SL R107 ownership / roof

[RiccardoG]

I am thinking of getting an SL for London weekend and high days duties. Not looking for a pristine car, just something useable and pleasant.

It would live on the road probably year round. I'd be keeping it with only the soft top on as with the hardtop I don't fit inside comfortably. Is the soft top up to the job? I've noticed it's not super tight on the cars (in the ones I have looked at). Or would it let water in?

[slippery]

I had two many years ago and neither leaked.

[ClaphamGT3]

Not sure I get the hardtop thing; my memory of them back in the day was that the hardtop gave you fractionally more headroom, not less.

[slippery]

Dead right. With the hard top on, as opposed to the roof up, they feel a much more airy car.

[RiccardoG]

Well, I've tried driving two (one X reg one D reg) with the hardtop on and found them too uncomfortable, whereas the X reg one I drove the other day with the soft top was ok.

On a related note, I assume the soft top is a bit drafty / noisy in useage?

[ClaphamGT3]

Thats really odd - cant remember if they all had height adjustable drivers' seats but, if so equipped, check it isnt set stupidly high.

Again, not really. You might get fractionally more wind-noise than a modern car but one in good condition would put a lot of modern soft tops to shame.

Also, aim for a post '86 car with the fully galvanised body shell and panels and make sure that the hard top is the one for your car (it has the Vin number stamped on); they were bespoked to each car at the factory and one from another car will never fit as well.

Edited by ClaphamGT3 on Sunday 26th May 13:26

[P.Nott]

And if its going to live outside, make very certain all drain points, especially those in the heater inlet plenum, are clear of debris. Heater inlet is a known bad rust spot mainly due to the drains becoming blocked. Ideally, buy a car that has had this area sorted.

[ClaphamGT3]

Absolutely as above. Also check the rear footwells for dampness and, if you look at one with the hard-top on, make sure you check that it has got a soft-top; it was a -pretty rarely specified in the UK - factory option not to have a soft-top.

[BobTurner]

The seats in my SLC are adjustable, but it involves a spanner and using a different set of holes on the runners - may well be the same on the SL. We have an F plate SL in the family, not sure how well it would survive living outside with just the rag top - although, obviously, when current, London streets were littered with them...

[P.Nott]

My SL seats are adjustable for height using the lever at the side, so this may need to be set lower.

[RiccardoG]

Thanks for the feedback guys. My height has been one of the main issues getting in the way of R107 ownership, so knowing that there could be options to lower the seats sounds interesting. I did contact "The SL Shop" and their advice was to go for early cars (70's) as they had lower seats, but that doesn't appeal as I prefer the look of the facelift.

By the way, I don't recall the "300" engine sounding that great in the W124 saloons, is it any better in the SL? Aural pleasure is high on my wants list, therefore I am focussing on the V8s mostly.

[Ribbs27]

I've got a 1985 500SL and it has height adjustable seats, the lever is on the lower right hand side of the drivers seat.

The soft top hood is water tight but does make a fair bit of wind noise at speed, I drive with the top down where ever possible.

Love the sound of the V8, and it returns about 20mpg which isn't too bad. Not had the car long but really suprised at what a relaxing useable car it is.

[acme]

As has been mentioned here you MUST check for rust in the heater chamber - easy to do 8 screws holding the lid above it in place at the back of the engine bay by the scuttle. Plus check that the grills either side at the bottom of the windscreen when lifting the bonnet have plastic tabs holding them in place and haven't been pop rivetted - this implies someone unscrupulous has been in there already and done a bodge job.

I concur with a previous posters comment, with the wind deflector in place the cars quieter with the roof down than the soft top in place!

In my opinion the driving position on a 107 is pretty awful, the gap between the bottom of the standard steering wheel (could replace with smaller?) and top of the seat is very limited, creating issues for those of us who are tall/long of leg when getting in.

Personally I wouldn't want to leave one of these on the road, whilst well built they do rust - & this is on the latter post 85 face lift models.

BUT, they are stunning cars, and facelift ones at least handle/steer/ride much better than you'd think - from what I've been told facelift ones are much better than earlier ones from a handling etc perspective, but I have no actual experience of this.

Any questions feel free to email me.

Cheers

Edited by acme on Thursday 30th May 10:46

[RiccardoG]

Thanks again for the feedback!

I am 6ft5, so I know its borderline on not fitting in, just that the last one I tried was fine. I've wanted one of these for years but always passed on them as I assumed I didn't fit. Maybe its this specific car?? Would be a shame as it needs quite some work (heater blower dead, one side suspension saggy, roof seals perished, loads of overspray, bit of rust here and there, radio falling out, etc).

Thanks also for the advice on the plenum chamber, I was aware of it but didn't know how to check.

Any views on which engine is the best sounding?

[jdw1234]

Videos of the different engines on this site...

http://www.theslshop.com/advice-videos.html

I want one and will buy from them when the time comes.

[RiccardoG]

jdw1234 said:

Videos of the different engines on this site...

http://www.theslshop.com/advice-videos.html

I want one and will buy from them when the time comes.

Is that because you're hoping to meet the blonde driving the SLs in the vids??

I think I may try and go for a V8, never had a V8 before.

[acme]

I'm 6 ft 2 and long legged so it's not the easiest but I'm young ish so it's OK - the driving position isn't the best, as said elsewhere the seat doesn't go far enough back, though post 85 facelifts have a leaver to lower which helps. With the soft top in place I've not had any height issues.

Re engines, the 300's suppose to be 'better' as the lighter weight up front doesn't upset the balance as much - apparently, but who could resist the V8's! In economy mode on the gearbox the 300 isn't that quick, but put it in sport and I'm genuinely shocked - OK it's not really quick (188bhp & 1550kg) but it's easily enough for overtaking etc.

Re the plenum, I know you acknowledge my comment but I can't stress it enough, google for pics but be sitting down when you do, it's not pretty!

Best of luck, they're stunning cars in my eyes.

[911Thrasher]

We run a R107 in central London on a daily basis. I don't see any problems other than being it very cold in the winter with the soft top. If it is well maintained and in good condition it should be alright.

Note: we do however do put the hard top on from end of November to end of March, as the occasion to cruise roof down are inexistant.

Space wise, we have a couple very tall friends (185cm and plus) and with either roof on, they do struggle getting in and out, as the car is low and even with the seat full back and slightly reclined the legroom isn't great: their knees are in the dashboard almost.

Actually makes you wonder how they sold so many of these in the US: my guess, people were shorter in the 70s !

I would really try them first...especially the driver side where the big wheel doesn't help. You might end up doing the seat side bolster and knocking your knee out: not great for a daily.