. There is a mystery as the Cardex shows it as a US 380sl yet this man went out of his way to cross out 380 on the owners manual and all other literature only to write 500sl...the Euro counterpart. He even installed the 500sl trunk badge. Hmmmm. Does anyone have a pic of the Euro 500sl engine so I can do a quick comparison? I'll get to the engine ID sooner or later.

The car has what looks to be Dayton brand wire wheels, Mercedes chrome fender trim and running boards and rear valance. (All this may be for sale) I know I'm selling the wheels which brings me to my next question. I've reviewed the previous posts here and it appears I can fit newer 15 hole 16x8 wheels on my car. Has anyone done this? Which tire is ideal? The tire calculator shows 215/55 -16 as being ideal regarding speedometer accuracy with 225/55-16 being next closest. I then see posts referring to 205/60-16 or 225/50-16-------can any of you tire gurus help be choose the best tire size?

Couple of issues:

The car sags in the rear. Common problem? Should I consider shocks AND springs? I'd love to get that "slightly higher in the rear" look.

The fuel gauge bounces when I make a turn. Sender or par for the course?

2-3 inch play in the wheel. I'm hoping it's the relatively simple coupler. Thoughts?

2-3 trys to get it started. Sometimes it starts right up others I have to work at it. Likely candidates appreciated.

All in all I'm very pleased with the car. It's in remarkable condition for it's age.

Any and all comments or feedback are welcome.

Rick[B]

kip Foss · #2 03-19-2003, 09:56 PM

Your steering wheel play might come from a bad steering shaft coupling. I just had one in my 450slc with 125K miles replaced. It made all the difference. I gave the job to a MB mechanic that works on the side. It costs about $250, the coupling was only $45. The final bill was about $700 because I had him put new sub-frame mounts, engine mounts, starter Bendix, etc., etc.

Your car does have a bit of a droop. I wouldn't think that you should need springs at 55K but one never knows. Rear springs aren't that difficult to DIY.

Robert Mowbray · #3 03-20-2003, 07:09 AM

Rick, Welcome to the forum. I have found it helpful and informative. Sorry I cannot help with the questions you've asked, but I might be interested in your wheels if and when you get ready to sell them off. Best of luck with your new car. BOB

RickM · #4 03-20-2003, 09:01 AM

Thanks for the welcome. The wheels will be for sale when I get the proper size tires for my 16x8 wheels. The wire wheels will also come with the lug bolts. BTW, where can I get the proper lug bolts for the 15 hole 16x8 wheels? And what size?

I'm lucky where I have use of a shop with a lift and really enjoy working on cars from tiem to time.

Any suggestions on where to get OE or OEM parts for a good price?

Thanks again for any feedback

Rick

#5 03-20-2003, 10:07 AM

Hello Rick,

Welcome to the forum and you are right this is the place to be for your car interest. This forum has been of great help to me for the past year that I have owned my 380 SL.

I also may be interested in your wheels so let us know when you are ready to sell.

By the way where are you located?

RickM · #6 03-20-2003, 10:12 AM

Thank you Robert. I'm located in Northern NJ.

#7 03-20-2003, 10:36 AM

Rick, I am also new to the forum and new to MB. I purchased a 1985 380SL in January and we have been working on it since then. When we purchased it, it was not running. We have rebuilt the fuel injection system and now have the heads off to replace all the seals and guides. This will atleast put us on the road and it will be just in time to enjoy spring here in AZ.

Anyway, here is a link to where we've been purchasing most of our parts. They for the most part are very reasonable compared to local parts stores.

http://www.benzpartstore.com/

Enjoy that beautiful car! I can't wait to drive ours!!

Pat

RickM · #8 03-20-2003, 10:49 AM

Pat,

Thanks for the link! I hope you get your car on the road quickly. It's a great color. As you can see from my original post I'll be bringing it back to original except for the wheels.

Regards

#9 03-20-2003, 11:25 AM

Hello Pat,

Sorry that I missed welcoming you to the forum. Your car looks great and you will surely enjoy driving it. I have had mine since Feb a year ago and it is a joy. Here is S. Cal I never put the top up. Enyoy your ride and this forum.

#10 03-20-2003, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the welcome Robert! My husband and I have learned so much since visiting this forum. We have had a few opportunities to drive the car in between repairs, but not without poisoning the drivers behind us! Hopefully after the new seals and guides, the smoking problem and the dead cylinder will be only a bad memory!

Enjoy the day!

Pat

Heriberto Rosas · #11 03-20-2003, 12:22 PM

Hi Patty, i had 16 inches wheels on my Euro 500SL until last month that i installed 17" AMG Monoblocks. I used 195/50-16 and they worked perfectly. Here is how my car (before changing the color and wheels) looked.

Heriberto Rosas · #12 03-20-2003, 12:27 PM

Here it is after restoring it. By the way ill be selling the 16" BBS's with the tires.

#13 03-20-2003, 12:28 PM

Hi Heriberto!

I really like what you've done to your car! They look like two completely different cars. Thanks for sharing! Enjoy.

Pat

ps. We're all like new parents, showing off our new baby!

Heriberto Rosas · #14 03-20-2003, 12:34 PM

Thanks, by the way i bought a lot of stuff from Performance Auto, they have a site but the prices are lower if you call them. I also found a lot of stuff on ebay. good luck.

RickM · #15 03-20-2003, 01:23 PM

Does anyone have answers to my questions?