The Mercedes-Benz 280SL is no feeble baby. This one's for sale!

In association with Bidding Classics, we got to drive this beautiful Mercedes-Benz 280SL R107 - check out bit.ly/BiddingClassicsHubNut
#ClassicCar #mercedesbenz #enginesound
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[@ImNotBovvered]

A Mercedes from the era of peak-Mercedes quality

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

I wish Mercedes-Benz still made cars like this today. I'm really fed up with seeing A-Classes everywhere and driven by bellends.

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

Every merc with A or B in name are not worth the brand. Unfortunately the shareholders of the brand demand instant profit and give a sheet about the reputation of the star and longterm attributes…

[@azmike3572]

@@siegfriedbarfuss9379 There's a joke that "C" in the model name means "cheap".

[@grayfool]

Still one of the best cars ever. Stylish, solid, and very cool.

[@pjw140]

Until a few years ago I used a 420SL as my only car. Deeply irresponsible for someone on my budget, but I don't regret it. Parts costs are crippling however and eventually I was just priced out of it. But, for my money, the prettiest car ever - I absolutely loved it. Don't believe the nonsense about the facelift cars being more rust resistant - MB built more water traps into that car than you shake a stick at. Takes two big lads and wheel barrow to take the hardtop off, amusingly my owners manual suggested that I should just pop along to my nearest Mercedes Benz agent who would remove the hard top and store it for me. Try doing that today. Despite all that they are superb. Yes they don't go round corners that well, yes they cost an arm to run and yes unless you are not a shortie like me they are a challenge to get in and out of. But, they are so cool. Drive it and you will think you are Richard Gere at the start of American Gigolo, even if like me - you've a face like a robber's dog.

[@michaelstamper5604]

I can imagine, on the day after the world ends, there will be an R107 somewhere, purring quietly just waiting for a driver to come along. And still looking as Hollywood as the day the first one rolled off the production line.

[@markbutcher4100]

I drove a 450slc from london to aberdeen over three days back in the seventies. I still think it was one of the best cars I’ve driven

[@malcolmcowan9554]

I just restored one lovely car not mines guy I work for your right lovely driving machine

[@itsmephil2255]

Still looks classy after all those years

[@stevewilson8467]

So does the car 😄

[@ben_jam]

One of my fave cars of all time, nice to see a manual as well, most of the cars for sale are auto. Stunning and timeless design classic !!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Peak Mercedes here, gorgeous looking car, and certainly gets a shift on. Had to laugh when you went for that imaginary fifth gear😂😂😂 Excellent drive as always.

[@alansorbie4038]

Lovely cars. About 20 years ago I persuaded my parents that they needed one but even then there were some incredibly rusty examples around.

[@timcollins380]

Lovely video and lovely car. My Mum had a 1984 280SL in green. She found the doors a bit too heavy so we swapped cars for the Summer. I had so much fun using the 280SL as a daily driving around the Broads area in Norfolk where I lived at the time. Thanks for the memory.

[@johnscarsandstuff]

From memory, the 350SL was available with manual transmission. As for the automatic, the early 4 speed had a simple fluid coupling, the 3 speed has torque converter coupling, which gives torque multiplication and didn't need such a low, first gear. I'm a big fan of the 280 twin-cam 'six. I'd be quite happy with a 280SL.

[@trumphatesamericans3432]

I remember the Merc 280 six cylinders had the same horsepower at the time as our beloved Holden 4.2 litre V8s at the time here in Straya.

[@Snarfcat]

Just so you know I use my soft top regularly as I live in the UK The hardtop is purely for winter in the 20 years of owning my 450 As I said before my two classic 70's Mercedes are my cheapest cars to run

[@protestagain]

Many choose the 280 and 300 SL for their lower consumption of petrol, but also because they are lighter than the V8 variants. The Euro models usually have a higher price, and the 420 was only sold in Europe and is the rarest of them all. The 560 SL was not sold in Europe, but there are a few of them with Euro specifications, delivered to Japan, Canada and Mexico, among others. Then they have 279 hp against 231 US horses, if I remember correctly. The last 500 SLs were delivered in Europe and had 245 hp. There are some AMG models with a 6.0 liter engine, but they are as expensive as the expensive Ferraris. The problem with the R107 mod, i.e. the SL series, is that they can rust where you don't have a chance to see it, and it costs more than it tastes.

