Your thoughts on this SL please

Your thoughts on this SL please

Author
Discussion

mirandamilly

Original Poster:

66 posts

152 months

Tuesday 17th July 2018
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I've always wanted one of these, and this popped up yesterday afternoon. I'm 50 this year and this is the summer that I buy my SL!. I seems like an honest looking car with the same owner for 35 years. What are your views? We've been looking at other cars but they all seem to be £25-30k.

Looks like we've got a long drive from Dorset to Norfolk this weekend to see the car! I might even be driving it home on Sunday if it's a good as it looks.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Edited by mirandamilly on Tuesday 17th July 22:45

Zonergem

1,368 posts

91 months

Tuesday 17th July 2018
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I have to say I am not sure those velour seats normally seen in the C107 are original to that car. I think it's a very high price for the mileage given there's no mention of bulkhead inspection/repair and so forth. The R107 can look good whilst hiding terrible rust in all manner of inaccessible yet important places. Parts and quality repair work could easily see you spend the same money again, on a car which won't appeal to the collector market very strongly. In my experience adverts which play up "unrestored condition" and "patina" at the same time as blandishments of "future investment potential" are to be treated with scepticism. Check the tyre size - if it's still on 14" Mexican hat wheels taking a 205/70/R14 tyre then new tyres are 250-300 a corner for Dunlop Classic or Michelin XWX.

Edited by Zonergem on Tuesday 17th July 23:51

mirandamilly

Original Poster:

66 posts

152 months

Wednesday 18th July 2018
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Thanks Zonergem. We spoke to the seller. The car has been owned for 35 years and he tells us that the seats are the original ones. I will investigate more when I see the car.
I’m told that the car was checked for corrosion by the Mercedes-Benz main dealer when the front wings were replaced and that no further repairs were needed. I forgot to ask about the wheel size I’m afraid.

Has anyone on here been to see the car? Dorset to Norwich is a long way!!

mirandamilly

Original Poster:

66 posts

152 months

Wednesday 18th July 2018
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And what would be a sensible offer for us to make? I love the colour and might need some reigning in!

ruhall

506 posts

145 months

Wednesday 18th July 2018
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If you're not aware, the C107 is the code for the SLC variant, ie FHC, one of which I owned for a long time, a long time ago.

I was also unsure about the seats but as I haven't been looking at those for a while now I'm not sure whether they were a standard fit of not. Definitely in the SLC but most, if not all, of the SLs I've seen have had the pleated leather or MB Tex seats, or some of the older ones having a plaid type of material in the centre. However, even if they weren't standard, it's quite feasible that a customer could have ordered them as they were available in the SLC which was still current in 1980/81.

That Mexican hat style of alloy was an option and IIRC all were 14".

It would have been helpful to see some under bonnet shots. As mentioned, rust is the main area to watch for, bulkhead, sills, around 'rear window'/boot area, bottom of wings, in front of rear wheel arches. The hardtop is a bonus.

The advert read a bit like a trader's advert in places but that might just be me. Can the seller forward further photos? What's the original regn no, have you considered checking online MOT history ? A seller with nothing to hide should email you the number to allow you to check, particularly as you need to travel to see it.

Having said all that, if the paperwork stacks up, and it's as good as they say, the 380 is a good engine and a good R107 is a great 'cruiser' / weekend car.

mirandamilly

Original Poster:

66 posts

152 months

Saturday 21st July 2018
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We’re struggling to get away this weekend to see the car. But I have spoken to the owner again and he confirmed that the velour seats were optioned when the car was ordered in 1981. He said that they were a higher cost option than pleated leather in the early 80s. The door cards are also in the same materials and colours. How would I check that they are the originals? And how important is this.? I’m new to these Mercs!

vsonix

3,858 posts

162 months

Saturday 21st July 2018
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Zonergem said:
blandishments
Such a good word!

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 21st July 2018
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ruhall said:
the 380 is a good engine
Hmm, yes it is, but watch out as early models (such as this one) may have a single-row timing chain - as opposed to doubles on almost every other engine, barring early 6cyl 300s IIRC. - and they had multiple issues with stretching. I'd imagine given the age it's been looked at and/or even replaced with a double but worth looking out for.

Zonergem

1,368 posts

91 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
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This one is pretty yummy and not a ridiculous price. Although the effect of the post-1986 chassis galvanising is perhaps over-done (bulkhead still rusts merrily) people are prepared to pay handsomely for it.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C998719

55palfers

5,893 posts

163 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
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Zonergem said:
This one is pretty yummy and not a ridiculous price. Although the effect of the post-1986 chassis galvanising is perhaps over-done (bulkhead still rusts merrily) people are prepared to pay handsomely for it.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C998719
That's very nice indeed.

pattyg

1,329 posts

226 months

Sunday 22nd July 2018
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The boot lid of the car in the OP looks like it has rust bubbles.