Which Mercedes-Benz SL should you buy?

[@andrewfitzmaurice7843]

Great video, I have always fancied an R107 being a fan of that era Mercedes, but the W140/R129 is becoming more appealing and more importantly is a cheaper option!

[@SportsandGT]

Yes, more modern conveniences too and likely to hold its value and even increase.

[@sgoody1]

R107 just looks so much more of a classic. Maybe it’s all the chrome? But a real head turner!

[@SportsandGT]

It sure does. The R107’s longevity meant that the replacement R129 was a big leap forward in design terms and still looks relatively modern.

[@reinmansmith]

As a fellow R230 owner I think you’re right on your assessment. For me though the R230 is the prettiest, best drive for your bucks and at the current prices an absolute bargain if you choose carefully. Like you I’m hoping that prices will start to climb over the next few years but even if they don’t I have a wonderful car to enjoy 😊

[@SportsandGT]

Which do you have? V6 or V8?

[@reinmansmith]

@@SportsandGT the V8 2003 SL500 which I love and she always turns heads.

[@SportsandGT]

@@reinmansmith great to hear, a lovely engine

[@azmike3572]

Except for that expensive-to-fix ABC suspension system.

[@reinmansmith]

@@azmike3572 but aren’t all cars expensive to repair now? If you buy an R230 SL at what I think is a bargain price, simply put £2-3k aside as a repair fund and your overall spend is still very low for a V8 GT car. If you factor in very low or no depreciation then it’s cheap motoring. 😊

[@jameshilaire6846]

I had the pleasure of owning a black AMG sl600 which chrome wheels a silver SL 600 from Texas and a 97 AMG sl500 this is the best year the beefier m119 engine with the better seats than in my 99 black sl 500 a one owner has a wheel style like a Porsche. Love them all the black sl 600 are engineering marvels !! My favorites! Still have the silver one!!

[@SportsandGT]

@@jameshilaire6846 nice, the AMG variants are another level of awesome.

[@junkorbust9498]

Thanks for the video. It definitely opens a can of worms hey?! I’m considering an R107 right now. I’m in Western Canada and I have an opportunity to acquire a good solid running 79 450SL at a very reasonable price, granted it’ll need a bit of recommissioning as you say across the pond. These cars are very under appreciated here on the prairies, especially the eastern prairies, they are seen as very complex machines in collector circles here, and of course they are when compared to the usual North American big lump V8 fare folks are used to. The asking price for the SL is the equivalent of £3000 for a rust free running car with both tops and driver quality original paint and interior. It’s been on offer all summer and no buyer has stepped forward. I apologize for the long story, you have helped me decide to take the plunge.

[@SportsandGT]

Biggest issue with them is rust down the front bulkhead if the drain holes get blocked. And general bodywork can be extensive/expensive - check for filler etc. Good luck - at £3k you can’t really go wrong I guess if it’s drivable.

[@jamiehoujabi6522]

I bought an r230 3.7 2006 one early this year and I have never had so much pride and love for a car.! Beautiful car! I’m just worried about the lights going foggy, at the moment it’s like new as the previous owner kept it in a heated garage. Will keep it in a garage over the winter. Great video btw

[@SportsandGT]

Thanks. Yes loving my R230 although I may have to sell it to get something else. One in, one out!

[@RTBosch]

Maintenance! My SL500 AMG DESIGNO 154K KM is well maintened and looks like new, above. And new at the bottom, according my technician. This one time expensive 130k sportscar is built from good materials.

[@recurvearcher6542]

Bought a R230, 2009 SL 350 with then 52,000klm $45,000 AU 4years ago today insurance company full compressive $47,500 still just 62,000klm, so they are holding or increasing in value, a pleasure to drive in Perth.

[@SportsandGT]

@@recurvearcher6542 having sold mine two years ago now I’m starting to look again. Whilst I liked the twin headlamp era - the 2008+ facelift is also growing on me. I’ve even seen one for sale in the same blue that I had.

[@erickschaefer5886]

I daily drove a r107 for a few years and found it hard to keep up with traffic and brakes along with the heaviness weren’t the greatest. Now I daily a r129 and it’s a world a difference. All are great but I can confirm the r129 handles anything I throw at it, including driving through flash flood rains in south Florida. (No water in oils, I checked)

[@SportsandGT]

The R129 is a very capable car - and has many modern features compared to the long-running R107. It is also a very popular model now, old enough to be worthy of attention but with a more up to date feel. Florida sounds a great place to own one too - even with the flooding!

