Mercedes R107's
Discussion
Many moons ago two mates and I were persuaded to deliver a couple of Peugeots from Mons in Belgium to Venice and then pick up a Mercedes from Sindelfingen on the way back. The first sign of that our plans were going astray was that the Peugeots were pickups! Spent a couple of days waiting for confirmation that the car was ready for collection before getting a train up to Stuttgart.
Arrived at the Mercedes visitor centre and had a lovely time of it before our car was finally brought out to us. A thistle green SL380! So, three blokes, backpacks, gifts and a guitar were going to have to be squeezed in. First surprise was that all of our luggage fitted into the boot before we tried various ways of arranging the three of us inside. Eventually we found a way of doing it. The front seat passenger moved their seat forward and the rear seats dropped down and the rear passenger behind the driver and their feet in the passenger side foot well. It really wasn't too unbearable especially as we found the car didn't exceed the running-in revs until 120mph! With regular rotation of positions we completed the 300 mile journey in just under 4 hours.
Would I do it again? Not a chance!!!
Arrived at the Mercedes visitor centre and had a lovely time of it before our car was finally brought out to us. A thistle green SL380! So, three blokes, backpacks, gifts and a guitar were going to have to be squeezed in. First surprise was that all of our luggage fitted into the boot before we tried various ways of arranging the three of us inside. Eventually we found a way of doing it. The front seat passenger moved their seat forward and the rear seats dropped down and the rear passenger behind the driver and their feet in the passenger side foot well. It really wasn't too unbearable especially as we found the car didn't exceed the running-in revs until 120mph! With regular rotation of positions we completed the 300 mile journey in just under 4 hours.
Would I do it again? Not a chance!!!
steely dan said:
I've enjoyed this thread and did consider buying one but ended up with an early E24 instead .
Thought you'd all like to cry over this one that has sat in salty atmosphere for nigh on 4 years now down here in SW Ireland .I did consider chasing the owner but frankly after a two and a half year restoration of my E24 I just don't have the heart to start all over again........yet .
The owner is known but his intentions are not .
It may actually be too far gone already .
Just to say that the dear old girl has finally been removed today . It's fate is unknown as yet but I suspect that she will live to be enjoyed another day by someone . I was actually pleased to see the empty space where she sat .....Thought you'd all like to cry over this one that has sat in salty atmosphere for nigh on 4 years now down here in SW Ireland .I did consider chasing the owner but frankly after a two and a half year restoration of my E24 I just don't have the heart to start all over again........yet .
The owner is known but his intentions are not .
It may actually be too far gone already .
Manual 280sl - been in the family from new - so reliable mechanically but body needs to be kept on top of - done 180k miles and although slow is great to crusie along in.
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I do like this thread.... so much that I'm going to look at a 1971 350sl tomorrow!
Not much paperwork with the car, but apparently it's been dry stored and tin-worm free, has 120k miles on the clock.
From my homework, it seems to be a very early car - mid '71 with the 4 speed box and exercise windows. In burgundy with tan MB tex.
Anything in particular to look out for on the early ones, or just the usual foibles?
Not much paperwork with the car, but apparently it's been dry stored and tin-worm free, has 120k miles on the clock.
From my homework, it seems to be a very early car - mid '71 with the 4 speed box and exercise windows. In burgundy with tan MB tex.
Anything in particular to look out for on the early ones, or just the usual foibles?
spitsfire said:
I do like this thread.... so much that I'm going to look at a 1971 350sl tomorrow!
Not much paperwork with the car, but apparently it's been dry stored and tin-worm free, has 120k miles on the clock.
From my homework, it seems to be a very early car - mid '71 with the 4 speed box and exercise windows. In burgundy with tan MB tex.
Anything in particular to look out for on the early ones, or just the usual foibles?
Fuel system... More than one early example has gone up in smoke due to perished fuel lines and consequent leaking onto hot parts. I guess it could be the same with any car, but worth being aware.Not much paperwork with the car, but apparently it's been dry stored and tin-worm free, has 120k miles on the clock.
From my homework, it seems to be a very early car - mid '71 with the 4 speed box and exercise windows. In burgundy with tan MB tex.
Anything in particular to look out for on the early ones, or just the usual foibles?
idiotgap said:
Fuel system... More than one early example has gone up in smoke due to perished fuel lines and consequent leaking onto hot parts. I guess it could be the same with any car, but worth being aware.
Thanks- I hadn't thought of that. The lack of use isn't a big turn off for me; it just means I need to have a larger war chest for when things break.....
Had a look at the 350sl today. Seems to be quite straight, if a bit neglected.
It's got a little bit of rust on the ribbed side panel just in front of the rear arch, the interior is filthy, a little bit of blue/black smoke on cold start and a rattle from the front (tappets and timing chain?), the aircon doesn't blow cold, and the hard top hasn't been taken off in 2 years. It's also got a broken passenger window and broken hardtop glass.
But it does look 'honest'....
I've tried to work out the options codes using this useful Mercedes SL VIN checker, but can't work out which number goes where! Can anybody help?
The numbers on the VIN plate look something like this
249 420 450 580 622
542 6 542 6 6
107043 22 5
0 70516 70516
I suspect that the plate is not original, but has been replaced at some point as it doesn't have any Mercedes branding on it. The serial number does match, however. Can anybody interpret this?
What do PH's 107 gurus reckon it's worth? Is there any premium on very early cars?
It's got a little bit of rust on the ribbed side panel just in front of the rear arch, the interior is filthy, a little bit of blue/black smoke on cold start and a rattle from the front (tappets and timing chain?), the aircon doesn't blow cold, and the hard top hasn't been taken off in 2 years. It's also got a broken passenger window and broken hardtop glass.
But it does look 'honest'....
I've tried to work out the options codes using this useful Mercedes SL VIN checker, but can't work out which number goes where! Can anybody help?
The numbers on the VIN plate look something like this
249 420 450 580 622
542 6 542 6 6
107043 22 5
0 70516 70516
I suspect that the plate is not original, but has been replaced at some point as it doesn't have any Mercedes branding on it. The serial number does match, however. Can anybody interpret this?
What do PH's 107 gurus reckon it's worth? Is there any premium on very early cars?
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