Mercedes R107's
Discussion
Cheers matey! Its a 1989 300SL.
Blue with cream MB Tex.
85k miles.
6 owners, last owner for 10 years.
Not been in rain for 10 years.
Lots of documentation and history.
Seems solid in all the important areas e.g. floor pan, boot, footwells, no sign of bulkhead going (I understand rust will appear at some point and need to be dealt with - it will be garaged/carcooned to help mitigate though).
It has aircon and cruise.
Bought from small dealer.
Advert: http://www.mkeng.org/cars/mercedes/slclass/300sl/2...
Blue with cream MB Tex.
85k miles.
6 owners, last owner for 10 years.
Not been in rain for 10 years.
Lots of documentation and history.
Seems solid in all the important areas e.g. floor pan, boot, footwells, no sign of bulkhead going (I understand rust will appear at some point and need to be dealt with - it will be garaged/carcooned to help mitigate though).
It has aircon and cruise.
Bought from small dealer.
Advert: http://www.mkeng.org/cars/mercedes/slclass/300sl/2...
Edited by jdw1234 on Monday 8th December 16:48
Edited by jdw1234 on Monday 8th December 16:54
Looks like a fantastic car, I took the liberty of decoding the VIN I found on the advert using one of the tools here: http://www.mercedesmedic.com/decode/
The reason I did is that it didn't look like synthetic leather-look vinyl "MBTex" to me, though that's what you said it was.
It looks like the leather I have in mine, and so it is. Here are the options as listed by the VIN decoder:
Code Value
238 No code designation available
275A LEATHER PEBBLE
341 ADDITIONAL BLINKER LAMPS
362 HERMES COMMUNICATION MODULE LTE
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS
585 No code designation available
592 ALL-ROUND WD-GREEN GLASS,HEATED REAR WINDOW-VSG
613 LAMP UNIT - ASSYMETRICAL, LH TRAFFIC
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
744 DARK BLUE SOFT TOP FABRIC 5010
929 No code designation available
The colour combo is almost the same as mine, as I have the same "pebble" interior, though it looks similar in pictures, yours is:
929 nautical blue (nautikblau)
where mine is
904 midnight blue (dark blue) (dunkelblau)
Have fun in the car!
The reason I did is that it didn't look like synthetic leather-look vinyl "MBTex" to me, though that's what you said it was.
It looks like the leather I have in mine, and so it is. Here are the options as listed by the VIN decoder:
Code Value
238 No code designation available
275A LEATHER PEBBLE
341 ADDITIONAL BLINKER LAMPS
362 HERMES COMMUNICATION MODULE LTE
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS
585 No code designation available
592 ALL-ROUND WD-GREEN GLASS,HEATED REAR WINDOW-VSG
613 LAMP UNIT - ASSYMETRICAL, LH TRAFFIC
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
744 DARK BLUE SOFT TOP FABRIC 5010
929 No code designation available
The colour combo is almost the same as mine, as I have the same "pebble" interior, though it looks similar in pictures, yours is:
929 nautical blue (nautikblau)
where mine is
904 midnight blue (dark blue) (dunkelblau)
Have fun in the car!
idiotgap said:
Looks like a fantastic car, I took the liberty of decoding the VIN I found on the advert using one of the tools here: http://www.mercedesmedic.com/decode/
The reason I did is that it didn't look like synthetic leather-look vinyl "MBTex" to me, though that's what you said it was.
It looks like the leather I have in mine, and so it is. Here are the options as listed by the VIN decoder:
Code Value
238 No code designation available
275A LEATHER PEBBLE
341 ADDITIONAL BLINKER LAMPS
362 HERMES COMMUNICATION MODULE LTE
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS
585 No code designation available
592 ALL-ROUND WD-GREEN GLASS,HEATED REAR WINDOW-VSG
613 LAMP UNIT - ASSYMETRICAL, LH TRAFFIC
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
744 DARK BLUE SOFT TOP FABRIC 5010
929 No code designation available
The colour combo is almost the same as mine, as I have the same "pebble" interior, though it looks similar in pictures, yours is:
929 nautical blue (nautikblau)
where mine is
904 midnight blue (dark blue) (dunkelblau)
Have fun in the car!
P.S. Love the pic on the race track!The reason I did is that it didn't look like synthetic leather-look vinyl "MBTex" to me, though that's what you said it was.
