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Hayelp! - Father has purchased a 78 350sl unseen

jonnyboy said:
"she is too tall".......I would be very cautious with this one.
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Quite an acceptable reason TBH. A steering wheel the size of an Albion bus makes for tall drivers not getting along with them.

jonnyboy said:
Speak to our man north of the border Druk - he's got a trifle of experience with early r107's lol
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Thanks John :thumb:. We've now had a chat. :D
 
Thanks a lot chaps.

Just had a very informative chat with DRUK about the problem areas - much appreciated and thanks again:thumb:

It would appear that they are less prone to rot than other cars i have dealt with but certainly have their issues.

My dad is speaking with the chap this evening and i've armed him with the right questions and will be getting the restoration information.

I'll keep you all posted :-)

And if anyone can think of any other specialists or local enthusiasts even near that area that may have some spare time please do let me know.
 
SPX said:
You are going to be one anyway....

It's a 'legally binding' sale, once the hammer goes down it's yours, the time to kick the tyres is beforehand.

I've just had to re-list a 58 plate Passat four times before selling because of winning bidders getting buyers remorse after the auction ending and coming up with weak, spineless excuses.

If it was me, I'd either go and collect the car with as little fuss as possible or do the seller a favour, stop the drawn out will-he-won't-he-buy-it, and tell him you won't complete the transaction.
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Haha..

I think you'll find that "I" am infact not a timewaster at all but trying to salvage the best i can from this. My Father may well be in part a timewaster i'll admit - though i think senility and age may play the largest part.

And if you re read my posts - the car is listed as in very good condition - all we're trying to do is establish that is the case! I've turned up to many purchases to find items mis described or downright falsely advertised - let's not forget about that side of the story before we go jumping the gun so as to speak...

If your Passat is any good may i recommend autotrader as it seems ebay hasn't worked well for you.
 
Druk said:
Quite an acceptable reason TBH. A steering wheel the size of an Albion bus makes for tall drivers not getting along with them.



Thanks John :thumb:. We've now had a chat. :D
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YW Derek.
 
I'd be wary of the very small photos on the advert. Colour, spec and mileage isn't exactly desireable and I wouldn't have paid that much for it myself. NEVER buy a 107 unseen or without an inspection or knowing your onions. A 'restoration' can often be a bodged job with plenty of filler and a cheap respray. Fingers crossed it's a good car.
 
Just a quick update.

My dad has now spoken with the chap who was very reasonable and understanding on the phone. He's not against an inspection at all and is going to get hold of all the restoration paperwork and get us some copies/ a break down of works completed. He didn't even ask for a deposit.

It was also taken for a fresh MOT today and failed on brake flexis which have been ordered and be fitted tomorrow. So good he was honest.

Let's see what the history brings.
 
Ierton said:
I'd be wary of the very small photos on the advert. Colour, spec and mileage isn't exactly desireable and I wouldn't have paid that much for it myself. NEVER buy a 107 unseen or without an inspection or knowing your onions. A 'restoration' can often be a bodged job with plenty of filler and a cheap respray. Fingers crossed it's a good car.
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As per all my other posts i completely agree with most of that!

But as to colour - you must be colour blind - i love that blue:thumb:
 
Colour is subjective until you come to sell it. Jay has a yellow W123 that he loves but most people wouldn't go near it.

On a separate note that metallic is a hard colour to match so I'd look for obvious signs of respray. There's nothing wrong with this given it's 'restored' however if it's a cheap job it won't have been blended or even matched correctly. Sight along edges and reflections and look for variations in orange peel - overspray on rubbers and door shuts etc.
 
stimpy32 said:
And if you re read my posts - the car is listed as in very good condition - all we're trying to do is establish that is the case! I've turned up to many purchases to find items mis described or downright falsely advertised - let's not forget about that side of the story before we go jumping the gun so as to speak...
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By the sounds of it you've been fortunate and found a very understanding seller, so I'm sure all will end well, either way.
 
Is it the angle of the photo that makes the driver's B post gap look poor?
Or has sill replacement been poorly done?
 
I think we will all sigh with relief if the car turns out to be OK. The earlier cars were less well loved so maybe prices are not so firm as for later models. That said perhaps the message to take away from all this is buying a 37 year old car sight unseen is very high risk strategy indeed and not reccomended!!
e.g.
DSC00253.jpg


Restoration of Mercedes 300SL: Mercedes-Benz 300SL R107 Restoration

Mercedes R107 SL Restoration
 
Hmm .................. looks like his friend is Bonhams the car auctioneers !!!


Panel lines are wobbly here and there, as is the interiors demeanor , looks like front bumper impact as well.

Restoration must have been exterior paint & corrosion work underneath, as its still untouched inside the car.

As with all older cars the proof in the driving, lets hope he enjoys it :)
 
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The seller's feedback as a seller suggests somebody who likes machines, not a dealer, and he certainly sounds pretty decent from what the OP says. Unlike some, I wouldn't have assumed the ad was a scam at first look, though only four, small, photos does not help.

I wouldn't have bid on the car without seeing it, though, but the signs are encouraging that it will all work out OK. I join the others in hoping your father enjoys the car, and for many years too.

Mind you, "My father's senile and didn't know what he was doing" would have been an, er, interesting reason for seeking to cancel the sale...
 
There is rarely bidding in the classified listings, usually just like AT with an advertised price.

Ebay Motors car auctions are not binding.
 
neilrr said:
There is rarely bidding in the classified listings, usually just like AT with an advertised price.

Ebay Motors car auctions are not binding.
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Well, what's eBay Motors? Is it a separate entity, or a classification within eBay?

Only purchases through eBay Motors classified listings are non-binding.

The car in question was bid for through a standard auction listing. There was some doubt about the legality of contracts through eBay (it legally isn't an auction) but courts have found in the sellers favour when they've sought to insist the purchaser goes ahead.
 
E-bay car auctions are only binding within E-bay world ............... not the real one :)
 
Just a quick update:

Have had a fab week away in the South Of France touring in my old Beemer and now back to the grind.

Will be going to view the SL this week or at worst the weekend. The vendor was happy with this arrangement which was very good of him.

I shall update after the viewing. All being well (ish) my father shall soon be enjoying Mercedes ownership :-).
 
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