R107 or R129?

[robs-mbz]

If I was spending £7000, what would you recommend, a 280SL 107 possibly needing work or a newer, better condition 300SL 129?

 

[ncooper]

Very different cars,in my humble opinion.
I agree that £7000 will not buy you a particularly good 107,unless you are very very lucky.
I made my choice,see top right corner,oh and top left,too

Regards,
Nick.

 

[Myros]

107 every time

but I would say that wouldn't I.
Keep looking, don't buy the first one you see, until you've seen a few others as well. There are dozens in today's owner's mag. and dozens elsewhere as well.

129s are nice as well though.

 

[hairyg]

If you want to own a classic to drive occasionally then it has to be the 107 but the 129 is a virtually a modern car and can be used as an everyday car and will be a true classic in a few years time.

I take my 1994 SL320 on classic runs and no-one turns their noses up. I also use it as my daily driver albeit quite low annual mileage these days.

Either way, have a good look around to see what you can get for your budget and resist the temptation to buy the first one you see.

 

[Axcontrols]

For 7k I suspect the kind of 107 you'll get will cost you another 7k just to get it nice - so in that case you'd be better off looking for a minter for 14k

 

[television]

I think that hairyg summed it all up well

 

[philmayfield]

In my experience at looking for good 107's you'd be pushed to get a mint one for £14,000 (I travelled as far apart as Lancashire and Norfolk and all paces in between from April to July this year) whereas this sum would get you an excellent 129 without the potential rust issues of the 107. At £7,000 the 129 would be the better buy. It's not the "classic" but it's a better car IMHO.

Phil

 

[ncooper]

In my experience at looking for good 107's you'd be pushed to get a mint one for £14,000 (I travelled as far apart as Lancashire and Norfolk and all paces in between from April to July this year) whereas this sum would get you an excellent 129 without the potential rust issues of the 107. At £7,000 the 129 would be the better buy. It's not the "classic" but it's a better car IMHO.

Phil

Did you find one and buy it?
I bought one locally in April,£12,995

Regards,
Nick.

 

[Axcontrols]

Although I personally think they still have the 'ladies' convertible stigma attached to them.

Now a 50's 190SL - even men are allowed to drive those with the top down. Of course a 300SL roadster would be 'proper' but c'mon, that's just crazy money, way out of my league.

 

[ncooper]

Although I personally think they still have the 'ladies' convertible stigma attached to them.

Now a 50's 190SL - even men are allowed to drive those with the top down. Of course a 300SL roadster would be 'proper' but c'mon, that's just crazy money, way out of my league.

Now,about the engineering,build quality,classic looks....oh,never mind,at least there's a big mirror to check my make up in.

Regards,
Nick.

 

[Axcontrols]

Now the SLC is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Basically the same car as the SL (also a 107) but with an extra 14 inches in the rear footwell so it's a proper 4/5 seater (an SL for people with more than one friend)

People either love these or hate them - A bit like Marmite - These are quite cheap so fall into the wrong hands and they look like sheds - but when they're cared for they're real purdy. (But I can't stand Marmite !!)