I spend most of my time on the w123 forum but am currently looking to get rid of one of my 123s and grab up a nice older SL. I tried searching but found nothing so it leads me to believe that there must not be much difference from year to year...
Please inform me. Obviously the body style didn't change much through the 107 years... what did? if anything?
Thanks!
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Jordan - 1980 300D "Black Betty" - 100,000 mi
1985 300TDT "Yellow Submarine" - 154,500 mi
I spend most of my time on the w123 forum but am currently looking to get rid of one of my 123s and grab up a nice older SL. I tried searching but found nothing so it leads me to believe that there must not be much difference from year to year...
Please inform me. Obviously the body style didn't change much through the 107 years... what did? if anything?
Thanks!
My personal vote is for the last four years, 1986-1989, inclusive, and in particular, the last year, 1989. I am of the belief that most of a car's run is fulfilled in it's last year with all the bugs worked out as much as possible. Plus the big 560/500 motors of that era are sweet!
I would also be very tempted go for a straight six 300SL of those years too, with a standard tranny!
Again, just my personal vote though...
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Penny is her name...
Last edited by cctoronto : 10-21-2009 at 12:54 AM.
Reason: sp.
Not really. My favorite is 76-79, because they have an unadulterated K Jet fuel management system, with no electronics in the mix. Simple to work on, least expensive replacement parts - except the automatic climate control on the 78 & 79 years.
However, everyone has a point. The D Jet does have more power, and the cast iron engine block that you can't seem to kill. The 560 does restore the power lost due to emissions requirements, and all the refinements that come with time. And the 81-85 years might have less power than any, but they get the best mileage.
72-80: cast iron 4.5 liter engine.
72-75: D Jet electronic fuel injection.
72-77: manual climate control - easy & inexpensive to fix.
76-79: all mechanical K Jet.
78-81: ACCII climate control - expensive and prone to failure.
80: last of the cast iron block, adds an O2 sensor and lambda control.
81:85: 3.8 liter alloy block with K Jet & lambda.
81-83: single row timing chain that fails earlier than younger & older cars
84-85: double row timing chain
86-89: alloy 5.6 liter engine with KE Jet. ABS, air bags, lots of tech goodies.
__________________ When I die, I want to go quietly in my sleep, like Grandpa.
Not screaming, like the people in his car.
Juvenis quod fanaticus nunquam concilio usus quod proditus
I'd say the 73 cuz of what foto said in 74 and if you have a 74 you got to have the emission stuff to pass inspections in NY. So I kind of got the best of both worlds as much as I can.
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PS. I can only hope your sl's c's are driving as nice as mine is
Ah that magic feeling of being post mortgage and zero debt. (between repairs)
My personal vote is for the last four years, 1986-1989, inclusive, and in particular, the last year, 1989. I am of the belief that most of a car's run is fulfilled in it's last year with all the bugs worked out as much as possible. Plus the big 560/500 motors of that era are sweet!
I would also be very tempted go for a straight six 300SL of those years too, with a standard tranny!
Again, just my personal vote though...
500SL..... Supposedly the earlier years had the better engine, however the latter years supposedly had better rust proofing. Providing it wasn't added in they do not have the pollution control that choke out the horse power and performance like the 560s do.
500SL Roadster 1980-1989 V8, 240 -245 hp motor years made produced
W107-046 chassis M117-960 1980 - 1981 11,812
W107-046 chassis M117-962 1982 - 1985 (included)
W107-046 chassis M117-964 ke injection 1985 - 1989 (included)
My personal vote is for the last four years, 1986-1989, inclusive, and in particular, the last year, 1989. I am of the belief that most of a car's run is fulfilled in it's last year with all the bugs worked out as much as possible. Plus the big 560/500 motors of that era are sweet!
I would also be very tempted go for a straight six 300SL of those years too, with a standard tranny!
Again, just my personal vote though...
500SL..... Supposedly the earlier years had the better engine, however the latter years supposedly had better rust proofing. Providing it wasn't added in they do not have the pollution control that choke out the horse power and performance like the 560s do.
500SL Roadster 1980-1989.....V8, 240 -245 hp motor...years made..produced
Foto and Ussun. You both forgot the '72 350SL 4.5. It is the same as the '73.
On any year up to 1986 make sure the subframe has been done. Also make sure the timing chain and guides have been serviced.
Here is some good reading.
Foto and Ussun. You both forgot the '72 350SL 4.5. It is the same as the '73.
On any year up to 1986 make sure the subframe has been done. Also make sure the timing chain and guides have been serviced.
Here is some good reading.
The '72 350SL was of course the best year Some of these cars were rebadged as 450SLs. Essentially they are same as a '73. Some early ones delivered in late 1971, have cloth interiors and wind up windows.
Some of the cars mentioned in earlier posts are Euro grey market cars. Most of those have better engines and some manual transmissions which make them more attractive to enthusiasts.
The later engines with aluminum blocks are, according to one well known MB mechanic, prone to having cylinder head bolts pull. This requires inserts to be installed at considerable expense. (On later engine designs (non 107), MB put in inserts at the factory.
Road & Track write up on SLs attached. Sept/Oct edition of MBCA Star also has a buyers guide for 107 SLs. Also check THIS SITE.
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Some of these cars were rebadged as 450SLs. Essentially they are same as a '73. Some early ones delivered in late 1971, have cloth interiors and wind up windows. 
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