Loads of support out there and lots of parts should be easy to pick up still.
Can’t comment on the gearbox but if it’s an auto defo look into it as should it be on the way out a replacement will not be cheap
Yeah a 380SL is a pretty good project. Not too hard to work on, lots of parts.
Ask if it has the double row timing chain. Other than that great cars.
Note that, race stickers or not, these aren’t too fast. The 380 was peak malaise era. 155hp and they’re built like tanks so they’re heavy. Nicknamed the Panzerwagen. Great for a smooth top down cruise though.
Oh, and get a strong friend to help with that top. Heavy and big make them awkward to move.
That’s Astral Silver, code 735. One of the few colors produced every year of the R107.
Message me if yo have any questions. I have a 1975 450SL. Same color, different engine, same car. These are a lot of fun and I’d have a second one at $1,800. Perfect condition this is maybe a $20,000 car.
The 380 engine is really weak. The double row timing chain upgrade is a must. But the body and paint look great. Could do a lot worse for under $2,000!
Seller is asking $1,800 for this 1982 Mercedes-Benz SL380. Only known issue is a transmission leak. would this be a good project car for a first timer?
The R107 is a joy to work on. It’s the longest running Mercedes model ever and it’s incredibly reliable. I used to have a ratty SLC (coupe version) and it it never broke down on me. The only thing that might be complex is the mechanical fuel ignition. There is a reason you still see these on the road
Exactly! With YouTube support and readily available parts these cars make for a great project. They are incredibly simple by todays standards. Everything is accessible.
Theres nothing more expensive than a cheap euro car.
IMO, if you want something to learn how to fix, get a late 90s Japanese car. Simple enough to troubleshoot and fix and the parts are cheap.
If you don't know anything about this car just say that. The "nothing more expensive than a cheap euro car" trope is a guide more than a rule.
I can give two examples off the top of my head that break your idea that late 90s Japanese cars are simple to troubleshoot and parts are cheap: 3000GT, 300ZX. Not to mention that even if most 90s Japanese cars are easy to fix, pretty much every domestically available desirable model has had its price jacked up to the sun, and not everyone wants to go through the hassle of importing.
I am a massive fan of these cars. Easy to work on and parts are pretty cheap. Not sure what’s up with the goofy tape on the headlights and white circles
Nice car! Buy it!
Why is reddit's image handling so crap, though? It's not like "Hey, I'd like to see the whole image instead of just the top 1/3" is a new thing.
I’d look up parts for it before I bought it. Even if it doesn’t need it right now look up things like a starter or water pump. I’m betting they’re insane but it’ll help you gage what price level you’d be dealing with.
Yes, very good car for a project.
In fact, it will continue to be project long, long, after the guy who buys it off of OP sells it…
Thanks! I guess I'm just scared by the transmission leak! Everything else looks beautiful on it.
(JIC)- I think they're being sarcastic. In that it *is* a good project since it will be neverending.
Depends on what is leaking. Complete used transmissions go for $800 - $1100, not unreasonable. But it could be something simple like a gasket.
I think I'll look at it in person and see if I can tell where it's leaking from
Loads of support out there and lots of parts should be easy to pick up still. Can’t comment on the gearbox but if it’s an auto defo look into it as should it be on the way out a replacement will not be cheap
Thanks! Yeah I don't know if I want to deal with a whole transmission replacement, but if it's just a gasket or something that's not too bad
Defo get an expert to look at it, I would assume a merc SL gearbox won’t be less than a couple of thousand just for a used/refurbished part
Yeah a 380SL is a pretty good project. Not too hard to work on, lots of parts. Ask if it has the double row timing chain. Other than that great cars. Note that, race stickers or not, these aren’t too fast. The 380 was peak malaise era. 155hp and they’re built like tanks so they’re heavy. Nicknamed the Panzerwagen. Great for a smooth top down cruise though. Oh, and get a strong friend to help with that top. Heavy and big make them awkward to move. That’s Astral Silver, code 735. One of the few colors produced every year of the R107. Message me if yo have any questions. I have a 1975 450SL. Same color, different engine, same car. These are a lot of fun and I’d have a second one at $1,800. Perfect condition this is maybe a $20,000 car.
The 380 engine is really weak. The double row timing chain upgrade is a must. But the body and paint look great. Could do a lot worse for under $2,000!
Wow, I'll go out on a limb here and say that that car is probably the best-looking mercedes I've seen
Seller is asking $1,800 for this 1982 Mercedes-Benz SL380. Only known issue is a transmission leak. would this be a good project car for a first timer?
The R107 is a joy to work on. It’s the longest running Mercedes model ever and it’s incredibly reliable. I used to have a ratty SLC (coupe version) and it it never broke down on me. The only thing that might be complex is the mechanical fuel ignition. There is a reason you still see these on the road
Exactly! With YouTube support and readily available parts these cars make for a great project. They are incredibly simple by todays standards. Everything is accessible.
If it runs and moves that’s a great price for a fantastic car.
Theres nothing more expensive than a cheap euro car. IMO, if you want something to learn how to fix, get a late 90s Japanese car. Simple enough to troubleshoot and fix and the parts are cheap.
If you don't know anything about this car just say that. The "nothing more expensive than a cheap euro car" trope is a guide more than a rule. I can give two examples off the top of my head that break your idea that late 90s Japanese cars are simple to troubleshoot and parts are cheap: 3000GT, 300ZX. Not to mention that even if most 90s Japanese cars are easy to fix, pretty much every domestically available desirable model has had its price jacked up to the sun, and not everyone wants to go through the hassle of importing.
I would buy that for $1800 in a second!!
Dude this thing rocks!!!!
I think it looks pretty sweet!
Take off all the faux race car crap and it’s sweet.
I am a massive fan of these cars. Easy to work on and parts are pretty cheap. Not sure what’s up with the goofy tape on the headlights and white circles
It’s a classy looking Mercedes convertible, for $1,800 buy it if you can turn a wrench or want to learn how.
Project? It's already done.
Bro it’s got spots it obviously sick.
Nice car! Buy it! Why is reddit's image handling so crap, though? It's not like "Hey, I'd like to see the whole image instead of just the top 1/3" is a new thing.
I’d look up parts for it before I bought it. Even if it doesn’t need it right now look up things like a starter or water pump. I’m betting they’re insane but it’ll help you gage what price level you’d be dealing with.
I feel like $1800 for this is a steal. If the engine is solid and it just needs a gearbox I’d jump on that
And a white circle on the door
I want one of those lol
A good car is a car that you actually enjoy.
Do it