r107 300sl who has one? can one please enlight me?
Discussion
i have been looking after those for a few months now.
I am after a 1986 to 1989 model. I would like a perfect car. Well... as perfect as can be and ready to pay a premium for it.
There are some 9k to 12k cars around there, but happy to pay up to 16-17k for a really nice one.
What shall one look for? I know there are some nasty rust stories floating around.
I understand the performance is close enough to 500 sl but fuel consumption and maintenance a lot better.
Any real life experience apreciated..
Thanks in advance,
Eric.
I am after a 1986 to 1989 model. I would like a perfect car. Well... as perfect as can be and ready to pay a premium for it.
There are some 9k to 12k cars around there, but happy to pay up to 16-17k for a really nice one.
What shall one look for? I know there are some nasty rust stories floating around.
I understand the performance is close enough to 500 sl but fuel consumption and maintenance a lot better.
Any real life experience apreciated..
Thanks in advance,
Eric.
Hi
This place has a bit of a write up on the 107.
http://www.theslshop.com/Pages/driving.html
They are just down the road from me and are a friendly bunch. They have a nice 33k white 1988 at the momment.
I have no affiliation with them by the way.
This place has a bit of a write up on the 107.
http://www.theslshop.com/Pages/driving.html
They are just down the road from me and are a friendly bunch. They have a nice 33k white 1988 at the momment.
I have no affiliation with them by the way.
The SL shops looks the best by far.
There are two other outfits I believe who are of interest:
http://www.auto-barn.co.uk/index.asp
and
http://www.avantgardecars.co.uk/home.asp
I mean specifically for these cars.. Any other ideas or comments?
I' d really like to hear about people who actually owned them.
There are two other outfits I believe who are of interest:
http://www.auto-barn.co.uk/index.asp
and
http://www.avantgardecars.co.uk/home.asp
I mean specifically for these cars.. Any other ideas or comments?
I' d really like to hear about people who actually owned them.
erics said:
I mean specifically for these cars.. Any other ideas or comments?
I' d really like to hear about people who actually owned them.
I own one and have done for almost five years, this is the longest I have owned a car and I can't imagine selling it. I used it as my daily driver for most of that time and it only let me down once which turned out to be a ropey distributor cap. I' d really like to hear about people who actually owned them.
Parts are fairly cheap as they are shared with other 300 powered models, however the ones which are specific to the SL, the exhaust springs to mind, are expensive. Mine was on the original exhaust until this time last year so had lasted 17 years or so.
The 300 goes quite well, if not exactly lightening quick off the mark it pulls well up to 100 or so. They are quite noisey cars with the hood up, amazingly refined with the hard top fitted.
Mine is off the road at the moment as driving it every day was not helping it to not rust! It will be treated to a resoration and possibly a newer AMG engine over the next few years. Main areas to check for rust are the wheel arches (they all do that) and boot floor, generally they are solid cars.
Let me know if you need to know anything else
Cheers
Ben
Try also www.charlesironside.co.uk and www.ccbenz.co.uk. Carl Wilford at Auto Barn is the nicest and straightest car salesman in the universe and the chap at Cheshire Classic Benz seems to be a genuine enthusiast, too. Another outfit is www.classic-benz.co.uk.
The r107 300 SL was available only between 1985 and 1989. As such, all 300 SLs feature the revised suspension, brakes and seats fitted across the range in 1985. The engine in the 300 SL is the M103 12-valve, straight six cylinder, producing something like 188bhp. It is a gem of an engine: correctly serviced it will last forever. It is also the most modern engine available in a r107. The engine was fitted to the w124 saloon, the w126 S-Class, the 461 G-Wagen and, in 2.6litre form, the w201 190 saloon. So the 300 SL is about the cheapest and easiest to work on.
It is not much slower than the V8s. The 420 SL put out only 218bhp and even the 500 SL managed only 245bhp (although the 500 also developed 299lb/ft torque). Frankly, these cars are not really about performance although it is nice to be able to surprise the odd boy racer at the traffic light grand prix.
What other posters have said is accurate. I would add that generally these cars are easy to work on, well within the capabilities of a DIY enthusiast. Parts availability is amazing. Online information and support is amazing. And there are plenty of specialists who are familiar with the model.
There is, however, an huge range of cars out there, starting at about £6,000 and rising up to £25,000 (and more for ultra-low milers). Condition varies enormously. These things cost money to put right:
(1) Body work. Same as any other car, save that panels are expensive. When you feel the weight of them, you'll understand why.
(2) The hood and seals. Again, you can buy a replacement hood for £300 or £1,200. Buy the £1,200 one from KHM, it is worth it. Or buy the car which has already had it done.
(3) Seats. Knackered seats will seriously detract from your enjoyment of the car.
