I would choose the 1989 560SL, and with your description of the two cars, still the 560
A small caveat though, rust on the grill. Suggests it's spent time outside, so check it very thoroughly for rust elsewhere
If you're able to, also pull the heater blower motor cover (bottom of the windscreen, in the middle) and check for rust in there
It's very rare you won't be spending money on either car, getting them working properly, but rust is a bitch
At least the 89 has better rust protection (some galvanising) than the 80
Any pics?

 

560 hands down unless it’s rusty.

 

Although a 1989 anything isn’t a good daily driver, and a 1980 anything is worse.

 

It really depends on your priorities.

The 450 is easier to work on, simpler, and arguably a tougher motor. Not as many headgasket issues. Easier to fix. Biggest drawback is the 1978-1981 automatic ac system, real pain in the ass to keep going. A 1977 would be a better year with manual A/C

The 560 is more refined and faster. A bit more complicated. Headgasket leaking issues more common and not so easy to fix. Better A/C.

You should post the photos here so we can give better advice

 

…But is the $3k difference worth it in my case?

Thank you for your feedback.

YES!

 

If the price were 16k vs 8k I would say no, it’s not worth it. But for only 3k more, yeah get the 560 all things equal.

 

Easiest choice ever. 560SL. No doubt, no doubt, no doubt.

 

It's always a gamble and you may wish later you had chosen the other but I would go with the 560.

 

450SL are nice, however I had a 1980 SL, not a good year because of emissions, way less horsepower and ac system had major problems. The 560SL is a No Brainer. Nicer AC system and to many other improvements to list.

 

Being new to SL ownership, you would hope it’s for the long haul. The 560 will give you the most pleasure and the best exit strategy.

 

The real question here is why deliberately choose to daily drive a 30-plus year old anything?

 

LOL. But then again...why not? If you can be handy with your own maintenance....and you're not a volunteer fireman then you can be happy to and from your miserable job.

I used mine to commute in the summer to and from work....sunny days....but I did have my back up Golf.

 

1980 450SLs still had three speed transmissions. 560SLs have four speed transmissions. More flexibility, and lower engine revs at higher speeds.

 

I was fine with driving old junk in my 20s but as you get older and have more things to do, breaking down and fixing things gets annoying, I agree if you have one car , you need 2 sitting for backups. At this point in my life, I don’t have the time to wait 2 hours or more for a tow truck and then diagnose and fix it.
Like knobby said, if you really don’t have to be anywhere at any particular time, then go ahead and drive your 30 year old car. Mechanical things don’t get better with time, and replacement parts aren’t usually better than the originals.
That being said I have a warehouse full of cars ranging from 1968 to 2012. If I were tasked to drive cross country with one of them, it would be the Toyota Scion xB 2005 or 2012, 2006 ctsv next, or one of the 3 Silverado 2500hd trucks 2001, 2003 or 2012.
None of the German cars, 997 turbos , w211 E55 R230 sl55 or w219 cls 55 or Porsche Cayenne turbo would be considered, as they are not what I would call reliable from the get go.
I am happy people daily drive these cars, but not for me.

 

I was fine with driving old junk in my 20s but as you get older and have more things to do, breaking down and fixing things gets annoying, I agree if you have one car , you need 2 sitting for backups. At this point in my life, I don’t have the time to wait 2 hours or more for a tow truck and then diagnose and fix it.
Like knobby said, if you really don’t have to be anywhere at any particular time, then go ahead and drive your 30 year old car. Mechanical things don’t get better with time, and replacement parts aren’t usually better than the originals.
That being said I have a warehouse full of cars ranging from 1968 to 2012. If I were tasked to drive cross country with one of them, it would be the Toyota Scion xB 2005 or 2012, 2006 ctsv next, or one of the 3 Silverado 2500hd trucks 2001, 2003 or 2012.
None of the German cars, 997 turbos , w211 E55 R230 sl55 or w219 cls 55 or Porsche Cayenne turbo would be considered, as they are not what I would call reliable from the get go.
I am happy people daily drive these cars, but not for me.

Like I said, I've never broken down or used a tow truck in 10+ yrs. Been on cross country trips, Toronto to Florida several times, New Orleans, etc.
Those German cars you listed above are newer. MB reliability ended with the death of CIS in the early 90's and the move to electronic injection. Kjet/Kejet will still run and get you there even if it is very sick, broken electronics, sensors, controllers, etc. It has a mechanical backbone, a failsafe. That is why I think it is stupid to convert to megasquirt, you are removing one of the main reasons these cars are so bulletproof.

 

I daily drove my 1981 380 for 5 years about? I only did it because I absolutely love the car. Impractical, terrible fuel economy, absolute shit A/C in the summer, clunky handling even after spending a year or so sorting out all the rubber bits, steering and suspension components.. but I chose to drive it!

If you really plan to daily a 107, I think you could do better $$ wise. Doesn’t need to be a stellar example. People panic over a rust spot, but it’s not like these cars are anyone’s retirement plan.. enjoy them. There will be surprises no matter what car you buy.

 

Man, we making the 107 sound like a crap wagon. I think OP will be fine driving one daily. The 107 is kinda complex, but it is very serviceable for a smart guy. The 560 with the hardtop on has good AC, and rides quite well, IMO.

