350 SL...rusty money pit?
Discussion
I think you have to be careful, my friend bought an 89 300sl which looked absolutely immaculate but it had rusted across the bulkhead behind the dashboard (common fault apparently), it meant water poured in whenever it rained, cost him about £1500 and that was a cheapo fix apparently.
Good looking cars though, best of luck.
Good looking cars though, best of luck.
I just happened to ride in a very very early 350SL the other day, a 1972 in light blue with 22,000 miles. It had only done around 3000 miles since 1998. Being 1972 it was even tax exempt - who needs a low-tax 1.4 when you can have it free!?
It wasn't a babied SL though and the condition was only B- grade. There were very minor rusts spots, nothing worse than you'd find, for example, on a 1989 Volkswagen Golf. The paintwork looked absolutely beautiful otherwise, no fade and a new looking finish, leaving me in no doubt of the quality of these cars back when they were new.
More surprising was the ride quality, not old-fashioned at all it was in fact very very smooth. Combined with the nice V8 - this one had had a new one a while ago though - and very modern feeling 4-speed auto I still find it hard to believe the car was from 1972, my guesses (it was on private plate) suggested more 1981-82.
If I was looking for a classic car I would snap one up instantly because I feel it could be used every day without problems and feel far more modern than it is (that may be a bad thing?!). Parts are not hard to come across either I believe.
All in all the whole car is a very, very different story to a similar era Triumph Stag, MGB etc. etc.
Russ
It wasn't a babied SL though and the condition was only B- grade. There were very minor rusts spots, nothing worse than you'd find, for example, on a 1989 Volkswagen Golf. The paintwork looked absolutely beautiful otherwise, no fade and a new looking finish, leaving me in no doubt of the quality of these cars back when they were new.
More surprising was the ride quality, not old-fashioned at all it was in fact very very smooth. Combined with the nice V8 - this one had had a new one a while ago though - and very modern feeling 4-speed auto I still find it hard to believe the car was from 1972, my guesses (it was on private plate) suggested more 1981-82.
If I was looking for a classic car I would snap one up instantly because I feel it could be used every day without problems and feel far more modern than it is (that may be a bad thing?!). Parts are not hard to come across either I believe.
All in all the whole car is a very, very different story to a similar era Triumph Stag, MGB etc. etc.
Russ
The SL R107 (1971 to 1989)is extremely reliable. Bombproof technics and not to much of it. Keeps its value, you wouldn´t lose money on it any more, they are starting to rise now. All spareparts still available, lots of secondhand as well because of similar technics and engines to saloon modells.
Beware of rust. Easiest indication is check the wheel arches for rust bulbs, and double check if there are chromed wheel arch covers, they are looking nice but who knows what they are hiding.
If you are at it also check the lower door panels.
If all those parts are perfect you have most likely a nice example in hands. If not, walk away, there will be much more affected by rust as you could hope.
Good luck!
Martin, member of the SL-Club (it´s out now)
Beware of rust. Easiest indication is check the wheel arches for rust bulbs, and double check if there are chromed wheel arch covers, they are looking nice but who knows what they are hiding.
If you are at it also check the lower door panels.
If all those parts are perfect you have most likely a nice example in hands. If not, walk away, there will be much more affected by rust as you could hope.
Good luck!
Martin, member of the SL-Club (it´s out now)
A close friend of the family has a K reg SL500.
Any questions mail me via my profile. He's had it from new and loves it. Great car, very fast, with lots of electronics that still work with no problems at all. CPU or something electrical had to be replaced last year at the cost of a grand, but its done about 80k.
It was at Pistonfest too!
Rico
Any questions mail me via my profile. He's had it from new and loves it. Great car, very fast, with lots of electronics that still work with no problems at all. CPU or something electrical had to be replaced last year at the cost of a grand, but its done about 80k.
It was at Pistonfest too!
Rico
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