Is the R107 Mercedes SL The Best Classic Car You Will Ever Buy? | Buying Guide & Review 

These are absolute class, I own 2 Mercs and one day I will own one of these for sure. The R107 and the Bentley Arnage are my ambitions. THe R107 is the pinnacle of Mercedes build quaity.

Back when Mercedes built proper cars. I’m fortunate to own one; it always feels special and just puts a smile on my face.

The immortal R107 series. The Older they become, the more Mercedes they are!!!

One of my favourite all time Car's . As a modern Mercedes owner I'd rather go for the R107 than it's modern equivalent ,the R107 is Stunning Beautiful Timeless !

I have a 1980 450SL and it turns heads every journey ...beautiful to drive as well I will never go back to owning Triumphs ever again

Ahhhh, that was fun, I like your laid back demeanor. Beautiful example. I worked with a team of home builders who had them, and I will never forget it. I have a US version, with, well the big bumpers. I am not too bothered by it, but I really do like the European version. You are correct, the build quality of this era will never be seen again. So grateful that I am able to own one, a piece of automotive history.

I agree with you about usability of R 107. I drive -71 SL 350 3,5 liter V8 with factory 4 speed manual and it works fine in today's traffic.

I am a massive fan of Mercedes Benz and own a couple of classics . I did smile when you suggested that the heater controls were simple and easy to use ! Like the radio they are pretty “unique”

Own a 300SL 48,000 mls had for 14 yrs ownedany since the 70 s bullet proof reliable

Can somebody tell me why the center console of the UK R107 is still the same as the early models, while the later models in Europe have the more modern lay-out. Same counts for the foot brake which is replaced by a handbrake. I’ve owned a 280SL and a 300SL, I personally like the 300 SL a bit more because of the front spoiler and the alloy wheels. Thanks for the review!

I bought a 1972 350SL about 4 years ago and spent a lot of time with my mechanics getting it 'right'... now that the work is done it has gone from being a below average daily driver... to a mechanically perfect car... its amazing how great the car is to drive. Long drives are effortless, the car has more than enough power at every speed... steering is light and its very easy to manoeuvre. If you can buy one today... do it. And dont be afraid to go for a perfect early model as they are very much misunderstood. Dont compare them to a 560sl... Instead look at a 280sl and imagine how the engineers saw themselves as building a car that was better than anything else in the market at the time.

Fantastic video! Thank you for your in depth review of the Mercedes R107. I just love the aesthetics.

Agree with everything you said - all round great classic package

great channel keep up the great work.

Thanks for this review. Would you prefer this R107 over the R129? Why?

I'm biased because I have a 1986 300SL with 65,000 miles, but the handling of the 300SL is better than the V8's due to less weight over the front wheels, they feel just as quick as the V8's due to the lower gearing. The M103 was actually the most modern engine in any R107. The V8's were born around 1969 (3.5 V8), and then tinkered from that, right up to the 5.6 litre V8. Well sorted 6 cylinder models (in the UK) are actually more valuable that the V8's. The 560SL sold like hot cakes in the US, and despite the ugly bumpers and headlights are gaining in value rapidly. I bought mine in the UK and brought it back to Australia, where the 300 was never sold. (we got the 350, 450, 380 and 560). Elegant and bank vault build quality. Iron fist in a velvet glove. I won't be selling it!

Panzerwagon!

From bitter experience, I would say that for any convertible, check under the back seat, under the carpets etc in case it has ever got throughly wet from someone leaving the top open and then it having got rained on. It may not be just rust - maybe lots of it - but also some of the electronics may have got ruined as well. If it has happened the owner may not have even realised that there may be standing water in the low points that could just sit there for ages, quietly rusting away the floor, from the inside so nothing to see from beneath.

I bought a 1981 380 sl for 2500 U.S. , put a little work in it, brakes, tires and the usual pm stuff. Definately not perfect but still looks and runs great. Has some floor rust issues and could use a valve job. Anyways I went to insure it, the insurance company asked me how much I valued it at ? I said I dont know , 5000 I guess. They said the minimum on that car was 15000 LOL. So its not worth that but she's fun, great colors too. Black and tan.

Want want want!--just like the one you had there, with the 6. And that tweedy look. I am not interested in speed or impressing anyone. I want beauty. So sounds like 1970s MBtex and the tweed (if they come together). I don't want sticky leather. I'd probably leave the hardtop on.

How do the factory manual transmissions drive on these cars? 😎

The R129 is the best SL since the original.