[@erickschaefer5886]

@@SportsandGT Agreed! They’re marvelous👌 great video

[@SportsandGT]

many thanks@@erickschaefer5886

[@Carduelis_parvaksa]

R129 💪

[@SportsandGT]

Yes, they’re very popular.

[@RTBosch]

For MB SL stands for both SPORTS a. LEICHT

[@SportsandGT]

No - super leicht not sport - it has been confirmed by MB themselves

[@mrdiavel4807]

I’d like to see a runner pagoda for £50k , no chance these days. r107 is where it’s at, last of the classics that’s not too expensive to run and easier to maintain , the later models could break the bank in repairs , too many electronics and massively expensive parts .

[@SportsandGT]

Good, sorted R107s are fetching high prices now too. The later ones with ABC fitted are over £1k a corner WHEN (not if) it goes wrong!

[@mrdiavel4807]

@@SportsandGT but I think there is still a way to go before they top out , sounds crazy because they made so many but early ones without any trickery are simple enough to work on and won’t break the bank so for the average collector that wants a usable driver and put some miles on , reasonably reliable there isn’t a lot else to choose from , pagodas now are all about preserving the restoration with minimal miles and those even ropey ones are being bought up for resto for investment, very few people want to rack up any miles .

[@topfell8277]

If you the work yourself you are way ahead

[@SportsandGT]

For sure - anything you can do yourself could save thousands in specialist labour.

[@ianjnelson]

Good Vlog but sound is a bit of a worry. Thank you. I have an SLK 350.

[@SportsandGT]

Thanks. Yes, working on the sound. It’s the camera.

[@DonYang73]

£20k for a really good R230?? Thats crazy cheap!!! Its the price of a watch! 🙂 wow

[@SportsandGT]

Yes, there are many for sale £10-15k even.

[@stephenmakos1649]

Seriously the audio sucks on this..do you ever check your vids before posting them...smh...

[@SportsandGT]

Sorry about that, this video was made a while back but even now I can only work with what equipment I have or can afford.

[@arneericsson7319]

Louisy sound!

[@SportsandGT]

Not great I admit. It was a while ago before I had better equipment. Hopefully things have improved. Thanks for watching.

[@paulwibb.8944]

Was looking at buying another SL, but there's that much crap out there,, and everyone thinks their selling a future classic, truth is the ones that have been properly used are overpriced and a mess,,especially the R129. Your not buying an appreciating classic anymore, they will soon be unusable, unsellable garage ornaments. Unless they are concourse condition, but in that case would you want to devalue it by actually using it for it's very purpose,, pathetic really.

[@SportsandGT]

There is a high degree of variation in prices and condition out there for sure. On sites like eBay you often see classics and modern classics with unrealistic reserves because someone told them it was worth a lot more, or they saw one go for a high sum but didn’t realise it was different/better etc. Whichever route you take, a car with a good history file with regular use and servicing/repair is always the best option - even if the miles are higher. Good luck with your search.

[@anthonyhickson686]

Why is he, like many others, driving and doing a program at the same time. Maybe it's trendy of something.

[@SportsandGT]

Would it be more interesting if I were sat at a desk talking about cars?

[@anthonyhickson686]

@@SportsandGT He could be showing us the cars. We don't have to look at him. If using a phone while driving is dangerous what is producing a program.

[@SportsandGT]

@@anthonyhickson686 he does indeed show the cars too

[@Tigerfire75]

The 230 was a down grade and 231 isn't really any better.

[@SportsandGT]

There’s a lot of love still for the R129 but I went for the 230 because of the practicality of the roof.

[@liatsotskhalashvili8986]

Mercedes Benz SL S350 S500

[@SportsandGT]

Good cars

[@joomo1944]

Nobody know about r230 GS 03 only 50 made….

[@SportsandGT]

The Lorinser one? I have to confess I’m not a big fan of adding body styling kits. I’m sure they’re great cars though.

[@joomo1944]

@@SportsandGT yes sir my friend own one … they r expensive and hard to Find ….

[@h3l3njl]

But the R129 is just so.......nineties! I like a curvier car

[@SportsandGT]

It’s in that grey area between being modern and classic. Certainly looks and feels more modern than classic though.

