Hmm…leaving Mercedes possibly

[mercifiknow]

So I’ve been talking to a person about buying my car for use as a parts car. I think I’m a little bummed that the car was barely driven and developed the rocker/ floorpan problems that led to it being beyond my funds and capability to fix.

I think I want another Mercedes but am not sure. I was thinking about an SL. I think you can still get parts for them and still decent deals as well. Experts weigh in.

[cth350]

A W107 or W129 car? There are plenty to be had. -CTH

[mercifiknow]

W107. A 1973 R107 450 is what I would like in that chassis. However, the whole rust fiasco, in addition to not being able to find OEM quality parts, has really bitten me so badly that I’m seriously considering just leaving Mercedes. $100k+ to restore?! No thanks. The body wasn’t that bad. Anyways, I’m complaining too much.

Plenty of rust free?

[cth350]

if you want to be anal about show car, yeah, you can spend that kind of money.

Then, there are the daily drivers to, well, drive daily.

My cars have always been beaters and always will be beaters.

-CTH

[Tony H]

I'm really starting to appreciate the R107 cars. Someday I would like a early 107. I think the early Kjet 450's are the sweet spot-before the troublesome climate control. Euro bumpers/lights can always be added. I would love a 500SL but finding a non-rusty one would be difficult. There are rust-free So Cal cars out there.
I need a car to put my 107 Tri-Y headers on.

[mercifiknow]

I still love my 250c. I started looking for a really good one but haven’t found one yet. I’m starting to also look at 450sl’s too. Going to start diving into issues they may have. I’ve been hesitant because they are convertibles and I’m afraid of it rolling over and getting all messed up from a wreck. It I’m slowly coming around. Lol

[Tony H]

I think as with other contemporary models rust is the main issue. The early ones are much simpler and the driveline/chassis was shared with other models.

[mercifiknow]

Yep. I’ve actually started looking at something “newer” that already has a better corrosion protection. I’m starting to think an engine is not the determining factor in buying an older car. It’s the body.

[Hatterasguy]

My R129 suffers from plastic issues and some parts are getting hard to find; I'm questioning if l keep it long term if I sell it I'll replace it with an R107.

These cars are no longer cheap to work on, I stepped away from the hobby for a good 14 years and I was shocked by the price increases when I came back.

You can get parts for the older cars or recondition things because they are not plastic but you will be paying. I just paid $720 to recondition my R129's center console wood, the wood for a W108/109 would be a few grand.

[aluminum]

Originally Posted by mercifiknow

Yep. I’ve actually started looking at something “newer” that already has a better corrosion protection. I’m starting to think an engine is not the determining factor in buying an older car. It’s the body.

I Disagree with Newer :

2 of the best come to mind come to Mind for you



#1 would be The 1956 or A 1955 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
( I can't afford one myself but)
Love of A True Opulent Car Lover I would suggest This Car for you As My # 1 Choice Don't look if your Not willing to dip into retirement Funds @$142 M Last 1 sold but Everything is for Sale

#2 would be an Aluminum Porsche a Touring Car smooth Riding but like on Rails not that Bumpy 911 Junk but a Porsche 928 an affordable Aluminum
Car with an Aircraft style Motor < all range of Prices are Available


Pic of a 86.5 ( Mid Year Change S3 ) 32 Valve Dependable with More Power then most will ever use Here is a Pic or 2 of Mine I drive it on Sundays

[Todd Miller]

Mercedes ownership is not for the faint of heart, or faint of wallet, unless you're willing to live with "this is as good as I can keep it." Some, like myself, are okay with that. Others aren't. My car is horribly rusty underneath, and if I was smart, I would cut it up and put it in a dumpster. It would easily take $150k+ to strip it to a shell, have some one put it on a jig, cut it apart, and replace all of the under structure, front to rear, and paint it. That price might include chrome, weatherstripping, woodwork, and the leather interior, but I doubt it. All said and done, I'd have a Coupe worth $50-$60K. Breaks my heart. Love the car and will continue to enjoy it.

If you want rust free, you'll now pay a premium, and you'll be mostly shopping from SoCal, or maybe Sacramento, CA and SF Bay area. Or, finding a former SoCal car that's in another state, because it was sold. Prices have gone up considerably. You can keep an eye on prices by watching Bring A Trailer, or looking at their archives. That said, I've seen vintage Mercedes cars there, go for prices that I thought were extremely low for what the buyer was getting, while at the same time reading post after post on a forum dedicated to that model, proclaiming that "no way can a person still find one of these for under XXXXXX dollars. So, you never know. If you're not in a hurry, and keep an eye on CL in regions where these cars are still on the road and driven as normal cars, you can sometimes score a deal.