There is one for sale in Sweden a silver 1988 500SL with just 2252 miles on the clock but they are asking 71146 punds for it. You could probably take it down a bit. If anybody needs help with the car my services are here!

i love these but id rather have the granada 2.8 ghia x in the background .you cant put a jaguar HORRIBLE.agaist this baby ,its like putting a lexus LS430 against toyota prius .

What is the official colour on that one, I Iike it.

No need for the cheesy music. Especially when we could be hearing the engine instead

Longest production car of Mercedes is the G Wagen.

'Panzerwagen'

pft the excuses ppl make for v6. If I was going for this car I'd go for 5 liter v8

No, The 450 SL is much better.

This is a fine classic car from Mercedes Benz.

Just completed a road trip through Normandy and the Loire Valley in my 300SL (1989 R107 in smoke silver) very comfortable although air con would have been nice. I’ve had 107’s since 2016 (I’ve also a very very low mileage R129 which is now for sale) - These SL’s are very much an emotional ownership prospect and you have to get used to people asking questions and wanting to know more about owning one…a quality problem imo

I have an 1985 300SL ,bought that 1990 in Germany and it moved with me to the US 1993.I had it as a daily driver for years and it has now 302000 miles and is still very dependable. The weak point for the 103 engine is the head gasket otherwise just perfect .

R107’s are a standout classic and would be vastly more valuable had they not made so many due to the 18 year production run. That said, here in Australia they have significantly increased in value. As an example, my 380 SL (very good condition, 130,000 KLM, full service history) was bought 6 years ago for AUD$35,000 and was valued for insurance a few months ago at $AUD 90,000! I’m sure it would take a while to sell at that price but the valuer insisted that was on the mark.

A brilliant car. We didn’t get the 300SL in Australia but I would be very interested in sourcing one and privately importing it.

Keeping up with the traffic? I think most cars today will have a hard time keeping up with the R107 😆 Thanks for the nice review!

Nice review. Enjoying my 1985 380 SL, black pearl with black interior. Has around 80,000 miles now, optioned with both heated seats!

I love the R107. Do you remember the lady with the red one who had kids at BIC? I would see it everyday.

Currently have two and love them. Still totally usable as a daily driver if you must.

I think the R129 was the last of tank like build quality. I heard they lost money on everyone they made. I have an SL320 straight 6 1999 and it sounds lovely. Owned since 2010.

Definitely the most stylish, graceful and functional of just about any Mercedes ever built. From an era when their advertising motto was 'Engineered like no other car'. Which they undoubtedly were.

Think the child police would lock you up if you put children in the back today… ha ha, but one of my favourite classics, almost bought a mint one 10 years ago, sadly mint ones are out of reach of my budget now….😂

I just got a 1987 420SL, it's incredible.

I bought an 380SL EU model two years ago after a couple of heritage cars I owned. Usually I drove all this cars for two years an sold them. But the SL changed my mind. Every time I open the garage brings a smile on my face. It’s so nice to drive and feels like coming home every time I close the door and fire up the engine…….

I LIKE THESE WITH THE AMERICAN DOUBLE HEAD LIGHT CONFIGURATION. WITH THE THE LITTLE BUMBERS THEY LOOK AWESOME .I HAD AN EARLY 350SL SILVER WITH RED INTERIOR THAT WAS AWESOME WITH THE 4.5 V-8 . IT WAS A GAS HOG BUT IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL CAR THAT WAS SO CLASSY .LOVED THE WAY THAT CAR MADE ME FEEL. MISS IT .

I did buy my 300SL last year, for 27.500 euro. It's a 1968 car with 250.000kms, 3 previous owners. Although it was in very good condition, I had some unexpected extra costs to make it look like new. Major problem is to replace the exhaust (with cath), which I will still need to do and which will cost me a fortune... The car is a dream to drive, I still get a happy feeling each time I start the engine.

Great video thank you, I've daily driven my 1980 500SL since buying it in 2015 and only once left me stranded. I had the starter motor rebuilt to factory specs and with regular fluid and filter changes expect many more years of driving pleasure.

In 1983, I purchased a new Mercedes 450SL R107. It was a superb car, just driving it gave you a special feel. Mine was a metallic champagne coloured exterior, and the interior was all leather cream coloured seats. And that particular model had a truly classy appearance, even after 10 years of use, people still commented on it's beautiful appearance. If you can find such a model in good condition, it's well worth buying it, you will have miles and miles of driving pleasure.

I sold my Jaguar XK8 and bout an 18 year old BMW 645Ci conv....What a difference.. Not quite classics, but its getting close....

1530kgs for a 300SL.

Owned numerous ones sincse thfantasoc car e 7them

Great review. Good advice and evaluation. Thanks. Subscribed.

No. All cars where with an hardtop from the factory…

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