Just got a 107... Introduction

[mj_sid]

Hello All,

I've been a diesel head for a long time but finally got a 107 in the stable. I bought it today! It's a 1973 450SL.

I am excited to learn about the cars and to start wrenching on it.

I was curious how different the early cars are from the newer cars? What should I look to take from newer cars? What should I covet on my car?

Any general advice would be helpful. I just ordered new shocks, filters and the like from Phil. I like to start on a clean slate.

Thanks,
Matt

[jas2wa]

I have had my 107 for only about a year, so I am still learning about it too. You should certainly covet the manual heater controls on your car, as opposed to the automatic climate control on the mid 70s and later versions. You probably have the slim bumpers if it's a 73, a major plus in my book, though people have different preferences.

Mine doesn't have a single power option, which I love- no a/c, windows, locks, climate control- nothing to break! (Well, almost..)

Post some pictures of it- JAS

[bwostosh]

You even have to manually shift the transmission in this one!





We are having fun now!
Pictures of the first day of negotiations.
a week later $4,000
Bad marketing on the uninterested college-age driver.
Her Dad said to just sell it.
102k miles, no rust, euro, imported in 82

[meltedpanda]

Welcome, just search my name in this forum and you will get quite an education. Many of the issues and things you will want to do I have done, and many here have helped me learn. These are great cars, you just have to smile when you drive them, well most of the time.

[rocky raccoon]

Second the welcome. I have included one of my early posts. Since that post, I have been able to repair almost all items on my punch list with the help of this forum and am enjoying my 107 as my daily driver. This could end up being the most enjoyable car I have ever had. The best car I have ever had (so far) is my ex-123 turbodeisel, a car that you are thoroughly familiar with I'll bet.

I bought a 107 tech manual CD from e-bay and have found that to be an enormous asset also.

Enjoy it.

-------------------------
560SL General Repair and Maintenance
I am a new 560SL owner having boughr through e-bay. The car arrived with a fairly long list of unanticipated problems all of which were minor since I disposed of major problems such as timing chain issues during my search.
Upon opening the hood and looking at my engine compartment for the first time, I thought about immediately offering it for sale again. However, having a fair degree of shade tree mechanical experience and perhaps more courage than good sense I decided to dig in. The problems ranged from severe driveabilty deficienties to climate control and a host of door lock and trim issues.
The real purpose of this post is to encourage 107 owners to not panic. I have found this car actually easier to work on than many others despite the appearance of complexity. Access to the many little widgets is good, parts are out there with Harley Davidson-like availability and prices for those parts are reasonable through many on-line sources. This site has been a major source of information about what to do and more importantly what NOT to do. My other source is ALLDATADIY, one of the best $25 investments I have made in a long time.
So, all you 107 owners out there do yourself a favor by not simply replacing every major assembly in sight in the hope of stumbling across a repair, and take a deep breath before taking your car to a mechanic. You would not have bought this 20 to 30 year old car if you didn't really want it. There are many newer cars a much lower prices. The 107s are fun to work on and the feeling of accomplishment in fixing something yorself is hard to beat. Let research and logic guide your hands.

[jas2wa]

Yeah, mine does without an automatic transmission, too-

[John Ulrich]

Rocky,
Thanks for the All Data tip. I've heard them referenced over the radio. Unfortunately it's only available for 1982 and newer cars. Priceless for you newer owners.
JU

[Tims450SL]

Congrats! I always replace the wires and the cap and rotor cap, along with a new air, and fuel filter. Do not forget the NON-resistor Bosch factory plugs. That usually really makes a huge difference. Have fun take the top down!

[mj_sid]

Hey Everybody,

Thanks for your replies.

Those are some great pics of your cars. They look like they are in really great shape!

I look forward to working on the car. Unfortunelty the first part sucks! I have to scrape away the years of oil everywhere in the engine . The guy I bought the car from had no love for it and used it just as transportation, how sad.

After basic research I found out about the sub frame recall and called the dealer. Their vin search said that it had not been done but the guy did not seem to sure what needed to be done. I told him that it was my understanding that if there were cracks it should get a new sub frame and if not then they will weld brackets on it. He had to go pull a book because there was no info in the computer and he set up an appointment for Wednesday. I'm not sure if I want a crack or not...

Thanks Again,

Matt

[donbryce]

I just finished putting the subframe back in my '86 560SL. I'm not sure how different your generation SL is regarding the mounting arrangement, but believe me, if you want to keep the car, you are doing yourself a big favour to remove it completely. Mine was 4 bolts, plus undoing some tie rods and linkage, which probably need replacing anyway.
Once out, you'll be able to clean the engine underside area, drop the oil pan (I found lots of silicone and pieces of chain guide rail in there!) for a thorough inspection of the vitals, do the right job on bushings, etc., plus get the welding done on those A-arm mounts.

[Mistress]

Welcome and enjoy your ride.

[Dee8go]

Originally Posted by jas2wa

Yeah, mine does without an automatic transmission, too-

How common is the manual tranny on these?

[jas2wa]

They are really rare, were available on euro market cars only, very few were made. I don't know if anyone has figured out the build numbers or not- like the SL guys at oursl.com or SL Market Newsletter. There are a handful of them running around, probably fewer than 400 hundred worldwide (I seem to remember this estimate quoted somewhere) with likely no more than a quarter of those having somehow made it to the US. I'm just going from what I've read/memory- if anyone has more definitive numbers it would be interesting to hear them.

By the way, these guestimates apply to the v8 manual combination (350SL), not the later 280SL 6 cyl that could be had with a 4 or 5 speed manual.

[meltedpanda]

seems to be close to my recollection as well, rare, less than 400