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Owned an '84 Euro 500 sl for about a year. Replaced it with my current '03 C4 Cab. This was the second type 107 owned. Previous was an '88 560 sl.
The European model felt "taughter" to me than my 560sl. It also had more hp than the 560 even though the 560 had a larger engine.
I replaced the idle control valve, and flushed the power steering fluid - which improved the cars tendancy to "wander" at highway speed.
Putting the hardtop on/off was a two man job. The top weights 90 lbs.
The PO had replaced the OE wheels with Italian 16" x 7" ones. That was part of the "wandering" steering problem.
And you are so "right" about the car looking right at home in Queen Anne. Since moving to this area in '05, I've seen so many
50 year old cars used as "daily drivers" especially in and around Ballard home of the largest concentration of retired Norwegian
folks who all seem to run their cars forever.
not really sure how the R107 is fun to drive. They are nice cruisers and the bigger v8s have decent passing power, but its like a big sponge. While not bad for a trip to starbucks on a nice sunday morning, I'd much rather have a 280sl or a SEC.
I bet changing the engine is going to be easier than the one in you former 996.
Easier Idk, but most likely never need to find out. When I had my 450SL my mechanic (a German factory-trained guy) said the only way to kill the engine was run it without coolant and oil, that maybe it would need a top-end at 150-200K and then good for another 150-200K, that he had several customers with over 500K on them.
Originally Posted by Quadcammer
not really sure how the R107 is fun to drive. They are nice cruisers and the bigger v8s have decent passing power, but its like a big sponge. While not bad for a trip to starbucks on a nice sunday morning, I'd much rather have a 280sl or a SEC.
I can't argue with that. IIRC it did have a tendency to squat down on its haunches upon takeoff. At the time I bought mine I was choosing between it, a '67 Vette and an SC. Looking back I made the worst possible choice from a long-term value standpoint, but I did enjoy the car.
And I assume you're talking the W113. The R107 was also made in 280SL version although it wasn't officially imported to the US. Someone I know had a gray market one.
Easier Idk, but most likely never need to find out. When I had my 450SL my mechanic (a German factory-trained guy) said the only way to kill the engine was run it without coolant and oil, that maybe it would need a top-end at 150-200K and then good for another 150-200K, that he had several customers with over 500K on them
LOL. I was talking about his boat dude. (Read groovy's reply about the boat.)
not really sure how the R107 is fun to drive. They are nice cruisers and the bigger v8s have decent passing power, but its like a big sponge. While not bad for a trip to starbucks on a nice sunday morning, I'd much rather have a 280sl or a SEC.
280SL doesn't handle any differently than a 380SL
230SL doesn't handle any differently than a 380SL
i know - i've owned both
now my 190SL handled like crap - sort of like a bus and much worse than above cars
my 66 911 and 59 356 handle much better than any of them - (got to photoshop the dust spots off that scanned photo damn it!)
I'm going about it the other way - have a late 1985 Euro 300SL and am looking for a 911. I did a bit of tweaking which really made a world of a difference in handling terms - new firmer shocks and springs, new (partially improved) bushings on the front suspension. Now it handles like a much more modern car. Of course nothing close to a 911 but very enjoyable as a cruiser and it now takes the curves in strides, making countryside roads quite fun. I might look into upgraded sway bars next - the SL shop in the UK and Dkubus in Australia sell them.
I just picked up a '99 911, so the 560SL is for sale. We decided after so many years that we're really not convertible people. I've spent a lot of time and money bringing this one up to snuff, and it's time for someone to have it that really enjoys the top-down experience. Very nice car, but the older SL's are definitely not sports cars - just awesome cruisers.
I'm debating Gen II Pentas, but good to see that there are other options out there for GenII cars, seems there are very few rims that fit them without larger spacers...
10-30-2015, 05:12 PM
(Read groovy's reply about the boat.)
- (got to photoshop the dust spots off that scanned photo damn it!)
