SL Quality or lack thereof

SL Quality or lack thereof - the "Mercedes Myth"
I call the allure that we have about the engineering and build quality of 380SL's, along with those 450SL's and 560SL's, mostly hype and myth. I coined the phrase "Mercedes Myth" because my experience with a new Mercedes failed to meet my expectations. What is not myth is the desirability for Mercedes cars like the 380SL and the reason is basically the overall design and styling. 380SL's are fun to drive, fun spending time detailing, and fun to show. The following is my critique of Mercedes 380SL's: "Engineered Like No Other Car in the World"? Lets take a look .....
Body
	The 380SL metal body is constructed with what seems much thicker steel than most other cars. But, SL's are notorious for rusting around the fender wells, rocker panels and corners. Chrome seems to be of high quality. The #1 quality feature that sold me on buying a Mercedes and one that I still appreciate is the way Mercedes folds the metal around the door edges along with the bank like thunk when you close the door. Still, my 380SL when fitted with the Hard Top has some wind noise that is a disappointment. I expect wind noise with the soft top, but not when the hard top is on. I've noted that the body side trim can come loose and slide horizontally. The rubber material for the bumpers and around exterior mirrors seem to high quality and holds up nicely. Usually the Paint is high quality on the obvious surfaces but down low I note its somewhat sloppy that I find failing to meet the "Mercedes Myth". The hood release and the soft top release can be problematic as I have noted this frequently is a problem. I have had problems in both of these areas. The door handles do have that solid quality feel that one expects. The Hood on 380SL's is aluminum and nicely constructed and finished. I have read accounts of paint coming off in places on the hood and paint prep for aluminum is different from steel. The fit and trim on the removable hard top is top notch and what one expects of the "Mercedes Myth". The removable hard top is heavy and will take two strong men unless you have a ceiling hoist to lift it off. *Summary:* Very high quality but also very rust prone and painted areas down low on the body are usually sloppy. I would consider the Body of 380SL's as meeting the expectations of the "Mercedes Myth" were they not so prone to rust. You would think that Mercedes would have been farther along with rust prevention but obviously were not.
Interior
	380SL interiors are normally either Mercedes Tex (vinyl) and/or Leather. I've noted experts who describe all 380/450/560 SL interiors as "weak" and I tend to agree. Interiors have a number of short comings that is not up to the Mercedes myth - namely that seat bottoms usually flatten out and/or stitching comes loose over time, door panel vinyl coverings are always wrinkled, the dash often cracks especially the blue colored ones, and the center armrest is basically ordinary. The sun visors are 'cheaper' than what one would find on a Chevrolet Vega - not only being cheap, they do not have lighted mirrors that one would expect on a $40K car. In addition, there are some parts that are chrome plated plastic but are done quite well. Specifics that do meet the 'Mercedes Myth' are the door handles and associated mechanism, general layout of the interior, carpet is high quality and seems to wear well, electrical switches have a nice firm quality feel, that big Mercedes steering wheel is a pleasure to use. Summary: SL interiors have a very short durability from what I have observed, and completely fails to meet the expectations of the "Mercedes Myth" for quality - a big disappointment here.
Soft Top
	Original Soft Tops are German Canvas and are quite pleasing in appearance. Those Soft Tops are water tight and do last quite a while if well taken care of. The rear windows, three of them, are plastic and do yellow, fade, and are easy to scratch. I think Mercedes should have made it a priority to figure out a way to have real glass instead of plastic. The soft top is easy to put up and down even if it is a manual operation. One of the neatest things about 380SL's is the way the soft top can be stowed away behind that pop up cover. Sure is attractive with the top down and stowed underneath that metal cover. Summary: SL soft top meets the "Mercedes Myth" if the SL is sold as a sports car. If sold as a 'luxury car', it fails to meet the "Mercedes Myth" because of the plastic windows and because it is not powered.
Engine, Transmission, Mechanicals
	Engine: 380SL engines are aluminum alloy and are generally not as reliable as the older 450SL or the newer 560SL. The 380SL has the least powerful engine of the group but it certainly is not underpowered and it gets very good gas mileage. The 1981-1983 380SL USA versions have the cursed single row timing chain that is problematic and might even blow the engine. I have read about other Mercedes that have blown because of timing chain failure and those had the dual row timing chain. Timing Chains are a major weak area with Mercedes and many times the real failure is a plastic chain guide that breaks causing the chain to jump off a sprocket and blow the engine. It amazes me that Mercedes could not have come up with more durable chain guides than the plastic ones. That amazes me almost as much as Mercedes idiotic single timing chain and failure to recall these type engines for conversion to dual timing chain. Mercedes engines are also designed as interference engines which means that if your timing chain breaks or skips time, then your valves fall onto the pistons either bending valves (if you are lucky), or if you are not so lucky, breaks the crankshaft, gouging pistons or cylinder walls, and cracking the engine block - basically destroying the engine. In any case, if this happens, its going to cost thousands of dollars to repair. Mercedes engines are not cheap nor cheap to rebuild. In fact, if you own one of these SL's and the engine blows like this, you most likely would be better off junking the car and looking for another one if you have the stomach for another one of these SL's. To even convert a non-blown good running 380SL to dual timing chain is not cheap either - most likely it will cost you $2,000 - $5,000 - in many cases more than the car is worth!! In addition, if you want to be diligent and just replace the single timing chain for a new timing chain, Mercedes won't even sell you the single chain any more. Course, you could go to a third part alternative for the timing chain. Were Mercedes up to the "Mercedes Myth", there would not be a timing chain issue or at least an engine design that was non-interference. Transmission: No major problems and appears to be long lasting. The Automatic Transmission does have a noticeable "thunk" when shifting through the gears. Brakes: Brakes work well, some but not all 380SL's have ABS braking. I had to have the Master Cylinder overhauled on mine at 22,000 miles. The brake pads that 380SL's use do create a lot of dust that tends to accumulate on the wheels making those silver painted wheels appear black. Brake dust is hard to clean off and you might want to look into dust shields for each wheel - I use Kleen Wheels and they seem to work good for me. Course, purist will tell you that dust shields cut down on brake cooling but I don't abuse my 380SL and this has never been a problem for me. Steering, alignment: Good road feel, alignment seems to stay when set. Steering is not rack and pinion but instead recirculating ball. Wheels: Original Mercedes wheels are not becoming of the "Mercedes Myth", are basically painted silver. They are not that attractive and many owners change them out for wire wheels or later model chrome wheels usually going with 15" or 16" wheels rather than the original 14" wheels. Tires: Michelin tires, usually 205/70-14, are what one expects of the "Mercedes Myth". Summary: SL mechanicals fail to meet ones expectations of the "Mercedes Myth" of reliability and engineering.
Accessories
	Radio: Adequate, nothing exciting here. The electronic tuning basically sucks and I often wish for the old fashion rotary knob for both tuning and volume controls. Sound quality is ordinary. There are only two speakers in the dash - no rear speakers even though there was plenty of places for the factory to have put rear speakers. The electric antenna is problematic and usually gets stuck in one position and most owners just don't bother with fixing. Cruise Control: I have not had any problems with the Cruise Control and found it easy to use. But, I have noted that many of these SL's have non-functioning Cruise Controls - so it appears to be an item that is likely to fail. Lights: Good lighting, even in the interior. Includes fog lights. Has switch to turn on those unusual Right Parking/Left Parking lights. Air Condition: R12 and needs conversion to R134 - not Mercedes fault though. Where Mercedes is at fault is with the problematic climate control. Europeans were offered 'dual climate' controls - we Americans only got the single climate control. Door Locks: Vacuum rather than electric. I have not heard much wrong with these other than when a rubber vacuum hose cracks. Summary: Fails to meet ones expectations of the "Mercedes Myth". In addition, there is nothing exotic or unusually as far as accessories go with SL's - just basic accessories where most other 'luxury' cars at that time were better equipped. Accessory-wise, I find 380SL's "plain Jane" boring. Simon Cowell on American Idol would say, "just an ordinary performance".
Summary
	I would never again purchase a brand new Mercedes from what I have experienced. But, I would consider a pre-owned Mercedes - that is one that I have researched what is problematic about it and paid far less than the new price. Maybe I expected more from a brand like Mercedes and the "Mercedes Myth" is just my own perceptions and expectations but I don't think so. I have three other vehicles (two Isuzu Troopers -1998/1999, and a 1999 Toyota Sienna) that appear to exceed my 380SL in quality, engineering, and build construction. In addition, these three Japanese vehicles have never had any engine problems and all three are non-interference engine designs which means if the timing belt breaks that most likely I am just stranded and in need of just another timing belt rather than a blown engine. Certainly there is the oil-sludge buildup issue with the Toyota but Toyota maintains that it is not a problem and has sent every owner a letter stating that they will warrant against oil sludge for 8 years. Mercedes did nothing for my single-timing chain 380SL and basically refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem while their dealership service technicians just shake their heads like saying "good luck, if that chain breaks you're screwed". Isuzu engines do have oil burning issues but my two examples don't burn oil. What I can say is that my 1998/1999 Japanese vehicles, along with every other Japanese vehicle I have owned, are superior in build, engineering, reliability, have no serious issues like timing chains, and cheaper to maintain than my 1983 Mercedes. Where the Mercedes 380SL stands out is its style and design - there is nothing like driving an SL - but it certainly is not worth the price Mercedes charged for a new one. In summary, Mercedes failed. Simon Cowell on American Idol might sum it up by saying, "SL's technically are a miserable performance, but because it is so pretty they have a lot of fans and that is the only reason they are still in the running."