A little advice for a friend looking for an SL?

[sundevil64]

Hello all!

I am doing a little research for a friend who is considering buying an SL, most likely a 450. He does not have the time for a "project" only minor tinkering, but would most likely take it to a mechanic for repair.

He is looking for a nice car that he can take out on the weekend and cruise around in. I am not very familiar with MB's only a little of the CIS fuel system from tinkering with my 930.

I understand these are for the most part durable cars, but would like to know a general set of years to look at. He is leaning towards the older style SL such as the 70's and 80's style.

Also can anyone recommend a reputable and thorough mechanic to do a PPI for the Louisville,KY area?

Thank you in advance,

John

[rowdie]

450SL: Avoid '75 and '76 models with cats attached to the exhaust manifolds in the engine compartment* and '78-'80 with the doomed to fail Automatic Climate Control (1)

380SL: Avoid '81-'83 model with single row timing chain. *

Best R107 model? IMO 560SL Many improvements over prior years. The list is here: Mercedes Benz 107 SL SLC Roadster Information Specs Page

* North American models only

(1) All North American models and some rest of the world.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by sundevil64

Hello all!

I am doing a little research for a friend who is considering buying an SL, most likely a 450. He does not have the time for a "project" only minor tinkering, but would most likely take it to a mechanic for repair.

He is looking for a nice car that he can take out on the weekend and cruise around in. I am not very familiar with MB's only a little of the CIS fuel system from tinkering with my 930.

I understand these are for the most part durable cars, but would like to know a general set of years to look at. He is leaning towards the older style SL such as the 70's and 80's style.

Also can anyone recommend a reputable and thorough mechanic to do a PPI for the Louisville,KY area?

Thank you in advance,

John

Contact the MBCA Chapter in Louisville, KY for local referrals and recommendations.

[97 SL320]

Be sure to budget some $ for tidying up the car / continuing maint. A copy paste from one of my other posts.:

I tend to life parts and replace them before failure on my schedule to prevent the car from going down randomly. After buying my nice but in need of attention 97 SL320 ( $ 6,000 ) a few years ago I put $ 2,200 to $ 2,500 in parts alone to get the car up to my reliability standards. ( this is parts cost only and no labor as I do all my own work )

Rad and all hoses, water pump, belt, fuel pump, brake pads, tires, wheel bearings, Evap valve, ball joints, strut caps, spark plug wires. . . you get the idea.

I now have a car that won't randomly break down. Sure, the trans will need a rebuild at some point and I want to replace engine rod and main bearings but these repairs will be planned not a drive it 'till it don't go no mo.

[JimFreeh]

Before your friend buys a car, make sure he is comfortable in the car.

The R107 is one of the very few Mercedes that I could not fit into.
My line of sight to the instruments was poor, and the seatback fouled the top area, and I like the seatback very vertical.

I had my 85 280SL for 8 years, and never found a good compromise.
Very unusual, because generally speaking, I can get comfortable in a Benz in 30 seconds....

Jim