groovzilla

just sold my C4S and bought a 1985 380sl to play with - i've owned a few of these and fun little drivers on a nice sunny day.

any other 107 owners here in the 996 forum? if so, what you got?

FRUNKenstein

I had a '73 450SL, white on navy with navy soft top/white hard top back in 1990-1992 when I was on active duty in the Navy in San Diego. Pre-smog and I believe still had the small bumpers. I used it as a daily driver and really enjoyed it. Actually drove it up to Big Bear to go skiing on two occasions. I haven't watched the market on them for years, but at one time they had gotten ridiculously cheap. I'm sure the prices are starting to climb by now.
BTW, that's a great color combo you've got there. Very classy and fits that body style perfectly.

Kalashnikov

I like the SLs. I am salivating over the SL65 Black Series cars. In a few years, you will be able to grab the $300k car in high five figures.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...-black-series/

sweet victory

She looks right at home in Cap Hill/Queen Anne

Spokayman

I used to own an '83 380SL.
Blue with grey interior.
It was a "smooth" car to drive. Soaked up bumps and road noise well, and yet handled good in everyday driving.
Sold it because the 944 S2 Cab that I bought was a much better handling car, but I still remember the quality "feeling" that the SL had.

It had Euro headlights installed by some PO, and I always thought the American two-headlight units actually looked better than the single-Euro headlight.



'83 380 SL

kab1994

Beautiful groov. Have been contemplating picking up a mid 80's 560SL in the next 18 months as I think they are beautiful cruisers and are a bargain at today's prices. Enjoy it!

groovzilla

thx - when i purchased it the wheels were aftermarket chrome - found a nice set of OEM aluminum. the 107 market is climbing - 560's are getting expensive but can still find nice examples in the lower teens
good friend of mine has a 450sl that his mom purchased in 1973 when she won $45K in las vegas - nice cars

groovzilla

560's are really nice - whats odd is i sat in a few and they seem to have a smaller seating feel - you'll love the sl when you find it - just fun simple cars

Norse_man

i have been looking at these lately. might jump in one. they see, reasonably priced right now and attainable.

Down South

I began my automotive career in the early 80's as a service advisor at the local Mercedes Benz dealership. Saw plenty of the 107s in for service and repairs. The techs told me that the V8s and most of the vehicle was practically bulletproof. The later 560s were pretty powerful.

Also, plenty of good looking chicks drove them!

groovzilla

only issue i have found, besides the single row timing chain needing to be replaced in the 81-82 models(possibly early 83's), is that the idle can jump around or idle at high RPM - this is a very common issue with these cars and sometimes the reason people sell which was the case with mine. mine idled at 1800 consistently after warm up.

since the idle is computer controlled by several modules/valves it can be tricky to correct and expensive if done at shop.

the most common repair is the idle control module which is located behind the glove box - i had to replace the one in this car. they cost about $150 if you shop right and a couple of hours to install.

2nd most common is the idle control valve located in engine compartment just in front of airbox. these are expensive new $1300 but used can be found for $2-300

other idle issues can be vacuum related which is sort of a bitch but doable after several hours of futzing around

Rubik

Groove... Nice Car! I have always liked these. My uncle had a couple 380SLs. Lovely cars.

BTW, when are we going to see pictures of your boat. You sold that beautiful C4S for cheap; now I want to know what you made that sacrifice for.

Ben Z

In the mid-80s I went looking for a 107, saw an ad for an '83 with very little miles, and when the seller backed it out of his garage (drywalled, with lighted oil-paintings on the walls) I saw there was another car under a cover. It was a mint unrestored silver-over-red leather '55 300SL Gullwing.

Stupidly I passed on that '83 and instead bought a '74 for half the cost. Stupidly because when I decided to do a color change we discovered it was a rust bucket underneath. Ended up changing all 4 quarters and the floor pans, cost me as much as that '83. Nice car though, I only sold it because my kid got too big to sit in the back (had one of those aftermarket seats).

I'd love another one but here the sudden downpours don't play well with manual tops that take 5 minutes in and out of the car to operate.

I was looking at a 250SLK 6-speed manual recently, would love it but I have to have some kind of rear seat.

thin_concrete

I had an '88 560SL and loved it. Lots of fun to drive, a classic design, and a German car with that old school Teutonic feel. I miss it.

groovzilla

still waiting for owner of boat to return from alaska - he was supposed to be back in september. it turns out the diesel engine is a bit smaller than i was hoping - 160hp volvo - only cruises at 13 knots which was a huge surprise. many of these Luhrs boats have the cummins 250hp which pushes it at a 19-20 knot cruise - so only way i will buy it is dirt cheap
boat is moored about an hour north of seattle and owner offered son to show it to me but since son can't make a deal i am holding out for owner to return

longer i wait the less of the $400/mo. moorage i have to pay - also more inclined owner will be to make a deal

i should know either way by end of november