R107 500 SL or 420 SL
Discussion
Dale B said:
Is there any benefit looking for the "rarer" 420 or just go straight for the 500. I'm thinking of mid to late 80's car
Thanks
It will have to be a mid to late 80s car if a 420 is what you are after. I would go for the 500 it is not that much worse on fuel and has a bit of extra poke. Thanks
The R107 was facelifted in 1985 and got a number of improvements at the time (engine line up changed from 280, 350 and 500 to 300, 420 and 500)
Ben
The 420 commands no premium for rarity value even though just over 2,000 were built.
The 500 is significantly faster than the 420: it has a lot more torque (299lb/ft v 241lb/ft) even if the power gap is not so great (245bhp v 218bhp). The 500 is still a fast car, even by today's standards.
However, given the choice between a 500 SL and a 420 SL, I would buy the one that was in best condition.
Personally I prefer the look of the pre-facelift 1980 to 1985 500 SL, especially the really early cars (1980 to 1982) with their nicer switchgear.
The 500 is significantly faster than the 420: it has a lot more torque (299lb/ft v 241lb/ft) even if the power gap is not so great (245bhp v 218bhp). The 500 is still a fast car, even by today's standards.
However, given the choice between a 500 SL and a 420 SL, I would buy the one that was in best condition.
Personally I prefer the look of the pre-facelift 1980 to 1985 500 SL, especially the really early cars (1980 to 1982) with their nicer switchgear.
r129sl said:
However, given the choice between a 500 SL and a 420 SL, I would buy the one that was in best condition.
Personally I prefer the look of the pre-facelift 1980 to 1985 500 SL, especially the really early cars (1980 to 1982) with their nicer switchgear.
Wise words. Apart from the last bit, I think the facelift cars are much nicer Personally I prefer the look of the pre-facelift 1980 to 1985 500 SL, especially the really early cars (1980 to 1982) with their nicer switchgear.
I've had a few 500's and my last was a 420 but I now have a late 500. The 420 does seem somewhat lethargic when compared.
420's are rare for a reason I guess....not sure what the price difference was between that and a 500?
Fact is a 300 was much more popular hence they appear for sale more often.
Lets face it if it was a V8 you wanted when you were speccing your new SL then the 500 would be the obvious choice.
420's are rare for a reason I guess....not sure what the price difference was between that and a 500?
Fact is a 300 was much more popular hence they appear for sale more often.
Lets face it if it was a V8 you wanted when you were speccing your new SL then the 500 would be the obvious choice.
I have just sold my facelift 300 sl, if it was me looking to by a v8 i don't think i would worry what engine it was as to be fair neither will sent the world on fire and i would not buy it to drive flat out, i would buy the best possible example. They both make the right noise and thats all that matters. But that is only my opinion
http://www.jdclassics.co.uk/car/329
It's the engine bay that gets me. How can you get it that perfect?
It's the engine bay that gets me. How can you get it that perfect?
r129sl said:
http://www.jdclassics.co.uk/car/329
It's the engine bay that gets me. How can you get it that perfect?
I am working on that whilst the engine is out of mine, it is fairly easy to clean as most of the dirt is oil that cleans of relatively easily. Of course I will also be shining up the engine to a similar level of shinyness.It's the engine bay that gets me. How can you get it that perfect?
r129sl said:
BigBen, what do you use to clean the oil, grease and other engine room dirt? I have tried Auto Glym Machine Cleaner and Gunk spray but to no avail. Should I use aluminium or steel wool? Or should I find a more concentrated formula?
I am in the situation where I will be having the car fully painted afterwards which affords me some flexibility. Generally I use Auto Glym Machine cleaner to start with then for the nasty bits a wire brush at low speed, brake disk cleaner is also very effective.The key is I am not too worried about scratching the paintwork, particularly in the engine bay so this means I can be more aggressive with cleaning than might otherwise have been the case.
Ben
r129sl said:
http://www.jdclassics.co.uk/car/329
It's the engine bay that gets me. How can you get it that perfect?
Hand them an open chequebook....It's the engine bay that gets me. How can you get it that perfect?
CraigVmax said:
sorry, I thought only the 500's had alu boot and bonnet, take it back if wrong.
Actually I am not sure about the boot on mine but know the bonnet is as:i) It was not very heavy when I removed it
ii) When I was on tow once (rear wheels on dolly) the truck driver's magnetic brake lights / number plate would not stick to the bonnet.
The boot probably is as the paint has faded in a new and different way to the rest of the car!
Ben
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