I'm looking at buying one of two cars, could you guys give me some opinions please.

Car #1 1985 380se 139k miles original owner, excellent condition in/out, with service records $5500.00 obo

Car #2 1987 560sel 114k miles, original owner, excellent in/out except for a 3 inch tear in drivers seat. All service records. $5500.00 obo

Any input on both would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

I would go for the 560sel..... its going to suck fuel but at least it has guts....the 380se has low power and low economy....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Yeah the post 85 gas engines are a lot better mileage and power wise.

Would a 1985 M116 have the updated double row timing chain?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I dunno... I would shop around some more. If I were forced to get one or the other, I would probably go with the 560. Listen for ticking in the 560, if it ticks, skip it.

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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

I second PaulC's advice. Look for service history. I would walk away from both if they didn't have a hint of service history.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Ahhhemmm...
The 380SE has low power, but gets 21mpg highway. Still, I would not pay $5500. I think there is room to talk price. Otherwise you can find something a bit newer for that money.

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

My father-in-law had a 380 sel - euro version - when I first got married. It was a nice rig but he blew the engine. Had it fixed - never worked right again and he got rid of it. I am not too sure of those engines. Sure my FIL is really rough on cars and I have never seen one that lasts him over 50k miles - but in the end what is the difference in the gas consumption? Probably not that much - if you willing to spend it - get the larger motor.

MORE POWER!

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Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

2006 - Suzuki Gran Vitara (2.0 L fully equipped) Like this car so far except for trying to put on the seatbelt.
1988 - 190e - 2.3L - 172K miles (It now belongs to the exwife)
1999 - Chevy Blazer LS Fully Equiped - killed it June 2006
2001 - Honda Civic EX - 68K miles (sold June 2004)
1963 - 220S - Dual Carb 6 cyl. (sold)
1994 - Yamaha WaveRaider (fun to ride)