560SL "Refined Features"???

[page62]

I just noticed a post by Roncallo stating that the 560SL has "refined features" that are lacking in the 450SL and 380SL.

That got my curiosity going -- and I'm not trying to be contentious or anything -- aside from airbag and ABS, what other features does the 560SL have that the others lack?

(BTW: Personally, I consider the above two items "added complexity". But that's just my opinion.)

[Alkraut]

They are all great roadsters! A few things were changed for the 560's: 5.6 liter engine, limited slip differential and anti theft alarm were standard, side seat bolsters on the front seats (actually late 85 380), ABS, Air bag, third stop light on the trunk, and front air dam. Wheels went to dishpan type. There were also some suspension changes, but I don't know the details. People have told me that the A/C and cruise were "refined" and less troublesome on the 560's. The best part is that they did not change the classic styling of the 450.

[Strife]

The bumpers are about 1 inch shorter. That inch on each end makes a surprising difference. All MB's 86+ had inside plastic fender wells + better rustproofing, which I think is a big deal.

[airedale]

Originally Posted by page62

I just noticed a post by Roncallo stating that the 560SL has "refined features" that are lacking in the 450SL and 380SL.

That got my curiosity going -- and I'm not trying to be contentious or anything -- aside from airbag and ABS, what other features does the 560SL have that the others lack?

(BTW: Personally, I consider the above two items "added complexity". But that's just my opinion.)

"added complexity". That is the operative term. I love my 560 SEC because of the power but the 380 SL is the ultimate sports car. It still goes really fast at 134 MPH which I have not driven either of mine at. The mileage is great which is one of the things this car was designed for.

[coleyjf]

Hi

The whole range of SL models was facelifted in 86 with all of them all gaining as standard: ABS, up-rated suspension, new wheels, lower air dam, uprated cruise, etc and some ( the EU/UK 300SL in particular) new engines from the then new E class models. The CAT,US fenders and third brake light was only added as standard to US options although the European models had improved emision control systems.

Cheers

Jim

[t walgamuth]

sorry, how does one upgrade cruise control?

tom w

[kbannister]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

sorry, how does one upgrade cruise control?

tom w

Make it so it works??

[mbc43amg]

Originally Posted by coleyjf

US options

I did a search but didn't find this addressed in the threads I looked in. What's different with the R107 Fenders for the US market?
thanx,
steve

[David Langsam]

New style door handles (though, I like the old ones). Someone mentioned different seats, also different head rests. Heated sideview mirrors on '88+. Burlwood graid instead of zebrano. Probably several other small changes.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by page62

I just noticed a post by Roncallo stating that the 560SL has "refined features" that are lacking in the 450SL and 380SL.

That got my curiosity going -- and I'm not trying to be contentious or anything -- aside from airbag and ABS, what other features does the 560SL have that the others lack?

(BTW: Personally, I consider the above two items "added complexity". But that's just my opinion.)

By far the biggest reason I would consider the 560SL over all others is simply age. You are most likely going to get a better car just from the fact that it is newer. It also show up in the resale value. If you do an NADA comparison of 560SLs with similare milage the difference in resale value increased at about $1000 per year for essensially the same vehicals. Age takes it's toll even if the car isint driven. But as far as features aside from ABS and airbags which I consider significant, here are a few.

#1 is performance
#2 With the exception of the 380SL the 560 gets significantly better gas milage.
#3 I really like the seats in the 560 with lateral support, I belive these were also available in the late 380's.
#4 I really like the wheels on the 560
#5 The front air dam

My opinion is that the difference in price between the 560 and 380/450 is too small to consider the earlier vehicals espeically when one factors in the cost of maintaining these vehicals.

It appears that all reasonable restorable 107s seem to hit a rock bottom at around $5000 (450/380/560) but a $10,000 560 puts you much further ahead of any of these.

My personal recomendations for 107 buyers is as follows

For people who can do there own work, including valve jobs and fuel injection service. Look for a 560SL in the 100K mile range $10,000 to $12,000.

For people to cant do any more than a brake job, purchase in the 50K mile range at $15,000 to $18,000.

