DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I don’t know if this post is to long keeps coming with an error. So I will post in three parts.

I guess your not to far from me, we are 10 mins from the SL shop and have both Porsche and a 83 280sl your more than welcome to come and have a nose. I have never bought a car from the sl shop but I have bought bits, however the SL is my wife’s thing and she’s been a few times and bent Bruce’s ear who I think maybe the owner. He’s always been honest, never tried to sell her anything and in fact on the last occasion talked out of selling her car. So maybe worth a chat and you will see plenty of SLs.
If it was me I would go for the latter 107 the 300sl if for no other reason it’s gavalanized. Needs to be automatic, signal red, cream interior, two options leather or tex, personally prefer tex and cloth still available, have a look at Aldridge Trimmings Wolverhampton. With regards to baukhead, wouldn’t over worry and at least you can see it, also I think it’s a bit like the ims bearing, I have read about it, watched YouTube replacing them, but I have never actually meet anyone in the flesh, with one that’s actually failed. Now I am sure there are ones out there have failed, but I wonder if it really is such an issue.

Reliability, no real problems, only minor stuff from the car sitting around, most spares are available, but I think there’s more out there for the newer 300 than the 280. Again don’t know anyone that actually uses the hardtop, most of them seem to be sitting under cover on a stand, as already been said they are heavy and require two men, or a winch arrangement in the garage shed where it’s stored then lowered onto the car. The 280sl drives a bit like a boat, and auto box is an acquired taste. Drives better in sport mode, watch Harry’s Garage on YouTube, excellent review. It’s a grand tourer and while I enjoy driving the Porsche the SL is a relaxing drive. I don’t know whether it’s the coulour or perhaps my wife but it does attract a lot more attention than Porsche, unless your at a Porsche do of course

Investment wise, don’t think they are a money spinner, a nice looker, that’s obviously been well looked after, will probably hold its value, as long as it’s sub £24 for 300 and £17k for a 280 and sub 12 for the earlier model like the 350.
The Porsche is completely a different market that appeals to a wide range of ages, I am personally only into air cooled and of course manual. The Merc is an older mans toy, I am 65 and thinking about an old Merc estate for a daily driver, no computer, metal of a gauge that won’t dent as soon as you look at it, and quality plastic, years ago I had a g reg 200te that went to 300,000 miles before I more or less gave it away, wish I had kept it.

DM if you won’t to arrange anything, Roy


Sorry about the three posts, think it may have the smiley face I popped in.

That is great Roy, and thank you very much for your kind offer.
Valuable info from you and all.
I need to absorb all this to get the numbers in mind, engine size etc.
I'm over in Wolverhampton, so close!

Just outside Stratford just off junction 15 m40 or the nice way main drag past clent

Thank you again, very kind offer.

I feel the state of play is this.
My Box'r is on borrowed time over smoke on cold start, and having just fitted another AOS, second in 12 months, I'm checking the smoke every time now.
3 cold starts with days between show no smoke so far, very early days.
It has got to the point where I don't really want to use it because of this 'feature'.

I think I've resigned to this being a deal breaker now, so will sell if it comes back soon.
I will then have about £13K and will look at some SL's once I've been to takeflight's to see if the cars are really for us (rather than just me).

I have alarmed myself by looking at too many YouTube vids on poor 107's and body rust looks 'challenging' and not what I need these days.
I'm sure all 107's are not like these poor cars, and a pro inspection will see to the risk of any car considered.

There are some good sounding 107's , straight 6 out there private and dealer that sit around the 15 to 20K range and circa 100K miles with hard tops.

I cannot yet get to the position of selling the 911 bitza/hotrod/undesirable in my mind.
I had this notion originally as I though nice 107's were 40/50K, too much time looking at SL Shop!

Thank you all for a measured straight forward discussion of this topic (so far).
Seems to be as many 107 owners as there are Boxster owners on DDK.

If you are thinking the 107 might be a bit rich for you, the 124 Cab - preferably 320 Sportline (about 1994) would be a brilliant buy. Will haul you and kit all over Europe effortlessly and in huge comfort.
Definitley bigger than a Boxster but will go forever.

Well, pin in my balloon today, Mrs hillclimber said emphatic no to an 80's SL and no to selling the 911.

Sell the Boxster maybe, but the next car would need to be 2009 or younger. And as practical as the Box, and as comfortable and as 'all-round' etc.
Made me think still about an SL, but a modern model.

Have you considered a modern Alfa? The Spider 2.2 JTS 185bhp, or its fatter 3.2 JTS V6 24v Q4 265bhp big sister? Ebay search brought up some lovely well-cared for, low miles 07/08s for good money... Brera Q4 was a superb fast cruiser.

Yes, the modern alfas are attractive, and have considered them.
My daughter had an early GTi coupe twin spark which was nice but seemed fragile.
Will take another look, esp the V6's, forgot about that engine.
Anything 4 pot will not have a special sound, so a six is the preferred direction, hence the SL.

Off subject, but I suspect three or four cylinders will dominate in the EU, not in America where they still sell millions of 350 chevys every year, but has anyone seen the latest 2 litre Merc engine is producing 417bhp and huge amounts of torque and it’s for the road.

Well by coincidence a friend of mine has bought (I think) this SL https://www.theslshop.com/showroom/merc ... stock-2075

I have no idea what he paid for it, but I fear it was too much.

How much should it be?

Thanks
Graham

There are many private and other specialist cars around, but few are LHD so difficult from my recent looks, but as Cubist and others have shown there are good cars at £20K.
I feel buying from a specialist like SL does give a good re-assurance esp as I'm sure they would put the car on a 4 poster and show you around under there, crucial imho.

I’d not clicked on SL shop until just now.

Those prices are...

...erm...

...mental.

Obviously you need to know the Achilles Heal of any potential used car model.
Ive kept three W111 coupes from the 60's / early 70's and even 15 years ago Mercedes was quoting between
£ 2800 - £ 4000 for a bumper ( depending on 6 or V8 cylinder model ).
Even much newer used Merc supply prices are expensive as this guy found out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMFmVYvYqyA