380SE Information

[rbarnes]

I just spotted a 1985 380 SE with 115,000 miles for sale around the corner from my house. Where can I find out some information about this model? I'm interested in gas mileage and reliability. What things should I be looking for? What questions should I ask? It has had regular maintainence. It belongs to an elderly gentleman. Interior and exterior look good. I think the asking price of $5,900 sounds a little high. Thanks in advance for your input.

MAKE SURE IT HAS THE DUAL ROW TIMING CHAIN! as for gas mileage thoose with 380's correct if I'm wrong I think it was 17 city 21 highway. It's a classic mercedes engine if neglected it can be expensive to fix short and long term. Get the car checked out real good if your looking to spend that much. Oh and of course the good old w126 a/c system is something to watch for.
But they do look so so good

[Snibble]

sounds like a gray-market car(car originally sold in europe). See if the milage is correct, which I would think is not in this case. Get as much info on this car as possible and review it.

[BenzOnline]

yup Dan pretty much mentioned the important thing with this engine....the chain. If its an 1985 then it pretty much has the double row chain so you just have to worry that it has been changed at proper intervals.

A freind of mine bought a 85 380se also......idle modulator (black box on top of firewall) went on him causing the car to idle near 2000rpm. This happened to me once. AC is almost gone on every 126 out there so its up to you to fix and I recommend a conversion which is what I did on mine......works beautifully and is the most powerful AC system I expeirenced in a car......so cold ur chest gets numb! Just get the car inspected at Mercedes if your really interested!



my2cents

What does the vin start with you know? Euro vin's look like this wdb1260371a140671