PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Need suggestions on 1970's-80's SL

dmorrison · #10 03-29-2005, 12:55 PM

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