[@thatcheapguy525]

built in an era when Benz built cars worthy of their name. then they married Chrysler and they've never fully recovered since. I remember my local garage in Thailand renovating one of these. they replaced the engine with a Nissan 6 cylinder twin turbo. it actually made quite a bit of sense considering the local availablilty and cost of the Nissan engine over the original unit. never got the chance to see it finished but the workmanship was excellent.

[@Izrealeu]

I own a 280SL my grandfather bought new in 1974. I have owned several V8's as well, but prefer the m110. It is a better balanced car, it sounds great when properly tuned. If I were looking for an R107 I would not pass a 280, not at all. Nice car.

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

I could see that in my garage, they are still so stylish and so cool.

[@BigPaul62]

I had a 1986 500SL in the same Champagne Gold. Fantastic bit of kit but it was only 3 years old when I owned it and the most expensive car I had ever bought so I was a bit scared to drive it for fear of damaging it.

[@nomebear]

It has the non-automatic air conditioner which is far better than the automatic. Plus, the engine easily cruises at high speeds. My neighbor owned the 280SL, I owned the 380SL, both engines were thirsty.😮

[@acl6573]

owned a W126 and W201 … would love one. Definitely next on the list - and the missus agrees!

[@markfraser4745]

Throughly enjoyed this road test, Ian. Top quality journalism. ❤

[@one_eleven]

Love it 😍 and that M110 engine is a gem too

[@micheltebraake7915]

Beautiful car, I worked on such a 280SL in my mechanic time, nice car to test drive.

[@MrFlyingguy]

you make a compelling argument for owenership of these, i have a w114 and was glad you nodded to the family history. great report Ian and thanks for pushing out quality videos.

[@g3prataksha78]

personally I think M103 is the best 6 cylinder engine for these roadsters. Perfect blend of reliability, fuel efficiency, power and simplicity.

[@davidhinkson8856]

Hard to imagine a Benz with roll up windows and a manual! Such a timeless design and in this spec it must be quite rare.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

cool, my Dad had a dark blue 1973 450 SL, bought in 198o sold in 1987. Good memories. Sold for 15, 000 dollars, then bought a new Jeep Cherokee, 4.0 inline 6, 4 wd, five speed manual , for the $ from selling the 450 SL 🥰 dark blue as well.

[@simonjones4776]

280sl Best all round classic car - Quality, performance, usability, hardtop and convertible etc. 👍

[@martinfield1484]

Cor I could listen to that engine all day

[@andrewhaines3259]

And that's what manufacturers should be doing now. Building something attractive, well made and enjoyable to drive, then not mess with it or replace it with a revamped version every couple of years. Servicing, parts etc would be plentiful and reasonably priced. This car now has added provenance! As driven by Ian Seabrook of Hubnut fame!

[@ianmontgomery7534]

I had a 116 280SE and the engine was gorgeous in that larger car so imagine it would have been perfect in a 107. i remember a particularly great trip I had from Mildura back to Melbourne 546K in 4 and 1/4 hours. The Benz brakes of this era were terrific too. 5 Pagodas for sale in Australia are AUD175K to 280K

[@rhspek]

Those are the wheels to have, much nicer that the later smoother wheels.

[@Richard-Bullock]

Machined from a solid lump of steel. Would love one.

[@TheEarlofK]

My father had a 'Pagoda' 280 SL in period and he had a couple of bad accidents in it, the only ones he ever had, due to rear drum brakes locking in the wet. I think the R107 SL was better engineered in this respect and obviously represents better value compared to the over-inflated prices of the 'Pagoda'; still a handsome car, more masculine than the W113 and represents peak Mercedes-Benz build quality before the bean-counters ruined their reputation.

[@leeallen1407]

R107 most beautiful convertible ever built

[@plym1969]

Hubnut at his absolute best. Magnificent review of a classic.

[@johngrubb1590]

Now that's a cool car and the colour and the interior is gorgeous.

