Having just spent three years restoring this beautiful 1983 Mercedes 280 SL, some low life’s broke into a secure facility, stole the car and dumped it in a stream. It’s heartbreaking.
Just want to echo everyone’s comments - your restoration of this car has helped me so much on my own 280. Looking forward to seeing videos of this car back on the road 😍
Thanks for your comment. I am so glad these videos have helped some people. They can be quite detailed and hard going...unless you plan to do the job your self. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars Hi Mike, I am Reinhard from German 107SL Club! Unbelievable what happened- can I use your video for our RU-vid channel? Regards Reinhard
@@reinhardkrell7882 Guten Tag! Yes you can use this video no problem. I am gespannt to see what the insurance say because at the time of the theft, my car was NOT garaged at my home address....I will post a follow up video when I know the outcome. Mike
Thanks Mike, I will do so and also use some pics of these horrible story!!! Sorry for that and I hope you will fix it again and your insurance will pay for this! Regards Reinhard
What shame I have been following your 107 restorations over the last few years I am very sorry for you, hope the insurance company sorts it out quickly and the police catch the scumbags who done this very sorry for you Mike, chin up mate thank again for your time and effort for you videos thanks mark
@@MikesMercsandothercars hey Mike, first of all, really sorry this happened. I have a few 107s myself and love that your knowledge. Regarding the car, it’s really easy to bend the hood on the 107. I think it’s rebuidable. I hope insurance takes care of you! Take care
@@ggre213 Thanks for your comment - interesting what you say about the hood as I thought that would need replacing. Should hear next week from insurance. Fingers crossed. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars what I meant to say that it doesn’t take much to bend the hood of the 107. I saw your other video with an update about the car. I have to say very sorry to hear but man, A: your attitude is formidably positive! B: thank you for sharing your skills and talents with the world. I have 4 107 in various states of repair and came across your videos in my research. It takes a lot of extra time to record and edit this videos in addition to actually working on your car. I also seen a lot of outrage on why happened to your car on IG, know that you are very famous and well loved in the 107/Mercedes world. I would be happy to donate to some sort of fund or patreon if you have it to show you my support. Thank you again and have a great day
Mike, like others in this post, I feel for you. The countless hours of videos your have put together and shared for us has not been forgotten. I too hope your insurance company y is honest and fair with you and the authorities track down these clowns who did this. You have helped me gain the confidence in getting my 85 380SL road worthy and for that I thank you! Positive spirits!! All the best from Canada
Thanks for your comment - much appreciated. I have yet to the the insurance company verdict despite having sent them all the requested info. I guess we'll just have to see. Mike
Mike picked this up on the MB club, huge empathy for you. Happened to me many years ago after restoring an old Volvo, they completely trashed it. Worst part, I was a serving police officer and it was taken from the station car park. Insurance is good but nothing can repay the hours of dedication put in or the gut wrenching feeling in the pit of your stomach. Good luck with it, not sure where you live, I am in Surrey, if I can help in anyway let me know. My member user name on the club site is Sylvo. Best Regards.
Thanks for your kind words. I'm in not so sunny Bristol. Its just really bizarre that it was stolen from a location so much more secure than my own garage!!...bit like your Volvo I guess. Lets see what the insurance say. Mike
So sorry this has happened Mike. Like everyone else, you have helped me do much with my own resto of a 1974 SLC 450 in Melbourne Aus. Hope it doesn’t take long to repair the SL.
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately that car has been written off and ended up in a salvage yard - not sure whether they intend to break it or sell it as is. We used to go to Oz every year for a few months and I miss it. Maybe one day I'll be able to return and visit my old Toyota camper van that is still in Melbourne. Mike
Mike, so sorry this happened to you! I have been watching your videos as I work to restore a 107 that was originally my grandfather's car, you do a really great job at documenting your experiences. I hope insurance comes through and they find those who were responsible for the damage and theft.
