Talk to me about the R107 SL
Discussion
Ordered the daily hack C Class, so now looking for something a bit older and a bit interesting for summer use. Fancy an SL R107 V8 but are these strong engines or should I be looking at the straight 6? Also what year did they introduce the galvanised body panels?
Are these a sensible buy or am I being completely daft?
Are these a sensible buy or am I being completely daft?
Buy on condition not specification.
Late-1985 is the date of the major facelift. Personally I prefer pre-facelift cars but I seem to be in a minority of one.
If you do a search on "R107", you will find most every question you could ask has already been answered at least three times!
Popular acclaim has it that the SL Shop is very helpful.
They're wonderful cars and very usable.
Late-1985 is the date of the major facelift. Personally I prefer pre-facelift cars but I seem to be in a minority of one.
If you do a search on "R107", you will find most every question you could ask has already been answered at least three times!
Popular acclaim has it that the SL Shop is very helpful.
They're wonderful cars and very usable.
A beautiful , timeless machine . Buy expensive and running costs cheap . My understanding is that early V8's ( 350/450 ) very thirsty , later cars a bit better . As R129sl says , galvanised cars are C-reg onwards , but all can rust , so a comprehensive inspection is essential .
make sure hard top comes with the car , and there are many reputable dealers about , not least Silver Arrows and The SL Shop .
make sure hard top comes with the car , and there are many reputable dealers about , not least Silver Arrows and The SL Shop .
chris333 said:
You have a good reason, I'd love to do a really big European tour.
Hope you manage to find the right car!
Thanks. I did this particular classic tour a couple of years ago in a Stag which, sadly, wasn't the most reliable of steeds, so going for something a bit newer and with a bit more grunt this time round. Also hoping it won't let us down like the Triumph did. Hope you manage to find the right car!
P.Nott said:
chris333 said:
You have a good reason, I'd love to do a really big European tour.
Hope you manage to find the right car!
Thanks. I did this particular classic tour a couple of years ago in a Stag which, sadly, wasn't the most reliable of steeds, so going for something a bit newer and with a bit more grunt this time round. Also hoping it won't let us down like the Triumph did. Hope you manage to find the right car!
Quite a contrast between a 1.3 4-cyl and a 5l V8! The Spitfire always brought a smile to my face though..
Yup... Was me starting the thread...... And am after another car.... Black, blue or blue-black with super low miles (less than 40k miles). Needs leather inside.
Has to be post 1986.
Don't care 6 cylinder or v8.
I have a very adequate budget for the right car.........
If anyone knows of a car matching the above, pls pm me....
Has to be post 1986.
Don't care 6 cylinder or v8.
I have a very adequate budget for the right car.........
If anyone knows of a car matching the above, pls pm me....
BigBen said:
There was a huge thread last year on the R107 and what to look for.
Mainly rust IME!
Mainly rust IME!
I had a 420SL on a 'D' plate for a number of years (sadly parted with it prior to arrival of twins...) and have to say buy on condition yes but be patient and a good V8 will come along. I tried both the S6 and the V8 variants prior to buying and the sound of the V8 engine with the hood down was a clincher for me....
In the time I had mine (a few years) I had no major problems or expenses bar usual maintenance and managed 30+ mpg on a run.
In the time I had mine (a few years) I had no major problems or expenses bar usual maintenance and managed 30+ mpg on a run.
erics said:
Yup... Was me starting the thread...... And am after another car.... Black, blue or blue-black with super low miles (less than 40k miles). Needs leather inside.
Has to be post 1986.
Don't care 6 cylinder or v8.
I have a very adequate budget for the right car.........
If anyone knows of a car matching the above, pls pm me....
Any reason post 86 erics?Has to be post 1986.
Don't care 6 cylinder or v8.
I have a very adequate budget for the right car.........
If anyone knows of a car matching the above, pls pm me....
BigBen said:
There was a huge thread last year on the R107 and what to look for.
Mainly rust IME!
Mainly rust IME!
I had one in late 80s - early 90s for about 9 years. Generally built like tanks, proper old Merc quality, not like some of the later stuff. But they can rust.
