Mercedes R107's

[Dapster]

Shouldn't the black car not have a rubber rear spoiler if it's a 500?

[Paracetamol]

I purchased a German spec 87 500 SL that had spent most of its life in Japan. It turned out to be a real labour of love. Make sure you buy a car with a perfect dashboard and leather. A number of companies claim to provide OE leather- in fact its nothing like it. The replacement is much grainier and feels nothing like MB leather from the era. The dashboards crack and are very rare to find used and expensive to buy new.

Smaller parts and rubber seals etc are easily available from MB. I replaced all the external seals, bumper rubbers etc and the car really benefited from it. Also, they rust behind the headlamps and also at the strut mounts. They seem to hold water in certain areas and so its best to drive the car after washing.

When they do work they are great and have a great feeling of weight and a very different feel to modern cars but still being precise enough to drive. I also overhauled the AC system- this was so effective that I used to have to reduce the blower (even in the fierce middle east heat!).

[Shezbo]

TISPKJ said:

Because the economy 6 cylinder models came with a manual box as std from memory with auto as an option.

All the later face-lift 107's had an autobox as standard - in fact you could not spec a UK model with a manual.

[vpr]

Dapster said:

Shouldn't the black car not have a rubber rear spoiler if it's a 500?

86 500 had boot spoiler but even then there was a delete option

[lowdrag]

You really are a lot of bar stewards. I have spent several hours looking at 380 and 420's, but as I well remember them from the day, it must have cruise control. I did long trips alternating feet on the accelerator; it got that heavy after a while.

[drmark]

Been out in my 300sl over the weekend - fantastic car but you sail them more than drive them! At least that is what it feels like after driving old Porsches.

[IanA2]

drmark said:

Been out in my 300sl over the weekend - fantastic car but you sail them more than drive them! At least that is what it feels like after driving old Porsches.

Yup....better off with a 129.

[tali1]

Are we reaaaady to rummmmble!!!

SL in ultra rare and amazing light Ochre


Light ivory - another rare and cranky colour PHeads why won't you let me post multiple images ? this nonsense glitch has reared its ugly ahead again
[img]http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/uploads/cars/mercedes/3964392.jpg [/img]
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C416098





See loaaaaaaads of SLs on GSVIEW - i must havea world record for sightings.Seriuosly.

Shezbo said:

TISPKJ said:

Because the economy 6 cylinder models came with a manual box as std from memory with auto as an option.

All the later face-lift 107's had an autobox as standard - in fact you could not spec a UK model with a manual.

I have seen an early 350SL manual box uk car - but that is only one
This 280SL - not sure if qualifies as Uk car
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C467410

lowdrag said:

You really are a lot of bar stewards. I have spent several hours looking at 380 and 420's, but as I well remember them from the day, it must have cruise control. I did long trips alternating feet on the accelerator; it got that heavy after a while.

£232 option on later cars - so not too expensive-so i guess a fair few must have it

Edited by tali1 on Sunday 2nd March 20:46

[drmark]

IanA2 said:

Yup....better off with a 129.

No thanks Ian :-)

Love the retro look of the R107 and I am lucky enough to have other cars to sample proper handling. The SL makes me smile.

[IanA2]

drmark said:

No thanks Ian :-)

Love the retro look of the R107 and I am lucky enough to have other cars to sample proper handling. The SL makes me smile.

Vive la différence...

[ADP68]

So, not suitable as an everyday classic that lives outside in the night?

[PGNTuscan]

ADP68 said:

So, not suitable as an everyday classic that lives outside in the night?

mine lived outdoors and used it daily for 10 months. not a problem

[decampos]

ADP68 said:

So, not suitable as an everyday classic that lives outside in the night?

Mine's an everyday classic that I park on the street.

[Luca Brasi]

Took my dad's 82 280SL for it's first spin of the year. Clunky slow autobox, floaty suspension, on/off brakes & throttle, drinks like a fish. Lovely cruiser

[Candellara]

Luca Brasi said:

Took my dad's 82 280SL for it's first spin of the year. Clunky slow autobox, floaty suspension, on/off brakes & throttle, drinks like a fish. Lovely cruiser

& still pulls more admiring glances than some modern supercars costing ten fold. R107's are a class act IMO. Hopefully you'll inherit it one day

[decampos]

Luca Brasi said:

Took my dad's 82 280SL for it's first spin of the year...

Clunky slow autobox,

yep

Luca Brasi said:

floaty suspension,

hmm. Depends what you're used to. Might need looking at.

Luca Brasi said:

on/off brakes & throttle

I guess so. Never thought of that before. It is quite binary I suppose.

Luca Brasi said:

drinks like a fish

Indeed but slightly less so than the V8s

Luca Brasi said:

Lovely cruiser

Oh yes!

[Luca Brasi]

decampos said:

Oh yes!

I forgot about the completely unresponsive steering & the annoying fuel filler cap. Spent 10 minutes trying to open it at my local petrol station yesterday

[decampos]

If the steering is unresponsive and vague there's a good chance the steering coupler needs replacing. it connects the steering wheel to the steering box and it has rubber bushings which were totally buggered on mine. The fuel filler cap should be unlocked when the doors are unlocked. If it's not unlocking there may be an issue with one of the vacuum circuits; Mercedes in their infinite wisdom thought it would be a better idea to use 'air' rather than little motors for things like central locking and ventilation flaps. Massive pain in the arse.

Luca Brasi said:

I forgot about the completely unresponsive steering & the annoying fuel filler cap. Spent 10 minutes trying to open it at my local petrol station yesterday

[decampos]

This surely must be a contender for the most overpriced R107.

1983 Mercedes Benz 500SL, 134,000 Miles, £29,995.00

[Dapster]

My quest to find the the most expensive R107 continues...

This beauty is up for €90k - it looks like a perfect 560SL in Euro spec. Have a look at the some of the other cars on the site. Just the place to go if your numbers come up.





http://www.brabus.com/en/cars4sale.php?id=36941&am...