need info about 83 380sel
08-12-2007, 10:11 PM
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2003 Mercedes G500
need info about 83 380sel
i currently drive a mb 94 s320 but im a big fan of the 126 body style. Im looking to purchase a 83 380sel in very good condition with 100k miles for 4k. I wanted some info on as far as the major differences of the 126 style between the years and as far as how good is the engine on the 83 380 sel.
Need as much info i can get on the 126 bodystyle.
Need as much info i can get on the 126 bodystyle.
08-14-2007, 02:13 PM
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Go to mbcoupes.com and check this article out
http://www.mbcoupes.com/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm. Although geared more for the coupe version it will give you a lot of information on the sedan also.
As for the engine it has its good and bad points. The biggest issue is that is 83 380 engine may have a single timing chain rather than a double timing chain. They changed over to the double timing chain toward the end of the 83 production run. You're best to do a search on that issue to get a better understanding of the issue. Pesonally I think the issue is a bit overblown.
Apart from that the engine is pretty bulletproof and gets pretty decent mileage. I have a 380 engine in my sl and I find the horsepower more than adequate and gas mileage pretty reasonable. I get about 18 miles city and 22-23 miles highway. And it runs on regular.
I also have a 420sel and I find these to be great cars. You won't regret buying one.
http://www.mbcoupes.com/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm. Although geared more for the coupe version it will give you a lot of information on the sedan also.
As for the engine it has its good and bad points. The biggest issue is that is 83 380 engine may have a single timing chain rather than a double timing chain. They changed over to the double timing chain toward the end of the 83 production run. You're best to do a search on that issue to get a better understanding of the issue. Pesonally I think the issue is a bit overblown.
Apart from that the engine is pretty bulletproof and gets pretty decent mileage. I have a 380 engine in my sl and I find the horsepower more than adequate and gas mileage pretty reasonable. I get about 18 miles city and 22-23 miles highway. And it runs on regular.
I also have a 420sel and I find these to be great cars. You won't regret buying one.
08-15-2007, 02:57 PM
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2012 W212 E350 Bluetec
^^ The Buyers Guide is a great place to start.
As far as differences between the years - the most obvious split is between the 1st and 2nd generation cars (Gen 1 thru 1985; Gen 2 1986 thru 1991). Other than that facelift/revision, the cars didn't change that much year to year.
Gen 1's include the 380/500 SE/SEL
Gen 2's include the 300SE and 420/560 SEL
There are also the diesel 300 and 350 SD/SDL
Visually, some of the obvious differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2 include:
Headlights (and headlight wipers or lack thereof)
Lower moulding/cladding (ribbed vs. smooth)
Wheels (14" Bundt vs. 15" 15-hole design)
There's a lot of info on the forums and on the net covering the Gen1/Gen2 differences much more extensively
As far as differences between the years - the most obvious split is between the 1st and 2nd generation cars (Gen 1 thru 1985; Gen 2 1986 thru 1991). Other than that facelift/revision, the cars didn't change that much year to year.
Gen 1's include the 380/500 SE/SEL
Gen 2's include the 300SE and 420/560 SEL
There are also the diesel 300 and 350 SD/SDL
Visually, some of the obvious differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2 include:
Headlights (and headlight wipers or lack thereof)
Lower moulding/cladding (ribbed vs. smooth)
Wheels (14" Bundt vs. 15" 15-hole design)
There's a lot of info on the forums and on the net covering the Gen1/Gen2 differences much more extensively
