[W126 Coupe] 1983 380 SL

[Dick Spellman]

GreyGarageRuss at aol.com wrote:

> Hi Guys and Gals.  My son is looking into purchasing a 1983 380 SL.  I 

> saw it with him tonight.  It appears to be in fairly good shape and 

> supposedly never winter driven for at least past 20 years.  A few 

> small rust bubbles here and there.  O.K. for a 24 year old car??  Hard 

> top doesn't seem to fit that well even though owner (3rd) says that he 

> has never had it off and isn't even sure if there is a soft top under 

> it.  Leather seats have a fair amount of wear for a car with 

> only 63,000 miles on it.  Pushing the pedal to the medal didn't 

> provide a great response but I was comparing it to my 88 560 SEC. The 

> asking price is about $12,000.

>  

> Do any of you know if this year/model have had any major problems 

> which my son should look for? 

>  

> Thanks for any input.

> Russell in Canada

> 1988 560 SEC

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Hi Russell:

You do not say if that 380 is landed in Canada or the U.S.  If it's the 
U.S. has the motor been converted to a dual timing chain?  A single 
chain to dual chain conversion (assuming it has no hesitation or noise 
just now) will be needed the day you buy the car.  If it's dual chain 
then that's one major obstacle you've overcome. 

Next is the climate control servo on the 107.  Is this original or has 
it been updated?  If so which type of servo replacement was used?  There 
are two.  The original and an updated version that is not prone to 
failure.  See www.performanceproducts.com for a description of the 
better unit.

Then the rust bubbles located where on the chassis?  What color is this 
SL?  If it's silver then it's prone to rust.  Some other original color 
less so.  If it has been stored outside for any extended period, check 
the dash bulkhead for rust which is IMHO a deal killer.  If the air 
inlet doors (just in front of windscreen) allowed water to enter the 
lower bulkhead will be rusted badly.  Need to know where you saw rust as 
it is really a tough cancer to rout on these cars.  You need to closely 
inspect the jack points and the under carriage where rust will show up 
behind the rubber undercoating in the wheel wells and on the seams 
typical on the 107 chassis SL.

Just take your time, do the homework and you may find you have a nice SL 
but, there is an equal or greater chance it's got too many problems and 
you will need to take a pass. Just my 2 from working closely with a 107 
SLC (silver) that had ALL of the above problems.  I paid $1 and gave it 
away for the same $1.  Learned a lot along the way in any event.  Good luck.

Dick