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Mercedes 380--450--560 SLs

518 messages,  Last post on Nov 27, 2011 at 1:38 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Convertible

Messages Page 50 of 52

#489 of 518 Stall and backfire by funzone2

Nov 30, 2010 (2:45 pm)

Thanks Texases. I'll call a parts store and see if they know what an OBDII is--I sure don't-lol and I'll see if there is any type of code that is involved with the situation

#490 of 518 Re: Stalls and backfires [funzone2] by fintail

Nov 30, 2010 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: funzone2 (Nov 30, 2010 2:24 pm)
Could be a number of things - fuel delivery, vacuum system, timing, ECU...best to have it scanned then.

#491 of 518 Which Merc to Go With by seaplanedriver

Mar 04, 2011 (12:46 pm)

I know this was discussed probably years ago here, but does anybody have anything against the original '72 350SL? If so, what's the best year/model to look for and what mileage? The '72 does IMHO look nicer without the extendabumpers (Thank you DOT). I've been around these cars since '72 but never owned one. Driven a few and liked the ride, the feeling of a solid car, the power (of the 450) and the look. By reading all your posts, it is clearly not something to jump into without research. Example: local beautiful '84 with 55,000 orig. miles. What do we expect or can we?

#492 of 518 Re: Which Merc to Go With [seaplanedriver] by texases

Mar 04, 2011 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: seaplanedriver (Mar 04, 2011 12:46 pm)
As I understand it the '72 350s (4.5l v8) are tops on collectability, while the 560s are tops on practicality for modern use. I'd skip the 380s and 450s.

#493 of 518 Re: Which Merc to Go With [seaplanedriver] by freshairfiend

Mar 04, 2011 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: seaplanedriver (Mar 04, 2011 12:46 pm)
Don't know much about the original 350SL except that the same car appeared a year later as a 450SL. If you are interested in the appearance of the slimline bumpers, bear in mind that all the Euro (grey market) models never went the extended bumper route. There are several opinions pro and con the Euros, but having owned one for 6 years I can tell you it attracts a lot more attention than the US 107's and there is quite a bit more engine choice together with an occasional stickshift. The car I bought needed sprucing up and in doing this I have never had a problem in accessing spares. If I were going to do it all again, I would definitely look at the Euros before anything else.

#494 of 518 Thanks mucho guys! by seaplanedriver

Mar 04, 2011 (1:49 pm)

So, being a guy that always heard that gray market cars were disallowed by DOT/EPA into the good old U.S., is there a means now by which I could look for and purchase a Euro version as freshairfiend indicates. Sounds like an awesome new look at the car from my perspective.

#495 of 518 Re: Thanks mucho guys! [seaplanedriver] by freshairfiend

Mar 04, 2011 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: seaplanedriver (Mar 04, 2011 1:49 pm)
The car I bought was out of Nevada and had an aftermarket catalytic converter which enabled it to pass the necessary smog tests. At the same time though I was looking at several in California, all of which were on the road at the time, so I have to assume that they also conformed to the California requirements. the Euro versions of both the 500SL and the 380SL have better performance than their US equivalent (though the later 560SL's went pretty well) but as I was looking more for a tourer/roadster than a rubber burner, I ended up with a 280SL which is a dohc inline 6 making about 30hp more than the US 380SL. It's also not at all bad on gas which is more than can be said about the 560SL. I would have liked a stickshift but the only ones available at that time had been tramped pretty hard so I ended up with a 4 spd auto. No real regrets though, it does everything I want and is a real honey on the highway.

#496 of 518 Re: Which Merc to Go With [seaplanedriver] by fintail

Mar 04, 2011 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: seaplanedriver (Mar 04, 2011 12:46 pm)
If they are in equal condition, I'd choose the older car - nicer trim (bumpers) and less finicky emissions junk. I think some years of the 450SL, maybe 75-76, can be troublesome.
 
You could privately import any car that is 25+ years old, but it'd be an expensive undertaking.
 
A highline dealer in my town has a grey market 107 of some sort in the showroom, it even has headlight wipers. It looks spotless.

#497 of 518 Re: Thanks mucho guys! [freshairfiend] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 05, 2011 (10:16 am)

Replying to: freshairfiend (Mar 04, 2011 2:40 pm)
It doesn't matter if a Euro car passes smog or not--it has to have its DOT and EPA papers regarding conformance to all safety and emissions regs, or the car could be confiscated.
 
I wouldn't *touch* a Euro car that doesn't have its DOT or EPA papers.
 
Some of course, are older than 25 years, so no problem, and some are titled as older years than they actually are, --also to beat EPA/DOT requirements. You'll see ads for instace like "spec 2000, year 1964 Mini Cooper".

#498 of 518 Re: Thanks mucho guys! [Mr_Shiftright] by seaplanedriver

Mar 05, 2011 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 05, 2011 10:16 am)
Thanks again. Don't want headaches I don't need! I was looking at a '72 on a site (just google '72 M B 350SL and you'll see it in Atlanta/Charlotte/GA) and you'll see the car. Looks nice but they call it "Burgundy".. Looks like burnt orange on my pc. At $17,500 it's not over the top price wise, but...???

Messages Page 50 of 52

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