which R107. SL300?
Discussion
Hi
Considering a R107 for summer weekend trips. Probably less than 2500 miles a year. Had a Pagoda 230SL, which was sold in 2005 due to not being used. Now I have more time, and can't really justify pagoda money. Budget up to 20K. But which one? Would prefer an original unrestored car. Is a late 300SL the best choice? What should I be looking for? Is condition and history more important than mileage? Are there any notable weaknesses? Is a facelift model with galvanised body the best investment wise. Opinions much appreciated.
Considering a R107 for summer weekend trips. Probably less than 2500 miles a year. Had a Pagoda 230SL, which was sold in 2005 due to not being used. Now I have more time, and can't really justify pagoda money. Budget up to 20K. But which one? Would prefer an original unrestored car. Is a late 300SL the best choice? What should I be looking for? Is condition and history more important than mileage? Are there any notable weaknesses? Is a facelift model with galvanised body the best investment wise. Opinions much appreciated.
Hi,
Generally speaking the very early Iron Block and later cars are more sought after.The early ones are best avoided though, they rust like buggery, the interior is basic, the iron block engines heavy and gearbox only has 3 ratios.
The 300SL is a good car, the 500s are also sought after and the MPG is pretty much the same on all of them, i.e horrific. The older ones may be better protected but they ALL rust like buggery, this is by far your main consideration when buying. Check everywhere, but particularly the drains in the sills, the heating box just under the front screen and wheel arch skins. Mechanicals are tough and relatively cheap to repair, rust can be catastrophically expensive to fix.
It is full of dogs out there but for your budget you should find a pretty immaculate and relatively (for a 107) low mileage car, perhaps 40-50,000 or so. Condition is the most important thing and DO NOT BUY WITHOUT A PPI.
The SL Shop www.theslshop.com has a good rep but if i were you i would buy private, you will get a batter car for your cash (as long as you get it PPI'd)
Generally speaking the very early Iron Block and later cars are more sought after.The early ones are best avoided though, they rust like buggery, the interior is basic, the iron block engines heavy and gearbox only has 3 ratios.
The 300SL is a good car, the 500s are also sought after and the MPG is pretty much the same on all of them, i.e horrific. The older ones may be better protected but they ALL rust like buggery, this is by far your main consideration when buying. Check everywhere, but particularly the drains in the sills, the heating box just under the front screen and wheel arch skins. Mechanicals are tough and relatively cheap to repair, rust can be catastrophically expensive to fix.
It is full of dogs out there but for your budget you should find a pretty immaculate and relatively (for a 107) low mileage car, perhaps 40-50,000 or so. Condition is the most important thing and DO NOT BUY WITHOUT A PPI.
The SL Shop www.theslshop.com has a good rep but if i were you i would buy private, you will get a batter car for your cash (as long as you get it PPI'd)
Edited by jackpe on Thursday 14th February 15:38
There's never been so many to choose from in the classifieds. Now's a good time of year to get looking, before the spring comes and all those Jennifer Hart wannabes start pestering their Jonathans to buy them one to drive to their subsidized fashion boutiques.
20k puts you in a strong position to get a minter in the exact spec. you want.
Personally I'd take a late 500SL or even a 420SL. Anyone know how many were manuals? The ones I see all seem to be automatics, which probably suits the car.
20k puts you in a strong position to get a minter in the exact spec. you want.
Personally I'd take a late 500SL or even a 420SL. Anyone know how many were manuals? The ones I see all seem to be automatics, which probably suits the car.
I've just been through this debate, and ended up with a 300SL. The fact it's lighter, turns in better and is not as dreadful on fuel are minor advantages, but the main reason is that if you want a late one ( much better rustproofing, better gearing, sharper looks) then there are an awful lot more late 300s around than late 420s or 500s.
Now i have run it a while, i love it. I'm really surprised at how well the 300SL shifts, although I also note the gearing on the 300 is shorter than the V8 models...
As always, my advice is buy on condition, service history and provenance. Then on colour, if thats important to you - they are quite colour sensitive. Whether its a 300, a 420 or a 500 matters a lot less in everyday use than any of these factors, I reckon.
Happy hunting - and let us know what you choose!
Now i have run it a while, i love it. I'm really surprised at how well the 300SL shifts, although I also note the gearing on the 300 is shorter than the V8 models...
As always, my advice is buy on condition, service history and provenance. Then on colour, if thats important to you - they are quite colour sensitive. Whether its a 300, a 420 or a 500 matters a lot less in everyday use than any of these factors, I reckon.
Happy hunting - and let us know what you choose!
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