Toughts/Experience with early MB 450SL's?

I've been advised that the 560 SL is the best sorted of the US market cars. Given that the body style barely changed from '72-'89, I would go with one of those, despite the catalytic converter.

She/you should drive one, though. Super comfortable, but floaty in the corners. Nothing like a 911 of that era.

 

Survey say's let the wife decide what she wants.

 

560SLs best of the bunch with updated interior and more durable dual timing chain engine

 

+1

I have an 1987 560SL, and it was fantastic, reliable, and everything worked. It had the original sticker with it when I bought it, it was 72K in 87. It didn't at all seem like an older car, had airbags, anti-lock, in fact, it felt far better than many contemporary cars. The hard top on driving was the best in terms of the feel of the car, obviously top down is the most fun.

The thing to watch with that era of Benz V8's is the timing chain. The engines are non
tolerance.

Another thing about this age Benz's is the maintenance. There are plenty of parts available, but they are more of a premium than other vintagealia. These cars, because of their complexity, will nickel-and-dime you to death if you don't watch it.

Know when to say "when" when it comes to the keep vs. sell equation. I sold mine and got my money out of it after dropping $1,800 on a repair bill of "minor" things that added up to a not minor bill. That's exactly how these cars get you.

With the big Benz saloons, as well as the Roadsters, you get a particular feeling of solidity and stability that I have experienced in no other car. It's not relative to size, but it is a very particular feel that these cars have on the road.

 

The survey is correct.

 

I have a 1985 rare (to the USA) 500SL as they were never officially imported to the states. Like the 1972 and 1973 US cars it has the MUCH nicer and smaller Euro front and rear bumpers. The car is like 8" shorter due to that - as all other than Euro cars and PRE-1974 US cars have the huge bumpers. Mine also has the Euro headlights, the pre-1974's don't have that though. This is what is nice about the pre-1974 models. They are undervalued still (for nice ones) and will go up in price in the somewhat near future I feel. They are the last of the classic SL's and since the prior model's are priced much higher that leaves a lot of room for these to increase. They are made SO well you will notice it as soon as you close the door. Rust is the main thing to look for on these cars as most have some. Rust free cars are the ones that will increase I feel. So take your time and look for a good one. I looked at a lot before finding a rust free example. I'm very happy with mine but I may have to sell it next year as I now have 5 cars and when I brought it home my wife couldn't believe I added that 5th car. She was not happy - LOL.

 

I have reached that point also. Me, "Hey I'd like to get a GT350". Wife, "What two cars are you going to get rid of first?"

 

For North American market Id say the 560SL is the best of the series. The earlier ones are too soft in handling. If you are wanting the 450SL, find a Euro spec, they are a little tighter and look better.

 

Haha, yes, that sounds familiar! I kind of overstepped this time, but she's settled down a bit, but expects me to sell 1 of the cars come Spring. She has seizures and can't even drive so having 5 is hard to "sell". And to be frank even I can understand that. Just too many cool cars out there to experience!

 

Might as well post a few pics of mine...
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I took a look at Autotrader here, the 560SL's are fairly pricey here for a low mileage example. The 450 however is a bargain under $8k CDN. Only drawback, they all had high kilometers.