Second Mercedes, first SL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

djustin973 · #1 07-24-2012, 01:25 PM

I've been interested in finding an SL to take on as a project and think I've found one worth looking into. It's a silver '73 450SL with 113K miles. I took a brief look around it and it seems to be in great shape. I'm hoping to meet the owner this weekend take it for a spin and take a much closer look at it. Before I go I had a few questions...

What should I look for? Does this year/model have any known issues?
What's a fair price assuming it's in good running condition?
What fuel mileage should I expect?

Also as a general bit of interest how long do the SL's last? I'm used to the 80's diesels so 500K is just broken in to me! How much further do you think this SL has to go?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

DieselPaul · #2 07-24-2012, 03:33 PM

My '72 350SL 4.5 gets about 14-15mpg.

R107s rust like absolute crazy, so if it looks rust free, dig deeper.

My car has 231,000 miles on it and will still pull hard to 120mph and doesn't use oil.

Probably $6-7k if its not rusty. Unless its extremely clean or has a good story to it, its probably not worth over $10,000.

300sdToronto · #3 07-29-2012, 12:54 PM

welcome to the dark side (I'm also a diesel owner).

Just like your w126 diesel, rubber suspension components can be an issue. Check out front subframe bushings, front sway bar bushings, engine and transmission mounts, flex disks, etc. as well as the usual mechanical basics like engine and transmission operation, etc.

Also take a look at the convertible top. if it is headed towards replacement time or some of the seals are going then you can be into some additional dollars. The flexible rubber seals that are supposed - note the word "supposed" - to seal between the convertible top and the top horizontal edge of the side windows are prone to rot and the rubber seals up each end of the windshield, which guide the windows in a rubber channel, are also prone to rot. Replacements for those vertical channels on the windshield are $150 each unless you want to play roulette with a poorly made Uro part.

These cars are harder to work on than the w126 simply because there are more parts crammed into a smaller place. Flex disk replacement for example is way more labour intensive simply because of the extra stuff that has to be pulled off to gain access.

Hope this helps ......

mespe · #4 07-29-2012, 03:49 PM

Pull up the passenger side carpet. Is the black foam wet? I've seen quite a few R107's leaking into the Right Front Cabin area.

Left unchecked it'll look like this,,,

If in doubt, ask the owner if you can hose down the car. Without removing the front fenders, you don't know what you're getting.

mgburg · #5 07-30-2012, 03:20 PM

Get underneath and check the floorpans on both the driver's and passenger's side...then check the wheel wells, looking for the same stuff.

benhogan · #6 07-30-2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300sdToronto

welcome to the dark side (I'm also a diesel owner).

......

haha I too was once there.

I lusted after an SL for years and finally got one. I forgot one important factor. It is a 2 seater. I have 2 young kids.

I put less than 200 miles on it in 6 months then sold it for a slight profit.

300sdToronto · #7 07-30-2012, 04:57 PM

Yes, SL's are very much a journey. I have got a lot of my issues sorted and then took it in for an alignment this morning after installing new sway bar bushings and having one of the bashed sway bar mounts straightened.

When I backed it into the garage idle was back up to 1500 rpm. I had it down to a stable 1000 rmps (still too high, I know). Arghh!

Graham · #8 07-30-2012, 09:22 PM

I have owned a 72 SL and an 85 300D for the past 22/21years. The SL has been driven 30k miles and the 300D 190k miles. Spent $$$ on both but still love both of them. Am always amazed and how silky smooth the SL still is for a 40 yr old car.

JimFreeh · #9 07-31-2012, 07:41 AM

Don't forget the subframe issue....

Jim

djustin973 · #10 07-31-2012, 07:43 PM

So the SL I was looking at is a no go. It was in decent shape but had some rust and had been repainted...poorly...in the wrong color. However I did enjoy the quick test drive I took quite a bit. I'm definitely going to be looking for another SL.

Are there any models/years I should look for or look out for? The only info I've heard is to avoid the earlier version of the automatic climate control and to of course check the front subframe. Anything else?

Graham · #11 07-31-2012, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djustin973

So the SL I was looking at is a no go. It was in decent shape but had some rust and had been repainted...poorly...in the wrong color. However I did enjoy the quick test drive I took quite a bit. I'm definitely going to be looking for another SL.

Are there any models/years I should look for or look out for? The only info I've heard is to avoid the earlier version of the automatic climate control and to of course check the front subframe. Anything else?

The very early SLs don't have automatic climate control, so that is a plus! With those, the 72/73 without cat converters are preferred.

The 74/75 D-jet SLs are probably not the best choice. Same for 380SLs, especially those with single row timing chain.

Other than the early D-Jets, a late 560SL might be a good choice or a grey market 280SL if fuel economy is important.

Maybe other have different opinions?

armani · #12 08-08-2012, 05:34 AM

One of mine friend have this SLS Mercedes, and whenever I take for ride I just get awesome taste to drive it. No I have also intend to buy this Mercedes. What is its cost now the days...

nobby · #13 08-11-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djustin973

[*]What fuel mileage should I expect?[/LIST]Also as a general bit of interest how long do the SL's last? I'm used to the 80's diesels so 500K is just broken in to me! How much further do you think this SL has to go?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Fuel mileage in a 30+ year old hobby car?

30 smiles per gallon.

And ANY car will last as long as you want it to providing regular and preventative maintenance is done.

It really depends on what all the former owners have done in the past.

My SL has 175,000 miles on it.....it burns no oil....it has a couple of drips.

4 consecutive years have seen my SL on extended roadtrips with NO issues.

3000 miles (7 days)
3200 miles (10 days)
1000 miles (2 days)
7500 miles (15 days)
4800 miles (11 days)

Preventative maintenance.

MPG ranged from 10 mpg in the Rockies to 24 mpg on the flats.

280SL 5 speed.