Mercedes W107 fans: any here?

I just picked mine up last month. My parents owned a 380 when i was in HS and so the seed was planted. 30 years later i decided i wanted one to alternate my DD with my Mondial.

I found a low mile 1 owner 560 in my color preference and I enjoy the hell out of it. Of course my wife is trying to claim it. Lol
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I had a couple about 10 years ago - a 350 sl circa '72, and a 450 slc circa '80.

As far as my experience on the sl goes, it's just such an easy ride - just put it in D and go....handled a bit like a ship but extremely comfortable with not much concentration required at all.

It is a touch analogue - I was parked up one night in a quiet street and I could hear the clock ticking but I found it charming. And with the roof off, a quick glance behind you fills you with confidence...it looks much smaller than you'd have thought.

That was the only downside - e.g. a raw petrol smell took a very long time to locate.

Having driven the mid/late 80's cars, they'd be the ones I'd go for if I were to purchase another one (like the 560 you mentioned) - a more modern car but with the same classic looks.

Lovely cars !

Best, Sammy

 

Teddy, put up a "mild" stink about Mrs. Claim Jumper's acquisition attempts. But then - - slowly, with sensitive and appropriate timing, - begin to let go. Ultimately, it's called "she wins - and so do you"

Just goofin', my dear friend,

Hank

 

Whoops missed your post - what a beauty - congratulations !

 

I wont let her drive Valenzo... So its a healthy compromise. Plus, shes a respectful driver, she knows how i feel.

...Now these little guys are a different story.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Jack..that's more than I got which was nada/zilch..too many fish,but that TD looked nice..on ward.
Cheers,
RE

 

Jack,
Pretty nice '89 on bat today,FYI..on the high side w/o a/c op..but you might want to eyeball just the same.
Cheers,
RE

 

Jack,the red is getting comment creamed on bat...and that mb "dealer" treats others the same as us...how does a jerk like that stay,oh never mind...
Cheers,RE

 

Mercedes Motoring

Very nice vintage cars in SoCal.

 

Some very nice TD/SW's there Matt,all sold..one w/37k mi!!..that's a 25-30 car easy. I'd like to find one w/120 much less under a 100...thanks for the link,we'll carry on.
Cheers,
RE

 

My W123 300TD was a roach with 150k, t-boned, repaired and generally skanky. I still loved it because the greatness of the car shined through despite all the faults. These (including W107s) are all great cars, lovely Paul Bracq designs. Seriously underrated. You can putt-putt around in comfort, enjoying the perfect ergonomics and build quality, or you drive it at the limit and put a grin on your face. Someday I'll get a good one.

 

Roy Spencer at mercedesheritage.com should be able to help with finding a good 107. Super nice guy and follows through with what he says.

 

A Euro 350SL / SLC with the 3.5 L D-Jet V-8 and 4-speed manual is the one to have for optimal driving pleasure. Next would be a Euro 300SL with the M103 6-cyl and (of course) stick. Rare in the States but not hard to find in Europe for subsequent US importing. 107s carry a price premium in Europe, but I think the aforementioned 350SL / C with period checker seats is worth it.

Mobile.de:
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I had a 89 560SL, a little too soft to be a sports car. I still have a 91 420SEL, the rides are similar. Its a great car for looks and top down cruising. But if you want fast look elsewhere. The manual earlier cars, the shifter is too loose, almost feels broken, no feedback and therefore no fun. Actually same reason I like auto 928's more then the manuals. I also had a 500SL, basically the same car underneath as the 560SL, but firmer suspension and a little more grunt out of the V8. These are cheap now.

A few 560SL available in Canada, a few with really low kilometers and service history, they are basically offered for around $40k CDN. A high kilometer, poor service history, tired one start at about $8k CDN. So prices are all over the map. I've considered this one:

1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 560SL Roadster for $41,950 in Concord | autoTRADER.ca

Id get another one, just for top down cruising.

 

The R107 is a luxury convertible built like a tank. It does have a rather modern suspension compared to its predecessor R113 how had two half axles in the rear which can give quite some surprise when cornering hard. The softtop is rested under a lid, almost even with the body lines and gets you that wonderful "barchetta" feeling as if you were in a small boat.
I had a 73 450SL and a 80 280SL, both good in their own respect. Note for 560SL version (it is not significantly stronger than a Euro 500SL), there was delivery to Australia and Japan with a 300HP version. If memory serves me right, it boiled down to different headers, maybe those could be sourced to enjoy the full capability of the engine,

cheers

braq

 

I'll look in Japan for the 300hp version. I watch the auto auctions in Japan.

Mercedes wasn't really about performance back in the 80's early 90's. I've said if the 560sl was more like a 928, it would have been an awesome car, not just a good looking beach cruiser.

 

Very well stated. Modern cars lack a lot of character. And they are becoming a collection of egg shaped cars with origami creases and what amounts to dashboards designed around an IPAD. Zero character.

 

I drove a 560 SL that I was considering buying a few years back. It's definitely the other end of the scale from the 911 of the same era -- much softer, very cushy seats, and all the US versions I've ever seen were automatics. It wasn't a small car back in the '80s, but by modern standards it's pretty tiny,

That said, beautifully put together and a smooth ride for a German car.

True - video screens and body-colored plastic everything... the difference between a modern SL and a Ferrari California is that one has nicer badges.

I like the W107 SLs - they've aged very well, IMHO.

 

I do think the design is one of the nicest styling wise from the 70's and 80's era. But just don't buy one thinking its a sports car, best 0to60 time was 6.7, most recorded it at 7.4. So its pretty slow despite the V8.