Pete has been looking at our 1978 Mercedes 350SL. He noted that it had difficulty starting, excessive engine noise, and issues keeping the engine running. The noise suggests possible tappet or small-end wear, but further investigation is needed, potentially requiring a full engine rebuild. A compression test revealed significant pressure fluctuations, with at least three cylinders showing pressure drop.
The rear number plate was found loose in the boot rather than fitted. The bodywork has rust bubbles along all wheel arches, with blisters covering the entire exterior. The chrome bumpers have rusted through in some areas, and all seals and rubbers are dry and perished. All lights function except in the park setting. None of the keys on the keyring operates the external locks, with only a small key working for the fuel filler cap, which itself shows rust around the base. The passenger door does not open via the external handle. The sills have undergone poor previous repairs, with joints splitting along the edges.
Inside, the carpets are soaked, with standing water in multiple areas. The glovebox light is intermittent, and the passenger vanity light does not work. Interior lights are dim, and the dash clock lights are either non-functional or too dim to read, with no response to adjustment. The fan blower remains stuck on full, with the control knob inoperative. The driver’s seat back does not lock on the gearbox tunnel side, and the rear seat panel has detached. The driver’s seatbelt is stiff to pull forward, while the passenger seatbelt clip is broken and missing parts. Both front seats fail to adjust on their sliders. The gauges appear to function correctly. The spare wheel well contains water, with the spare tyre perished and the steel rim rusting. The tyre is an Avon 205/70/14, but the DOT number is illegible due to sidewall deterioration, which is soft and suggests low-pressure use. The hood mechanism operates, but the worn release latch requires multiple attempts to open the rear screen.
Regarding the braking system, new discs, pads, retaining pins, and flexible hoses have been installed at each corner. The callipers have been painted black. However, the pad wear indicator wires are cracked and missing their outer protective casing. The brake lines along the car appear in good condition but have not been replaced.
The suspension shows extensive deterioration, with perished rubbers in the inner arm mounts. The rear anti-roll bar mounting area has rust around its fixing, and while the nearside front anti-roll bar drop link has perished and split, the offside has been replaced. Heavy rust flaking is evident on both rear arms. The lower shock absorber rubbers are cracked, causing metal-to-metal contact on the offside rear; the nearside has been replaced, but the front rubbers have also perished.
Underneath, there are extensive signs of rust and poor past repairs, with excess underseal and “Hammerite”-style paint covering problem areas. Rust holes are visible along both sides of the floor pan and sills. Fluid leaks are present from the engine block, sump, gearbox pipework, and rear differential. CV boots are perished on both inner and outer sides. The offside CV boot has been damaged due to contact with an insecure fuel system, which poses a serious fire hazard given its proximity to the exhaust. Temporary cable ties were used to secure the system for transport only and to prevent further damage. A large section of the spare wheel well has been replaced with sporadic welding, which may fail under stress.
In the engine bay, the oil is clean and at the correct level. The gearbox dipstick is stuck. The coolant is brown and dirty, with no antifreeze present. The brake fluid is dark and slightly low, while the power steering fluid appears clean and bright. Upon removing the heater cover, only minor surface rust was found, and it remained dry. The air filter housing is rusted. Recently replaced components likely include new spark plugs, leads, a distributor cap, coil, and ballast resistors. All auxiliary belts are loose and show signs of ageing. Wiring around the coil and resistors is untidy.
The wheels and tyres are 205/70/14 89W Michelin, with DOT markings indicating manufacture in the 24th week of 2024, all appearing new. The wheels are “Mexican Top Hat” style and have paint damage inside and out, with surface rust on the wheel bolts. All centre caps are present, though the rear nearside cap is damaged.
Additional notes include scuffing and scratches on the windscreen glass. The driver’s wiper makes contact with the top edge of the glass.