[@simonc858]

Lovely car, I always admired these, I was pleased to see that in my BMW they still have the cold setting on the centre vents no matter what else is set to warm, albeit you need the fan switched on

[@bryanwhitfield7125]

Can't believe you forgot to mention the headlamp wipers! 😆

[@HubNut]

They sadly didn't work...

[@user-ih7gc7dt9l]

Superb cars. Love that 6 sound. I used to have a 450se and was very sorry to see it go to the next owner. I agree about the 6 cylinder, it makes great use of its 180hp and is probably all you need. SLC model is a bargain, 🤫 don’t tell anyone!

[@kevcracknell4542]

That would be a perfect addition to the hubnut fleet

[@HubNut]

I suspect it'll sell for more than the fleet is worth... (Which isn't much to be fair)

[@kevcracknell4542]

@@HubNut add a tow bar and perfect for towing Bob

[@shepshepherd]

I will forever associate the SL with the classic 1980s TV series Dempsey & Makepeace :)

[@allanwinter4991]

My Dad owned a 500v8 SL in black. A fantastically well screwed together motor car. When Mercedes built cars to a high engineering standard not to a price.

[@domenicodileo9487]

I have got a W123 Coupe 230CE, 4 cylinders, which on the heavier car that the W123 is still feels rather adequate I am sure, as you rightly point out, that the SL 280 in-line 6, being a smaller and lighter car than the W123, must feel very enjoyable to drive, good power and a lighter front end as opposed to the bulkier V8s.

[@jonnycando]

The V8 grunt is for America, where we like what we can do with prodigious torque at relatively low speeds….i think many in the UK like that too.

[@twocvbloke]

Yup, the US 500SL was neutered cos of the emissions stuff they insisted on slapping onto it over there, so Mercedes made the 560SL for them, which gave the performance(ish) of the Euro 500SL, but with the emissions stuff to appease the paper-pushers, a friend over there has a grey-import Euro 500SL, which if I recall took a trip via Australia many years ago to end up unofficially imported into the US and mildly disguised with the US-DOT headlamps (the twin round sealed-beam jobs), and has been in his family for 40 odd years since, and only relatively recently officially became his car...

[@PenryMMJ]

Very nice. Roof off, Stetson on, Dallas theme tune on the stereo. Bullet proof vest, just in case. 😁

[@21stcenturyozman20]

Great review of a great car from the era of great German machinery - before MB got carried away with being unreliable blingmobiles.

[@bendeakin1505]

Lovely car, great video 👍

[@killahbunnie]

Took one of these in Part-Ex against the new R129 500SL when I worked for Mercedes, blagged it as a company car for a few days until it went on sale, sold it in less than a day, be a great car for it's next owner.

[@ysbx]

It's really reliable

[@fhwolthuis]

What a beautiful car! Excellent video too 👏🏼😀

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Nothing beats British Leyland quirky cars as Landcrabs, Princesses and Allegros -- love those range of cars! Princess 2200HLS is my all time favourite british car! A real british Lancia-Citroen !

[@nomebear]

The young man who purchased my 380SL raved about it being rust free and so well maintained. I later learned he disassembled it and sold it for parts.

[@davidsherrick898]

Sad to hear that, someone stole my W201 1993 190 LE, and stole all the parts off! Nothing left but a shell of its former self. There's an abandoned 1980s 300D around the corner, I'm trying to get / restore, but the no one answered the door were the car is in the driveway.

[@scottlp2323]

A missed opportunity. You and Miss Hubnut as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart. With Diego as Freeway! 👌😁

[@baltobenz9508]

Looks much better without the giant US spec bumpers. We never got the cloth interiors here for some reason.

[@andreasu.3546]

"This is my boss, Jonathan Hart - a self-made millionaire."

[@maxeluy]

For me that's the engine to go. Beautiful example.

[@dannywalsh840]

There’s a blue one in the Trafford centre near me, preserved in mint condition. Was the owners mothers I think

[@smoothmicra]

Even in that old man colour and least sexy engine, that is a gorgeous car. 👍

[@tony-yp6qk]

Nice another great video has always Ian and miss hubnut and hublets and hubmutts 👍

[@Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968]

Your example is definitely a survivor. I've seen plenty of not so fortunate examples, practically a net curtain of rust. It is a nice car, but be careful it is also going to be a money pit when it comes to keeping it up together and looking good.

