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Mercedes 380--450--560 SLs

437 messages,  Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 7:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Convertible

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#57 of 437 a lightbulb moment by speedshift Oct 25, 2000 (5:11 pm)
What we have here is more than the eternal purist vs. customizer debate. It's an example of the SoCal vs. Bay Area difference in style.
#58 of 437 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Oct 25, 2000 (11:03 pm)
Sort of, but it's also a value question. As an appraiser, I take off value for something like this, as it is "non-stock" and also gives the car what is called in the business the "boy racer" look. I don't mean that as an criticism, only stating that your decision has a monetary consequence. Of course, we are not talking about a rare Ferrari, so maybe no big deal.
#59 of 437 by sddlw Oct 26, 2000 (2:05 pm)
Well, if this was a collectable car, and we were trying to restore it to original and show condition, I'd say saying with OEM wheels would definately be the right thing to do. I have heard that even today, MBZ dealers are having the wheels chromed rather than getting factory chrome, so I guess that might imply the W107s never had stock chrome. .... But I just don't see that as being that big a deal on this 380SL. As you pointed out, it ain't no rare Ferrari. Besides, if a purest wanted the car down the road, how hard would it be to find stock wheels? The car already has tons of chrome, and my wife REALLY wants them.
#60 of 437 by dgraves1 Oct 26, 2000 (3:25 pm)
Considering earlier posts regarding spouse happiness, I'd say chrome it is!
#61 of 437 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Oct 26, 2000 (6:25 pm)
What can I say? I think they look terrible, but they're better than wire wheels on the car, I'd admit to that. Chrome is an "accent", like jewelry...too much is too much and it looks like too much. Less is more with chrome, especially on a German car. The idea is to highlight, but not emphasis the wheels over the rest of the car. It will look like ALL WHEEL with a body attached, I think. This is why some very nice older German cars have "beauty rims"...these are just chrome inserts into the steel hub...you may have seen these on older Porsche 356s and Karmann Ghias, etc. This gives the wheel some "flash" but not overkill. The stock rims are quite nice actually. If you've never seen powdercoating you really should check it out.
#62 of 437 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 19, 2000 (9:34 pm)
Probably the valve guides themselves are worn. For a more accurate idea of engine condition, you should have a cylinder leakdown test done; otherwise, compression tests can fool you...you can have good compression rings but bad oil rings, and that won't show on a regular compression test. Old Volvo engines are symptomatic of this latter type of problem.
#63 of 437 tire / rim size by ataie Nov 28, 2000 (5:01 pm)
what's the widest tire I can put on MB W126? (83 500SE model) I'm replacing the current 14" rims with a newer MB 16", and want to fill the fender gap as much as possible. Was thinking 225x60x16, but wasn't sure. any ideas anyone???
#64 of 437 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 28, 2000 (10:07 pm)
What I've always done is have my tire shop fit one on a lift and then look over the clearances. This is hard to predict from a chart. Maybe the MB Club can help on this. Just offhand, I don't think it will work.
#65 of 437 Calling Mr. Shiftright by merckx Dec 09, 2000 (4:53 pm)
Not an SL question-hope that's OK.I'm going to look at a 1966 Mercedes 220S-asking $3750.Odo shows 21000;I'm thinking 221000 is mostlikely.I'm really not expecting much from it,just slow weekend drives with it.I've always loved old Mercedes.A/C doesn't even work,and I don't mind.That's how little I expect it to be like a modern car.I don't want to have to junk it months from now because of a huge repair. It's got an automatic,and I know that lacking a modern torque converter,it shirts very rough.In the few I've driven in the past,I've always been so overly light on the gas pedal-that's how much the rough shift seems like impending doom.Are these old automatics best avoided?What do you think of the car I've described?What would be a good price to offer the seller? As I say,I really would just want the car to last as a fun weekend car.Thanks for any advice you or anyone elsecan offer.
#66 of 437 Tailfin Mercedes by merckx Dec 12, 2000 (4:05 pm)
Thanks for your input.At idle,car had a fairly noticable blue-white plume from tailpipe.Ran my finger inside pipe-oily and readily black.Does this automatically imply such an expensive repair that i should walk away?Brand new paint-suspiousally thick-I found one rust bubble.Bottom of one rear quarter panel solid bondo-again,automatically out?I don't want to be too critical of an inexpensive car.It drives perfectly,shifts much smoother tnan I rember.Chrome perfect,new black paint.whitewalls-ithink the car looks magnificent!(at first glance).Should I keep looking?Can you estimate what the engine repair might cost?

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