[@joecool5477]

The 1997 R129 was the last year of Mercedes Benz, Before they merged with Chrysler and quality control went down ..fact

[@jdrennsport8704]

@@joecool5477 Sorry, but that’s not really a “fact”. The merger wasn’t even approved by shareholders until the very end of 1998. If you know anything about M&A, particularly of companies this size, you’ll know that integration and any real changes to manufacturing wouldn’t occur for sometime after that. While it is true that the R230 which followed the R129 is widely considered to be inferior in quality to the R129, there are few significant qualitative/manufacturing/engineering differences between the post facelift R129 (which occurred in 1998 for MY 1999) and older R129s other than the switch from M119 to M113 V8 motor. The M119 is considered to have more character while the M113 is considered to be more efficient and cleaner. Both are known to be very robust/reliable power plants.

[@小姐黄-s9f]

「こんなにいいとは思えない」、

[@SportsandGT]

You don’t think it’s good? The video or the cars?

[@alonsocordaro4880]

SL R129 without doubt

[@SportsandGT]

They’re getting a lot of love at the moment, for sure.

[@BenzAddiction]

Good video, very true, R129 is the way to go...

[@SportsandGT]

Thank you. You can't go wrong with any of them but that's probably the one with the most to gain in the short term.

[@autoartsassistant9103]

I have an R129 SL500 and an R230 SL55 AMG. I love the R129 more

[@SportsandGT]

The later AMG’s sound great but there’s something to be said for a more leisurely V8 burble.

[@fioranof1871]

Same here

[@OatesSteve]

I love my designo package R230,,,05 SL 55 AMG, also I owned129,,, 93 300 SL, problem with that and all of those six cylinders are the head gaskets blow and minded it’s just under 100,000 miles on it and I took care of it, it was red it was beautiful the hydraulics in the convertible top Not fun rebuilding the cylinders for the top “12 hydraulic cylinders “however if you have the time you can rebuild the cylinders yourself very time consuming, Also to put a transmission in the 300 SL, however I loved every minute I’ve only had it was so beautiful And drove like a dream,All SL are beautiful.

[@Tinytim15867]

Think you got your yrs massively wrong on 129 was 89 to 2001.....

[@radmansa5514]

I have my R129 for six years, fortunately I am able to maintain it myself. Be careful of the wiring harnesses on some year models and the hydraulics, if not done use as a price negotiator, but you can still buy and have them, great car 🔥😻👌😎 good video

[@SportsandGT]

Thanks - good tips

[@dubjohnston]

R107 has run. Our old men drive those. You wanted to get a r107 15 years ago. It's well and truly the start of the r129 and those will rise. The r230 just don't have the cool look and that bloody important in the long run and motor won't go forever either so it's got a shorter lifespan. The latest model looks cool but you'll need to wait for the bottom and that may take 15 years and wait another 15 after that to find value. Get yourself the r129

[@SportsandGT]

I think you're right about the R107 - not many opportunities left unless you've got the time and skills to do a resto. R129 is on the march already and actually even my R230 has gone up a few thousand since I bought it. Not a long term prospect though.

[@adek330Ci]

I have SL 500 r129 great car.

[@SportsandGT]

Nice. Look after it and if it’s a good one I believe it will steadily rise in value.

[@dariankoltzer3646]

Idea is good but the video and audio quality are making the video bad, u don’t have to do the video while ur driving. If u don’t have the right equipment

[@SportsandGT]

Thank you, I can’t disagree but this was about a year ago now, using just an iPhone in car, hopefully things have got better since. I’m not a professional but as and when I can justify better kit, I get it.

[@LawrenceMarkFearon]

That you daily an R230 is very conclusive for me. It's the most livable in amongst modern SL's. Also the quickest.

[@SportsandGT]

It's a very capable car - reliable, comfortable and quick when you want it to be

[@EZ6FIGURES]

Not the quickest. My R231 V8 is definitely quicker than any non AMG R230. For sure!

[@LawrenceMarkFearon]

@@EZ6FIGURES Except for a proper SL600. Armed with its 510 horsepower twin turbo V12, it's just a bit quicker than an R231 SL550 at speed.

[@EZ6FIGURES]

@@LawrenceMarkFearon Yes, I forgot about the venerable V12. But the horrible gas mileage in the V12 is not worth the split second.

[@greggordon1467]

Thanks a very good guide to the SL. I think the removable hardtops were a winter option (particularly for parts of Germany). In the Spring/Summer the soft top can be used. The R107 was better built? and certainly better looking than the next series.

[@SportsandGT]

Yes, of course you could use the soft top for everyday but with the weather so unpredictable a metal roof gives good peace of mind. The R107 was indeed the last of the SLs where Mercedes over-engineered everything.

[@bikemike1118]

@@SportsandGT that’s actually NOT true. The R129 was technologically the biggest step up in all SL model changes. R107 VERY dated, based on a 1960‘s construction! And the Hardtops of the R129 were a serial standard (not an option). A buyer could optionally say no to the hardtop and save a few bucks up front ( think it was 1.500 German Mark back in the day).

