Mercedes R107's
Discussion
Not parked on gravel, but it's not often you get Llamas in a car ad.
Tatty project.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C942520
Tatty project.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C942520
Dapster said:
I have those wheels on mine. It rides horribly but looks great! 
I'm wondering just what was wrong with this car sold last week:-
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24125/lot/279/
I had one the same colour in the early 80s.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24125/lot/279/
I had one the same colour in the early 80s.
lowdrag said:
I'm wondering just what was wrong with this car sold last week:-
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24125/lot/279/
I had one the same colour in the early 80s.
I think that the cheap price (agree with you) is down to the fact that it is a very late 380...the newer (better) 300, 420, models had just kicked in around 1985 (when this one was reg'd) so it is a foot between two stools type of thing. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24125/lot/279/
I had one the same colour in the early 80s.
The 300 and 420 and galvanised chassis "late" models are where the money is?
Shezbo said:
I think that the cheap price (agree with you) is down to the fact that it is a very late 380...the newer (better) 300, 420, models had just kicked in around 1985 (when this one was reg'd) so it is a foot between two stools type of thing.
The 300 and 420 and galvanised chassis "late" models are where the money is?
You thinking of dipping your toe back in the market Mark? Hope you're well!The 300 and 420 and galvanised chassis "late" models are where the money is?
idiotgap said:
is it white?
VIN sugests it was built late 83 as LHD. 500SL in black with black leather and black soft-top. Rear seats fitted, heated fronts.
https://www.datamb.com/vin/onNMKJ2PWKeEvQgBl
i can have a look later when I'm at home if I have 2 plates on my 84 car.
Many thanks yes the car is white now with red leather interior !!! looks like some big changes have been made. VIN sugests it was built late 83 as LHD. 500SL in black with black leather and black soft-top. Rear seats fitted, heated fronts.
https://www.datamb.com/vin/onNMKJ2PWKeEvQgBl
i can have a look later when I'm at home if I have 2 plates on my 84 car.
The US 560SL is a pretty nice car. I would try to avoid a US 380SL unless you plan to do an engine swap at some point in the future. They're very under powered (at 155hp) and the earlier cars have single row timing chains that are known to grenade. The level of effort to convert to double row chain is probably more than it would cost to source a 5.0 from a W126, swap the oil pan , manifolds and oil filter housings and put it in.
Selling my fitted car cover if anyone interested
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303730609734
Bought from the sl shop At £129, nice quality item...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303730609734
Bought from the sl shop At £129, nice quality item...
Hi everyone, long time no post but glad to be back!
After a years-long desire to own an R107, I’m very nearly ready to take the plunge. If there has been a post on this forum about one in the past decade, I’ve probably read it and coveted it!
Unfortunately due to a redundancy earlier this year, my savings pot took a bit of a hit and I don’t have quite the amount I’d need for a good one, going by what I can find in the classifieds. I look almost daily, which is part of why I need to just go ahead and do it, I can’t waste any more time dreaming...
At this moment, I’d really not want to spend more than £12k, and even if I saved a bit more, I couldn’t really justify having £15k+ tied up in a weekend car. Is a driveable car that’s maybe cosmetically not 100% out there for me? I’m not overly fussed on the engine, or the year- I’ve done my research and they all have their positives and negatives, and the late 3/500s are all pretty much £20k plus now. I have considered importing a dry state US car, but having never imported anything, I’m a little wary.
Basically, I’m tired of dreaming and worried that the values will continue to rise and outstrip my purchasing power. I know they’re not cheap cars to run but no car I’ve had in the past five years has been so I’d rather spend the upkeep money on the dream.
Any help or guidance appreciated!
After a years-long desire to own an R107, I’m very nearly ready to take the plunge. If there has been a post on this forum about one in the past decade, I’ve probably read it and coveted it!
Unfortunately due to a redundancy earlier this year, my savings pot took a bit of a hit and I don’t have quite the amount I’d need for a good one, going by what I can find in the classifieds. I look almost daily, which is part of why I need to just go ahead and do it, I can’t waste any more time dreaming...
At this moment, I’d really not want to spend more than £12k, and even if I saved a bit more, I couldn’t really justify having £15k+ tied up in a weekend car. Is a driveable car that’s maybe cosmetically not 100% out there for me? I’m not overly fussed on the engine, or the year- I’ve done my research and they all have their positives and negatives, and the late 3/500s are all pretty much £20k plus now. I have considered importing a dry state US car, but having never imported anything, I’m a little wary.
Basically, I’m tired of dreaming and worried that the values will continue to rise and outstrip my purchasing power. I know they’re not cheap cars to run but no car I’ve had in the past five years has been so I’d rather spend the upkeep money on the dream.
Any help or guidance appreciated!
I find that 350SL and 450SLs are cheaper to buy than the later cars with the alloy engines and the 4 speed automatic. There's not really a huge difference. If you don't mind owning a LHD car, find a rust free example in the US. You should have problem finding a clean 450SL for under $12000 USD and 560SL for under $20000 that's not rusty and never welded on.
vpr said:
I would strongly advise not buying a 107 in your current situation. They have drained me in the past even having bought well and at the top end.
+1. You will find yourself in an endless money pit which will get deeper by the day. You budget will only allow the purchase of a car "which needs improvement". Let it remain a dream, or spend a little of your money on renting one for a weekend.When they rust, they certainly rust ... like most cars!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-SL-450-for-spa...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-SL-450-for-spa...
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I have a 73 350 SLC, not the SL, but am likely to put it up for sale in the New Year. Great condition overall and after my initial investment into it costs have been routine maintenance. I can give details if you might be interested in the rarer (but cheaper) version of the 107!
I have been a long time admirer of your SLC- please do let me know if you can bear to part with it, I’d be very interested. Thank you all for your swift feedback- it’s much as I expected. I suppose my concern is that in a couple of years a baby will come along, and then another house, etc etc and this dream will keep getting pushed to the bottom of the list. This years’ been one to show that no matter how well you plan, anything can happen! So I’d really rather get this underway if at all possible. And to be honest, at the current values, they seem like a pretty safe place to put the savings (certainly more so than a modern)- it sounds like even buying the very best one wouldn’t resolve the issue, and I’m never going to be in the £25k+ marketplace because it’s just not justifiable for me.
Also, and excuse my rambling, but wouldn’t a 123, 129 or similar end up costing almost as much to run, for a ‘less valuable car’? Possibly not but I’d be interested to know if the back up option is also not viable.
Looking into a number of classic options and every single one seems to have a litany of issues, either mechanical or rust, but 107’s just seem like they do be worth the pain.
Edited by JRH1 on Tuesday 8th December 11:14
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