[@JR90.]

THAT sound! 😍

[@martinneumann7783]

Doctor's wife's car to get to the tennis court... Nice road test as always. Thanks, Ian and see you soon again. [Martin]

[@seamusobrien2675]

Funny you should choose this car. I have just bought a 2001 W210 E340 (54,000k's - yes that's right) Rhino , that last of the great Mercs.. I have fallen in love with it. When you come to OZ again it's all yours to drive around and do your stuff. She is called Cherry.

[@thomasrpoulsen]

Great car and in my opinion the 2.8 is the best engine and with around 185 hp as fast as the 350, 380 and 450. To be precise: Production ended 4.8.1989. Chers PS Bobby Erwing had one.

[@bennyhannover9361]

Yeah but the 280 SL was ceased in 1985 when the Aluminium Block 300 engine from the W124 Series was introduced into the S Class models. The aluminum engine was more delicate when overheating then the head would wind and it is dead the Grey moulded 280 is rougher in his voice but as long as the cooling water circulation works and oil is controlled regularly it is easier to maintain. It has seven bearings on the crankshaft that is why this version in 1972 introduced turned easily at 5.800 rpm when 185 Hp is reached acceleration in 10 seconds to 100 km/h and 205 kmh 127 m/h per hour topspeed. decent petrol consumption between 12.5 and 15.5 liters per 62 miles whether you go 65 miles or 100 miles traveling speed.

[@Pmjs]

I remember Patrick Duffy in Dallas and The Man from Atlantis.

[@allanriches9381]

I could see Mrs Hub Nuts driving the beast 😁. If memory serves me correct the rally winning SLC was an automatic, and is in a Mercedes museum.

[@christineayres7199]

even though it has 4 gears according to the info i have seen online this car does 130mph which is more than enough , the 0-60 is adequate too 9 secs

[@aaronhussain3873]

Been thinking about getting either one of these or an E24 BMW (or even something else) as a stablemate to my W123. I generally thought V8 was the way to go with the R107, but apparently not! Very useful video, Ian 👍

[@ianmontgomery7534]

test drive a six my 166 had plenty of power and if you want to use it as a GT it should do the trick.

[@OhioPeteS2k]

Once again you’re driving a car I want and have been online looking for a few month. This or a R129. The 107s here around Ohio are either rusty or want a lot of money for if they’re not deep into 6 figure mileage. Prices for nice ones are definitely higher lately. I love that dark red and plaid interior and I prefer a six cylinder over the v8.

[@danton733]

Great to see the 4-sp. What a beautiful car. A W116 280S model on a carb with manual transmission might also be very Hubnut. Similar wipers. Unfortuantely, don't have one to offer or I would.

[@sebastian0107]

Personally, I found the 6 cil. more entertaining to drive than the small V8 350. I had both in SLC format. The 4-automatic went very well with the 6. The manual 4 I had on the V8 was less fun; it just didn't suit the car. Mileage was nearly the same.

[@Banglish123]

I love these cars. Get a red one and pretend to be Bobby Ewing out of Dallas 😂 Great review of this car in the original hubnut style

[@peterofenback9263]

This M110 engine was called the Schellenbaum (Turkish Cescent) at Mercedes because of its many moving parts, which produce strange noises.

[@peterriggall8409]

Like that. Pretty car. 😍

[@barryphillips7327]

Ian was drawn towards it ''headlight wipers '' mmmmmmmmm🤣🤣

[@nigozeroichi2501]

This will make you sick, it did me, few years ago I was at a salvage yard, there were two of these complete and in good condition matching vanity plates, what really made me sick was this yard only payed (at the time) $200 a car, who in their right mind parts with TWO mercs for only $400,

[@stevenwatson3963]

I always loved the looks.

[@trondgroenseth6084]

The 2,8 litre Twin Cam engine is a great engine. The power is more than adequate. Automatic is a must IMO though and that too is a 4 speed, not a 3 speed.

[@graemew7001]

What a gorgeous car, a 5th gear would be nice by from the sound it makes at 70 mph it's not desperate for one. I've always thought that the larger SLC is such a beautiful car and would love to be able to afford one of those.

