Hi,
I'm new to this list. Dad just gave me his '85 380SE with 190K miles on it. He told me to either sell it or keep it. It's in overall nice shape, cold A/C, no smoke, no rust.

I'm thinking about adding Euro headlights and 16" wheels. But first I want to make sure it passes state inspection. Are there any major issues with this model?

So far I am noticing a sloppy throttle. I am replacing the front linkage bushing but there seems to be a lot of play in the slotted cam that activates the rod to the throttle body.

1-2 shift is a little hard, but maybe that is normal? Reverse takes a couple seconds to engage.

The A/C fan has a blade missing, making an amazing jack-hammer noise thru the car whenever it is on.

Door panels creak pretty bad when its cold, and it seems to be coming from the plastic map pocket area. Does silicone spray take care of that?

I have never dealt with Mercedes cars before. I'm hoping I can do a lot of my own work, since I don't know of any trustworthy reasonable mechanics in the Rockville MD (Washington DC) area.

Thanks for any help or pointers.

See if the timing chain is the double row type (I don't remember when they switched to double row, so this point may be moot). Find out if the chain and more imortantly the guide rails have been replaced - if they break, you're screwed.
Check all vacuum lines for breaks/cracks.
Check the trans level to make sure you have enough, and good fluid - do a trans filter change if it has never been done, or not done recently.

Wait to spend money on frills, until you know what kind of money you need to put into necessary items. Them frills aren't going to do a damn thing for you, if the car won't budge.

Since the "buy" price is right...Keep the car!

Do a search in the detail forum for tips on squeaks and things.

Good luck, and have fun!

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Welcome, and congratulations!

I'll offer a few pointers. Others will add...

Some 'quality' time with a helpful M-B parts counter person can be valuable. Some will take a lot of time with you, show you what the new part should look like, etc.

Hard shift may be a vacuum leak in the line to the vacuum modulator, or a vacuum modulator adjustment, or some other issue or combination of issues... Read the following link on how adjustments are made by THE MASTER...

http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic20242.html

Replace that fan immediately! Do not let the vibration from fan unbalance damage anything else ($$$) under the hood!

I'd might try ArmorAll or other cleaner...

You will find they are easier to work on than most later-model cars, and you have come to the right place.

Get familiar with the Search function, and you'll discover a world of knowledge.

Best Regards,
Jim

Thanks for the good info so far. For sure I want to put a few miles on her to be sure everything is reasonably sound, before investing in frills. Its just that those 14" wheels are so wimpy looking, that new ones are at the top of my future wish list. Also I'm used to being nestled in the cockpit of a high-revving RX7, so sitting on these hard perches and coaxing this boat around turns is a hugely different driving experience. But I am older now so maybe this is more fitting. One stipulation is that I cannot justify keeping both cars.

I'll ask my dad about maintenance records. The timing chain sounds like an important item. Double row is preferred I take it. The trans fluid looks and smells normal.

I'm sure you all know this, but do not stick your finger into a running auxiliary fan! My dad did this and it sliced the top of his finger clear off! Maybe thats how the fan lost its blade, he didn't mention that part. So be careful.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

It's all part of the plan, the suspension doesn't always like low-profile, stiffer sidewall tires... Search, particularly Wheels & Tires forum here, before shelling out $$$.

I never heard of the seats being called 'hard' before. Maybe the springs have gone? Also, the 'boat' will feel really good after you spend 6-8 hours behind the wheel. Go out and drive it a long while, you'll get used to it, and probably like it!

Old BMW motorcycle joke:
Ninja Rider: "Wanna race?"
BMW Rider: "Um, OK..."
Ninja Rider: "1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, or what?"
BMW Rider: "How about to Chicago and back?"

There's speed, then there's speed with comfort...

Best Regards,
Jim

The creaking door pockets might be the door check, the brass coloured thingy that provides the detent when the door is open or half open. The detent is provided by a pair of big ball bearings that can get jammed in position, which is something you really don't want. Try a search on this.

__________________
1987 300e manual 250,000 km (sold)

CONGRADULATIONS ON YOU BENZ!

Hope you keep it!

__________________
2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

Thanks all.
I'm already finding good info thru out this site. I received my first shipment of parts within 24 hours of ordering (thx discountmbparts) and started some belt and hose replacements.

One more question: on moderate acceleration I notice a 'staging' effect, kind of like something is slightly opening and closing the throttle on its own every second or so even when I'm holding steady on the gas. Its very subtle, more so going uphill, but I notice it. Is it a sign of something wearing out?

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

The seats are like pieces of plywood on top of marshmallows. I did get a chance to sit in a '91 300SE today. Its several years newer and the seat were much more comfortable. Perhaps the leather in mine has hardened or, as you suggest, broken springs. The back seat which was rarely used has the same hard bounciness. I don't want this turning into a big project. Maybe this car is just too old for me, I don't know.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Whats the history of the car?
Was it a daily driver before you aquired it?
What kind of records did your dad have for the car?
If you could compile a fairly detailed list of major service work, you might get a more thorough evaluation of what the car might be expected to require; in terms of 1) parts prices and 2) time with tools. Short this list, a PPI by a good indie, which you don't seem to have, can be a good reference to work from as a service history.

I guess it will take some reasearch to find out. Always good to know what you are getting into before you start throwing money in there.

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html