The Mercedes-Benz 380 is a two-seater built from 1981 to 1985 over 2 generations. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 380 is
The Mercedes-Benz 380 is a two-seater that Mercedes-Benz built from 1981 to 1985 — 5 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1983. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest sibling in the Mercedes-Benz range: AMG GT.
380 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 380's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 380 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-1982 | 499 cm | 282 cm | 1636 kg | - | - |
| 1983-1985 | 489 cm | 270 cm | 1660 kg | -10 cm | +24 kg |
Between 1981 and 1985 the 380 gained -10 cm in length (-2.0%) and 24 kg in weight (+1.5%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the 380 that is 24 kg against -10 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Mercedes-Benz 380 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 380 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Mercedes-Benz 380 have? Power & range
The Mercedes-Benz 380 is offered with 1 powertrain — 3.8L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Mercedes-Benz 380, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 3.8L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The 380 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Mercedes-Benz 380. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 380 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 2 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Mercedes-Benz 380?
The 380 is a two-seater, built from 1981 to 1985 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V8.
How many generations does the 380 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1983. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.
What is the Mercedes-Benz 380 warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 380 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 380?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Mercedes-Benz
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 1999–2026 | 75 | — | 3.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 2010–2026 | 143 | — | 4.0/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1994–2026 | 213 | — | 4.0/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 1994–2026 | 176 | — | 3.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz 300 | 1981–1993 | 11 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mercedes-Benz 350 | 1983–1991 | — | 21 mpg | 4.5/5 |
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