Classic Cruiser: Mercedes SL (R107)

Later style wheels. Earlier models had much nicer ones.

The Mercedes SL has been in the Mercedes line up for half a century now, and they have always been a very popular car. This is partly because of it's handsome looks, and the fact that it can be a coupe, convertible, or a soft top. There have been several iterations of the SL, from strait 6 cars to twin turbo V12s. Perhaps the most famous in terms of production run and numbers sold is the R107.

 History

This article is about the R107 SL which was made from 1972 through 1989. Long production of cars are typically a result of a very good car. This car replaced the W113 SL which is a very pretty car that is now very popular with collectors, and therefor the prices have started to get into the $50,000 and up range. The R107 SL is a classic design that can be had very affordably. More importantly is that these Mercedes' came from a time when their cars were made to astonishingly high standards, and therefor if maintained reasonably well can be very reliable daily drivers.

Models to Look For

The R107 was sold which a variety of strait sixes' and V8's, none of which produced a very impressive amount of horsepower. Remember these were made in the 1970s, when strait line performance was definitely at a low. If it were my choice, I would go for the 450SL. This model has a 220hp V8 and has a more classic looking interior. Some of the 80s models have some changes that haven't aged well cosmetically. The interiors were made with a special vinyl from Mercedes that wears extremely nicely, to the point they can seemingly last 40 or more years and not need attention. The 6 cylinder cars are under powered, although none of these cars are going to win any drag races. Surprisingly, the 3 speed transmission is much nicer than the 4 speed.

Photo Credit: wheelsage.org

Problems to Watch

As stated earlier, these cars were very well made and have aged well, but with any 30 or 40 year old car, many will need a major service if unrestored. That being said, if a car has been well maintained, it will need minimal work to be a daily driver. Despite the classic looks, these cars were very advanced for their day, and because of fantastic build quality they are not a far stretch from cars of today. As long as the car is mechanically sound, regular wear and tear items will be the only serviceable parts. The engines in these cars are especially modern and reliable. The 450 I was in was not very well looked after, and it still ran like a gem.

With that in mind, a Mercedes will always be expensive to maintain. Luckily parts are readily available and there is a lot of information on the inter web with loads of information. While they may be expensive to repair, they will nothing in the league of a modern Mercedes. These cars are plentiful enough that cars with any major rust should be avoided unless you are completely restoring the car.  Most importantly, if a car is maintained properly, it shouldn't need to be worked on very often.

Pricing (2017)

*Prices are based on the 450SL, which I believe is the best, middle of the line up. These cars were made in abundance and sold very well in the US, meaning there are plenty out there for sale. If you fancy a certain color/engine combination, it won't take you long to find one. Obviously prices will be higher with 500 and 560 SL's, and lower with the 6 cylinders. Newer SL's can be purchased for about the same, but keep in mind these cars will more than likely need more attention and are usually more expensive to fix. The old adage that the more gizmos a car has, the more there is to go wrong certainly rings true here.

$3,000 - $5,000

In this range, you should be able to get a running SL, probably one with a 6 cylinder, but a V8 is not uncommon. A car costing this much will definitely need some major work. The engine and transmission should be fine, but it may need cosmetic work, along with a host of mechanical repairs. Be ready for a project car and at least few thousand to bring the car up to snuff. Again, avoid rusty cars unless you are prepared for a serious (and expensive) project.

$5,000 - $10,000

A lot of cars are available in this range. Most of these will be mostly unrestored, but should be drive-able with minimal to a moderate amount of work needed. Probably won't be perfect cosmetically. You can get a 500 or 560 SL at the high end, but I would go for a nicer 450SL or even a 380. Cars may have higher mileage, but if maintained higher miles are not a major concern. I have seen some very nice 450's ready to drive in the higher end of this range.

$10,000 - $15,000

This is where the nice cars are priced at. If you want a driver car, I wouldn't go above this price range unless you are looking for a show room piece. You can get pretty much any model in this range, and most of them should have a well documented service history. Don't compromise with cars in this section, they should all be in very good condition.

Summary

The R107 SL was made in such large numbers that the chances of the values increasing dramatically anytime soon is slim. These can certainly be daily drivers, despite their age. If it were me, I would find one that looks nice cosmetically and is mechanically sound, then drive it everyday. They are not sports cars, but rather a luxury cruiser that is guaranteed to give you a nice, relaxing drive.