(4) Trim and details. It'll bother you and it'll cost to put right. New woodwork, for instance, is pretty pricey.
(5) Steering box.
(6) Tyres. This car should be riding on Michelin rubber. Continental at a push.
Most other stuff you can do yourself. Shocks are cheap and easy. Brakes likewise. Engine mounts are easy. Suspension rubber does not cost the earth to replace nor is it especially difficult (I am told). These are the things that will need doing.
Also, it may be worth buying new headlamp glass and reflectors (much cheaper than new lamp units). This spruces up the appearance no end.
The r107 300 SL was available only between 1985 and 1989. As such, all 300 SLs feature the revised suspension, brakes and seats fitted across the range in 1985. The engine in the 300 SL is the M103 12-valve, straight six cylinder, producing something like 188bhp. It is a gem of an engine: correctly serviced it will last forever. It is also the most modern engine available in a r107. The engine was fitted to the w124 saloon, the w126 S-Class, the 461 G-Wagen and, in 2.6litre form, the w201 190 saloon. So the 300 SL is about the cheapest and easiest to work on.
It is not much slower than the V8s. The 420 SL put out only 218bhp and even the 500 SL managed only 245bhp (although the 500 also developed 299lb/ft torque). Frankly, these cars are not really about performance although it is nice to be able to surprise the odd boy racer at the traffic light grand prix.
What other posters have said is accurate. I would add that generally these cars are easy to work on, well within the capabilities of a DIY enthusiast. Parts availability is amazing. Online information and support is amazing. And there are plenty of specialists who are familiar with the model.
There is, however, an huge range of cars out there, starting at about £6,000 and rising up to £25,000 (and more for ultra-low milers). Condition varies enormously. These things cost money to put right:
(1) Body work. Same as any other car, save that panels are expensive. When you feel the weight of them, you'll understand why.
(2) The hood and seals. Again, you can buy a replacement hood for £300 or £1,200. Buy the £1,200 one from KHM, it is worth it. Or buy the car which has already had it done.
(3) Seats. Knackered seats will seriously detract from your enjoyment of the car.
(4) Trim and details. It'll bother you and it'll cost to put right. New woodwork, for instance, is pretty pricey.
(5) Steering box.
(6) Tyres. This car should be riding on Michelin rubber. Continental at a push.
Most other stuff you can do yourself. Shocks are cheap and easy. Brakes likewise. Engine mounts are easy. Suspension rubber does not cost the earth to replace nor is it especially difficult (I am told). These are the things that will need doing.
Also, it may be worth buying new headlamp glass and reflectors (much cheaper than new lamp units). This spruces up the appearance no end.
Edited by r129sl on Wednesday 6th January 17:33
Ben, and SL129 thank you very much. Really appreciate it. I am going to see a few at the weekend.
I am really keen on a midnight blue car and I saw that The Barn sold one for £26k!
Well... this was the advertised price, but still!
Carl may be the nicest chap ever, but he prices his cars high!
I would have thought that £20k would have bought you a absolutly stunning car.
I will take my time anyway. Not in a rush..
Will keep you posted gentlemen.
I am really keen on a midnight blue car and I saw that The Barn sold one for £26k!
Well... this was the advertised price, but still!
Carl may be the nicest chap ever, but he prices his cars high!
I would have thought that £20k would have bought you a absolutly stunning car.
I will take my time anyway. Not in a rush..
Will keep you posted gentlemen.
erics said:
I will take my time anyway. Not in a rush..
This is key, I looked at a lot before settling on mine there is a lot of leaky or rusty cars around, mine now being the latter but not for long.£20k should buy you an amazing examply with low miles and absolutely nothing wrong.
Ben
r129sl said:
£20k should buy the best. Wilford is operating at the very top of the market. Avantgarde have a lovely looking--and fully loaded--midnight blue example (904 non-metallic, a gorgeous colour when properly waxed up). Heated seats make a big difference in a convertible.
That looks very very nice. The dark blues really suit the R107 but were not popular colours in period as far as I can tell with red being the dominant colour by milesYup, this one is defo on radars.. Seeing it this w-e..
Wanted to keep it quiet
Also seeing the white one at the sl shop 33k miles which is substantially cheaper.
Wanted to keep it quiet
Also seeing the white one at the sl shop 33k miles which is substantially cheaper.
r129sl said:
£20k should buy the best. Wilford is operating at the very top of the market. Avantgarde have a lovely looking--and fully loaded--midnight blue example (904 non-metallic, a gorgeous colour when properly waxed up). Heated seats make a big difference in a convertible.
The SL shop is brilliant. I met Sam and unfortunatly he did not have the car for me. But I would have seriously liked to deal with him as he was professional and honnest at all time. His cars were even better than described. I could not same the same of others..
If white is your thing, he possibly has the best car on the market.