[@MrGarethDHughes]

Spot on review spot on car. Perfect Thank you

[@neilfoster814]

I've never been a fan of Mercedes Benz cars, but I have to admit, that is a nice car. And 2.8L isn't ridiculous as far as engines go either, but cries out for a 5th gear or overdrive in my opinion.

[@tonys1636]

That was specced to a tight budget, the manual box was an expensive enough extra over the standard auto without ordering an overdrive. That bottom end radio was also a factory fitted extra, no radio was bog standard. There was a 90 day order wait for factory fitted options.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

A most interesting vehicle indeed thus great content for the channel well done 👌👌

[@johndrake2729]

Ain't like today, where the top retracts itself at the push of a button.

[@Koulis_]

Americans would have thought anything less than a V8 would have been sub par as the majority of cars were huge and big engined in the 70s. Unfortunate, but at least Mercedes produced a very European product in terms of quality.

[@AJT296]

Beautiful car from the best era of timeless, granite like Mercedes. The Bobby Ewing Mercedes but without the stupid American bumper extensions making it look that much more sleek

[@deanstevenson6527]

From 1976 to 1985, the antipodean Australian cars had US spec compression ratio engines, always automatic, often long wheelbase. Always lethargic and slow. A Triumph Stag would jump over any Ocker 450SLC.They didnt even crack the 225 hp mark. Rather than retune the Bosch K Jetronic with the better D Jetronic and raise the compression ratio a little, the OZ soec cars had the US spec engine with an 8.3:1 Two Star Fuel Stanadrd gasoline spec. The 280SL manual is a mid 16 second quarter mile car, with more top speed than the Oz or US 450 SLC

[@billbollins]

I finally figured out who you remind me of 'Mr the nut sir'. You are the 'John Peel' of the motoring world.

[@HubNut]

Wow. That's a compliment!

[@sirdigbyminge1639]

Old fashioned and obnoxious. But enough about me. What a great motor! Keep it up Ian!

[@NSW2040]

It’s surprising that the gearing is so high (correction: low); on the autobahn it would be screaming.

[@erik_dk842]

The gearing is low - the ratio is high. Back then they preferred liveliness in top gear over low noise and good fuel economy . Nothing kills performance like to high gearing

[@siwynjones]

For years, me and a mate had a running gag about the beautiful town of Beaumaris. Every time one of us would go, the other one would enquire as to how many “Bobby Ewing Mercs” we’d seen. The whole place used to be crawling in them. Posh, Beaumaris like. I’d love a 107 but I’m always minded of my dad’s wisdom: “Cars get cheaper to buy, but not cheaper to fix. How much were they new?” Maybe I’ll stick to prole motors.

[@Mr8erg]

Motoring cockroaches, these things are built to long-forgotten standards.

[@nickyfield137]

Never understood the cockroach hardiness thing given that they are easily dispatched with a swiftly wielded flip flop !

[@Roger_Ramjet]

​@@nickyfield137there won't be any humans left to wield flip flops....

[@nickyfield137]

@@Roger_Ramjet it don't matter then

[@robertsedgwick1629]

the allegro has a similarly bizzare wiper set-up

[@huwdavies6650]

Ahh, so that's why you were in my neck of the woods the other week. Absolutely bomb proof those things and when compared to the first generation, pretty cheap to buy.

[@theshowmanuk]

Very nice car.

[@roseybut]

I love them. Fabulous cars. Because German!!

[@TheBasementChannel]

The door trim strip doesn’t line up with the front wing trim strip and it’s driving me crazy 😂

[@wingtang1180]

I think its stablemate the W116 280S with a manual column shifter is more fun to drive

[@Phil-1969]

Evening Ian Next time your around Bicester, I have a 2003 audi TT 3.2 roadster mk1 and a early 1990 cavalier 1.6L pov spec no power steering or electric windows, I know you have driven a TT but I don’t think that was the 3.2 V6 ? Anyway if you fancy driving either let me know and we can sort something out , there’s a video on my channel of the cars

[@HubNut]

Cheers! Best bet is to drop an email to [e-mail] so I have the details on hand.

[@19892CV]

Lovely. I regret selling my 500