It looks like the leather I have in mine, and so it is. Here are the options as listed by the VIN decoder:
Code Value
238 No code designation available
275A LEATHER PEBBLE
341 ADDITIONAL BLINKER LAMPS
362 HERMES COMMUNICATION MODULE LTE
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS
585 No code designation available
592 ALL-ROUND WD-GREEN GLASS,HEATED REAR WINDOW-VSG
613 LAMP UNIT - ASSYMETRICAL, LH TRAFFIC
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
744 DARK BLUE SOFT TOP FABRIC 5010
929 No code designation available
The colour combo is almost the same as mine, as I have the same "pebble" interior, though it looks similar in pictures, yours is:
929 nautical blue (nautikblau)
where mine is
904 midnight blue (dark blue) (dunkelblau)
Have fun in the car!
Your has the much prettier "Mexican Hat" alloys. You have to pay ridiulous amounts to have them on post 1986 as you need 15 rather than 14 inch.
P.S. Does anyone think a W113 steering would look good and fit?
Looks like a cracker you have there, congrats! I may be wrong but seems like a good price you've got there too!
Re rust and in particular around the bulkhead, if you haven't done so already remove the grills either side below the windscreen and then undo the cover over the heater for a good inspection (a good measure of originality is whether the original plastic lugs are in place). If you decide to remove the heater (I think this will be more complicated as you have AC) be very careful not to shear the bolts which hold it down, don't ask how I know! As you mention bulkhead rust on 107's is I'd suggest their biggest issue - I think anyone who says they don't have any is kidding themselves.
I'd also really recommend the Merc club, the best £30 you'll spend (107 section is the biggest in the club). I had an issue with starting recently, went on asked for advise and they resolved it.
Lovely cars, best of luck.
Re rust and in particular around the bulkhead, if you haven't done so already remove the grills either side below the windscreen and then undo the cover over the heater for a good inspection (a good measure of originality is whether the original plastic lugs are in place). If you decide to remove the heater (I think this will be more complicated as you have AC) be very careful not to shear the bolts which hold it down, don't ask how I know! As you mention bulkhead rust on 107's is I'd suggest their biggest issue - I think anyone who says they don't have any is kidding themselves.
I'd also really recommend the Merc club, the best £30 you'll spend (107 section is the biggest in the club). I had an issue with starting recently, went on asked for advise and they resolved it.
Lovely cars, best of luck.
Cheers Acme. Merc club is an excellent shout.
Why do all cars have a damn achillees heel?!!
Apparantly it was inspected and there are no signs of leakage/wiper wobble. As you say, it appears from research they all have rust to a certain extent there.
Anyone know how much a bulkhead repair would be? I assume it is prudent to expect a big bill at some point during ownership.
I will send it to SLShop for a health check at some point. Probably going to wait until next year as I expect the bill will be large as it is easy to get carried away.
Why do all cars have a damn achillees heel?!!
Apparantly it was inspected and there are no signs of leakage/wiper wobble. As you say, it appears from research they all have rust to a certain extent there.
Anyone know how much a bulkhead repair would be? I assume it is prudent to expect a big bill at some point during ownership.
I will send it to SLShop for a health check at some point. Probably going to wait until next year as I expect the bill will be large as it is easy to get carried away.
Good shout joining the club, the 107 area forum is reasonably active and those on there will help you understand your own car... SL Shop isn't the only option.
There are various options for repairing the bulkheads depending on the severity and who's doing it. Barry at Multi-tech in Chobham told me he has a special technique, luckily I don't seem to need it... yet!
There are various options for repairing the bulkheads depending on the severity and who's doing it. Barry at Multi-tech in Chobham told me he has a special technique, luckily I don't seem to need it... yet!
I really do recommend the club, the monthly magazine is even fairly interesting and I think because the 107 membership is about 3000 they quite regularly have articles in it about repairing differing issues with the model. It is also a proper club, I think there's only one paid employee, so none of the stupid in fighting certain other clubs have.
From what I can tell the engines are reliable but everything around them can be a problem, mainly rust related, but let's be honest they're all 25+ years old, what can you expect! One way to simply test is to pour water in the grills if it comes out the bottom then the drain tubes are clear, leaves/cigarette butts etc often block them - talking of which check all the drain holes. One odd thing is that when you wash the car then open the bonnet and inspect at the front bottom of it you'll see water. If you face the car just inside of the headlights are two holes which allow water into areas under the bonnet which get trapped and must've caused rot over the years.
As for a bulk head repair it really depends what they find, talk to Roger Edwards motors, very well known in the Merc world and they wont quote til they've seen it, which is reasonable if you saw the Wheeler Dealers episode where having bought one then stripped it they had to scrap it as the bulkhead was so far gone it couldn't safely be repaired, but that one cost them £1500!
Obviously avoid main dealers too for parts, SL shop seems good from something I ordered there a few weeks ago.
But most of all enjoy them, when the sun is out and the roof is down they are a lovely and relaxing drive.
From what I can tell the engines are reliable but everything around them can be a problem, mainly rust related, but let's be honest they're all 25+ years old, what can you expect! One way to simply test is to pour water in the grills if it comes out the bottom then the drain tubes are clear, leaves/cigarette butts etc often block them - talking of which check all the drain holes. One odd thing is that when you wash the car then open the bonnet and inspect at the front bottom of it you'll see water. If you face the car just inside of the headlights are two holes which allow water into areas under the bonnet which get trapped and must've caused rot over the years.
As for a bulk head repair it really depends what they find, talk to Roger Edwards motors, very well known in the Merc world and they wont quote til they've seen it, which is reasonable if you saw the Wheeler Dealers episode where having bought one then stripped it they had to scrap it as the bulkhead was so far gone it couldn't safely be repaired, but that one cost them £1500!
Obviously avoid main dealers too for parts, SL shop seems good from something I ordered there a few weeks ago.
But most of all enjoy them, when the sun is out and the roof is down they are a lovely and relaxing drive.
Don't start me off again! I had about forgotten this thread, and yes, I did take the XKSS out yesterday to the car meet, consuming vast quantities of jungle juice. I am now thinking of selling it and using 15% of the proceeds to buy a nice 420 with the necessary trimmings. The rest will probably be snaffled by the kids. 
But not if I have any say in the matter though 
Some might mutate into a VSCC qualifying toy.
But not if I have any say in the matter though Some might mutate into a VSCC qualifying toy.
Mine's in the garage till next month(at least)I spotted this for sale late last night just after the advert went on. It looked almost too good to be true but I called first thing and got the first viewing slot today.
Was an older lady selling it due to lack of use. 420 V8, 119k White and blue mbtex. It has had more spent on bodywork at a very reputable body shop since 05 than I paid for the car. Bodily it is in fantastic condition. Needs brakes and a service though.
she had owned it since 1998, when she bought it from an MB dealer with a warranty. She was a bit emotional when I reversed it out her drive to leave.
I had to sit for 4 hours in her kitchen whilst RBS made a total arse of my transfer of money to get to her and in that time at least half a dozen folk called about it!
Was an older lady selling it due to lack of use. 420 V8, 119k White and blue mbtex. It has had more spent on bodywork at a very reputable body shop since 05 than I paid for the car. Bodily it is in fantastic condition. Needs brakes and a service though.
she had owned it since 1998, when she bought it from an MB dealer with a warranty. She was a bit emotional when I reversed it out her drive to leave.
I had to sit for 4 hours in her kitchen whilst RBS made a total arse of my transfer of money to get to her and in that time at least half a dozen folk called about it!
vpr said:
Great purchase
Did you find this car in the Tunbridge Wells area?
I regularly see an old biddy driving a white one
Some more pics as just got home, car was near Croydon. Did you find this car in the Tunbridge Wells area?
I regularly see an old biddy driving a white one
Just going through the bills, for 2012,13 and 14 there are bills from Steve Redfearn for £4.1k
Also a full photo book of the bulkhead repairs and full respray. I'm actually feeling a wee bit guilty.
With the 129 in the background
Edited by jke11y on Friday 6th March 21:28
Edited by jke11y on Friday 6th March 21:28
jke11y said:
Some more pics as just got home, car was near Croydon.
Just going through the bills, for 2012,13 and 14 there are bills from Steve Redfearn for £4.1k
Also a full photo book of the bulkhead repairs and full respray. I'm actually feeling a wee bit guilty.
With the 129 in the background
Nice one JJ!Just going through the bills, for 2012,13 and 14 there are bills from Steve Redfearn for £4.1k
Also a full photo book of the bulkhead repairs and full respray. I'm actually feeling a wee bit guilty.
With the 129 in the background
Edited by jke11y on Friday 6th March 21:28
Edited by jke11y on Friday 6th March 21:28
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