utopia13

For many years I have loved and admired the classic style of the SL's. I now find myself in the position to own one, but I never realized all the different models there were!

Can any of you out there suggest some good reading material to research before I buy? Whether in book or magazine form or online....either is fine. From the bit I have been able to pick up, I'm looking for something in the mid-80's (preferably before airbags became standard), so anything referring to that time frame would be great.

Beyond that...I am open to any and all suggestions to become well informed before I buy.

Thanks for your help!
Maureen

SouthernSon

Fuel injection system on the SL's in '80's is not very efficient. It is batch fire instead of sequential. That means all injectors fire at the same time so one does not realize the gas mileage that later '90's vehicles attained with sequential injection (one at the same time). Gas mileage of the early 380SL's will be no better than 17 or so highway using regular. The 560SL's are quite a bit more powerful but get much less mileage using premium fuel. One can expect around 12 to 14 on the mileage from what I have read. My 380 gets the 17 that I mentioned above. Also, the '81 through '84 (or maybe '83) have a single row timing chain as opposed to the later dual row cam chain. If the 380 is not converted from single to double, you may experience catastrophic failure of the engine when the single chain jumps the sprockets. I did my update to double row myself and saved money. You can expect the dealership to charge $3k in just labor to do the job. If you get an early '80's model 380, make sure the chain is updated by taking to a shop and let them take off the valve cover to see. Other than those two issues, chain and gas mileage, the 380 is a great little car, if you can get by with slow acceleration and heavy. Although the car is small looking, it weighs a bunch! It takes 10 to 12 seconds to accelerate to 60mph. The 560 is a lot quicker but burns the gas.

ChrisB

"The SL Experience" by John Olson. ISBN 0-9635394-2-6.


Web site:

http://www.slmarket.com/

Both deal with SLs from 1950 to mostly the R129 ... but that now may include the R230.

ChrisB

A source for MB & SL Books on line:

http://www.toadhallbook.com/book.cfm?GI=1&CI=5

utopia13

Thanks so much for the link. Great to be able to read sections in the book as well. The information I've found since visiting this site is awesome..looks like I've got some work ahead of me, but it's going to be a fun experience!

utopia13

Thanks for the tip on the fuel injection systems of the '80's as well as the timing chain issues in the early '80's models. Issues like these are exactly what I'm hoping to learn about before I buy.

M.

risque1

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