Hello friends,

A friend of mine is inteested in buying a 380SL from someone here. He asked me to look at the car for him, but I am no expert when it comes to this.

I looked at it and the leather (and interior) has ben very neglected. SHE told him that it has had major engine work. It has 104k but he doubts her word based on knowing her somewhat personally. He also does not know if she has the invoices to show him what has been done.

He is prepared to have a local dealer have a VERY thorough look-see at it, which I told him I thought was a good idea.

SHE wants $6500 for the car. I'd like to give him some better advice than "I wouldn't buy that car on a dare". I wouldn't drive that car to a dog fight!

Could someone please comment on this situation?

Thanks in advance,
Musikmann

Absolutely have a reputable mechanic look at the car.

My 85 has about the same milage but I've gone through it the past 2-3 years and done all the major work....timing chain, heads, radiator, suspension, shocks, etc. I would be very wary of the car if it hadn't been thoroughly gone through at that milage. You're looking at $5-8k to have everything freshened correctly.

The '81 has single chain, a huge reason for concern if it hasn't been replaced recently. I wouldn't consider it at all if it hasn't been retro fitted with a dbl. chain.

The interior is another concern. If it's in that bad of shape, I would have doubts the rest of the car had been taken care of at all.

Sooooo, your buddy buys it for $6500 (too much IMO) and ends up putting the $5-8 into it to get it right. A pristine example goes for $13-15. Might as well just as well spend the money to get a nice one and not have the 1-2 years spent bring it back to life.

All that being said, one would be hard pressed to to find a car that potentially will give you more enjoyment for that amount of money than a nice 380.

Good luck, and btw, congratulations on getting into your benz recently.

Thank you very much for some sound advice crb49!

I'll see "Butch" in the next day or two, and I'll send this to him if he has an email address. If not, I'll paraphase what you've shared with us.

Thanks for the congrats too. My entry-level Benz was a 1998 E430 w/118k. I quickly got into what I call an "upside down situation" where I had more money in the car than it was worth.

Although I lost 2 cylinders by buying the E320, this is a MUCH cleaner car = FULL of options and only 52k. Plus it was a CPO so I have the 2.9% M-B financing and I extended the warranty to 24 months to accompany the 100k they give you.

I have been advising everyone who will listen to me that this is probably the best way to get into a used M-B (at least for those of us who are mechanically compromised).

Congrats on your 380SL too - it sounds very nice!

Thanks MM.

I agree with you re: the extended warranties. The 320 is a great car. I'm very fond of the 210/211's. In fact now a days I think it's the most classic style of the sedan line. My '04 was a surprise for my wife on our anniversary. All she wanted was white and a CD player. I thought about a 500 but it would just be wasted on her and actually it's a very nice town and highway car. I just came back from one of our son's this evening (about an hour drive) and averaged about 35 mpg.

The 380 is my sentimental favorite of the three but I'm selling it for a solid price to the right person. I'm the third owner and have all the papers down to the original window sticker. It's a wonderful car and I definitely have mixed emotions about seeing it go. Four cars with just my wife and I is one too many at the moment. Have to move them around just to do daily driving.

I just bought the black SL in the background a few months ago with 6300 hundred miles on it. It's still under warranty until the first of next year. Would actually love to keep them both but I don't think it's in the cards. I need more land and a bigger garage!!!

Did/do you play professionally? I'm an old keyboard guy.

You're welcome crb49.

That is one CLEAN 380SL you have there! I think you'd vomit (I damn near did) if I showed you a pic of the interior on the car I was asking about. I suppose the "right person" is one of your sons?

I just noticed your E320 is a 2004 - I thought my next venture would be into a 211 also. The exact model would depend on what I can find and how much it will cost me.

What I really want is an AMG-something - I'm looking for an E55. I'd even consider a C-series to get that 5.5L power-plant. A neighbor has a nice silver CLK55 that gets my attention.

I like your SL500 also (only 6300 miles - wow). There is just something about a black (schwarz) MB! Have you seen that Black Opal (metallic) paint? It's gorgeous, but I bet it would be hell to keep it looking right.

I know what you mean about your wife. My GF SAYS she wants a BMW Z4 but I can't get her to a dealership to even look at one - I guess that's more of a fantasy than anything. BUT, with the way she drives I think she'd like an SL500 too -she LOVES convertibles!

I can relate to being "car rich" too. Although I only have the 1 Benz, I have 2others that I work out of (outside sales) and I'm single. I'm constantly moving them around, in and out of the driveway/carport, etc. Benzie usually commands the carport!

Lastly, YES - I'm an old guitar player! We had a few rock bands around here in the 60s and early 70s, and I usually played lead. I still have my last guitar too - a Gibson Les Paul Custom, vintage about 1970.

Take care,
Musikmann