300SL - Is it an everyday car?
Discussion
I'm having a crisis and need some help! I have always wanted to own a signal red 1988 Merc 300SL (R107) and am in a position where buying one is now a possibility. Being realistic would mean I would probably have to sell my current daily drive (Audi A3) in order to afford the day to day running costs.
Does anyone have any experience of using these cars as a daily drive? I'm sure in the summer it wouldn't be a problem, but what about the winter/bad weather? Are there any other problems with using it as a daily drive?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Sarah
Does anyone have any experience of using these cars as a daily drive? I'm sure in the summer it wouldn't be a problem, but what about the winter/bad weather? Are there any other problems with using it as a daily drive?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Sarah
Hi Sarah!
The R107s are good, good cars.
300, means you'll be looking the facelift (1986-1989). They can fetch anywhere between £8,000 and £25,000. There are plenty more of the 300s out there, so search out a decent, lower mileage example (budget depending), but if you're using it as a daily runner, I'd recommend seeking out one with a decent spec (ie. with air con and heated seats). They're very rare, but some 107 had been fitted with electric soft tops, but I've heard you're better off sticking with the usual manual, due to problems with the electrics (not sure if thats a fact, though as I've known an owner of a 107 with an electric roof).
Hardtops were standard across the range, so seeking one with both roofs is a must, especially if it's to be used all year round.
Make sure the example has a full service history. I will probably be used to Merc specialists now, as opposed to main dealer, but that shouldn't be a concern.
As for running costs, the 300 version should be pretty good. The 300 engine should keep going for 200,000+ without anything major being done to it, assuming it's been serviced regularly. The spec of the 300 engine is 188bhp and about 170lb/ft torque IIRC. 0-60 for the 300SL is about 8.5-9 secs, Vmax around 135-140mph. They are straight 6, 12v engines in the 300SL, and are on a fixed 6,000 mile service regime.
As with engines of this era, look for oil leaks around the engine block. This could mean a head gasket needs replacing (circa £1500), and make sure there are no clonks from the gearbox, which could mean a clutch is going - but the whole 'box would be replaced. However, the majority of 300SLs out there haven't got big mileages and haven't been thrashed, so these problems should be rarer on 107s, and apposed to other cars which received the 300 12v engine.
One final thing to look for rust on the wheel arches and under the car. The 107 range was notorious for rust, but as most examples have been pampered, just seek out one which is excellent (and they wouldn't be hard to find). It may be worth getting the underside waxoyled as a precaution, on any 300SL you do buy, as it'll be used all year.
But a 300SL should be an excellent daily driver, and its nice to hear it'll be used regularly, all year round - how they were designed to be used
Good luck with your search!
Darren
The R107s are good, good cars.
300, means you'll be looking the facelift (1986-1989). They can fetch anywhere between £8,000 and £25,000. There are plenty more of the 300s out there, so search out a decent, lower mileage example (budget depending), but if you're using it as a daily runner, I'd recommend seeking out one with a decent spec (ie. with air con and heated seats). They're very rare, but some 107 had been fitted with electric soft tops, but I've heard you're better off sticking with the usual manual, due to problems with the electrics (not sure if thats a fact, though as I've known an owner of a 107 with an electric roof).
Hardtops were standard across the range, so seeking one with both roofs is a must, especially if it's to be used all year round.
Make sure the example has a full service history. I will probably be used to Merc specialists now, as opposed to main dealer, but that shouldn't be a concern.
As for running costs, the 300 version should be pretty good. The 300 engine should keep going for 200,000+ without anything major being done to it, assuming it's been serviced regularly. The spec of the 300 engine is 188bhp and about 170lb/ft torque IIRC. 0-60 for the 300SL is about 8.5-9 secs, Vmax around 135-140mph. They are straight 6, 12v engines in the 300SL, and are on a fixed 6,000 mile service regime.
As with engines of this era, look for oil leaks around the engine block. This could mean a head gasket needs replacing (circa £1500), and make sure there are no clonks from the gearbox, which could mean a clutch is going - but the whole 'box would be replaced. However, the majority of 300SLs out there haven't got big mileages and haven't been thrashed, so these problems should be rarer on 107s, and apposed to other cars which received the 300 12v engine.
One final thing to look for rust on the wheel arches and under the car. The 107 range was notorious for rust, but as most examples have been pampered, just seek out one which is excellent (and they wouldn't be hard to find). It may be worth getting the underside waxoyled as a precaution, on any 300SL you do buy, as it'll be used all year.
But a 300SL should be an excellent daily driver, and its nice to hear it'll be used regularly, all year round - how they were designed to be used
Good luck with your search!
Darren
sarah, i had a 1981 R107. so the older type, ran it for 2 years as an everyday car, the 1988 model is even better as you get abs and stuff. they are fantastic cars and every journey becomes a pleasure. the roof is VERY heavy, and really needs two strong people to get off, car will run so much better with it off. but in the winter , the car is practically like any normal tin top car. make sure you look at lots before you buy. also , ensure you have a local specialist who can look after the thing and you really cant go wrong. i'd also strongly advise that when you see one, it'll usually have its hard top on and the owner may groan about removing it for inspection.....this is very important, being able to demonstrate that all the levers which release the hard top is one good test and also you can then have a look at the hood, including its plastic panel, and all the seals around the base of the soft top. only problem you have is that you are rapidly running in to a time of year where these cars will fetch top dollar. i was offered some beauty's during the winter at around the 10k mark. also worth checking out mercseller.com. seems a good guy at sourcing good examples. good luck.
Presumably the poster above is talking about the hard top needing 2 people to remove..!?! I once lowered the soft top of a Suzuki Vitari convertible and that required about 3 people and 10 minutes!
The 300 engine is supposedly one of Mercedes' best so no problems there. As a plus, it's shared with the E-class and the 190 (in 2.6 form though) which means it's fairly cheap to run/repair. Things get a bit more expensive when you get to V8 models I believe.
Don't know any more than that. Once went in an R107, it was 1972 so exempt from paying road tax! Bonus.
The 300 engine is supposedly one of Mercedes' best so no problems there. As a plus, it's shared with the E-class and the 190 (in 2.6 form though) which means it's fairly cheap to run/repair. Things get a bit more expensive when you get to V8 models I believe.
Don't know any more than that. Once went in an R107, it was 1972 so exempt from paying road tax! Bonus.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff