Thank you! Obviously you understand the R-107 and what it is all about. Class , High level engineering, and a great feeling to drive. theres a lot of attention here with US made cars, but the Mercedes R107 is completely underestimated. No need to prove yourself with this car, enjoy it as it was meant to be driven. R-107 fan and 560l owner
1962RollingStone summed it up in a nut shell. Until you own one you just think it's a car. Even when driving other cars like my SEC, once I get into the SL it's the best driving experience. Almost magical in a sense. I just bought a 560SL, petrol blue metallic with grey interior and heated seats. 100k miles. I'm excited to start driving it! Cheers
Nice video . I love the SL series. I've had a couple R107's . I now own three SL's . Two R129's and one R107 ,as of now . I own other nice cars too but love the Mercedes.
I have a 1980 450sl. It has saved my bacon so many times. I used to live in Baltimore city MD (we moved out to Carrol County in the country) and I had a few occasions when some idiot cut me off or looked right at me and pulled out right in front of me (there was no stop sign for me). I was going 32 a 35 and stopped in a car length and a half distance. The SL stops on a dime! I have many stories like that and I've had the car five years! Now we're in the country the car really gets nice highway drives, which she LOVES! The engine purrs! It needs to be driven often to run well. I tell everyone that it's cheaper to own than a Hyundai- if you do you're own work. Most of the parts are rebuildable!!! The biggest deal in the car is rubber stuff. Even if you paid someone, what you'd pay for a new car vs paying for upkeep on a Benz is most likely less!!! And you look good and turn heads! Even less to own if you find a good indy!!! I paid $6,999 for my car, all original and 83,000 miles. I'm about to hit the famous 107,044 (which on Benzworld forum is a milestone and a thing we take pictures of and brag!) That number comes from the VIN number. Then there the 'trifecta' -107107 on the odometer, 107 on the trip ! That's a thing on Benzworld too! It's a a bit of fun. Happy motoring!!! P.S. If you haven't already check out Pierre Hedary's CZcams channel- he's a specialist indy on our cars and gives a little advice.
Great video. I just took ownership of a 80 450sl and feel exactly like you. Mine sat for around 10 years and with a fresh battery it sprang to life. My video is coming soon so look out. Can't wait for warm weather.
I had a 230e once... Drove amazingly. It had better brakes than most modern cars ABS brakes was very safe and extreamly fast. and the comfort was deffently better than everything else...
Your comment regarding the car feeling like a new car reminds me of my W220. My car is 15yrs old and I paid less cash for it than anyone I know with a car payment. Yet it rides, handles, and crash tested better than any $40k American or Japanese car on the road today!
xxFallenKnight in what comparison? I can't think of a metric that my car or the poster of this video's wouldn't trounce your car in...even the V6. Actually a Camry V6 might run 0 to 60 with the old R107's smaller V8...until 100MPH. Then the sloppy-handling Camry would flip over and you would die in a car that is not able to withstand autobahn- speed crashes.
pasifsc the 350SL actually has a 4.5L V8 like the 450SL. Just different names and MB realized a 4.5 V8 called s 350 is confusing. Your car is a beauty with the short bumpers. I almost bought s same year car, but it needed new paint.
Thanks. The European 350SL actually have 3,5 liter engine. Mine is -71 and first year R107 was available in US was -72. Us market 350 had the 4,5 liter engine just like you said.
I HAVE 4 mbz cars ,my 560 sl is the most powerful fastest car i have ever driven... just dont abuse em n keep the fluid levels up n they last 4 ever..a pleasure to drive..the downside is these r pre OBd2 all vacuum lines..
Enjoyed the video , did not like the end. Started up the engine and gunned the throttle down the road. Let the poor thing warm up a bit. The detrimental amount of wear people put in their vehicles doing such a thing upsets me and makes me sad all at the same time. appreciate what you have while you still have it.
I've been thinking of buying one of these for a long time, but I read somewhere that the steering wheel is not adjustable at all -- no tilt, no extension, nothing, just fixed in place. Is that correct? If so, HOW is that possibly "better" than an adjustable steering wheel?
drglebov the steering wheel position in this car, personally is very good and conforms to almost all bodies. No car of this generation has an adjustable steering wheel... Mercedes Benz models at least. Even the early 90s cars like the w126 do not have this feature. You might want to consider an R129 or W140 for an electronically adjustable steering Hewlett. I am 6'2 and I fit very comfortably in this car, no issues what so ever. If you're worried about this, just go test drive one. Your opinion may change.
Back in the day, the German engineers at Mercedes said very definitely: "we have determined the correct angle of the steering wheel, there is no need for adjustment in our cars." They were very serious (and, of course, very wrong, but Germans never ever admit being wrong about anything.) If those same engineers could see the stupid lighting, non-sensical controls in modern Benzes, they would flip out.
I noticed your 560 SL has the top cover for the radiator did you add that on and if you did where did you get if from, mine and many others don't have that cover.
It was around 350,000 km. I put about 30k of those km on the car and I have to say I’ve done little to no work to the car. My new 560SL has only needed a $300 repair in the 10,000 km I drove it this year.
David Xu I have had mine for 30k mi and over two years. It has nearly 100k mi on the clock and is a 2002 W220 well out of warranty. It also has Active Body Control. The only thing I have had to spend major money on is that suspension system which I planned for because I do something called researching things before I buy them. I justify the maintenance cost because to get a competing ride/handling balance you would have to step up to a Rolls-Royce with a $300k US price tag, and I simply won't accept a wallowy milquetoast coil sprung ride from the "reliable" competition. The car has never left me stranded despite several cross country road trips including one this past summer in which I drove from Amarillo to Indianapolis in one day. It doesn't burn a drop of oil, starts every time, and all of its plethora of accessories work (and my car is optioned like a 600). If that is not reliable I guess I am ignorant to the definition of the term.
David Xu when you go around telling people Mercedes are not reliable, I can straight away tell you're clueless. My 1972 108 which I've owned for 4 years has 259,000 miles. Only issue I've had with it? Broken windshield washer reservoir. This SL featured here, 220,000 miles. Only problem with it was a funny sounding horn. How can you explain the millions of miles put on german taxis. Oh wait... you can't... so they must be magic.
Tomas C K actually it's safer than some cars now a days. Go look online at W123 crash tests. They perform better than most economy cars, showing no A-pillar protrusion post collision. The cars were designed to save people's lives in the 80s and they did. Just because they've aged they don't do as the design intended to?
You have the best of 2 worlds, , a sports car with a V-8 , in it, the looks of elegance.
Thank you! Obviously you understand the R-107 and what it is all about. Class , High level engineering, and a great feeling to drive. theres a lot of attention here with US made cars, but the Mercedes R107 is completely underestimated.
No need to prove yourself with this car, enjoy it as it was meant to be driven.
R-107 fan and 560l owner
1962RollingStone summed it up in a nut shell. Until you own one you just think it's a car. Even when driving other cars like my SEC, once I get into the SL it's the best driving experience. Almost magical in a sense. I just bought a 560SL, petrol blue metallic with grey interior and heated seats. 100k miles. I'm excited to start driving it! Cheers
Nice video .
I love the SL series. I've had a couple R107's . I now own three SL's . Two R129's and one R107 ,as of now . I own other nice cars too but love the Mercedes.
These things are sherman tanks, one of the best cars ever made!!!
I have a 1980 450sl. It has saved my bacon so many times. I used to live in Baltimore city MD (we moved out to Carrol County in the country) and I had a few occasions when some idiot cut me off or looked right at me and pulled out right in front of me (there was no stop sign for me). I was going 32 a 35 and stopped in a car length and a half distance. The SL stops on a dime! I have many stories like that and I've had the car five years! Now we're in the country the car really gets nice highway drives, which she LOVES! The engine purrs! It needs to be driven often to run well.
I tell everyone that it's cheaper to own than a Hyundai- if you do you're own work. Most of the parts are rebuildable!!! The biggest deal in the car is rubber stuff. Even if you paid someone, what you'd pay for a new car vs paying for upkeep on a Benz is most likely less!!! And you look good and turn heads! Even less to own if you find a good indy!!!
I paid $6,999 for my car, all original and 83,000 miles. I'm about to hit the famous 107,044 (which on Benzworld forum is a milestone and a thing we take pictures of and brag!) That number comes from the VIN number. Then there the 'trifecta' -107107 on the odometer, 107 on the trip ! That's a thing on Benzworld too! It's a a bit of fun. Happy motoring!!!
P.S. If you haven't already check out Pierre Hedary's CZcams channel- he's a specialist indy on our cars and gives a little advice.
Great video. I just took ownership of a 80 450sl and feel exactly like you. Mine sat for around 10 years and with a fresh battery it sprang to life. My video is coming soon so look out. Can't wait for warm weather.
TheJohnnyairgun I'd hope you changed all the fluids and checked rubbers for leaks / cracking. 10 year old motor oil isn't the best
I had a 230e once...
Drove amazingly.
It had better brakes than most modern cars
ABS brakes
was very safe and extreamly fast.
and the comfort was deffently better than everything else...
Your comment regarding the car feeling like a new car reminds me of my W220. My car is 15yrs old and I paid less cash for it than anyone I know with a car payment. Yet it rides, handles, and crash tested better than any $40k American or Japanese car on the road today!
I doubt it can beat my 2001 Toyota Camry
xxFallenKnight in what comparison? I can't think of a metric that my car or the poster of this video's wouldn't trounce your car in...even the V6. Actually a Camry V6 might run 0 to 60 with the old R107's smaller V8...until 100MPH. Then the sloppy-handling Camry would flip over and you would die in a car that is not able to withstand autobahn- speed crashes.
Congrats for your new car. I have 1971 350 SL with 3,5 liter engine and manual gearbox. It is a pleasure to drive like you said.
pasifsc the 350SL actually has a 4.5L V8 like the 450SL. Just different names and MB realized a 4.5 V8 called s 350 is confusing. Your car is a beauty with the short bumpers. I almost bought s same year car, but it needed new paint.
