R107 buying help

[Porker Bus]

Hi everyone,

Apologies if this is already covered off on here.

I'm looking to purchase a rhd R107 SL (alas the pagoda is out of my reach) and have about £15k to spend.

I like the idea of owning an early example but have read that the later cars (86 +) are better. I am used to driving a 73 camper so am not worried about the car feeling modern but I do want to make sure I buy something that if finances permit in the future would allow me to sell on easily to finance a Pagoda (one day!).

Any advice would be gratefully received, age, mileage, colours and specs to go for/ avoid and any reputable people you recommend I talk too or have anything suitable for sale.

I am happy to buy a fixer upper as well but not being mechanically minded don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

Located in Cambridge if that helps but happy to travel for the right car.

Thanks all.

 

[219]

The later cars with more modern engines and gearboxes are better on fuel economy .

Either go for one of the sixes ( the 280 is thirsty , thrasher and less powerful than the later 300 ) or the bigger V8 engines - the small V8's offer no performance advantage over the sixes , the 380 is actually slower than the 300 , but with all the thirst and running costs of the bigger ones .

Early cars - go for 280 or 450

Later cars - go for 300 or 500

Having said the above , these cars are prone to rust badly and can be expensive to fix , a good example of the worst model in a horrible colour is probably still preferable to a dog of the most desirable model in the best colour .

Condition is everything .

Look on here for Silversaloon's R107 restoration thread

 

[Vlad]

E Mail sent to you

 

[mabz]

whereabouts in Cambridge are you there's some for sale local ish

 

[SilverSaloon]

if your budget is £15,000 i'd take a trip to the SL Shop to see their stock.

 

[edwowen]

I cant message or post in classifieds, but I have a lovely 560 on Autotrader and Pistonheads which whilst a little over budget there is some room for manouver Only done 69k. Had a fortune spent on new leather interior, new soft top, wheel refurb, new wood trim etc etc.

 

[PurpleDog]

I cant message or post in classifieds, but I have a lovely 560 on Autotrader and Pistonheads which whilst a little over budget there is some room for manouver Only done 69k. Had a fortune spent on new leather interior, new soft top, wheel refurb, new wood trim etc etc.

Hi, is this a RHD? Am interested in a 560SL

 

[PurpleDog]

Does anyone know the production volumes for the various models of R107 SLs? I'm thinking either 300 or 560. Thanks.

 

[V8 SL]

560 SLs are all left hand drive.

 

[V8 SL]

The final production cars from late 1985-1989 were the 300 SL, 420SL and 500SL.
The 300 SL and the 420 SL are about the same on fuel economy, and the 500 SL only uses slightly less fuel
The performance is more noticeable in the different versions, the 300 SL having a 0-60 time of 9 seconds, the 420 comes down to 8 seconds and the 500SL does it in 7.2 seconds.
the 300 SL feels a bit lighter and the two V8 larger engine cars have a lot more torque and top speed.
£15,000 should get you a fair quality late series R107. £20,000 will get you a good quality car, and £25,000 a very good example.

 

[roger911]

Pre Purchase Inspection R107 SL Reading

Hi, I'm looking at buying my first classic SL and want to get a pre purchase inspection from someone who really knows classic cars.

Anyone know someone near reading or that would travel

The car was serviced by silchester garage so probably shouldn't ask them to look at it.

Any advice is much appreciated

 

[Charles Morgan]

I would have thought it was worth trying Star Motors in Caversham.

You'll gain far more getting it on a ramp.

 

[jdrrco]

May be stating the obvious, but The SL Shop know everything there is to know about 107s.