The '84 sounds interesting, but I am cruising the SL section now while wife is out of town, and I don't know if I should go that route. I'm thinking '70s too. I don't want anything that says 'needs a little tlc' or such as that.

I had a 450SL, and I can say that if you are in the market go for a 560SL. They are the last of the series and the most refined. Day to day repairs, fuel, and insurance won't be much more for a 560 than a 380SL. Though, here is a strong caveat, the soft top mechanism is pretty complicated and putting the top up or down takes some effort. Though not nearly as bad as a MGB, thank goodness.

Although I like the body style of the '84 quite a bit, I would lean towards the '97 for the extra $2.5k. It is a world of difference technology wise, ride wise, and it will give you better mpg.
Reminds me of when I sold my 126 420SEL and got a 124 E420. Same displacement, but with a vast difference; and mpg went from 17 to 23.5 - you'd make up the extra dough in fuel savings. (unless you have $ to burn)

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

To be clear--I do not want an R129 Mercedes or even a brand new SL. I do not like them, the way they look, or the way they ride. I want a 'classic'. If I could justify it, I would buy a 190 SL, but I am kind of in a limbo phase and can't properly store it and would ruin a great example. I don't care about the gas mileage, as this will be a two seater and I have a family of 4 that I hang out with alot and won't be driving it much except to dinner on Friday nights and maybe an occasional road trip. My mom had a Red 86 560 SL and I have two close friends with them. My mom's was a lemon apparently (although it got me through a hella prom) and both of my friends vehicles are problematic. I kind of want something older too.

I'm mildly curious to know where you are that all these G-Wagens are transporting "gangstas" around? These things are practically invisible here in Phoenix. I find it amazing that there would be enough of them around to be noticable in any particular group.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

IMHO, any SL made before '72 is a much better investment. They are handmade, and the quality shows throughout. This website may provide some helpfull info: http://www.panix.com/~rmadison/mercedes.shtml

Let's just say there are quite a few displaced rappers and professional athletes currently milling about in G500s with chrome wheels.

IIRC, the biggest used GWagen clearing house in the US is Europa International in Santa Fe which is pretty close to you, right? They actually found me a few diesels, but want top dollar for sure or the thing is in Canada.

PERFECT site for someone like me. Thanks.

The Russian mob uses a lot of G's. Clearly your power is in queston if you do not ride around in a G55 with huge chrome wheels.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I saw one last week--burgundy in color. Sick.

I don't see anything wrong with the 380SL that you originally posted about.

If it appears to be a well-maintained example, then it is worth having your mechanic check it out.

It is also likely to have the dual row timing chain.

Yes, the 380's are not as fast as the 560SL, but they are still faster than the 450SL, plus they have a 4 speed automatic transmission.

With any engine, these are not sports cars. Rather, they are a grand tourer, and a 3.8 liter V8 will give you all the power you'll need to cruise around.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Sorry for the misunderstanding, but I only saw the 380 in passing--it wasn't for sale that I know of. I don't want speed or power, I want a ride ( Will have a '40s Packard Straight 8 like my great uncle had one day). I could spend the same money and any number of 20 faster cars.

Oh, then at any rate, I don't see anything wrong with any of the W107 SL's, except for the few years, probably from '74-75-ish, when Mercedes put the catalytic converters in the engine compartment, as opposed to underneath the car in the conventional position. Putting the cats in the engine bay introduced tremendous additional heat, baking the wiring, as well as causing vapor lock.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

My eyes glazed over when I read "40s Packard Straight 8". Simply put, they are the Maybach of their time. Probably too new for Carleton though, .

Have you considered a "Pagoda"? My dad and I both love the looks of them. They certainly are not the fastest cars built, but they are some of the most sexy.


As for modern SL's they have become a bargain. Like my 1996 SL600. I have the original invoice... Some poor sap bought the car new for $112,000. We bought it for 1/4 that price.


Now, for the R107. I feel it is certainly love the way they look in cherry red. Like Roncallos SL is to die for. And engine wise, it depends on the previous owners. If they took good care of the car and had the records to show what work was done, I would not be worried about the engine, just about the aesthetic condition. Any well maintained engine, especially a Merc motor is going to be bulletproof, as long as it has been taken care of.


With that said, long live the SL!

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.