[W126 Coupe] 1983 380 SL

[Mister McGoo]

Russell in Canada;
 
Part of your issue depends on where you live.  You are saying $12,000 (US$11,200).  Is it a Westcoast car, or an "Eastern Bunny".  Is the exhaust system and OEM Mercedes or Bob's Muffler Guaranteed-For-Life-Providing-You-Can-Find-The-Original-Receipt-And-Bob-Is-Still-Alive aftermarket one?  (It's one little indicator that someone has cared about maintaining the car, and had enough $$ to do it properly.)
 
Check the timing chain.  When you have a Pre-purchase Inspection at a qualified garage done, they should remove a valve cover to check that.  Yes, it is a pain in the bum, but you do not want a single chain model, particularly at that price.
 
You can check the date of manufacture on the door jam factory plate (like, 10/82) for your '83, but that really doesn't tell you much.  I have a 1982 SEC, (03/82) with duplex chain.  Many were changed under a "secret" warrantee (or early failure) and sometime early in 1983 models they changed to duplex as standard.  Interestingly enough, NO 126's with any V8 engine was sold in Europe with a single timing chain.  That was an exclusive to North America.
 
And if you think you'll just change it to a duplex chain now, just forget THAT idea.   
 
No matter what, off the top of my head, I suggest you could do better than $12,000 for the car described.
 
-Bellamy


From: GreyGarageRuss at aol.comDate: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:26:55 -0400To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.comSubject: [W126 Coupe] 1983 380 SL


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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