I see the W107 SL's all the time, and they always seem to put a grin on my face. I like them a lot, even if they aren't diesel. I think this might make a good daily driver for me since I dont put a ton of mileage on the Subaru, and dont carry many people ever. Whats the most reliable model? I was thinking probably the 450SL. Any suggestions, and nagging problems? Thanks!

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http://www.betten.mercedescenter.com...n_banner_1.jpg
1976 300D
190,000 Miles
Colorado Beige

1975 300D
Parts Car
78,000 Miles
Rustbucket
Also Colorado Beige

1984 190D 2.2 (Dad's)
156,000 miles
Champagne Metallic Clearcoat

Serious pain in the ass to work on. Try and change something as simple as a door check strap and you will know what I mean.

Parts are much more expensive than your diesel. Check the price of a new visor to get an idea. Or even better yet, a new soft top ($$).

Gas mileage is less than 15 with the 450.

Engine bay is tight and something as simple as changing the spark plugs becomes a chore, instead of a pleasure as with an inline motor.

If you do want a 450, spend good money upfront and get a '77- k jet 450 motor with hydraulic lifters and MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL. SL's didnt get the (evil) servo until '78.

All that said, driving a nice 107 SL will make you feel like a rockstar on the way to the playboy mansion. By the single (tape of course) of "hotel california" and you are set.

PS- nagging problems? These are sophisticated (for their day), expensive cars, so you probably know the answer to your question already. But if you know how to play the old MB game, you can swing a 450 with some effort (or $).

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

1983 280SL Euro 5 speed

The expensive/hard part would be refreshing the suspension and any cosmetic bits. Also, could you register it in your state?

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Take the plunge, you will enjoy it and never look back! The later ones 76-80 have the most refinements and the 79-80 even more so. I was lucky to find a 80 Euro model with manual ac/heat and Zebra wood in the interior along with the Euro headlights and bumpers. All in all the Euro features are worth another $1000-$1200 with the simpler to maintain heat/ac. The car is reliable and starts every time. Gas mileage is better on the later models and mine gets 17-18 mpg albeit I do not have any smog controls except a cat convertor. The hardtop/softtop option is the best kept secret out there. For the money, you can not beat the ride, styling, and pleasure you get from one of these cars. They are currently at bargain prices so the timing is right!!

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Eric Boyles
1980 450SL

I keep hearing of the upkeep costs on these cars. Were they not built as tough as, say, a W123 or what? I suppose those do need about $2-$3K of suspension work to get back up to factory spec though, as well. I haven't really heard of about they handle either. They are roadsters (they are rather heavy though), so I hope they handle at least better than my W123. (See, im trying to convince my mom to get rid of the SDL and get a nice SL) Do they roll around a lot with "spirited" driving like W123's?

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Most of what has been posted here, I can relate to and is accurate.

I do all my own repairs and do it counting pennies, as some here can attest! The greatest expense for me is parts, my labor is free. But if you are not so inclined and have all your work done, prepair to spend lots of money.

In addition to what already has been said, I'll add a few. If your looking at an 81-82 380 SL, note that these engines used a single row timing chain and if not replaced at certain mileage, catastrophic engine failure was imminent. MB offered double row timing chains to solve this issue, and later 380's came with double row!

Also there was an issue with where the control arms connected the cross frame within the sub frame. The welding was inferior and could break. MB still offers a new sub frame free if there are signs of cracking in the welds.

My 80 450 SL is in need for all front suspension part replacement, so I cannot remark to much about how well they handle. The ride is great, and I'm sure it can handle very well, certainly better than a 123!

Things to watch out for are rust. Pay particular attention to the rocker panels. They rust real bad behind both front wheels there. Also look forward from the rear wheels in the rocker too! I see quite a few for sale that have bubbling rust in those areas and when you see this, know that it is only the tip of the ice burge! Of these cars I've seen, owners were asking ridiculous prices for them, so be careful.

BB

Repairs are expensive on these cars. Parts alone are high. Eventually, you will need a new soft top. You should run from a car with much rust. That being said (and looking at more expensive front end work this year), when the weather is right, you can't beat the ride. We have a 560SL, which is just a wild beast of a car. Oh, and the correct music is "Call me" by Blondie. That is what I had in the tape player when my wife got the car a couple of years ago. But, then again, you have to be a bit old to know why.

If I bought an SL I would want the straight six and a manual transmission. What is the downside of the six?

Any high speed action needs "Been a long time since I rock and rolled"

Zepplian, anything else is inferior. Just the facts maam.

Have a 1988 560SL and a 82 300TD and my daughters 83 240D.
Have owned 8 Mercedes.
The SL is a tremendous amount of fun. But expensive compared to the W123. Handling is sporty and fast but a dog compared to a Porsche or any true sports car. It is a luxury touring car not a sports car.
As a college student you may not be setup for the upkeep and logistics of the W107.
Again parts are expensive. IE. Upper control arms on the W123 are $65 or so. On the W107 $250. It nuts but that's the car.
All W107s came with a hardtop when new ( doesn't mean that a used car won't, $2000-2500 for a used one). Where do you store it If you want it off??
The 560SL gets about 18-19 MPG. If you take it easy on it. Sometimes you just can't with the 5.6 liter engine. And that is Premium gas, not regular.
If you have to have the car worked on by a mechanic the expense will be very high. It may be cheaper to buy a new convertible car and make the payments.
Each car will be different and cost will be variable.

6 cylinder W107. Will be a gray model. The 280SL was not a US import. Should be a fun car, with a manual, but a gray model. You might find a few parts that are difficult to find. Could be waiting for the parts to come from Germany. Some dealers will not work with you on gray models. Each dealer is different.

So consider it carefully. I was a senior in High School when the W107 came out in the fall of 1971. I fell in love with it. But it was not until 1995 before I felt I could afford it ( a luxury and I have a family and 2 kids). And it took a couple of years to find a perfect one. so sometime s a little patients is necessary.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

I wish the control arms were still $250. I have to replace both of them and they are over $350 each and climbing by the day. and "call me" is for top down cruising, not Autobahn burning. But I agree, these are really cars for people who can handle dropping $1000 here and there for this and that. I just try to keep the expensive stuff from going bad.