What to buy

[dmotl]

Baby boomer wants to buy a Sunday drive SL.
Budget up to 17K
Been lookin at e-bay and lots to choose from
low mileage 83 to a 94 with 95K miles.
like the looks of 90-94 sl. but see ads that say 94k miles --complete maintenance records showing 20k spent. I can't afford to drive a car like this. In addition the nearest MB dealer 3 hours away.
So, what years and engines are reliable?
Dan

[ch7ckc]

Dan,the 107's are maybe a little more DIY friendly than the 129's.That said,the 560's,benefiting from 14 years of improvements,are pretty well refined.Every time I buy an SL,I wind up back at the 560.You can get a pretty good one for $17k...one that has had a lot of maintenance with no hard life.

The 1980's Euro models have strong engines,somtimes with no emission hardware(could be a plus or minus in your area)nice,lightweight bumpers.The minus is they sometimes come with some rust issues.I like them best but I have the misfortune of living in an emission sensitive area.

I would think a little bit on 380's as their power is less...but fuel mileage is a little better.Don't get too hung up on fuel mileage as these cars are all a little heavy and that impacts mpg.The 1984 and 1985 models got the double timing chain so you might want to stay there for no other reason.These will be a little less to buy...but a little less if you sell.

The 450's are good cars with a cast iron block that will outlive me and you.I would look at 1978 or 1979 models for reasons too lenghty for here.

You mentioned 129's...they have a large following and the 119 v8 in them is very mechanically sophisticated.The automatic folding soft top,with it's 15 hydraulic cylinders,solenoids and proximity switches could make you wish you had gone with a manual 107 top.I'm not knocking 129's as I want at least one,before I check out,just for the engine.

If you get a chance,buy a copy of Mercedes Benz Buyers Guide by Frank Barrett

Best Regards,ch7ckc
1987 560 SL (Sold first one in 1998)

[airedale]

Originally Posted by ch7ckc

I would think a little bit on 380's as their power is less...but fuel mileage is a little better.Don't get too hung up on fuel mileage as these cars are all a little heavy and that impacts mpg.The 1984 and 1985 models got the double timing chain so you might want to stay there for no other reason.These will be a little less to buy...but a little less if you sell.

The 380SL is still a 134 mile per hour automobile only 4 or 5 mph behind the 560SL . Less electrical consternation too.

[1984 280SL]

Since I am obviously a fan of the Euro 280 straight six dual overhead cam with manual transmission I'd put that one first on the list for a fun and cheap SL to own and drive. Next I'd put the 560 on the list. I would not own a W129 SL. Too damn expensive to repair.

[bwheitman]

I have always love the 280 engine myself, I had a 280CE in high school, I put 150,000 on it and my sister got it after me, it was retired at 360,000 miles, but it still went down the road. When I bought my SL, I shopped around. I did all the research and determined that a 96 or 97 SL320 was best for me. The inline six has been in development for over 50 years, the 96 and 97 had the updated interior, the 225 hp engine, the 5 speed transmission. It also did not have the wiring harness issue of the earlier models. The 104 engine is just like the technically advanced V8 but with 2 less cylinders. It has 4 valves per cylinder, variable camshaft timing, a resonance flap in the manifold, fuel cooler, pretty much all the goodies that the V8 and V12 have. I would have rather had the big engine, but I was going to drive my car every day and work on it myself. There is more room under the hood with the inline 6. The engine has been absolutely perfect, had a few oil leaks, some EGR issues, and replaced a purge valve. I am up to 130k and it runs like a champ. We have a new BMW 5 and I always end up in the SL. It is such a wonderful car, I will keep it always. Good luck with your purchase and have fun!
Brian

[Robert Mowbray]

You have a PM.

[dmotl]

from first post ? Are they both built after 1990?

Dan

[ch7ckc]

Dan,the 107 was built from around 1972 til 1989 and includes 350SL,450SL,380SL and 560SL.There was also the 107 coupe labeled as SLC.
The European variants of 107 are 280SL,420SL,300SL and 500SL.

The 129 was built from 1990 til about 2002.I am not sure about the end year but that is close.This would include 300SL,500SL,600SL and the numbers reversed somewhere in there to SL300,SL500,etc.

All of this will probably make more sense if you can get your hands on on the MB buyers guide.

Best Regards,ch7ckc

[Robert Mowbray]

I'm selling my car. See your Private Message.

[kip Foss]

Check www.collectorcartraderonline.com for these cars.