Mike how sad! I follow you from Italy and thanks to your videos I started the restoration of my SL280. Your videos are beautiful and have encouraged me to do things I would have asked the mechanic to do in the past. You are concrete and you never throw anything away. Strength and courage: you'll be great at getting your SL back on its wheels. And we will enjoy your videos. Come on Mike!
Gut wrenching to see your hard work so ill-treated. Stealing someones car is a crime that is made so much worse when its actually stealing their time, effort and dedication. Your composure is amazing to see in such a raw moment. I truly hope the envitable stress and anger does not linger on you in any way. I've no doubt you'll have her back in condition and look forward to following your progress in doing so. Onwards and upwards - I salute you sir
Thanks for your comment and kind words. Yes not that the shock is wearing off, I feel a bit down...but I don't want to waste any energy thinking about what I'd do if I caught them....Mike
So sorry to see this! I just inherited a 560SL and many of your tutorials have helped me on my journey. Best of luck on your restoration, if anyone can do it, it's you!
Thank you for your comment. Yes it was a shock at the time. I just heard from the people who bought the car from the salvage yard and they have made good progress rebuilding it. Maybe one day I'll do a follow up video of the car back on the road. Mike
Mike you are an inspiration for most of us, R107's enthusiasts. This sad situation should not change the course of your passion and hobby. I fully trust that you can bring it back to life!!!! Cheers mate, GOD will take care of this. Stay positive!
I was gutted to watch this Mike but keep the faith. You are very resourceful and I’m sure you will be able to save it one way or another, you have too much invested in it.
That is sooo bizarre. I’d like to send you $100 to help you get the car back to shape. It’s not much but maybe others will join me. You’ve helped me in the ongoing restoration of my 280sl and it’s time to return the favor.
Thank you so much for you kind words and offer. Maybe I should crowd fund a reward to catch them....but there again....do I want to give them any time and energy?...Hope your resto is going OK. Mike
I’m at a loss for words.... Correction, I’m at a loss for publishable words. That project gave me so many ideas that I’ve applied on my project I’m sad for for you. I hope to see the old girl back up and running again. I know I’ll be following. Wishing you the best from Hershey, Pa.
This is terrible to see. So sorry this happened to you. You did the right thing getting it out of there asap. I hope it’s repairable and all works out.
So sorry for you ! It is a shame to do that… let’s see it positive, insurance should do their job and you will be able to redo it. We all hope for you, as said by one of the guy trying to help you, it’s not so bad! I send you some strength…
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately the car was written off. I;m still waiting to hear whether the salvage yard intend to break her or sell her as is. Mike
Thanks for your comment. Hope the 350 resto is going OK - it is a lot of work (any money) but worth it in the end. It makes me wonder what is wrong with some people. Mike
Deepest sympathy mate. Loved watching the restoration as I'm in progress restoring my 1983 380SL . Hope the police catch the odious ******s and commit them to a life of pain.
Thanks for your comment. I once rescued my parents from Luxembourg - they had a crash on the motorway and wrote off their Mercedes. I still have the rubber mats from their old merc in my red 280SL. Mike
I’ve just spent the last year and a half repairing accident damage very similar to the damage your car has suffered and only now beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. To achieve this I signed up at a college doing three days a week. Without the help and experience of the tutor it’s something I would have more than struggled to achieve. Having gone through the process of sourcing the correct parts, and the hours of work getting them back to as near to new condition as I could, I truly sympathise with you. Please don’t loose heart. The videos of the work you have done so far have been a great help to me and I suspect many others. Hopefully the toe rags responsible will get their comeuppance, who knows, perhaps someone will come along and wreck something they have spent oh so many hours building. May karma prevail. Good luck and keep the faith.
What a devastating thing to happen. As I’ve said in the past your videos have helped me with my 450SL 1976. I’m not sure if I want to give this video a like 👍 as I don’t like seeing this happening to anyone especially to Mike as he’s very calm about it. I would be furious. Good luck restoring it again I’m sure there will not be any majors as these machines can go through a brick wall. Wish I could help, but you have been the one helping us. Take care 👍
Your videos have helped me immensely in the restoration of my own ‘85 380SL. Incredibly saddened by this latest video. Hope the insurance comes through and that the individuals who did this are brought to justice. In this gloom there is a silver lining however: more videos of you working on the car!!
