SL/R107: Help buying '85 380SL & estimates on repair work
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
1985 380SL
Help buying '85 380SL & estimates on repair work
Hi folks,
I'm looking at an 85 380SL with 97,000 miles on it. It is listed for sale at $10,000 by private seller. I had a mechanic come to take a look and these are his notes:
"Pre-purchase inspection here: what we found tie rods are loose on both sides. The shocks look like they're leaking oil and going bad the engine is leaking oil from about 5 different places. valve cover gaskets need to be replaced. oil pan gasket front timing cover and harmonic balancer seal, also it sounds like on the driver side there's a vacuum leak there definitely is a misfire in the engine I highly recommend that before purchasing this that you do have the vehicle emission because I dont think it will pass. It does also appear like it needs a valve adjustment because I can hear tapping in the passenger side that may coincide with the misfire in the engine if you have any questions please call me thank you."
I asked seller to take the car to emissions. It passed emissions.
Mechanic estimates about $2-3k in repairs for the above. Has anyone dealt with any of these issues? How serious are they? Is that an accurate estimate?
Thanks for all the help & advice!
I'm looking at an 85 380SL with 97,000 miles on it. It is listed for sale at $10,000 by private seller. I had a mechanic come to take a look and these are his notes:
"Pre-purchase inspection here: what we found tie rods are loose on both sides. The shocks look like they're leaking oil and going bad the engine is leaking oil from about 5 different places. valve cover gaskets need to be replaced. oil pan gasket front timing cover and harmonic balancer seal, also it sounds like on the driver side there's a vacuum leak there definitely is a misfire in the engine I highly recommend that before purchasing this that you do have the vehicle emission because I dont think it will pass. It does also appear like it needs a valve adjustment because I can hear tapping in the passenger side that may coincide with the misfire in the engine if you have any questions please call me thank you."
I asked seller to take the car to emissions. It passed emissions.
Mechanic estimates about $2-3k in repairs for the above. Has anyone dealt with any of these issues? How serious are they? Is that an accurate estimate?
Thanks for all the help & advice!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 330
Likes: 26
From: Middle of Nowhere, USA
450SL
That would be pretty reasonable. if he knows what is required. The engine has to be pulled or the front subframe removed to replace the oil pan gasket. While he is in there the timing chain, timing chain guides, and tensioner should be replaced .
