Thinking about a 107 350SL 4spd - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Tony H · #1 03-17-2019, 02:34 AM

Eventually I may want to add another car to my collection-I have started to appreciate the 107's. I would want a 350SL Stick shift-just wondered if anyone owns one and their impression. They are out there-several have sold on BAT. Obviously they are grey market cars. Here's a fairly recent sale:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1979-mercedes-benz-350sl-grey-market-car/

Not a fan of the wheels or color.

jaybutter · #2 03-18-2019, 11:12 AM

I have one, a 1978 350SL 4 speed! I really enjoy it. I put a new interior in it this past winter and it was a major upgrade. I replaced all the seat cushions and it made the car much more pleasant to drive. Most 450SL parts are the same. The biggest challenge I've had so far was the clutch slave cylinder. I bought it through MB and it was not inexpensive!

daantjie · #3 03-18-2019, 02:24 PM

Check very thoroughly for rust. By far the biggest killer of these old Benzes.

Tony H · #4 03-18-2019, 11:28 PM

Thanks for the input. Really nice car Jay. Thanks for the rust tip-I am intimately aware of it. I would rather pay more for a clean car. Most of these came from Europe so rust is an issue.
It's going to be a while-I need to build a shop and get my 3.5 coupe finished first.

jaybutter · #5 03-19-2019, 07:16 AM

Just yesterday Bring A Trailer listed a 1986 300SL 5 speed! I wonder which is a better driving car, the 3.5l V8 with a 4 speed or the 3.0l I6 with a 5 speed? My suspicion is that the second drivetrain is better driving. On my 4 speed the shifter is a very weak link, built American style, with the shifter bolted to the trans tunnel and shift rods running to the tranny. I am not sure how the 5 speed shifter is setup, any one know?

David Hendy · #6 03-19-2019, 10:47 AM

The 5 speed 300SL is considered by many the best of the R107s. The best mix of old and new. 300E running gear in an R107, it has an overdrive 5th gets reasonable fuel mileage, it's lighter than most of the other SL's plus the running gear is very robust.

Any slop in the shifter is down to worn bushings and a set of new or new poly bushings will cure that sloppiness.

I'm sure there are more knowledgeable people than me, but wasn't the 350SL 4 speed trans a W114/W115 part with a different bellhousing?

Also, the ability to upgrade a 300SL 5 speed to a 3.6 M104 which has the same trans bolt pattern excites me more than it should...

jaybutter · #7 03-19-2019, 11:24 AM

I would say that you are right about the transmission being from the 114/115. The shifter is too. I rebuilt mine completely and it was not too sloppy but the shift throws are long and it just doesn't have the feel of an internal shift rod type tranny. Part numbers are the same as for a 220D so at least they are readily available. I'm sure you know that the front subframe for the 107 and the 114/115 have the same part number as well! Gosh, I wish the EPC was still free!

rowdie · #8 03-19-2019, 06:51 PM

If you google Mercedes EPC you will find some free versions.

The 300SL 5 speed R107 is a rare one. More common is the 280SL 5 speed. The shifter does bolt to the tunnel and have the rods attached to the sides.

Tony H · #9 03-20-2019, 01:00 AM

I think the transmission is unique to the 3.5 V8 cars. The 300SL might be a better driving car but I like a V8. Regarding the shifter-the rods have rubber bushings on one end and nylon on the other. They were completely gone on my 3.5 coupe causing a lot of play. $10 worth of parts and much tighter.