If white is your thing, he possibly has the best car on the market.
I think i did Ben, didn' t i reply?
I have travelling a lot around the country to see these cars. There really is everything at every price!
The avangarde car has extremelly little history. Like 5 stamps in the book and hardly any invoice. It is not perfect, but still very nice. 20k for it is too steep.
The nicest car so far I have seen is the pearl grey with dark red inside at silver arrows. Superb history. The car has obviouslye been loved and cared for. It has very good options. Problem once again is 22k pounds eventhough it is a 33k miles car, is very expensive. If the colour combo had been my taste, i could well have given him a bid.
I have travelling a lot around the country to see these cars. There really is everything at every price!
The avangarde car has extremelly little history. Like 5 stamps in the book and hardly any invoice. It is not perfect, but still very nice. 20k for it is too steep.
The nicest car so far I have seen is the pearl grey with dark red inside at silver arrows. Superb history. The car has obviouslye been loved and cared for. It has very good options. Problem once again is 22k pounds eventhough it is a 33k miles car, is very expensive. If the colour combo had been my taste, i could well have given him a bid.
erics said:
The SL shop is brilliant. I met Sam and unfortunatly he did not have the car for me. But I would have seriously liked to deal with him as he was professional and honnest at all time. His cars were even better than described. I could not same the same of others..
If white is your thing, he possibly has the best car on the market.
Thanks for the info Erics. I have been looking at their website a lot. I think I've decided that if I really am going to do this then I'll only be happy if I spend what I need to spend to get a really good car. The sort of prices involved e.g. £12-15k are way more than I've ever spent on any car, but I don't think I'll be happy with a cheaper one that might be less than 100% presentable.If white is your thing, he possibly has the best car on the market.
While you we there you didn't happen to have a look at the red metallic 500 at £12k did you? If so, what did you think?
I saw the mettalic burgundy 500sl. It was nice. I think you can talk to Sam Bailey in confidence, he will give you a honnest view of the situation of the cars. I think if you really want something really really nice, you need to spend a bit more money.
My conclusion after having looked at these cars for a few months, is that i have never seen in any car model such a wide range of prices depending on: condition, mileage, colour combination and options.
While you we there you didn't happen to have a look at the red metallic 500 at £12k did you? If so, what did you think?
My conclusion after having looked at these cars for a few months, is that i have never seen in any car model such a wide range of prices depending on: condition, mileage, colour combination and options.
mccrackenj said:
erics said:
The SL shop is brilliant. I met Sam and unfortunatly he did not have the car for me. But I would have seriously liked to deal with him as he was professional and honnest at all time. His cars were even better than described. I could not same the same of others..
If white is your thing, he possibly has the best car on the market.
Thanks for the info Erics. I have been looking at their website a lot. I think I've decided that if I really am going to do this then I'll only be happy if I spend what I need to spend to get a really good car. The sort of prices involved e.g. £12-15k are way more than I've ever spent on any car, but I don't think I'll be happy with a cheaper one that might be less than 100% presentable.If white is your thing, he possibly has the best car on the market.
While you we there you didn't happen to have a look at the red metallic 500 at £12k did you? If so, what did you think?
erics said:
I saw the mettalic burgundy 500sl. It was nice. I think you can talk to Sam Bailey in confidence, he will give you a honnest view of the situation of the cars. I think if you really want something really really nice, you need to spend a bit more money.
My conclusion after having looked at these cars for a few months, is that i have never seen in any car model such a wide range of prices depending on: condition, mileage, colour combination and options.
While you we there you didn't happen to have a look at the red metallic 500 at £12k did you? If so, what did you think?
Thanks for your opinion Eric, that's very useful. Where there any specific faults or blemishes you noticed with the car or was it just that it didn't look as good when compared to the others he has available. Not sure I want to spend much more as this will be a 3rd car and will probably sit in the driveway 95% of the time.My conclusion after having looked at these cars for a few months, is that i have never seen in any car model such a wide range of prices depending on: condition, mileage, colour combination and options.
mccrackenj said:
erics said:
The SL shop is brilliant. I met Sam and unfortunatly he did not have the car for me. But I would have seriously liked to deal with him as he was professional and honnest at all time. His cars were even better than described. I could not same the same of others..
If white is your thing, he possibly has the best car on the market.
Thanks for the info Erics. I have been looking at their website a lot. I think I've decided that if I really am going to do this then I'll only be happy if I spend what I need to spend to get a really good car. The sort of prices involved e.g. £12-15k are way more than I've ever spent on any car, but I don't think I'll be happy with a cheaper one that might be less than 100% presentable.If white is your thing, he possibly has the best car on the market.
While you we there you didn't happen to have a look at the red metallic 500 at £12k did you? If so, what did you think?
Have you got any closer to finding what you are looking for yet?
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