I do not know enough to give you specific advice - but what I would expect is that you are bang on the price bracket where you could either pick up a decent car going for a reasonable price or a tarted up shed that will soak all your spare cash and still be a shed. You need to tread carefully to avoid a divorce! Specific advice on where to look for hidden rust would be where I would start. The older V8s will obviuosly be very thirsty, the newer 6s less so.
Matt32AMG
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WTTC
If it were me, I think I would try and up the anti moneywise if you can for something that won't always be emptying your wallet. I mean, they are out there, but its a case of you pays your money you take your choice...
Good Luck and happy hunting
wobbly
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Look for rust, rust, and more rust.
I really think that a £5k 107, will be a money pit, and you should either raise the budget, or be prepared to reach deep into your pockets.
I really think that a £5k 107, will be a money pit, and you should either raise the budget, or be prepared to reach deep into your pockets.
harveymoo
Active Member
remember to check all the rust points , front floor pans, sills etc.
the rain comes off the wind screen down the air vents on the front scuttle and if it does n't leak through the fresh air vents on to the floor it runs down the inside of the door pilars into the sills (as designed) there is a centre drain tube that drops the water onto the top of the gearbox as well. ( quite often blocked). at the rear its the hood cover seal that gives trouble as well , the drains for this also empty into the sills. So make sure the drain holes in the sills are kept clear. the water from the boot runs down onto the rear lights , so once again light gaskets have to be good or water enters there also. other general areas are front wings around headlights bottom edge of wing ,between wheel and door (metal infill panel under wing) and of course rear wheel archs.
But if you get a reasonably good on Hay why not its a hell of a lot of car for MX5 MONEY
the rain comes off the wind screen down the air vents on the front scuttle and if it does n't leak through the fresh air vents on to the floor it runs down the inside of the door pilars into the sills (as designed) there is a centre drain tube that drops the water onto the top of the gearbox as well. ( quite often blocked). at the rear its the hood cover seal that gives trouble as well , the drains for this also empty into the sills. So make sure the drain holes in the sills are kept clear. the water from the boot runs down onto the rear lights , so once again light gaskets have to be good or water enters there also. other general areas are front wings around headlights bottom edge of wing ,between wheel and door (metal infill panel under wing) and of course rear wheel archs.
But if you get a reasonably good on Hay why not its a hell of a lot of car for MX5 MONEY
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Vlad
MB Enthusiast
For the money I would consider a cheap R129 instead.....no rust issues, nicer to drive and bomb proof mechanicals......£5k would still put you in the bargain basement sector and you would have to wade through lots of snotters before you find a half decent one.
Update, looked at 280sl 1982 this morning locally ,quote "no no rust mate real nice and original".From 10ft you could see the rust bubbles he had the interior leather re done looked nice until i lifted back seat rust everywhere damaged new leather and holding the back driver seat panel where four self tapping screws !!!
Will have a look at a couple of r129 as suggested.
Will have a look at a couple of r129 as suggested.
wobbly
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Well that didnt take long to change your mind, look at one iffy sl, then change from what you "always wanted"
Yes the r129, is a great car, but the r107 has different charm and kudos, stick with your search.
Ok looked at the 380sl and a 280sl today.
380sl badly re sprayed plastic hood not fitting well.
280 sl had been undersealed but bubbling bad around rear wheel arch and again under rear seats,whats the waxyl hiding ??.
Looked at the Millie miglia 320sl very nice indeed, good drive but didnt give me that classic feel.Onwards, the advice about money seems correct at moment
380sl badly re sprayed plastic hood not fitting well.
280 sl had been undersealed but bubbling bad around rear wheel arch and again under rear seats,whats the waxyl hiding ??.
Looked at the Millie miglia 320sl very nice indeed, good drive but didnt give me that classic feel.Onwards, the advice about money seems correct at moment
Ok search update,to date i have looked at 280/500/380 models about 6 in all around the £5-6k mark and 3 r129's.The initial advice was spot on i havent looked at one 107 without significant rust and the "a mate does the service but hes ex merc " to cover the service history side.I dont mind limited service records on cars that age but i hate the cover up stories and odd oil change invoice from local garage to show full history !!.
Anyway losing battle but not war and so with my budget i ve just purchased the following intending to spend out on it and then after few years re access so here it is.
1995 mille miglia 320sl 90k full mbsh to 85k then indp all checked,but with following bad points.
1.Oil leak around timing chain cover minor but wont get better
2.Will need new rear/middle exhaust within 10k
3.Rust bubble about size of 10p around f/o/s side indicator and same again on hardtop beside rear window.
4.Alloys no damage but need re finnishing
Other than that in blooding good condition interior like new as with hood paid £5k im expecting to fork out about £1500 to get it too top notch but a very nice looking car and drive.
So there you go didnt pan out quite the way i had wanted but still very happy with purchase hopefully it will be a furture classic and lead onto a R107 and a nice one but £10k is out of my reach at present.Any comments good/bad i said id keep posted with search and results and i wouldnt creep away sulking because i couldnt get what i wanted yet !!!.
Anyway losing battle but not war and so with my budget i ve just purchased the following intending to spend out on it and then after few years re access so here it is.
1995 mille miglia 320sl 90k full mbsh to 85k then indp all checked,but with following bad points.
1.Oil leak around timing chain cover minor but wont get better
2.Will need new rear/middle exhaust within 10k
3.Rust bubble about size of 10p around f/o/s side indicator and same again on hardtop beside rear window.
4.Alloys no damage but need re finnishing
Other than that in blooding good condition interior like new as with hood paid £5k im expecting to fork out about £1500 to get it too top notch but a very nice looking car and drive.
So there you go didnt pan out quite the way i had wanted but still very happy with purchase hopefully it will be a furture classic and lead onto a R107 and a nice one but £10k is out of my reach at present.Any comments good/bad i said id keep posted with search and results and i wouldnt creep away sulking because i couldnt get what i wanted yet !!!.
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