Mercedes R107's

[vpr]

At that price range you’d get a nice 129 which would serve you far better. Less fragile in our manky damp climate

[Dapster]

JRH1 said:

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.

Part prices for a 107 are eye watering. Look at the SL Shop parts catalogue for example (clearly this isn't the cheapest way to get parts but never the less...) select any category and order it by price. £300 each for a tail light lens, £1,000 for Mercedes OE foglights, £1,200 for a front bumper....

£20k on a C123 or R129 would get you an absolute minter of each. The C123 would feel as classic as an SL as it is inherently a 45 year old design. The R129 is 2 decades newer than a R107 so what you loose in "classic" charm you gain in a far more modern execution, plenty of toys, ABS and airbags and what is still a lovely looking and capable car.

£20k would also get you a fantastic 500 or 560 SEC which would be halfway between the 2 in terms of modern/classic and also has the advantage like the C123 that if you do have a sprog coming along, you can put a kiddy seat in it and not get rid....

Other vendors willing to relieve you of your hard earned are available

https://www.lawtonprestige.co.uk/
https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/cars-for-sale
https://www.theslshop.com/car-showroom/
https://www.mtsv.co.uk/Showroom.htm
http://www.charlesironside.co.uk/
https://www.ccbenz.co.uk/cars

[tobinen]

I've seen CdG's C107 up close and I would recommend it unless you're really fixed on having a convertible. And pillarless coupés are cool IMO.

[NathanChadwick]

Dapster said:

Part prices for a 107 are eye watering. Look at the SL Shop parts catalogue for example (clearly this isn't the cheapest way to get parts but never the less...) select any category and order it by price. £300 each for a tail light lens, £1,000 for Mercedes OE foglights, £1,200 for a front bumper....

£20k on a C123 or R129 would get you an absolute minter of each. The C123 would feel as classic as an SL as it is inherently a 45 year old design. The R129 is 2 decades newer than a R107 so what you loose in "classic" charm you gain in a far more modern execution, plenty of toys, ABS and airbags and what is still a lovely looking and capable car.

£20k would also get you a fantastic 500 or 560 SEC which would be halfway between the 2 in terms of modern/classic and also has the advantage like the C123 that if you do have a sprog coming along, you can put a kiddy seat in it and not get rid....

Other vendors willing to relieve you of your hard earned are available

https://www.lawtonprestige.co.uk/
https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/cars-for-sale
https://www.theslshop.com/car-showroom/
https://www.mtsv.co.uk/Showroom.htm
http://www.charlesironside.co.uk/
https://www.ccbenz.co.uk/cars

Some parts for W123 Coupes are now no longer available. The rubbers around the side windows were NLA when I had mine about four years ago. I believe W123 World said they were no longer restoring them IIRC because parts were so scarce.

The SECs are lovely but they also have high repair costs. Not sure if Clive at SEC Shop is still about but it's worth having a chat with him before committing funds.

I love the C123 (and all W123s) but I'd only consider a 280 straight six. While no 123 is a sportscar, the 280 is such a peach of an engine if you ever drive one owning a four-pot, it'll ruin your car. That's what happened to me.
Mind you I had a 77 230C at the time (it was in Classic Cars magazine for a while), which had a carb-fed 109bhp. I think I have more accelerative thrust. It's a very rare version of the 123, but best left to 123 aficionados or masochists. Noisy, slow and thirsty.
The 230CE is nice, but again, the 280CE is so much better, and more relaxing to drive...

As for the SECs, the 560 is the daddy and they are great. The percentage of greatness over a 500 requires some consideration, however...

[TarquinMX5]

Don't underestimate the SLC; I had a 450 back in 80s/90s and it's a proper 4-seater, it was ideal for me as a child seat fitted in the back. Accepted, you can't take the roof off but pillarless with an open sunroof is quite agreeable. I didn't like the standard steering wheel (far too big) but a 15" MotaLita wheel was vast improvement.

I didn't find normal day-to-day costs noticeably different to the Rover SD1 V8 I had at the same time; genuine exhausts and the rear dampers (fairly rare hydraulic self-levelling on mine) being noticeable exceptions. From memory, c15mpg was about the norm..

However that was a while ago and, despite superb build quality, they can rust and one hiding 'issues' will be a moneypit.

[alabbasi]

I prefer the SLC to the SL to drive. Even at 5'10, the SL feels cramped whereas you have more space in the SLC. That combined with the smoother ride from the longer wheelbase, the bigger boot and the lack or rattling that you get from a hard top convertible make it nicer to live with. The SEC is a fine car.
I've owned a W123, 230CE and a 280CE. I prefer the W114 280CE which feels sportier.

[JRH1]

Well I’m 6 ft 2, and I’ve spent all day looking at SLC’s online so maybe that’s where the money will have to go

[alabbasi]

These were my old SLC's

1981 Mercedes Benz 500SLC originally anthracite but repainted black. Pretty rare ABS option



1979 Mercedes Benz 450SLC 5.0 originally Ikon Gold, but repainted thistle green, then painted back to Ikon Gold by me



I kind of regret selling #1143. I still have an Inca red 5.0 that I need to put back together.