I have no words for this sad news, I follow you, I watch each of your videos, I have the impression that they stole it from me, I wish them prison. I wish you strength for the restoration, I hope it won't be too long and expensive. Strength !
So, so sad. I recently purchased a nice running example of a Mercedes, a 1972 350SL that is red with black soft top. I’ve watched and learned so much from your videos that you created during your restoration. Stay positive and let us have the opportunity to see how you proceed in the future with the car.
Thanks for your kind words and congrats on the 72 SL - I guess that will be a very similar to the current project I'm doing...the one thats currently covered in my tears! Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars I have dismantled the engine of my 560SL (videos on my channel). After pulling the heads I found a long scratch in cylinder #4. I pulled the pistons and all other cylinders look great. I have an appointment with the machine shop on Monday to evaluate the scratch to see if I need to put in a liner. I uncovered a lot of history about the engine. Hopefully I’ll get it all back together.
Hey Mike, What a disaster and what a useless act of vandalism. As many of us we all feel with you and hope you’ll get the car fixed soon. The culprits will likely be local boys and I wouldn’t be surprised will be known to some who are viewing your channel. Hopefully they’ll get caught.
Hi Mike, So sorry to see this. You have been an inspiration to me whilst I have been restoring my 500 SL. Your kids must be gutted too as they have been part of this restoration. You seem to be such a genuine nice person with a lovely family, I am sure you will get through this and like the pheonix from the ashes your car will be back on the road soon. If the insurance doesnt pay up start a go fund me page and I will be the first to chip in. John
Love those wheels! I had an exact same set almost 40 years ago and It was a pity they were only 14" as getting decent performance tires in the size is impossible now. PS a freind of mine has a large building full of cars and he has a Red 280SL but his one is an ex Japan AMG conversion.
Yes...at first I thought those wheels looks out of place but was amazed at how many people comments. One bloke even followed me home one day to ask about them. My silver 280SL has the same style of wheel albeit the slight smaller version which I think actually looks better. You can still get these Fondmetal rims on eBay....although they ain't cheap.Mike
Dear Mike, Hope this busters will be found and pay the price, And hope you will restore your Red project car 🚗 very soon🙏🙏 And the bright side is that you found her, My best regards Avi Einav from Israel
Thanks for your comment - have a look at the video I just posted - I don't think it is viable for me to rebuild it. Israel was the first place I ever went on holiday with my now wife...I think we were the only tourists. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars Come and visit us again, I own an r107 280SL manual 5 speed gear, 🥰🥰 And i do my project on her too, What are you going to do with your Red project car?
Hello Friend, my heart goes out to you . I have been following your R107 restoration on this car and its heartbreaking that someone would steal and destroy such a prime vintage car . You put countless hours into the restoration and I can only imagine how you feel. I hope the thieves are brought to justice over this inhumane act . My prayers are with you .
Thanks - really appreciate your words. You cant ever get those hours back....and there was me worrying about what screws to use to attach the headlights onto the Red project car! Mike
This was a sad video to watch, Mike. My thoughts are with you. Why would someone be so callous as to do this to a beautiful car. Keep your spirits up -- it will get better. Your work speaks for itself.
Heartbreaking Had the same SL same colour Iam sure it can be fixed they are strong Cars.I now own a190e 2.6 l would be heart broken if it was Stolen Good Luck
Oh my god! Very sad and I feel sorry for you. You have put so much time and effort to make it nice! Please save it. Look at the bright side...you have a new project or in worst case scenario a spare car. In any case, keep up a good spirit!
Thanks - I thought of you the other day as I just bought the rear panel for the project car and I recall you were after one. I'm intrigued to see what the insurance company say and will keep you posted. Mike
Ohhhh Nooooo! I hated seeing this. That car has so much tender loving care poured into it. Mike, you sounded so calm in the video. I hope you are OK. Take care of yourself.
