R107 300SL, 420SL, 500SL: How fast?
 

Does anybody have performance figures for Euro versions of these cars:

1985-1989
R107

300SL straight six
420SL V8
500SL V8

We didn't get the 560 over here (although in Australia it was available RHD with 300bhp, must have been a rocket).

Thanks in advance. I'm particularly interested in the 300SL as these are most plentiful in the UK. I assume maintenance would be cheaper and easier with the 6?

The Euro 500 was rated at 240 bhp. I can check the 280 at home. I have the European brochure at home. I never heard of a stock 560 hitting 300 hp. The AMG with 4 valve heads had 340. MHO

R107

300SL (2962cc I6)

Power: 188bhp@5700rpm
Torque: 192lb/ft@4400rpm
0 - 62mph: 9.6s
Top Speed: 127mph

420SL (4196cc V8)

Power: 218bhp@5200rpm
Torque: 242lb/ft@3750rpm
0 - 62mph: 9.0s
Top Speed: 133mph

500SL (4973cc V8)

Power: 240bhp@5000rpm
Torque: 297lb/ft@3200rpm
0 - 62mph: 7.8s
Top Speed: 140mph

I had a 1972 350SL - from owning that and speaking to specialists the V8s are more reliable to any of the sixes. Speak to S.S Motors in Weybridge, Surrey for some advice if you're thinking about buying one. They see them every day along with Pagodas and 190SLs.

Tel: 01932 821555

...now there's a statement I've never heard before! (Then again, I'm pretty new to this game.)

From what I've heard the 6-cyl. 280 'twincam' is the most reliable of the mercedes gas engines. But I beleive the others are reliable as well.

I'm most interested in one of the later 1985 to 1989 models, so I'm looking at the M103(?) 3.0litre 12valve, SOHC straight six and the 4.2litre and 5.0litre V8s respectively. Naturally I'd prefer the 5.0litre V8 (although I don't like the plastic rear spoiler), but the 3.0litre six is much more readily available here. It also seems to be the case that UK buyers bought a 300SL and specced it up with all the goodies rather than spending their cash on a bigger motor; I suppose that back in the late eighties 3litres was an awful lot of engine in Europe.

I'd like to hear from anyone with experience of the 300SL. In short, will I be able to live with the huge performance drop from my SL500? I've heard the handling is sweeter because it is lighter in the nose; any views? What colours were available? Most seem to be signal red, alpine white, astral silver, smoke silver, pearl blue or nautic blue. Were there others? What is the air con like (I would be looking for air as when we do long distance touring we tend to leave the hard top in place and remove it upon arrival)? Rust seems to be the main thing to watch out for with these cars, along with leaks, rips in the hood, missing or damaged trim and general excessive wear. Am I right?

We didn't get the 560 at all in the 107 chassis, although we had it in the 126 with 300bhp (I have the data sheets from MB to confirm this) and it was provided in the same form in the 107 to Australia.

You may be wondering why... For all I love my 129 dearly, my wife doesn't like it at all and much prefers the older shape. In fact she hates "my" car, despite being an enthusiast; it would be great if we could get a car we could both enthuse about. The cynics might say I have caved in to female pressure.

Cave In!...
 

...as I already have a 107, I wish my spousal unit would pressure me to get a 129!:)

As an aside, the spoiler isn't plastic, its some kind of "squishy" rubber - it can be removed easily.

Although you can guess I'm biased, my vote is for the 500.

Kevin

P.S. - the 500 is definitely neck-snapping quick...

Basically, you'll need to go out and test drive various and sundry R107's for sale. If you take long cruises, the 6-cylinder engine has the advantage of being more frugal with the petrol.

Be warned, however, that the A/C on the 107's is not the greatest -- at least by Texas standards. Although I imagine it's sufficient for what passes for "hot" weather on your island. ;)

SL's
 

JJ. don't do it you will miss your 1999 R129 SL 500, it's like donating a kidney it hurts terribly at first for a long while then it goes away, but in the back of your mind you always know you are missing something.

Oooooh!...
 

I assumed jj gets to keep the 129 and ADD the 107...

Kevin

LMAO.

I wish. In my dreams I'd get both... along with a nice w124 300TE 4Matic and a w126 500SE, all smoke silver over mushroom, of course.

Mrs Rodger would love to see the 129 go the distance; there is just no way she'd let me have both. For my part (which counts for little in our household), I feel I owe it to the 129 to keep it (my wife wouldn't understand this sentiment, but I know you guys will). I suspect the god of cars would punish me for selling my lovely 129. Its replacement would be trouble or something. However, I fear the road to domestic bliss is closed to my 129.

We'll see...

SL's
 

If it does, good for him but it will be like having your mistress move in.

Production numbers for 500 SL?
 

Does anyone know the number of 500 SLs produced by year?

Thanks in advance,

Paul

info on 86 - 98 face lifted SL's
 

Hi
I've a UK '88 300SL and it is a great car - I've had it up to 115mph with the roof on and it had some left at that but it's a bit low on bite at the low end, especialy in "E" as it starts of in 2nd.
I've attached a page from the original launch glossy - hope you can read it (as I've had to downsize the image a bit to get it inside th 65Kbit limit) and I've got lots of the original "tech" stuff if you want any from the previous owner ( send me an e-mail if you want more - jim.coley@btinternet.com)

Happy hunting

Cheers

JJ,

I really feel for you. Our situation is (was) similar but slightly twisted. I had an '86 107 (560SL) in perfect shape (I live in southern california) but the bottom end went out (cost $10K). My wife was in love with the 129's and persuaded me to sell the 107 and get the 129. Having owned both I can agree that there may never be a car as beautiful as the 107. However, I am really happy with my 129.

Looking at 107's from mid to late '80s are candidates for at least valve jobs and timing chains and maybe bottom ends. Also motor mounts and subframe mounts will most likely be ready for replacements.

The A/C works as long as you are going fast. In stop and go traffic it is a disappointment.

Do you know how when you use the door on your 129 the window opens slightly and then rolls back up on closing? That is what all 107 drivers do manually because the rubber molding gets worked over and the windows don't seat well unless you do that. I was amazed when I got my 129 and found that it happens automatically because I was so used to doing it myself.

The 107 is noiser than the 129 even with the hardtop on. Not much to do about that.

Even with all that, if my engine hadn't gone, I would have kept my 107 until it died. I loved that car.