Re: [MBZ] Is There a Bulletproof SL?
So...let's say I was going to buy an SL of some sort for The Queen of All Time, Space, and Dimension. Have any proven to be bulletproof ala what I have come to expect from the MBs (read "diesels") I've had throughout the years? Best bang for the buck for a daily driver would probably be a double timing chain 380. '84 and '85 had the double row chain from the factory; don't even consider an earlier model that hasn't been converted. By now all the single chain cars have likely either been converted or blown up, unless you find a very low mileage example. Double row chains still need to be replaced every, I think, 100k miles. Yes, V8's are much harder on chains than I6's, that poor chain goes through a lot more serious bends on its way around. They were pretty slow (US versions had 155 hp), which keeps the price down, but have Type III climate control, reliable CIS fuel injection, and are full of that old-school Mercedes build- and engineering quality. You can of course go a little older and ditch the ACC systems altogether. I wouldn't go quite so old as to get into the D-Jet FI system. Our for-sale '76 model has been actually quite reliable on the whole once its years of neglect were sorted out. The freak torque converter failure (prior to our ownership) was the only weird thing, a rare but not-unheard-of metallurgical failure that didn't do any real harm, just made it dog-slow off the line. We have driven it a lot, during its time as a daily driver it got the second-most mileage piled on it next to the SDL. It always went. It was just down a lot from time to time because I couldn't keep from trying to enhance it! Anyway here's the link: http://cathey.dogear.com/JSLsale.html Make sure you have any prospects professionally inspected; that aluminum V8 is NOT inexpensive to fix. Everything else on or wrong with the car should come as no surprise to anyone with 123 experience. Yeah, I agree. As a gasser it's going to wear the valves more than a diesel, I'm led to expect that top-end work may well be needed if you drive them enough. The 107 body, like the 114/115/116, is a rust magnet but fortunately many more of them were treated well. If you stay on top of it and keep them out of the salt they hold up just fine. I love the 107, that's why we have three of them. I love my wife, that's why I'm trying to sell one! -- Jim
Re: [MBZ] Is There a Bulletproof SL?
Bob Rentfro wrote: So...let's say I was going to buy an SL of some sort for The Queen of All Time, Space, and Dimension. Have any proven to be bulletproof ala what I have come to expect from the MBs (read "diesels") I've had throughout the years? Best bang for the buck for a daily driver would probably be a double timing chain 380. '84 and '85 had the double row chain from the factory; don't even consider an earlier model that hasn't been converted. By now all the single chain cars have likely either been converted or blown up, unless you find a very low mileage example. Double row chains still need to be replaced every, I think, 100k miles. They were pretty slow (US versions had 155 hp), which keeps the price down, but have Type III climate control, reliable CIS fuel injection, and are full of that old-school Mercedes build- and engineering quality. Your wife won't know it is the slowest and often considered least desirable of the 107s if you don't tell her. Make sure you have any prospects professionally inspected; that aluminum V8 is NOT inexpensive to fix. Everything else on or wrong with the car should come as no surprise to anyone with 123 experience. Tom
Re: [MBZ] Is There a Bulletproof SL?
Buy a 107 or 113 and put an OM 617 in it. (Preferably with a 5 speed) Short of that, the 380s with the dual chain are quite reasonable. I think 84 and 85 came from the factory with the dual chain. My daughter has an 85 and it has been serviceable, except for a starter failure that took almost 2 weeks to get a starter here. (DHL, not Rusty) If you don't want a show car, the 380s can be reasonably priced. Someone else can tell you the break between single and dual chain by VIN. Of course a lot of the single chain cars have been converted, but there is no way to tell without taking off a valve cover. The later models with the self storing hard top are nice, but pricey. Buy my daughter an SLK 230 and she will give you her 107. At 08:27 AM 3/27/2006, you wrote: So...let's say I was going to buy an SL of some sort for The Queen of All Time, Space, and Dimension. Have any proven to be bulletproof ala what I have come to expect from the MBs (read "diesels") I've had throughout the years? Thanks for ideas Bob Rentfro '77 300D 151K Litchfield Park, AZ ___ http://www.striplin.net For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://striplin.net/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_striplin.net