Hi Mike. I hope you are doing well. I certainly would not be doing well. I am encouraged that your other cars and family will make you feel better. Bringing your beautiful red 280SL back to life will make for good youtube content. I know you can buy new wings. I am not sure about the structure. I know of some great videos on restoring R107 headlights, grill, and headlight trim😃
Thanks for your comment. Yes I am sad about it but things could be worse. I once hit a black bear head on in Canada in my Dodge Ram camper. Bear was OK....and the van survived too with only minor damage. Mike
I am so sorry. I had a mishap last week where there was a mechanical failure on my 1983 380 SL and I crashed through my garage door hit my other car in the driveway crashed through my neighbor's wooded fence and hit their brick home. So I really feel for you mike.
Thanks for your comment. Yes unbelievable to me too - imagine getting that knock on the door when you think your car is safely tucked away in a secure storage facility. Wrong place at the wrong time. Mike
so sorry this has happened tonyou mate..there's some nasty people out there. I know the insurance will sort it out but money won't replace all the hard work and labour you've put into this project over the past years. you can't put a price on that.
Thanks for your comment. Yes - as we attempted to pull that car out, I got a pretty good insight into that particular neighbourhood. Made me appreciate how lucky I am. Mike
Heartbreaking to see man, it's just so rotten the thought that they've stolen such a beautiful car with other stuff and then just ditched it away. I hope the insurance company can cover most (maybe all) the costs for you and that the thieves will be caught.
Mike, Sorry to see this, like all you other messages, we are with you on this one, I think with luck you will find she will repair well and be back on the road in no time. Takes a lot to kill an old Merc. JC from Down Under
Thanks for your comment - fingers crossed on what the insurance have to say. We would usually be in Australia now cruising around in my trusty Toyota Hiace. Maybe one day we'll be allowed back and I;ll say hello. Mike
Thanks for your comment. Yes, I know the guy who stripped and painted the car...he spent so may hours getting those wings and that bonnet perfect. Shame. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars I believe it’s come to the point where storing or maybe even parking a car with this much work put into it means the owner needs to pop the hood and immobilize it (pull coil plug, pull something thing else) to hopefully make this harder. I’ve had my 380sl for 30 years and many years ago I had an immobilizing alarm system installed but ended-up pulling it out over time as I troubleshot the electrical system for unrelated issues. Also had a steering wheel lock I still have but haven’t used in decades. Back then the alarm system made more sense to me but later thought it was no longer necessary. With kids taking what they call “joy rides” in these stolen cars and stealing what they can, a whole new population of thieves has developed. I read today that with the pandemic there has been a huge increase in carjackings and young kids are often doing them. Your car and accomplishments live-on in the sharing of your work, even as you grapple with seeing what can be done now.
Mike, I've watched and learned a lot from your RU-vid channel. I have two R107s that I have spent a lot of time on and typically leave the keys in the ignition ... both in locked garage. I'm not so sure I should continue that practice considering what has happened to you. How did the scumbag get off with your car -- keys or was it hot wired? I like to learn and prepare from your experience. Good luck mate, the bright side is that you can make very interesting videos dealing with this experience.
Thanks for your comment. I think my car was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. They burgled that unit and used the car to ferry all the stuff out. Not sure how they started it.....but you have reminded me to take the key out the red project car (even though the engine isn't connected!). Mike
My goodness Mike, I’m so sorry to see that your (or should I say ‘our’?) SL has been molested. Respect for the calm reaction, not sure whether I would/could have done the same... Hope it can still be saved, that the damage doesn’t make it a write-off, and will be the star of a new series!
