Newbie - R107

[Draja]

Hi, my name is Daniel. I am not a merc owner yet ( but lets say i've been an honoury owner for many years), my dad hasn't driven anything else since he bought his first one back in 1982 and I spent many a Sunday afternoon having to wash his car as wee lad. Character building as my old man called it!

I'm looking for a R107 300SL in good condition for use as a daily driver to get to and from work. Thanks to this forum i know a few thinmgs to look out for such as rust in hard to see areas . Incidentally this is the car I used to wish my dad would buy I had to do make riding in (and washing!) a W123.

I've seen a few vehicles but I keep soming back to the SL Shop website - their vehicles look in good nick. Anyone had any dealings with the SL shop and if so were they any good? I've seen a few people mention them during my week or so of lurking on the forum but has anyone actually bought a vehicle from them.

Do any members own a R107 which is used as a daily driver. How is reliability both engine and gearbox wise? Any difficulties getting service and other parts?

Will £10-12K buy a decent condition model or am I being optimistic? I've seen some people asking for £25K plus and others asking for just under £5k. So its difficult to guage whether sellers are asking too much.

Any advice would be very very much appreciated.

 

[wobbly]

Sevicing isn't a problem, and generally parts are ok to get, but some items such as trim, are getting difficult to obtain, and prices are high.

You must remember the 107 is at least 22 years old, and as such to use as a daily driver, you will need to keep on top of things. The engine and gearbox are very strong, but electrics, could start to develope problems, such as dry solder joints. Rubber on bushes, and seals, will probably have perished, and will need replacing.

I would try and avoid the lower priced 107's 10-12K should find a nice car, I would suggest buying on condition, rather than mileage.

Good luck with your search, and keep us informed.

 

[s500colin]

Hi Daniel
Welcome to the forum
Must admit R107 are one of my favourite Mercedes good luck with your search for a nice example

 

[trapperjohn]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Druk]

No problems with SL Shop. Ask for Bruce Greetham. (Tell him he still owes Derek a fiver )

 

[219]

We had one in the family many years ago , but it wasn't an old car then .

The mechanical components are shared with other models which people use every day ; suspension and a lot else is shared with W123 and W126 .

I use my W126 all the time without any difficulties - maintain it and it will be reliable .

 

[Timper]

be patient in your search. I found (what i think) is an absolute beauty. Having owned 80's Mercs before, i was quite confident in what I was looking at and for.

R107 prices, like you say are all over the place. I would buy on condition, and buy the best one you can afford (i know that is a cliche, but its true). Remember also, the most expensive are not always the best out there, and vica versa.

Am i right in thinking we are getting to the time of year when prices will creep up as the better weather is coming along?

I looked at SL Shop and his stock. Seemed ok, if a little higher priced that a private sale, but that is quite obvious, after all he has a business to run. I didnt feel the need to buy from him just cos he offers a warranty, after all, if you buy a good one, what would you need the warranty for?

Personally, i'd want one that has a good history, backing up the milage with service history and past MOT's and one that looks like it has not been molested too much in its life. Like I say, they are out there - as i found. Just be patient - (dont let your heart rule your head).

 

[Druk]

There are two 300SL's for sale in the current Owners Club mag. One 87 for £10850 in red with tan and one 87 for £14950 in a nice blue/green with only 51K on the clock.

 

[Timper]

There are two 300SL's for sale in the current Owners Club mag. One 87 for £10850 in red with tan

Derek, do you have more details about that one? Is it the one that has been owned by the same guy for 13 years? with 87k on the clock and a FSH?

 

[grober]

The one mentioned in March is not listed in the April edition ? There is one red 300 listed but I think its a different car. The website only has the list for March http://www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk/public/cars-for-sale/march-2011.pdf

 

[SL300-24]

Hi Daniel and welcome. As per Druk's recommendation, have a word with Bruce at the SL shop. He will point you in the right direction for a good car

 

[Druk]

The one mentioned in March is not listed in the April edition ? There is one red 300 listed but I think its a different car. The website only has the list for March http://www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk/public/cars-for-sale/march-2011.pdf

Turn the page April edition P73 & P74.

 

[steve333]

Hi Daniel,welcome to the forum

 

[trainer]

Hi Daniel welcome to the forum. Good luck in your car hunting.