Old Mercs - 60s, 70s and 80s

[911Spanker]

Quite fancy getting an old Mercedes for tooling about in. I have other cars for speed and handling so this is solely about something to cruise around at a sedated pace.

Not bothered about engine size but been looking at W114s, W108s, W116s etc. Needs to have 4 seats for the family.

Anyone have any experience of running one a couple of times a week? Presume rust is a bit killer? But will parts prices ruin me?!

I haven't got the time or interest to do any DIY work on it. Condition wise I am thinking something structurally sound but it will be used not mollycoddled so doesn't need to be anything near perfect.

Budget up to £20k or thereabouts.

Good idea? Bad idea? Should I get an old Volvo instead?

[WhiskyDisco]

Have a drool over Edward Hall's stock

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/

[vixen1700]

WhiskyDisco said:

Have a drool over Edward Hall's stock

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/

This is nice, but strong money:

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/sales/1983-mercedes-...


A little later than you're asking about, but this looks nice:

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1931303

But how about this to smoke about in:

https://www.carandclassic.com/make-an-offer/1969-m...

[wjs1968]

911Spanker said:

Quite fancy getting an old Mercedes for tooling about in. I have other cars for speed and handling so this is solely about something to cruise around at a sedated pace.

Not bothered about engine size but been looking at W114s, W108s, W116s etc. Needs to have 4 seats for the family.

Anyone have any experience of running one a couple of times a week? Presume rust is a bit killer? But will parts prices ruin me?!

I haven't got the time or interest to do any DIY work on it. Condition wise I am thinking something structurally sound but it will be used not mollycoddled so doesn't need to be anything near perfect.

Budget up to £20k or thereabouts.

Good idea? Bad idea? Should I get an old Volvo instead?

ran a 1970 W114 for 5 years - great old barge but rust was a killer....

this 116 looks lovely

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/sales/1980-mercedes-...

if you want something altogether more stylish try a W107 - I had a 1981 280 SLC, again for 5 years and I loved it, should never have sold.

this has been up for sale for ages, pretty sure I've seen it as an auction entry soon (maybe NEC) - word of warning though, they also rust, particularly around the bulkhead

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1855155

[Turbobanana]

wjs1968 said:

this 116 looks lovely

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/sales/1980-mercedes-...

Agreed.

TBH, if I was fortunate enough to have c£20K for something "for tooling about in", I'd probably buy a W123 for half of that and keep the rest for maintenance, rustproofing etc.

[wjs1968]

wjs1968 said:

ran a 1970 W114 for 5 years - great old barge but rust was a killer....

this 116 looks lovely

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/sales/1980-mercedes-...

if you want something altogether more stylish try a W107 - I had a 1981 280 SLC, again for 5 years and I loved it, should never have sold.

this has been up for sale for ages, pretty sure I've seen it as an auction entry soon (maybe NEC) - word of warning though, they also rust, particularly around the bulkhead

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1855155

found it

https://www.historics.co.uk/auction/lot/77-1972-me...

looks a bit more careworn than in the C&C advert but seems sound underneath. don't think it'll make the estimate though...

[SFTWend]

wjs1968 said:

wjs1968 said:

ran a 1970 W114 for 5 years - great old barge but rust was a killer....

this 116 looks lovely

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/sales/1980-mercedes-...

if you want something altogether more stylish try a W107 - I had a 1981 280 SLC, again for 5 years and I loved it, should never have sold.

this has been up for sale for ages, pretty sure I've seen it as an auction entry soon (maybe NEC) - word of warning though, they also rust, particularly around the bulkhead

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1855155

found it

https://www.historics.co.uk/auction/lot/77-1972-me...

looks a bit more careworn than in the C&C advert but seems sound underneath. don't think it'll make the estimate though...

I like these. How can this one have been a daily driver for the last seven years if it's had recent recommisioning?

One has to assume some paint imperfections is auction speak for bubbling all over.

[Dapster]

Turbobanana said:

wjs1968 said:

this 116 looks lovely

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/sales/1980-mercedes-...

Agreed.

TBH, if I was fortunate enough to have c£20K for something "for tooling about in", I'd probably buy a W123 for half of that and keep the rest for maintenance, rustproofing etc.

I'd second that - W123/16/R107 look like proper classics with loads of chrome and 70s charm. The 80s cars like the W124/26/R129s are way more modern and may go almost un-noticed ias they don't look 40 years. All Mercs of this era have a reputation of being indestructible - they may be mechanically if looked after, but many havent been and they can rust for Germany. Parts for the 70s cars can be extremely expensive - front or rear bumpers for a R107 can be £1,100 each.

I'd go for a late model W123 or a mid facelift (Sacco panels but separate grill) W124 - 6 cyl, dark metallic, lots of toys, auto box. But really, with £20k in my pocket, I'd be looking for a 500 or 560SEC and scratching a lifetime itch but the bills might be eyewatering.....

Concours one at 2 x budget

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1804021



500SEC under budget max

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1880391

Edited by Dapster on Tuesday 4th November 16:30

[vixen1700]

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1955201

If you could stretch your budget slightly, what a cool car for all the family to go out in.

[deadslow]

Dapster said:

I'd second that - W123/16/R107 look like proper classics with loads of chrome and 70s charm. The 80s cars like the W124/26/R129s are way more modern and may go almost un-noticed ias they don't look 40 years. All Mercs of this era have a reputation of being indestructible - they may be mechanically if looked after, but many havent been and they can rust for Germany. Parts for the 70s cars can be extremely expensive - front or rear bumpers for a R107 can be £1,100 each.

I'd go for a late model W123 or a mid facelift (Sacco panels but separate grill) W124 - 6 cyl, dark metallic, lots of toys, auto box. But really, with £20k in my pocket, I'd be looking for a 500 or 560SEC and scratching a lifetime itch but the bills might be eyewatering.....

Concours one at 2 x budget

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1804021

christ, I'm in love

[nobrakes]

Have a chat with this chap

https://mtsv.co.uk/

[wjs1968]

deadslow said:

christ, I'm in love

that is spectacular...tried to buy a mint 420SEC in Willow Green back in 2007 but missed out as I had to go on honeymoon and the vendor wouldn't hold it despite me offering a large deposit....an itch I definitely need to scratch at some point.

[wjs1968]

this fits the brief - I'm pretty certain I actually looked at very car before I purchased my 250CE way back in 1994 - I obviously picked the wrong one as XAP202J is long gone....

https://ebay.us/m/mFpnpF