Here's my 84 500SL that i probably haven't driven in 4 years.

Edited by alabbasi on Wednesday 9th December 04:40

[CharlesdeGaulle]

JRH1 said:

Well I’m 6 ft 2, and I’ve spent all day looking at SLC’s online so maybe that’s where the money will have to go

I have sent you a PM.

[lowdrag]

I have quietly spent quite a while looking at SLC's, and my preference would probably be a 500 but possibly a 380. I wouldn't go for the old iron block motors, but don't really know why. Fuel consumption on any of them isn't a consideration, but for some reason I lean toward the alloy block cars. Tell me I'm wrong please.

[alabbasi]

lowdrag said:

I have quietly spent quite a while looking at SLC's, and my preference would probably be a 500 but possibly a 380. I wouldn't go for the old iron block motors, but don't really know why. Fuel consumption on any of them isn't a consideration, but for some reason I lean toward the alloy block cars. Tell me I'm wrong please.

The Iron block engines (280, 350 and 450) are quite durable (as iron blocks are). The 350SLC would be the only one that was offered with a 4 speed manual and a V8. The V8 3.5 is quite a lively engine and might be the pick as it likes to rev. The 3 speed in the V8 is more like a 2nd , 3rd and 4th gear so they're not super quick off the line, but they do well at motorway speeds.

The alloy versions are the 450SLC 5.0, 500SLC and the 380SLC. The 450SLC 5.0 obviously has the rarest engine as it's an alloy version of the 450 engine, mated to the 722.0 3 speed auto. The 380SLC and 500SLC used the same engines that went into the W126 and later R107's, mated to a 722.3. The 722.3 usually starts in second gear so unless you're mashing the pedal, you're kind of getting the same thing.

Unless you're buying an 026 car, my only suggestion is to steer towards the CIS fuel injected cars as D-jetronic can be temperamental and buy based on condition.

[lowdrag]

Yes, I'm used to the 2nd gear start - on "economy" grounds - having had it in an SL, W123 coupé and W124, but I thank you for your comprehensive answer.

[dinkel]

alabbasi said:

1979 Mercedes Benz 450SLC 5.0 originally Ikon Gold, but repainted thistle green, then painted back to Ikon Gold by me

Ow baby.

[niva441]

lowdrag said:

Yes, I'm used to the 2nd gear start - on "economy" grounds - having had it in an SL, W123 coupé and W124, but I thank you for your comprehensive answer.

Thanks from me as well, I fancied buying a later 380 SLC as I expected 4th to be an overdrive. I was put off earlier cars as I didn't fancy the engine spinning too fast at constant motorway speeds using a non-lock up torque converter top 3rd gear. I don't feel so bad about getting a 190 2.6 as, although not as much of an occasion, it fits my needs better. Unfortunately time I've got it sorted, I probably could have bought a good SLC for the money.

[alabbasi]

niva441 said:

Thanks from me as well, I fancied buying a later 380 SLC as I expected 4th to be an overdrive. I was put off earlier cars as I didn't fancy the engine spinning too fast at constant motorway speeds using a non-lock up torque converter top 3rd gear. I don't feel so bad about getting a 190 2.6 as, although not as much of an occasion, it fits my needs better. Unfortunately time I've got it sorted, I probably could have bought a good SLC for the money.

Aside from the 026 cars (450SLC 5.0 and 500SLC) the 380SLC would be the rarest model as it was only made for the 1981 model year. In the US, they are dogs because they had a smogged engine which only made 155hp, the problematic ACCII climate control and single row timing chains which tend to break if they're not changed every 40,000 miles. The Euro 380 is pretty powerful and always came with a double row timing chain. Compared to the others, the 380's gave great fuel mileage.

I'm pretty sure that the 722.3 does not have a lock up torque converter or overdrive. The rear end ratios were lower on the 4 speed cars (2.47:1 in the 500 vs 3.07:1 in the 450).

Edited by alabbasi on Thursday 10th December 18:26

[anonymous-user]

Spotted this lovely 76 350SL this morning - looked in fine fettle

|https://thumbsnap.com/ZYL8vUjo[/url

I ran this 1981 280 SLC for 5 years about 20 years back and it was superb - the twin cam 2.8 is an absolute peach of an engine. It was looked after by Roger Edwards (RIP) and he was very complimentary - he was rather less so about my 1970 250 CE so I knew he was being genuine.

If anyone knows what became of ULR951X please let me know - I believe it went to Wales after I sold it but it hasn’t been taxed or MOT’d since...

[CharlesdeGaulle]

That SLC is a beautiful colour. Nice story, and hopefully the car still lives.

[TarquinMX5]

Agreed, which colour is that? (I can see it's blue )

[Dapster]

Looks like China Blue

[anonymous-user]

Correct - China Blue - really suited the car.