For people that cannot work on cars, dont buy this car unless you are very wealthy.

John Roncallo

[nobby]

Roncallo, You nailed it.

"For people that cannot work on cars, dont buy this car unless you are very wealthy."

No kidding.

[page62]

Originally Posted by Roncallo

My personal recomendations for 107 buyers is as follows

For people who can do there own work, including valve jobs and fuel injection service. Look for a 560SL in the 100K mile range $10,000 to $12,000.

For people to cant do any more than a brake job, purchase in the 50K mile range at $15,000 to $18,000.

For people that cannot work on cars, dont buy this car unless you are very wealthy.

I'm way beyond the curve here. I bought a 450SL with 150K miles -- and a few issues -- for under $7K. And it's a darn good thing I can do my own mechanical work...because I'd be deep underwater already!!!

[Richard Wooldridge]

Hello all,
Just for fun, I looked up the differences in the factory manual supplement pages. There are MANY differences...
1. The springs have a different spring rate, front and rear.
2. The front stabilizer bar has a 26mm diameter instead of 25mm diameter.
3. The shock absorbers are shorter and have a harder rate.
4. An additional polyurethane bottoming spring has been added.
5. Some model 124 front end parts are used on the front end - the following parts are redesigned:
Front axle carrier, lower and upper control arms, Steering knuckle, Steering knuckle arm, front wheel hub with bearing. The front axle carrier has a newly modified contour, can be used on older model 107s.
6. Limited slip differential
7. The rear axle carrier mount has been offset by 124mm to the left.
8. The rear carrier front rubber mounts are not interchangeable, marked with L and R, have different stiffnesses.
9. The rear axle center is now elastically mounted to the rear carrier both at the front and rear mounts.
10. The rear axle shafts are provided with CV joints similar to model 126 coupe.
11. New light alloy wheels similar to model 201, new mounting screws.
12. New propeller shaft center mount, similar to model 124, not interchangeable with older 107s.
13. Four piston brake calipers on front.
14. Light alloy Master cylinder.
15. Double diaphragm brake booster.
16 Redesigned steering gear, designation 765.707 (LS80), NOT interchangeable with old unit, reduced travel for redesigned front end. Code letter R stamped into the housing. (The 560's turning circle is not as short as previous cars, less "sensitive" steering.)
17. Power steering pump relief pressure changed to 82 +-5 bar.
18. Sheet metal floor under fuel tank changed, mounting positions of tank and filler neck changed.
19. Outside Temperature indicator changed from Celsius to Fahrenheit.
20. Exterior lamp failure indicator added.
21. Fuses and electrical feeds changed.
22. BODY SHEET METAL CHANGES:
Radiator mount changed, hood changed, firewall changed, side-member connecting point front right changed, A-pillars changed, doors changed, B-pillars changed, main floor changed, rear floor changed, cross-member under the driver seat changed, sheet metal shrouds changed, various stiffeners and small parts changed.
23. Door handles changed, similar to model 126.
24. Door lock and striker changed.
25. Central locking system changed, electric vacuum pump similar to models 126 and 201.
26. Fuel tank flap actuating element and guide bushing changed.
27. Outside heated rear view mirrors.
28. Rear high mounted stop lamp added.
29. New Grand Prix radio - larger display indicator with tone setting and more sensitivity - three levels, but returns to least sensitive when turned off.
30. Front bumper and spoiler.
31. Front bumper inner fender liners added.
32. Front seats changed to include lateral support similar to model 124.
33. Hood- a depression was added to the hood reinforcement to clear new brake booster, previous hood will not fit on car.

There are a few more small items I didn't include, but these are the high points. There was nothing mentioned about cruise control that I could find for the 560, but it was revised earlier, when it went from the vacuum diaphragm to the electric motor control.

I hope this is interesting to you all!

[airedale]

WOW! You did a lot of work. Thanks.

[Strife]

Strange: I have a sept. 86 build 560, and it had a "65", not an "82" (kPa?) power steering pump. But I do know that interchanging the two is very dangerous. I am very certain that the pump installed was original to the car.