SL/R107: Euro 1982 380SL
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Derbyshire, England
Euro 1982 380SL
I’ve been offered a straight swap for my Mitsubishi Shogun against a 1982 Euro 380SL (I live in the UK). Mechanically it’s excellent with 105,000 miles and MB history up to 96,000. Strangely it’s got all its old MOTs and lots of bills but has had 10 owners 
Excellent leather interior and mint hard top with a recently fitted original new hood. Excellent chrome and lots of extras.
However the body work could do with some work. Generally it’s good with a very solid underside and sills but one of the rear arches is badly rusted and the other is starting to bubble. Also has bubbling on the trunk and a small rust crack along the inside of the rear boot valance. Also has an AMG badge on it
(why do people do that?).
How big an issue is this single timing chain I keep reading about? How much would this cost to change to a duplex and how can you tell if it’s already been done?
What MPG should I expect? I’m guessing around 18mpg, a little more on the run.
I'm having it tomorrow for the morning so I can take it to my bodyshop and general running around. Anything else I should be thinking about?
Excellent leather interior and mint hard top with a recently fitted original new hood. Excellent chrome and lots of extras.
However the body work could do with some work. Generally it’s good with a very solid underside and sills but one of the rear arches is badly rusted and the other is starting to bubble. Also has bubbling on the trunk and a small rust crack along the inside of the rear boot valance. Also has an AMG badge on it
(why do people do that?).How big an issue is this single timing chain I keep reading about? How much would this cost to change to a duplex and how can you tell if it’s already been done?
What MPG should I expect? I’m guessing around 18mpg, a little more on the run.
I'm having it tomorrow for the morning so I can take it to my bodyshop and general running around. Anything else I should be thinking about?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: York, PA and Leavenworth, KS
'85 380SL; '96 E320
I'd be concerned about the rust. I'm sure your bodyman can give you some sound advice on this topic. I believe your estimate is right on for gas mileage.
If I remember correctly, Euro versions of the 380SL had a double chain; only US models were single.
Also see the topic about 8 posts down, "Known issues / problems with the R107"
If I remember correctly, Euro versions of the 380SL had a double chain; only US models were single.
Also see the topic about 8 posts down, "Known issues / problems with the R107"
Last edited by stevehilde; Jul 20, 2005 at 12:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 412
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From: Derbyshire, England
According to the Mercedes Benz technical centre, Milton Keynes, The Euro engines are different. It's still single but apparently the US engines had to be made lighter so the timing chain, tensioners, sprockets etc. were some of the items to be 'lightened'. They said alot of people change them every 100,000 but Mercedes themselves don't recomend this.
Didn't get it in the end, but their's another I've got my eye on although it's the 500 and with fuel prices in the UK
Didn't get it in the end, but their's another I've got my eye on although it's the 500 and with fuel prices in the UK
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 412
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From: Derbyshire, England
I bought the 500SL in the end, slightly more expensive but a far better nick.
History and a folder full of receipts. I've a few teething problems to sort out , indicator bulb and starter occasionly doesn't engage. For some reason it hasn't got the rear spoiler and has 17" AMG replicas which I hate. Wilkinsons body shop told me around £1,000 to do all the bits and repaint were neaded. It needs attension to one of the rear arches and there's a scuff on the front N/S wing which is starting to rust. Hard top has a few scabs and it needs a good vallet but for a 1983 car It's the best I've seen for the money.
History and a folder full of receipts. I've a few teething problems to sort out , indicator bulb and starter occasionly doesn't engage. For some reason it hasn't got the rear spoiler and has 17" AMG replicas which I hate. Wilkinsons body shop told me around £1,000 to do all the bits and repaint were neaded. It needs attension to one of the rear arches and there's a scuff on the front N/S wing which is starting to rust. Hard top has a few scabs and it needs a good vallet but for a 1983 car It's the best I've seen for the money.
