I seldom drove it because I felt embarrassed to be seen in it. I felt like everyone was looking at me and thinking that I was showing off. I sold it as soon as I could six months later. I filled up maybe 3 times! The top came off once!

I bought it because I always thought they were good looking and so I always wanted one. Once I had one, it was not a real big deal. I thought the hood was too long and the back was too short. I knew the gas mileage was bad but I did not expect to be able to see the needle move when I drove.

It just did not fit my persona I guess. I feel proud to drive my old diesels. I am proud of the engineering, the sound and the size proportions.

I'll probably be scorned for this post but what the hay.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

I have a 560SEC and only drove it home. I havent driven it since...

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

Around here, most of the old SL's are driven by the elderly - probably the original owners. That said, whatever floats your boat!!

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

I once drove a camo painted Audi 5000 with the tag "CNUCME".



Let them stare I know I always stare at a nice SL going by

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Well we have an '88 560SL and a few diesels. Where does that put us? The SL is the wife's car and it is a blast to drive. Good handling, lotsa power, and a roadster to boot. Yeah bad mileage and it wants premium in the hot months. Bought it for her for Christmas of '02. I had Blondie "Call me" cued up in the tape player when she got it. She always wanted a red convertible. Had to learn to watch her speed though.

Yeah we have a 380SL, but really, it's not my car- I DD a $125 '91 Jetta IDI....

What I WOULD drive if I could find one (cheaply, natch) is a 280SL 5 speed. Other than that, to me the R107 is a very high quality Vette.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

yeah i remember the passing power. it could pass everything except a gas station.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

Never had one but I really don't give a rat's arse what anyone thinks so that wouldn't be a deterrent for me.

I'd like to get the Mrs. something fun to bomb around town in and have thought that might be a good excuse for an older SL. She's got a little part-time job at one of our elementary schools on the other side of town for a few hours around mid-day, it would be a nice little break from the minivan she's stuck in every morning and afternoon when dropping off and picking up my kids.

The complete opposite end of the spectrum that I'm thinking for her would be a pink Bug convertible with an electric motor kit. Not sure I'd still be able to not give a rat's arse if driving that, though...

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Bleh, I'm over MB roadsters.

Great cars - fantastic engineering, powerful, great quality, etc... But they aren't a sports car. They wallow in the corners, and are heavy!

Now a GT3....

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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.

we lived in a seriously redneck town up in Washington when I first bought a Benz, the '68 220D. Got stared at alot Had some fat old biker dude yell at me "BUY AMERICAN!!!" one day. Whatever I kept driving Benz's. Screw 'em.

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

I have always liked SL's.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Try working on one ( that's not an M110 six)

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Easier to change the plugs in Wife's SL than in my SEL. I'm about to learn how hard it is to change the power steering presure hose in the SEL. Does not look fun. It is a lot cleaner to change the oil filter in the SEL than the SL.

Sometimes you own the car; sometimes it owns you.

This. Even the new ones I drove aren't super fun to drive as they're more grandpa machines. The SLK's are decent to drive but still feel heavy to me. I wouldn't call any of them sports cars (granted I haven't driven an SL65 black or anything) but rather pleasant and powerful grand tourers.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth