I have purchased a 1984 European Spec 500SL. Since I can't find any manuals or CD's that cover this model, I was wondering how comparable the 380 & 450SL's are - same door locks, lighting, electrical, etc. ?

A manual for a US-spec 84 380SL is about the closest you'll get. I wouldn't bother with a manual for a 450SL because the older car has much simpler engine management and a different ACC system among other differences. You might check the manual for a US-spec 84-85 500SEL for engine particulars but you might end up more confused than informed since there are differences between the European and US-spec M117.

I mention US-spec engines because manuals for US-spec cars are the easiest to obtain.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Would these cars have been sold in England with service manuals produced in English?

The cars were sold in the UK but I'm not aware of shop manuals published in English. In fact I think it's only in the US that by law the manufacturer has to make service manuals available to the public. You can try the folks at Haynes Publishing to see if they plan a shop manual for the 380-420-500-560 SLs. There is one for the 350-450 SLs.

Try also purveyors of automobile literature such as Barry Schiff if he's still in business. Such folks have manuals from around the world. But from the number of respondents in Europe looking for manuals in the US, there's not a great supply.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Try Mercedes-Benz Classic Center - Email EVO.Henle@daimlerchrysler.com - I got my user manual in English for my 1986 300SL EURO. I will try to attach the MS word they sent me.

Phil Mooneyham
1986 300SL EURO

Mit freundlichen Grüssen / With best regards
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center
Versandservice für technische Oldtimerliteratur /
Distribution Service for technical documentation
Auftragsbearbeitung Classic Collection/
Sales order processing Classic Collection
i.A. Silvia Henle
Phone: +49 (0) 711 17-8 32 93
Fax: +49 (0) 711 17-8 30 86

Attached Files

literaturangebotoktober2003.zip (41.3 KB, 283 views)

The chassis manual 107 will have many things the same and won't cover many things.

The euro 500 motor fuel system is more like a 450 than a 380 although most had the electronic idle control similar to the 380. The A/C system will give you the most trouble with info unless it has the Automatic air (Klima) used on US models.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thanks guys. I'm learning a lot about this vehicle, but the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know a whole lot more.