61 I wanted to buy an older car to restore, and my wife wanted a MB. so we've got a 1982 380SL . That was 14 months ago. The car had a solid body and a good rag top and tires.I've been working on it for 9.The car ran rough and rich. After adjusting the C O it ran smooth, but 2000 RPM. After 4 hours of trackiung down wires and working upside down under the dash, I found a blown fuse on a relay. idles at 1200 RPM. Another 3 or 4 hours, I find clogged vacume lines going to the throttle control. Idles at 1000RPM. Wishing I had that 65 mustang I was looking at,hating all MB enginers with a passion you can't beleive. The timing chain had been changed ,and they pinched awire from the throttle contol when they put it together. I had to cut it and rewire it. Idles at 700RPM. CV boots were split so I had to re pace both joints. I don.t care want my repair CD says, you can't get those damn joints out with out unhooking the differential. Wouldn't have that problem on the mustang. Had to have the garage do that job. Cost $650 parts and labor,not bad. Huh, would have been $45 for the Ford. Front seal on transmission leaked. OK, so I'll pull the tranny and repace the $2 part. What do you mean the engine &tranny have to be pulled as a unit? OK so I do it and repace a few of the other parts that would be a bear to get at otherwise like the water pump and front seal and a motor mount. Car is now nikenamed "the money pit" and I have a feeling it is'nt the only MB in the world that is named that. only nice part is, the wife doesn,t say a word about the money because it was her idea to buy this dumb car. Had it paint and interior redone and it looks great, but it burns out ignition rotors every 60 miles.Replaced plugs, wires[oringinals]WOW they don't give those away,cap and a few other parts. It was the switching unit. [mustang doesn't have one] I'm sure that I've forgotton 20 other things that I've done to this car, and I'm sure that you'r sick of my whinning.
Now for the good part. We've driven the car since the snow melted[I found a hard top ] with out a bit of trouble. On nice days I can't wait to drive the 30 miles to work and I take the long way home. I look for back roads,the more curves the better. The 380 does't have the power,but it's all I need, and it sounds great. Drove from NY to Me for my wife's 40th class reunion and got 22 MPG. I stopped at a coffee shop today and the girl behind the counter had me take her picture withe her in the car. She said "get back so you can get the whole car in " After I got a thank you and a big hug. I might be 61, but i'm a kid again in my SL . Sun is out, we're going for a ride.
PS Keep your mustang