In my opinion the engines are generally tough (I speak for V8, no personal experience of the S6); by the time I sold it it had c130,000 on the clock, routine maintenance apart from chains, a transmission UJ and a cold start (IIRC) sensor. Original tailpipe lasted 125,000 miles, but a genuine MB replacement wasn't quite as cheap as a Kwik-Fit one would be
- but then it will last longer.
A good indie would be worth exploring for servicing, although parts availability shouldn't be too much of an issue, if you're prepared to pay MB dealer prices as I understand they can still source most, if not all, parts. Happy to be corrected on that last point.
The leather was a bit 'hard'in my opinion, compared with, for example, Jag/Rolls etc, but then it lasted well and almost looked like new after high miles.
However, for me the only downside was that it took me a while to be comfortable when driving it and I was never really happy until I'd removed the bus-like original steering wheel and replaced it with a smaller one. just personal choice, though. I probably averaged 15-18mpg.
As the newest is now >23 years old, I would go on condition, rather than any particular engine/model year etc.
The trouble with updating these posts is that it makes me wish I'd bought a large barn and just kept all the old cars.
In my opinion the engines are generally tough (I speak for V8, no personal experience of the S6); by the time I sold it it had c130,000 on the clock, routine maintenance apart from chains, a transmission UJ and a cold start (IIRC) sensor. Original tailpipe lasted 125,000 miles, but a genuine MB replacement wasn't quite as cheap as a Kwik-Fit one would be
- but then it will last longer.A good indie would be worth exploring for servicing, although parts availability shouldn't be too much of an issue, if you're prepared to pay MB dealer prices as I understand they can still source most, if not all, parts. Happy to be corrected on that last point.
The leather was a bit 'hard'in my opinion, compared with, for example, Jag/Rolls etc, but then it lasted well and almost looked like new after high miles.
However, for me the only downside was that it took me a while to be comfortable when driving it and I was never really happy until I'd removed the bus-like original steering wheel and replaced it with a smaller one. just personal choice, though. I probably averaged 15-18mpg.
As the newest is now >23 years old, I would go on condition, rather than any particular engine/model year etc.
The trouble with updating these posts is that it makes me wish I'd bought a large barn and just kept all the old cars.
tonys said:
if you're prepared to pay MB dealer prices as I understand they can still source most, if not all, parts. Happy to be corrected on that last point.
Up until earlier this week I would have been happy to do so. However tried to buy the rubber mount that goes at the back of the gearbox on the one I am restoring and was told they can't get them. Mind you first time this has happened to me in many years of classic Merc ownership.Ben
Ben, I am amazed (and somewhat horrified) that a transmission mount isn't available.
The V8s are still pretty fast. I ran a friend's 1981 500 SL for a few months two summers ago and it would do 130mph with the roof down! Take off was pretty rapid, too, with 60 coming up in less than 8 seconds and on-the-move acceleration being more than adequate. Handling was interesting.
V8 cars have an anti-squat and anti-dive mechanism in their suspension that is not present on the I6.
All V8s and the later 3.0litre m103 I6 are unburstable by any sensible measure. The UK did not get the single row timing chain that plagued US 380 V8s. The 2.8litre m110 I6, a beautiful engine to look at, seems very robust, too.
Post-1986 gets you slightly improved suspension, slightly bigger brakes, standard fit ABS and better corrosion protection. The price you pay is the ugly front spoiler and the flat face wheels, but that's just my taste, you may prefer the look of the later car as well, many people do.
The V8s are still pretty fast. I ran a friend's 1981 500 SL for a few months two summers ago and it would do 130mph with the roof down! Take off was pretty rapid, too, with 60 coming up in less than 8 seconds and on-the-move acceleration being more than adequate. Handling was interesting.
V8 cars have an anti-squat and anti-dive mechanism in their suspension that is not present on the I6.
All V8s and the later 3.0litre m103 I6 are unburstable by any sensible measure. The UK did not get the single row timing chain that plagued US 380 V8s. The 2.8litre m110 I6, a beautiful engine to look at, seems very robust, too.
Post-1986 gets you slightly improved suspension, slightly bigger brakes, standard fit ABS and better corrosion protection. The price you pay is the ugly front spoiler and the flat face wheels, but that's just my taste, you may prefer the look of the later car as well, many people do.