Thanks. The European 350SL actually have 3,5 liter engine. Mine is -71 and first year R107 was available in US was -72. Us market 350 had the 4,5 liter engine just like you said.
pasifsc ahh I see makes more sense now. I thought you were talking about a us 350sl. Those are gorgeous cars with the European spec. FAST TOO!
Yes. Absolutely with no (Zero) emission gizmos what so ever. This 3,5 liter makes 200 hp. Not much less that any bigger engine versions.
Love my 1985 SL380
I HAVE 4 mbz cars ,my 560 sl is the most powerful fastest car i have ever driven... just dont abuse em n keep the fluid levels up n they last 4 ever..a pleasure to drive..the downside is these r pre OBd2 all vacuum lines..
Американские бампера всегда очень выпирают, но в этом даже есть какой то шарм
Great videos! I'm from Toronto, and looking for a 560 SEC.
Alexander Li Have owned my 560 Sec for 17 years, 1991 model, routine maintenance drives like a dream. values are rising.
Are you selling? :)
No, not for sale, thanks
Facebook, SEC club, guy has nice one there for sale in Los Angeles.
Enjoyed the video , did not like the end. Started up the engine and gunned the throttle down the road. Let the poor thing warm up a bit. The detrimental amount of wear people put in their vehicles doing such a thing upsets me and makes me sad all at the same time. appreciate what you have while you still have it.
I've been thinking of buying one of these for a long time, but I read somewhere that the steering wheel is not adjustable at all -- no tilt, no extension, nothing, just fixed in place. Is that correct? If so, HOW is that possibly "better" than an adjustable steering wheel?
drglebov the steering wheel position in this car, personally is very good and conforms to almost all bodies. No car of this generation has an adjustable steering wheel... Mercedes Benz models at least. Even the early 90s cars like the w126 do not have this feature. You might want to consider an R129 or W140 for an electronically adjustable steering Hewlett. I am 6'2 and I fit very comfortably in this car, no issues what so ever. If you're worried about this, just go test drive one. Your opinion may change.
Back in the day, the German engineers at Mercedes said very definitely: "we have determined the correct angle of the steering wheel, there is no need for adjustment in our cars." They were very serious (and, of course, very wrong, but Germans never ever admit being wrong about anything.) If those same engineers could see the stupid lighting, non-sensical controls in modern Benzes, they would flip out.
Yes its true
I noticed your 560 SL has the top cover for the radiator did you add that on
and if you did where did you get if from, mine and many others don't have that cover.
This is a 380SL - different radiator shell / shape.
@@rubinhoward7309 Thank you!
do you take this car to carwash? wondering how to clean those...
deranged clean what?
the car, do you do automated carwash or hand wash?
deranged hand wash each time. I would not take any car to a car wash... ruins the paint.
I love your videos but a mic is needed badly
"Reliability"?? How are the repair/parts costs? How many miles/kms on yours?
It was around 350,000 km. I put about 30k of those km on the car and I have to say I’ve done little to no work to the car. My new 560SL has only needed a $300 repair in the 10,000 km I drove it this year.
When you go around telling people Mercedes cars have great reliability, I can straight away tell you haven't had the car for long.
David Xu I have had mine for 30k mi and over two years. It has nearly 100k mi on the clock and is a 2002 W220 well out of warranty. It also has Active Body Control. The only thing I have had to spend major money on is that suspension system which I planned for because I do something called researching things before I buy them. I justify the maintenance cost because to get a competing ride/handling balance you would have to step up to a Rolls-Royce with a $300k US price tag, and I simply won't accept a wallowy milquetoast coil sprung ride from the "reliable" competition. The car has never left me stranded despite several cross country road trips including one this past summer in which I drove from Amarillo to Indianapolis in one day. It doesn't burn a drop of oil, starts every time, and all of its plethora of accessories work (and my car is optioned like a 600). If that is not reliable I guess I am ignorant to the definition of the term.
David Xu when you go around telling people Mercedes are not reliable, I can straight away tell you're clueless. My 1972 108 which I've owned for 4 years has 259,000 miles. Only issue I've had with it? Broken windshield washer reservoir. This SL featured here, 220,000 miles. Only problem with it was a funny sounding horn. How can you explain the millions of miles put on german taxis. Oh wait... you can't... so they must be magic.
Can't agree with you more, I regularly see W211 in Berlin with over 500k km.
Mercedes = Germany's Volvo
Come on it's not safe from today's standards but build quality and durability is outstanding.
Tomas C K actually it's safer than some cars now a days. Go look online at W123 crash tests. They perform better than most economy cars, showing no A-pillar protrusion post collision. The cars were designed to save people's lives in the 80s and they did. Just because they've aged they don't do as the design intended to?
Get rid of those oversized table wide bumpers & bullshit twin headlights, & replace the lot with the European ones!!
(Probably about $3000 or more in USD to do all that.)