Thanks for you kind words...almost feels like losing one of the family (but obviously not as bad). Stealing it is one thing, but why they had to trash it, I cant imagine. Mike
Thanks for your comment. Yes, you more than anybody would understand the time and effort involved getting an SL up to scratch. Lets see what the insurance have to say. Mike
Thanks for your comment. Trouble is, what I would want to do to them, would land me in more trouble than burglary/stealing a car. Deep breath...move on. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars Mike perhaps the assface who did this got banged up. That accident to me looked like it could make one pretty bad off. People like that dont escape judgement of justice they just dont always have us as an audience. BTW the problem with the car trans was a broken pump in the trans. All better now. If I was close by I would love to stop in your work shop. Best from USA
@@CM-sd4gi Thanks for your comment. I reckon that car was pushed into that ditch not driven. Went to see it on a ramp just now and they reckon £20k to repair so I think it will be written off. Let's see what the insurance say. Glad you found problem with your car. I loved touring round USA in my Dodge Ram camper....even shipped it back to UK...Will return one day when normality returns. All the best. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars Mike you stand tall the POS that did this live a horrible existence perhaps one of there "friends" will turn them in. Touring this country is awesome yes. Come on back. As far as normal I feel something incredible is happening. A raising of consciousness if you will. Shining the light on the 1% who make the problems politicians. I cant see how the Nuremburg trials (war crimes) will not restart after this attempted genocide. We are seeing some very obvious signs that BIG things are happening. Best to you and good fortune finds you.
@@CM-sd4gi Thanks for you comment. Yes these are really weird times and I am only slightly grateful that the UK is slowly coming to its senses and getting rid of these restrictions. Too little to late, but now I have other things to occupy my mind. Mike
Thanks for your comment. Took me a while to work out what FB107 was...as a non user. Drop me an email to m_scott65@hotmail.com and I'll get in touch. Mike
Awful! I feel your pain and heart broken on your behalf. I am in the process of restoring one and have been following Mikes Mercs for information on the fuel delivery and electrical system to get the engine to run. Very shameful.
Yes...I am am a bit demotivated at present BUT will shortly be starting to connect up the fuel tank, lines and starter motor in the red project car...to see if the engine actually works. Mike
So sorry to hear this Mike. Scumbags. I'm watching your door card resto video right now as I work on my 500sl and you've been a great help to me over the past 2 years. I'm just up the M5 in Cheltenham and will help in anyway I can...I have a complete front grille if you need one.
@@MikesMercsandothercars The insurance has to pay you "full rates", take the payout and do the work yourself. You should have a substantial plus to your favor. You can easily source all the parts cheaply.
Yes very sad but at least the insurance paid out and as you said…no one got hurt. The new owner contacted me the other day so it looks like this car will rise from the ashes. Mike
Leider nicht....2 new wings, new bonnet, new radiator, new bumper, new grill, new star. new lights, new centre cross section....and then the cost of painting = £20,000+vat at a garage so I think the car will be written off.
@@lilibethdoherty295 Hoffentlich werde ich es heute erfahren....whether my car is actually insured and if so whether they intend to pay out and give me the option to buy back the car. I will do a follow up video shortly. Your RU-vid name sounds Irish and you have a picture of a giege. I wonder if you play? One day I want to do a video to demonstrate that fixing a mercedes is easy compared to learning the geige. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars My R107.45 in midnight blue is a forever car and has only needed a muffler and Radiator also the fuel pump relay replaced in 37 years of enjoyment !
Thanks for your comment...its not till you start working on these cars that you appreciate the time and cost of repairing and replacing parts. Hope you project is going OK...I know you have your work cut out! Mike
Hello Mike, I'm very sorry for your car, it took you so much energy to put it in this shape. Is it possible that it was same "people" that broke in to your garage? I hope, they will find those fu**ckers. I would chop their hand off!
Thanks for your comment. The secure lock up was only a temporary home for the car and in a different part of Bristol. It is so strange that this should happen because the location is supposed to be secure with 24 hours guards and cameras....chopping hands off would be a good start....
I suggest continue onto the next project, North America model if you can find it in UK, 1989 560SL. You have acquired so much knowledge for all of us as well including security. We, (I shall speak for everyone here) shall all follow your next RU-vid adventure. It is a new beginning.
@@jameslully6764 Thanks for your comment....I need to try and stay focussed and finish the current red 280SL rebuild....I have that car and the gold parts car in my garage which is why my other 280SL was in temporary storage. But you are right...as one door closes another opens...lets see what the insurance says. Mike
