1991 Mercedes 300SL - How much of a pain are these?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

Slippery GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/25/14 11:31 a.m.

I have a lead on a one owner '91 300SL with 82k miles. All records (window sticker shows $91k new!!) , both tops, white outside/black inside. He wants $6500.

I never owned a Mercedes but I've had a few BMW so I am used to German quirks. I don't really need the car but its intriguing.

So with that being said, I have a few questions:

are these known for transmission problems?
biodegradable wiring?
are these full of vacuum lines like previous years?
anything else of concern?

Thanks!

Fueled by Caffeine MegaDork
10/25/14 11:47 a.m.

paging curmudgeon

yupididit Reader
10/25/14 1:36 p.m.

R107

Travis_K UberDork
10/25/14 1:40 p.m.

That shouldn't have the biodegradable wiring problems, but other than that I don't know. I seem to remember some $cary issues with the top mechanism on some of those, but I am not sure which particular model it was referring to.

Slippery GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/25/14 1:43 p.m.

Travis_K wrote: That shouldn't have the biodegradable wiring problems, but other than that I don't know. I seem to remember some $cary issues with the top mechanism on some of those, but I am not sure which particular model it was referring to.

The seller told me the top is in good condition and works as intended. No hydraulic leaks, so I am assuming it has 100 different hydraulic cylinders like my buddy's Crossfire.

Jarod GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/25/14 2:30 p.m.

My dad has one and loves it, he has owned it for about two years with no problems with it so far. Disclaimer: he also is retired with a fleet of vehicles to rely on, so not many miles are put on it.

ccrelan Reader
10/25/14 4:52 p.m.

These cars are based on the w124. The value of these generation of cars are very low right now. You can get a SL500 for less $6500 without looking too hard. They look great with the three piece OZ AMG wheels.

bgkast GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/25/14 5:00 p.m.

This is a R129, the R107 ran from 1972 to 1989

yupididit Reader
10/25/14 5:36 p.m.

bgkast wrote: This is a R129, the R107 ran from 1972 to 1989

I'm suggesting him to buy R107.

Mmadness HalfDork
10/26/14 5:34 p.m.

Check the sound insulation on the back side of the hood. This will eventually start to disintegrate and flake, then land on something hot.

Tranny should be good for a while at 82k. mi.

The tops have a magnetic sensor in them that can be lost, misaligned, or not re-installed after a new top. In this case, the top will raise almost all the way and then fail to latch.

If the top hydraulics break, it can be raised(or lowered) it manually; the cheapest solution would be to leave it raised or lowered permanently.