[@Tommyplaysguitar]

R107 is The Golden one

[@SportsandGT]

It is certainly the sweet spot - a proper classic and still relatively easy to find and buy a good one.

[@Tommyplaysguitar]

@@SportsandGT just not cheap 😂 😂 😂

[@RMBarb]

Quick Correction on the Facts: At 2:22 in the video he states the R129 was around until 2001, when in fact is was around until 2002 when Mercedes capped off the series with the R129 Silver Arrow. Personally I own a 2002 R129 SL500. One of my favorite features of 2002 my SL is that it has a completely different look in the cooler months vs. the summer months with 2 different tops. 2002 was the last year the SL had both a hard top and a soft top.

[@SportsandGT]

Thanks Ryan. I'm pretty sure factory production switched to the R230 in late 2001. However, there may have been some overlap and also some run-out Silver Arrow R129s in the sales pipeline well into 2002. You are right about the different look having the two tops. R129s are a good buy at the moment and tipped to appreciate even more next year.

[@nunyabiznes4471]

I have a 1997 Sl500, the R129. It has 315hp I had all of the hydraulics rebuilt. It’s an excellent car.

[@SportsandGT]

Lovely - sounds like a keeper!

[@fioranof1871]

Lets not talk about money ... i think the r129 is the prettiest

[@SportsandGT]

What I like is that there is something for everyone in the line up. Each has its own following. Although I have an R230, I’d have an R107 if I’d got somewhere to garage it properly.

[@nerobruno]

Fix the audio! You're cracking and popping.

[@SportsandGT]

Yes it was one of my early videos with limited equipment. Hopefully better sound these days. Thanks for watching though.

[@aktiemannen]

Hi and thanks for a great video. I am currently looking for a 560 SL from the late 80. I am interested in just gliding around. So I think 560 should fit. Not easy to find in Sweden where I live, so probably import it from Germany. What are your thougts about that car? Thanks

[@SportsandGT]

Thank you. I don’t think you will find many 560SLs this side of the Atlantic as it was primarily a North America export model - essentially a 500 V8 with a longer stroke to give the extra cc. You’ll find many more 500s, which would be just as good for European roads. As with all R107 models, check for rust in the footwells and bulkhead from blocked drains in front of the windscreen. It was a common issue that may have been sorted by the later variants. Good luck - they’re lovely looking classics and very popular.

[@aktiemannen]

@@SportsandGT Thank you so much for your reply, much appreciated! I will certainly take your advice in consideration. I personally think the R107 is the best looking SL. And I really loved to follow the family Ewing. They were so rebellic (in comparison to my life here in Sweden) 😄

[@SportsandGT]

@@aktiemannen Dallas was pure escapism for me as a kid - a lifestyle so far removed from mine!

[@leighcurrid1]

Great advice, thanks Please upgrade your camera brackets though all the shaking was very off putting to watch until the end

[@SportsandGT]

Yes, sorry - I am looking at options

[@billeudy8481]

I had an 8 year old 190 SL in high school. It was amazingly slow.

[@SportsandGT]

Slow but cool though, right?

[@severinwolf497]

Great information but the sound is terrible

[@SportsandGT]

Thanks, yes I shot this video a while ago with just basic equipment - hopefully things are better with my more recent films.

[@jamesreckling6697]

The nickname for the R107 was the the Panzer Wagon.

[@SportsandGT]

Built like a tank

[@Leonchik999.]

Thanks for nice content. Big like from me and a subscription

[@SportsandGT]

Thank you

[@coasterpath]

2008,, SL 550 best

[@SportsandGT]

Great noise from that V8 👍🏻 Thanks for watching.

[@codycole3202]

“Super Light”. Hahaha! My R129, 92 500 SL weighs 4220 pounds. I didn’t know Germans had a sense of humor. It has its drawbacks, however, she’s a fantastic driver and I love it. These can be had quite cheap here in the states. However, fuel mileage makes it quite expensive to operate. The exact opposite of a Prius!

[@SportsandGT]

Yes it is a bit of a joke. I don’t think even the original SL was that light - maybe lighter than what else was around at the time. R129 have recently been coming of age with values starting to rise. Enjoy!

[@JustinSmithPYRO]

Personally I'd love an R107 or an R129 or both. My favorite of the SL series. I have a 2014 C63 AMG that I drive. Have almost 70000 miles on it. But if I had half a million or more to spend on a car. Bet your ass I would have a gull wing

[@SportsandGT]

Not a bad choice, I have a soft spot for the R107 too. But yes, Gull Wing for sure if money was no object!

