SL/R107: New to R107's and Looking For Advice.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Daily Drivers: 2019 Tesla Model 3+, 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI, + a few non-street legal race cars
New to R107's and Looking For Advice.
Hello All,
We currently own a W208 and a W211 and I'm very active in those forums. However, I've always loved the R107's every since I was a child, watching the 80's TV show "Hart To Hart". So I found a 1978 450SL for sale nearby with 119K miles. The seller inherited the car as collatoral from a debt and is asking $3,500. I spoke to him this morning and was told:
- The car is generally in good shape mechanically and cosmetically.
- Needs a tune up as it runs rough (has been sitting for a few months). But runs well otherwise.
- No significant oil leaks. He says there are the typical drops here and there but nothing out of the norm for a car of this age.
- Cracks on the dashboard and the passenger inner door handle/pull has broken off.
- Paint is decent. Some fade spots here and there but the clear coating has no cracks.
- No significant clunking over bumps.
I will be physically inspecting this car today and will do the typical oil check, coolant check, transmission check. Drive it and brake hard to see if it pulls, go over bumps to see about any clunking. Search the battery tray for rust.
Are there any other problem areas I should be searching for?
I intend to eventually replace our W208 Cabriolet for a GLK or ML350. The wife will continue to drive the W211 daily and I'd like to drive this 450SL as my commuter car and on weekends.
We currently own a W208 and a W211 and I'm very active in those forums. However, I've always loved the R107's every since I was a child, watching the 80's TV show "Hart To Hart". So I found a 1978 450SL for sale nearby with 119K miles. The seller inherited the car as collatoral from a debt and is asking $3,500. I spoke to him this morning and was told:
- The car is generally in good shape mechanically and cosmetically.
- Needs a tune up as it runs rough (has been sitting for a few months). But runs well otherwise.
- No significant oil leaks. He says there are the typical drops here and there but nothing out of the norm for a car of this age.
- Cracks on the dashboard and the passenger inner door handle/pull has broken off.
- Paint is decent. Some fade spots here and there but the clear coating has no cracks.
- No significant clunking over bumps.
I will be physically inspecting this car today and will do the typical oil check, coolant check, transmission check. Drive it and brake hard to see if it pulls, go over bumps to see about any clunking. Search the battery tray for rust.
Are there any other problem areas I should be searching for?
I intend to eventually replace our W208 Cabriolet for a GLK or ML350. The wife will continue to drive the W211 daily and I'd like to drive this 450SL as my commuter car and on weekends.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Middlesex, London, UK
1975 Mercedes 350SL V8 (just sold the SL600)
How did you inspection go?
Also did you manage to test drive the R107? Did the accelerator pedal feel heavy or was yours normal? I had my test drive of the 1975 350SL, however was unsure whether the accelerator is meant to be heavy upon contact?
Also did you manage to test drive the R107? Did the accelerator pedal feel heavy or was yours normal? I had my test drive of the 1975 350SL, however was unsure whether the accelerator is meant to be heavy upon contact?
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois
82 380SL 96 SL500
They're all pretty stiff...
