[mercedesmikeandnancy]

In the approx. 18 months I owned this car it
a. never failed to start
b. never left me stranded

However, it just was not my "cup of tea". I've replaced it with my 9th Porsche 911 and an SUV.

Others who responded to my posts reminded me often that the sl was a. not a Porsche, and b. not to expect it to handle like one.

Those observations proved to be correct.

Given what I paid for it, and the money I put into the car during the 18 months (it had been very well cared for by the P.O. over 28 years), I came out just a little negative (that does not include daily operating costs - ex. insurance, gas/oil - but did include all the repairs I made).

If asked "would I buy another", my answer is no. However, I'm not unhappy that I owned it.

Well, onward. I've now owned 72 cars in my lifetime. That includes two SLs.

 

[Patch's]

I have a 98 E320, I have been a contented owner and likely it will stay in the family!

I do often think I'm do for a Porsche. I have no idea how many cars I've owned over the years?

Enjoy the ride

Patch

 

[cwmoser]

If I remember correctly, you had that platinum white 500SL.
I liked. Too bad you were not located on the East Coast as
I might likely have tried to purchase it. It looked like a
very nice SL in the photos you shared.

 

[jaymaynard]

If asked "would I buy another", my answer is no. However, I'm not unhappy that I owned it.

Everyone's different and has different wants and needs in cars. My roommate loves riding in my SL, but he'd never buy one. For him, the Toyota Corolla is the ideal car: utterly reliable no surprises. So what if it's boring? Exciting can get very expensive. I doubt he'll get rid of his '98 until it falls apart under him.

Well, onward. I've now owned 72 cars in my lifetime. That includes two SLs.

Holy crap. My 164 is my 13th and the sixth in the last 5 years (that includes the 107). No Porsches, lots of SUVs.

 

[Fonzi]

I am about to buy my 10th MB in less than 5 years. 6 of them were purchased only because they were so dog gone cheap. That's not the best reason to buy a car. I think we all see potential in these cars to provide value to someone, but just not us. So we end up as the temporary caretakers for the cars (when we fix them) or their parts (when we part them). It's most important that we enjoy it and don't regret our time in the hobby. So "good job" there. Hopefully the next owner purchased it loving it.

After driving an automatic 500sl, I understand lack of love for it's handling. All the v8s seem to feel heavy.

If you are given the opportunity to wind up a stick shift 280sl, 300sl or 280slc I highly recommend giving it a try. It just might rekindle that love if the 107. And remember, it's a pretty safe and solid convertible, at least for the earlier side of its era.

 

[Bobolinski]

It's all about mind set. Anyone who has owned 9 Porsches would not be stimulated by the drive of a 107 MB stick or automatic. I have also been eyeing an air cooled Porsche as my next project.The 107 is a car to cruise and appreciate the elegance and grace it has to offer. I am happy you sold her and would love to see some pics of the Porsche. Hopefully your family is more supportive of your new addition.

Cheers

 

[tdoriot]

So sad to see a MB guy drawn to the dark side of Der Volkswagon's step child ! :crying

 

[mercedesmikeandnancy]

tdoriot:

I'm not really a MB guy. I've owned two sl's, a European 300e sedan (fast as heck), and a 300 sd turbodiesel. Frankly, the '78 300e sedan was, by far, a much better car than the 500sl. Handling, speed, both superior to the sl. And the 300SD was a far better long range cruiser than either of the others.

I've also lived in northern Germany, speak the language a bit and done business with companies all over the country and know these cars very well.

Here is the "typisch" S class driver there. An overweight "burger", perhaps the geschäftsführer of a company, or the mayor of a town.

The very large wide seats are perfect for such a person. Lots of room to "spread out".

Most Mercedes sedans are unequalled for a high speed jaunt to some neighboring town. Say 220 kph on the local autobahn. You have to pay attention (as with any car at that speed). But the Benz is just a little more relaxed and comfortable doing this than most other cars. I'd rank the Opel Commodore as a close second. BMW 7 series also up there and Audi A8. The VW Phaeton was designed as such a car - and totally misunderstood here in the U.S. market. (a dismal failure here).

But for around town, they are a bit ponderous, just a bit too large for the old narrow in-town streets.

So Mr. Doriot, for the typical driving environments here in the U.S., you simply don't get to drive these cars as Herr Benz intended them.

Porsches, over there, have a certain "intimidation" factor (as do all the cars mentioned above). When you see one coming up on you (if you're dumb enough to be driving in the left lane at under 180 kph), you move immediately over back to the right lane (where you should have been anyway). By the time you see one of these overtaking you, the other driver has flashed his high beams so as to tell you: "get the fuck back over". Then they will give you the distaining sideways glance as they zoom by.

The only time I wished I was driving an econobox over there was at the gas stations. Paying the equivalent of $7/gallon for premium gets old quickly.

 

[Bobolinski]

So sad to see a MB guy drawn to the dark side of Der Volkswagon's step child ! :crying

LOL...I also love the E24 BMW and Acura NSX here are 2 past babies I owned

BMW M Registry - Car Detail

http://www.nsxprime.com/photopost/nsx-prime-member-galleries/p9611-nsx-003.html

 

[tdoriot]

Apologies all around to the Porsche lovers ! I just can't stop myself from being a smartass ! :grin

 

[Myndex]

I've never been that into Porsches - and my father sold them. His main comment was "Porsche owners like that whine when they drive".

I've always preferred Mercedes.

 

[kmukherjee]

MikeandNancy - Sorry to hear you sold you w107. Surprised to hear you felt the 300e was faster than a euro w107!!

I have a 500sl [AMG 5-speed]and its pretty quick. Most definitely will outrun a 300e.

 

[Donmatter]

What's the opinion on Jaguars?

Hi, just got to ask if any of you have or have driven a 60's E-type/SKE, preferably one of the earlier 2seat 6cyl models.

It's long enough ago now that I have only a romantic view on how good (and inexpensive) they were. I had 2: a '66 convertible and a '68 coupe.

Now even rustbuckets are silly money and unfortunately right out of my reach, but the SL vs Porsche 'debate' made me think back again. :frown

Another regret: no pictures - sorry.

Don