Mercedes R107 advice please.....

[SimplyRed]

Evening all,

I'm kind of new to the classic SL scene, but today I put a deposit on a half restored 1984 A-Reg 500SL. I like it but hope to trade up to a Pagoda later on.

The deal is that I put a deposit and pay the rest in 2 months when the car is finished.....

.....the restorer has asked me my personal preference on some bits, like the rear spoiler etc, I said I didnt want it on after the repaint.

The dilemma in my head is the front chin spoiler, I do prefer the 86 onwards look but mine is pre-86, I'm tempted to say yes go for the 86-onward look. But I wanted to hear your opinions on originality and resale. Would I have reduced the value on what would have been otherwise a totally original low mileage 84 or would a buyer prefer that it has the much later front end?

And my second question, what exactly are the external visual changes between the two other than the front spoiler. I hear everyone talk of facelift, but I can't see anything other than front spoiler. Can anyone enlighten me.

And my third and final question, the rear spoiler, i'm definitely removing it for the respray and filling the holes, but was the spoiler age specific or just an option on all R107's?

So far all the info I can find online relates to engine and gearbox updates, nothing on cosmetics apart from that darned front spoiler. All comments and info greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Chris

 

[mct_cars]

The rear spoiler (not to everyone's taste!) would have been standard by 1984, but was a no cost delete, with the older chrome added instead. The only issue with removing is you'll have the wrong torsion bar for opening which means if you press the button it'll whip up - the problem being that sometimes they jump and "bang" out leaving a lovely dint on the panel between the boot and the tonneu.

As for chin spoiler, I don't think you'll be hurting the value - infact as all of the "old" style front end is underneath the post 86 cars anyway (bar the rubber bit) then I dare say it would be easy enough to remove.

As for the restorer, make sure that stuff is done properly - a decent respray will make a car look fantastic but only for about 2 years while the rust seeps back through!

As for post 86 changes:-

1. The springs have a different spring rate, front and rear. 2. The front stabilizer bar has a 26mm diameter instead of 25mm diameter. 3. The shock absorbers are shorter and have a harder rate. 4. An additional polyurethane bottoming spring has been added. 5. Some model 124 front end parts are used on the front end - the following parts are redesigned: Front axle carrier, lower and upper control arms, Steering knuckle, Steering knuckle arm, front wheel hub with bearing. The front axle carrier has a newly modified contour, can be used on older model 107s. 6. Limited slip differential 7. The rear axle carrier mount has been offset by 124mm to the left. 8. The rear carrier front rubber mounts are not interchangeable, marked with L and R, have different stiffnesses. 9. The rear axle center is now elastically mounted to the rear carrier both at the front and rear mounts. 10. The rear axle shafts are provided with CV joints similar to model 126 coupe. 11. New light alloy wheels similar to model 201, new mounting screws. 12. New propeller shaft center mount, similar to model 124, not interchangeable with older 107s. 13. Four piston brake calipers on front. 14. Light alloy Master cylinder. 15. Double diaphragm brake booster. 16 Redesigned steering gear, designation 765.707 (LS80), NOT interchangeable with old unit, reduced travel for redesigned front end. Code letter R stamped into the housing. (The 560's turning circle is not as short as previous cars, less "sensitive" steering.) 17. Power steering pump relief pressure changed to 82 +-5 bar. 18. Sheet metal floor under fuel tank changed, mounting positions of tank and filler neck changed. 19. Outside Temperature indicator changed from Celsius to Fahrenheit. 20. Exterior lamp failure indicator added. 21. Fuses and electrical feeds changed. 22. BODY SHEET METAL CHANGES: Radiator mount changed, hood changed, firewall changed, side-member connecting point front right changed, A-pillars changed, doors changed, B-pillars changed, main floor changed, rear floor changed, cross-member under the driver seat changed, sheet metal shrouds changed, various stiffeners and small parts changed. 23. Door handles changed, similar to model 126. 24. Door lock and striker changed. 25. Central locking system changed, electric vacuum pump similar to models 126 and 201. 26. Fuel tank flap actuating element and guide bushing changed. 27. Outside heated rear view mirrors. 28. Rear high mounted stop lamp added. 29. New Grand Prix radio - larger display indicator with tone setting and more sensitivity - three levels, but returns to least sensitive when turned off. 30. Front bumper and spoiler. 31. Front bumper inner fender liners added. 32. Front seats changed to include lateral support similar to model 124. 33. Hood- a depression was added to the hood reinforcement to clear new brake booster, previous hood will not fit on car.


(sorry for formatting, pasted out of excel)

 

[SimplyRed]

As for chin spoiler, I don't think you'll be hurting the value - infact as all of the "old" style front end is underneath the post 86 cars anyway (bar the rubber bit) then I dare say it would be easy enough to remove.

As for the restorer, make sure that stuff is done properly - a decent respray will make a car look fantastic but only for about 2 years while the rust seeps back through!

Thanks for the heads up about the weight of the bootlid without the spoiler. I would never have thought of that.

I think I will indulge in front chin spoiler. I think it is more important that the car looks in a way that makes me love it more rather than thinking solely about the next owner. I was just checking that it wasn't some kind of sacrilege amongst Mercedes pedants.

I have seen the car prior to the work and also seen it after it's been rubbed down. There is absolutely no rust on the car whatsoever. Never was. There is one tiny circle of surface rust the size of a 5p at the bottom of the exhaust silencer. That's the lot. The main reason for the respray is that one panel has a scratch and the whole car has been painted a dark grey on the bottom 6 inches all the way round. I have checked and this is how it was from the factory so we are going to make the whole car one colour now.

Quite looking forward to it, it's a genuine 66,000 Miler with lots of history to prove it.

One question, the colour is a very light green, what is the official name of this colour?

 

[SimplyRed]

 

[SimplyRed]

 

[grober]

Thistle Green Metallic 881----? or Cypress Green Metallic 876 my bet the former. Should be on the front slam panel plate [ not the vin plate] the body coloured one.

 

[Druk]

Check if the bootlid is ally. iirc all 500s had this and it counteracted the weight of the spoiler. You should keep the spoiler, it is part of what makes it a 500.

 

[SimplyRed]

Check if the bootlid is ally. iirc all 500s had this and it counteracted the weight of the spoiler. You should keep the spoiler, it is part of what makes it a 500.

Do you mean to say the spoiler was specific to the 500?

I have told them to remove it but I will keep it and I can fit it at a later date if I feel it looks better on.

 

[SG1]

Correct. Only the 500's had the rear spoiler fitted as standard.

Many people take them off and many put them on.