My issue with the old cars is that I am old. My fatness doesn’t fit so easy in the car, and my bad right knee howls if I bend it too far in order to slip in. I’m hopelessly spoiled by my 2010 CL550 to the level that turning a key in the ignition and moving a shifter from park is sub-optimal.

 

I had a 1980 450 and it was great. But fuel consumption could be tragic- down to 14 mpg and seldom over 20.

I had a 1987 500SL and it was great. 25 mpg easily.

Maybe that's not too much of an issue in the US but in Europe it is, especially for a daily.

RayH

 

Unfortunately, it's becoming an issue here as well.
With more of us (myself included) recommending 560s, I had a sobering thought. There are 450s, and earlier series SLs that need to find new homes too.

 

I am on my 2nd 74 450. It's a lot better than the first one. I like 74 & earlier because, except for the DJet, it's easier to work on with virtually no electronics and no cats.

 

Thank you for all the feedback. Regarding the daily use of the car, the commute would be on average less than 15 miles daily. I agree you can get a little tired of driving this old car after a while. I drove on and off a 1981 911SC for 6+ years until I sold it 2 years ago. I'm guessing the 560SL is much more comfortable than the 911SC.

 

Following up on my purchase process, I had a PPI made today to a different 560SL a 1988 that I liked more than the 89. Bottom line the car is solid but dripping a little oil from the rare Differential and also from the engine. PPI mechanic said it could be gaskets from oil pan or Valve Cover Gasket. He did tell me the car is fine to drive as is and that if I don't mind a little oil drip here and there I can wait until it really bothers me. Is this normal on these cars or should I have it fix asap?

 

You've got 9 quarts, don't sweat it.
I went on a 5 hr roadtrip a few months ago. About an hour down the interstate my cheap autozone valve cover gasket started leaking bad.
Whole underside of car was COVERED in oil front to back, on exhaust pipe, you name it.. I had a massive cloud of smoke trailing behind me the whole way for 5 hrs.
Best part was people got the fuck out of my way. Like parting the red sea. It was great

Haven't cleaned it, it's like a finely seasoned cast iron pan at this point. Great rust protection...

 

Old cars leak oil, no getting around that. 107s do as well
Most are easy fixes
Mine doesn't leak a drop at the moment, but I know that will change
I wouldn't stress over some small leaks, just chase them down as you get time

 

Oil drips are just your car's way of marking it's territory.

 

Black dots on the floor and blue smoke in the rear view are common items on all the 1970s-80s Mercedes-Benz that I have owned.

The right side valve cover gasket has a tendency to leak at the rear bottom and drip on the exhaust manifold. That makes the blue smoke fill the engine compartment and get in the fresh air intake for the cabin. You will know pretty quick when that needs attention.

 

If your car drips oil you won't be a very popular visitor to friends with asphalt driveways. It's not just the health of your 107 that has to be considered. Any other parades I can rain on?

 

Bah...health of my car? 230,000 miles.....it DESERVES the odd drip. When it stops dripping ...I'll become concerned.
And you're right....I don't park in friend's driveways....but I'd park in yours.

 

I’d go with the bigger engine. Two reasons. The 5 liter is a kick in the pants to drive, but it also puts out less stress and wear to do the same job as the 4liter.
It’s just going to last longer.
And second, soon there is going to be a massive rush to find a gas engine. EV is going to be a bust.
these big V-8 are going to be what a 67 GTO convertible is today.
It’s why I got the last E550 before MB goes 100% EV in the next 3 years.

oh and 3, it’s a bad ass ride.

my last 3 Company cars were 3 cylinder GMC Terrains. No wonder they have a 9 gear auto transmission to just get my fat butt to 80 mph and stay there till the first good hill. Talk about wear?

 

I’d go with the bigger engine. Two reasons. The 5 liter is a kick in the pants to drive, but it also puts out less stress and wear to do the same job as the 4liter.
It’s just going to last longer.

All m117 V8's are reliable but many would argue the earlier cast iron blocks (450, 350) are tougher and longer lived than the later aluminum alloy blocks (380,500,560). Although early iron engines are heaver and less powerful, the later aluminum blocks are more vulnerable to overheating, headgasket thread issues, and corrosion.
While the 560 does have about 30 more horsepower over the 450, the torque rating is relatively similar. I wouldn't consider a 450 or 560 to be "stressed" but possibly a 380.

And second, soon there is going to be a massive rush to find a gas engine. EV is going to be a bust.
these big V-8 are going to be what a 67 GTO convertible is today.
It’s why I got the last E550 before MB goes 100% EV in the next 3 years.

I love my gas cars but I don't think so...Electric cars are 100% on track to take over in the next 10-15 years. Once they get the battery kinks worked out they will be cheaper to make than gas engines and transmissions. Less moving parts.

 

My opinion, I'd buy the 560SL. Well worth the small difference in price. Just to have a 9 year newer car alone is a good reason, but add in the AC (repairs can be very expensive), and the superior engine, and likely easier to find parts, and I'd say 560SL hands down.

 

If the commute is short and your situation is good using a car like this on nice weather days is a treat! If the distance is far, there is a lot of time idling in traffic and/or you are on tight money it is a bad plan.