Drove a 1986 500sl lately and was amazed by the acceleration. Handling and braking were erm.. Approximative..
Very different to the 300 sl i had.
As stated above, i am after another 107, but i would still favour, condition, colour, spec over the engine alone.
Very different to the 300 sl i had.
As stated above, i am after another 107, but i would still favour, condition, colour, spec over the engine alone.
r129sl said:
Ben, I am amazed (and somewhat horrified) that a transmission mount isn't available.
The V8s are still pretty fast. I ran a friend's 1981 500 SL for a few months two summers ago and it would do 130mph with the roof down! Take off was pretty rapid, too, with 60 coming up in less than 8 seconds and on-the-move acceleration being more than adequate. Handling was interesting.
V8 cars have an anti-squat and anti-dive mechanism in their suspension that is not present on the I6.
All V8s and the later 3.0litre m103 I6 are unburstable by any sensible measure. The UK did not get the single row timing chain that plagued US 380 V8s. The 2.8litre m110 I6, a beautiful engine to look at, seems very robust, too.
Post-1986 gets you slightly improved suspension, slightly bigger brakes, standard fit ABS and better corrosion protection. The price you pay is the ugly front spoiler and the flat face wheels, but that's just my taste, you may prefer the look of the later car as well, many people do.
The V8s are still pretty fast. I ran a friend's 1981 500 SL for a few months two summers ago and it would do 130mph with the roof down! Take off was pretty rapid, too, with 60 coming up in less than 8 seconds and on-the-move acceleration being more than adequate. Handling was interesting.
V8 cars have an anti-squat and anti-dive mechanism in their suspension that is not present on the I6.
All V8s and the later 3.0litre m103 I6 are unburstable by any sensible measure. The UK did not get the single row timing chain that plagued US 380 V8s. The 2.8litre m110 I6, a beautiful engine to look at, seems very robust, too.
Post-1986 gets you slightly improved suspension, slightly bigger brakes, standard fit ABS and better corrosion protection. The price you pay is the ugly front spoiler and the flat face wheels, but that's just my taste, you may prefer the look of the later car as well, many people do.
r129sl said:
Ben, I am amazed (and somewhat horrified) that a transmission mount isn't available.
The V8s are still pretty fast. I ran a friend's 1981 500 SL for a few months two summers ago and it would do 130mph with the roof down! Take off was pretty rapid, too, with 60 coming up in less than 8 seconds and on-the-move acceleration being more than adequate. Handling was interesting.
V8 cars have an anti-squat and anti-dive mechanism in their suspension that is not present on the I6.
All V8s and the later 3.0litre m103 I6 are unburstable by any sensible measure. The UK did not get the single row timing chain that plagued US 380 V8s. The 2.8litre m110 I6, a beautiful engine to look at, seems very robust, too.
Post-1986 gets you slightly improved suspension, slightly bigger brakes, standard fit ABS and better corrosion protection. The price you pay is the ugly front spoiler and the flat face wheels, but that's just my taste, you may prefer the look of the later car as well, many people do.
I think that all facelift cars have the same suspension across the range so that should include the anti-dive / squat bits. I will know more when I get round to restoring the rear end of my car.The V8s are still pretty fast. I ran a friend's 1981 500 SL for a few months two summers ago and it would do 130mph with the roof down! Take off was pretty rapid, too, with 60 coming up in less than 8 seconds and on-the-move acceleration being more than adequate. Handling was interesting.
V8 cars have an anti-squat and anti-dive mechanism in their suspension that is not present on the I6.
All V8s and the later 3.0litre m103 I6 are unburstable by any sensible measure. The UK did not get the single row timing chain that plagued US 380 V8s. The 2.8litre m110 I6, a beautiful engine to look at, seems very robust, too.
Post-1986 gets you slightly improved suspension, slightly bigger brakes, standard fit ABS and better corrosion protection. The price you pay is the ugly front spoiler and the flat face wheels, but that's just my taste, you may prefer the look of the later car as well, many people do.
I had the M110 engine in a previous Merc and can confirm it is unburstable, the M103 can suffer from head gasket issues but is generally very good.
Ben
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