US verse European Model

[jwr_holden]

Currently, I am looking to buy a 280sl and one of the cars I am looking at is a European model with KM on the odometer among other things. Are the US or the European models viewed the same or is one model preferred over the other?

[waqas]

I don't think there is a preference, except for the lighting options (side-lights, tail-lights, head-lights). Most people I know prefer the European version where these are concerned.

Both my pagodas have KM on the speedometer, and I've gotten quite used to making the conversion in my head.

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[J. Huber]

I am one of those who has a slight preference to the Euro (mainly because I have one!)... However, I have seen many a sharp US version -- and to be honest the aesthetic differences are minimal. Besides the lighting & instrumentation, there are only a few slight differnces (euro cam is different, some chrome pieces differ).

Generally speaking, the rule is "Find the best car you can afford" regardless of the euro/US thing.

James
63 230SL

[erickmarciano]

more power , better gear ratio , nicer side pockets ,better and simple ignition system on the 280sl and best of all no smog equipment

1999 ml320<sold it at last>
2004 Volvo s60 T5
1971 280sl
1962 VW bug
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[joelj]

My car is a Euro version federalized for US use. They say that the euro version has the hot cam and I am not quite sure if its faster or torquier than the US counterpart. Quite a number of people prefer the Euro model  (headlights) since this is how the car is suppose to really look. But like what James wrote, get the best 280 sl you can buy regardless of the whether its a euro or american.

but if you can get a Euro 280sl with all the original options in the condition you want then you have found your dream car.

Happy hunting (this is the best part).

Good luck

Joel

1969 280sl auto
White exterior
Blue interior

[John A. Dean]

I have a euro version and prefer it for its headlights, cam and have recently installed a speedometer from an old 250SE, which reads in MPH and also doesn't "jump" like my old one. Best of both worlds!

1969 280SL, manual, MB TEX, green/cognac

[Douglas]

People have covered this topic nicely in this thread, but I'd like to add one more thought -- in my opinion, the models with power steering are a little easier to drive around town. US-spec Pagodas have power steering, but some Euro-spec models don't.

As someone else pointed out, the Euro models have more chrome throughout. For example, most Euro SLs have that nice horizontal strip of chrome on the tail panel that visually connects the l&r rear bumper halves. If you're standing (or driving) directly behind the vehicle, it's a beautiful, subtle detail:



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Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by erickmarciano
[.... and best of all no smog equipment ...

If one looks into a 280SL engine bay, what would be the most obvious signs that it is a Euro version without the various smog controls?

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[rwmastel]

Alfred,

It would be the country code on the data plate.  If it's there, it's the be-all end-all to the original sales market that the car was built for.

http://index.php?topic=2712

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Douglas]

Alfred,

Another way to spot a Euro engine bay is that a lot of Euro 280 SLs have the VIN plate screwed into the firewall on the passenger side, whereas the US model usually has it on the driver-side door jamb.

Take a look at the two featured SLs on the motoringinvestments.com site. You'll see what i mean. The white SL is a Euro-spec Pagoda and the dark red car is a US-spec example.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[66andBlue]

Thanks Rodd and Douglas, those are good "visuals" to remember.
I was also interested in the smog controls but don't want to hijack this thread and  will start another topic.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[paulr]

I have a UK car and with the greatest of respect prefer it to the US version. In particular the front light lenses, the side markers and the bumper overiders.
However, some of you have the priceless advantage of never having to suffer an English winter. I know that some of you have worse but sometimes it seems that we are the only ones...

paulr
lovely 1970 280 SL