[@JustinSmithPYRO]

@@SportsandGT yes. Exactly. My dad worked for a Mercedes dealer up until 93. Worked there for 30 years in parts dept. The owner of the place used to keep his gullwing in the showroom. When I got my permit, he said pick any car here and we'll go for a ride, I said any one? Ok let's take the gullwing Roland. He looked at me and said any other car lol. So he let me take out a 600 SL. Miss that dealership and that man. He treated me like i was his own grandson

[@SportsandGT]

@@JustinSmithPYRO Great memories

[@JustinSmithPYRO]

@@SportsandGT yes they are indeed

[@honguenloh4612]

Beautiful

[@SportsandGT]

The earlier ones really are beautiful and even the later models have an elegance to them.

[@mrkayuga]

As SL55 R230 owner I’d say there are cars before that, and there are cars after that. And crazy thing, all cars after that, when you compare, they all fail to it and, you come back to SL55.

[@SportsandGT]

The AMG SL55 is a good choice for sure.

[@EZ6FIGURES]

I wanted to save thousands and get a R230, but the interior was just too dated for my liking. So, I bit the bullet and found a R231... 2013 SL550 with 17k miles. I think it's the only car that makes me forget to drive my Tesla Model S.

[@SportsandGT]

That’s a great find. Whatever the budgets, needs, likes or dislikes there’s an SL to suit.

[@robertlubura1]

I have SL55 AMG R230 i love it.

[@SportsandGT]

I can imagine why! Such a great sound.

[@johncross8834]

Great Video just for info In Germany the R107 was nick named Panzerwagan built like a Tank

[@SportsandGT]

Haha - good knowledge

[@johnadams9044]

Your video is jiggily and the sound keeps breaking up. Poor video quality. Too bad.

[@SportsandGT]

Yes, in-car especially, sorry about that. Making do with what equipment I have for now.

[@francescosalvioli]

it depends on what you need from your SL, there is no rule, is something just personal

[@SportsandGT]

Indeed - to each his own - just my opinions

[@sogoesit8008]

Can’t beat the W121 for style! On my wish list.. haha! Next up, let me guess, surely the Pagoda?

[@SportsandGT]

They’re all winners to be fair

[@Omega-lj1nw]

Good review on the SL. 6 generations of beautiful SL. Cannot say that to many models as far as it's history.

[@SportsandGT]

Thanks - yes so far each evolution has a certain elegance and distinctiveness.

[@Pahakyy]

Sport leicht. Getting it wrong from the start.

[@SportsandGT]

Although there was confusion over this for many years - even inside Mercedes-Benz - it was confirmed in 2017 to stand for “super leicht” when they discovered an original press release from 1952.

[@lancraft]

C107 all the way 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@SportsandGT]

Interesting choice - the SLC was probably better suited to the weather in most of Europe but wasn’t nearly as popular.

[@Kodiak727]

Bad audio

[@SportsandGT]

Yes, sorry, the audio wasn't good in places - I'm slowly adding newer gear to improve things.

[@hardknuckle8143]

Started watching but the crappy sound turned me off so only watched 1 min. Get the sound sorted.

[@SportsandGT]

Yes, sorry about that - first time filming in the car - didn't find out until I got back. Won't be like that next time. The meat in the middle is recorded elsewhere, so the sound is better.

[@helmuthhaass3631]

The R230 can be an expensive nightmare when the roof and suspension start to give trouble. You may need to dig deep into your bank account as it gets older...

[@SportsandGT]

Luckily I had no issues during my ownership - most ageing cars will have their bank account moments!

[@RTBosch]

Lack of maintenance, maintenance. Regullarly refresh oils. Also flush automatic gear box after 6 years. The ZF switched as new. Best outlay for

[@RTBosch]

Best outlay for 200 bucks !

[@user-grahamT999]

Something to also note is how do these cars drive and what are you actually looking for? With the exception of the R230 & R231 the other models just drive like old cars, so for example the auto gear change on the older models will be slow and probably won’t change at the correct change point. Unless the transmission has been overhauled and even then old auto gearboxes are rubbish compared to modern auto transmissions which can do 100k before needing any maintenance. I guess it all boils down to money and nostalgia…

[@SportsandGT]

Most classic or collectible car purchases boil down to money or nostalgia I guess. I think the R129 feels less like a classic, it was quite a jump from the ageing R107.