Just bought a R107

[Dave211]

When I bought my previous classic, a 3.2 911 Carrera , I did a lot of research and found the body to be the highest risk in terms of potential cost for restoration. On that basis I waited until I found a car that had a full body restore, with documented proof of work done.

I'm sure it's the same for the SL, so finding the best example you can afford would save a lot of aggro, time and money , down the line.

D.

[nickod]

Dave211 said:

When I bought my previous classic, a 3.2 911 Carrera , I did a lot of research and found the body to be the highest risk in terms of potential cost for restoration. On that basis I waited until I found a car that had a full body restore, with documented proof of work done.

I'm sure it's the same for the SL, so finding the best example you can afford would save a lot of aggro, time and money , down the line.

D.

Thanks for all the advice. I do think there are good private cars out there at significantly lower prices than the dealers although I accept private is a bit of a minefield. Having said that , looking at some private ads I assume some sellers see the prices at the top dealers and think they can achieve the same.

[acme]

I know it's been said before but RUST is the big one on these cars. You must open the grills either side by the bulkhead (& if the original plastics pop out plugs aren't there run a mile) and if possible take out the heater, as far as I can tell there was no protection here even on post 85 cars. Mine's been garaged/wintered for 20+years but it still isn't perfect in there.

They're great cars but don't believe the hype about being built from granite, when was the last time you saw granite rust.....

[acme]

nickod said:

Thanks for all the advice. I do think there are good private cars out there at significantly lower prices than the dealers although I accept private is a bit of a minefield. Having said that , looking at some private ads I assume some sellers see the prices at the top dealers and think they can achieve the same.

Join the Merc club (good value IMO at £30), get on the forum & the 107 section (biggest in the club) & see if anyone's got one for sale. Friendly & knowledgeable bunch of blokes.

[Dave211]

nickod said:

Thanks for all the advice. I do think there are good private cars out there at significantly lower prices than the dealers although I accept private is a bit of a minefield. Having said that , looking at some private ads I assume some sellers see the prices at the top dealers and think they can achieve the same.

If I had time to do all the research and found a private car with bulkhead sorted and evidence of key areas for rust having being restored , then I agree a private sale is an option. Without this though, the risks are too high.

Going back to 911 story, I saw a 930 owned from new by the guy, hardly every saw the rain, kept in dry garage , only 30k miles and he still ended up with £15k bill to restore rusted parts of car. Unfortunately lots do areas can't be seen easily by Joe Public , so as a minimum you would want a specilaist or very knowledgable enthusiast to check the car over for you.

I was just lazy and risk adverse, so paid the dosh

[EdJ]

I started by looking at buying privately but there's no way I'm going to be able to get comfortable with all the potential rust issues. The fact that the SL Shop guys offer a warranty made it a much easier decision.

I was flicking through the service book of the car I've just bought - it's a 1986 420SL owned by the same chap for the last 27 years. I've never seen so many main dealer service stamps. Mileage is 99k, but it looks superb.

My car has the cloth seats - I originally thought I'd want to replace them with full leather, but they've really grown on me. They feel very much of the era.

[rubystone]

erics said:

did the 50k miles have full history? yes
what colour and options? white, don't know
what condition etc? vgc

it is not like buying a 4/5 year old porsche 996 or 997.. The condition varies hugely from one car to another. I bought a low mileage blue-black car with 50k miles on it, paid good money for it and still spent £10k to make it 'right'. Despite the fact that it was a VERY good example to start with. I should note that a lot of the £10k work was done at trade price..

Edited by erics on Tuesday 27th May 15:35

I agree re condition. I totally agree. And as for buying a 996/997 at least with a 107 you know that the engines and transmissions are pretty well bullet proof. Even the nicest 996 or 997 could be hiding an IMS or RMS problem that no pretty paint job or massive spec would show up!

Oh and even the experts get it wrong. A mate paid strong money for a 107 from a very reputable 107 specialist around 5 years ago and dropped it in to someone in West London to sort out water in his headlight. They put it on a ramp because the front near side camber was out significantly and discovered accident damage. To the specialist's credit, they did refund his money...

[Candellara]

Absolutely love my 300SL :-) June 89, Solid black with black leather & rear seat option. As previous posts, mileage is fairly irrelevant on 107's now - buy on condition every time. Mine was very good and fully serviceable when i bought it 4 years ago, but i've done lots and lots of mechanical refurbishment to get her in the condition that she is now

[erics]

Candellara said:

Absolutely love my 300SL :-) June 89, Solid black with black leather & rear seat option. As previous posts, mileage is fairly irrelevant on 107's now - buy on condition every time. Mine was very good and fully serviceable when i bought it 4 years ago, but i've done lots and lots of mechanical refurbishment to get her in the condition that she is now

Almost as nice as mine (pics on page 2)..

[P.Nott]

Was the model included with the car?

[Candellara]

P.Nott said:

Was the model included with the car?

No :-) but the ladies seem to adore 107's? Always get lots of positive comments about the car from the fairer sex. Perhaps there's a degree of romanticism about SL 107's?

[Dave211]

Romantic thoughts about a certain driver more likely, for the ladies of the 80's

[74merc]

rubystone said:

I agree re condition. I totally agree. And as for buying a 996/997 at least with a 107 you know that the engines and transmissions are pretty well bullet proof. Even the nicest 996 or 997 could be hiding an IMS or RMS problem that no pretty paint job or massive spec would show up!

Oh and even the experts get it wrong. A mate paid strong money for a 107 from a very reputable 107 specialist around 5 years ago and dropped it in to someone in West London to sort out water in his headlight. They put it on a ramp because the front near side camber was out significantly and discovered accident damage. To the specialist's credit, they did refund his money...

You have to wonder what the specialists do to a car to justify strong money, yet either don't notice accident damage or don't do anything to remediate it. I would be buying privately from an enthusiast.

[vpr]

Love this Smoke Grey personally....Must be rare....Not with red leather though

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[EdJ]

vpr said:

Love this Smoke Grey personally....Must be rare....Not with red leather though

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

I like it too, and I actually think the red interior really makes this car. I saw this one and was tempted, but wasn't familiar with the dealer.

[Dave211]

Good choice of car in this music video :- http://youtu.be/KD5fLb-WgBU

[drmark]

SL shop have just got a might 16,000 mile 89 SL500 107. Red with black leather. Just under 50k

[idiotgap]

This one looks good.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131193279311

[rubystone]

Mileage seems to be conspicuous by its absence?

[idiotgap]

rubystone said:

Mileage seems to be conspicuous by its absence?

Whilst I agree, disclosure would seem less evasive, arguably it doesn't matter as much as the condition of the car.