R107 350SL - Rust - problem areas ?

lifer_sean

From reading posts, some of you folks out there know your way around older Mercs. I'm half-interested in taking a look at the 350SL linked below. I know rust can be a problem on these, but can anyone give specific pointers ? From what I gather, rear arches and jacking points / sills need to be checked. Anything else ? box sections in rear chassis ?

Also, has anyone any knowledge of the car in the advert ?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/vintage-clear-out/6115713

Thanks in advance for any info !

Sean.

Grimreaper666

350 V8 engines aren't great either Sean tbh, probably the worst engine in the line up. They rust everywhere!! Inner arches, sills and inner sills, boot floor, bulk heads. Have a good look on a lift, don't just look on your hands and knees!

hi5

They rust everywhere, but the most inaccessible area must be the bulkhead.

This might give you an idea
http://www.classiccarworkshop.ie/MercSL.html

OneCheque

Obviously, be careful if it was sprayed recently.

Check the condition of all chromes (bumpers, trims) as they are expensive to replace.

lifer_sean

OneCheque wrote: »

Obviously, be careful if it was sprayed recently.

Check the condition of all chromes (bumpers, trims) as they are expensive to replace.

Thanks guys.

I did ask was it painted but was told it was original paintwork ... I would be surprised if it is !

JP 1800

Having worked on my own 107 and a few others I can tell you there is no such thing as a cheap classic Mercedes. As stated they rust internally which require labor intensive repairs and body panels are expensive along with items of trim. My best advice for you would be if you are interested in viewing the car bring an expert with you, a few euro spent at the initial viewing can save thousands later.

lifer_sean

JP 1800 wrote: »

Having worked on my own 107 and a few others I can tell you there is no such thing as a cheap classic Mercedes. As stated they rust internally which require labor intensive repairs and body panels are expensive along with items of trim. My best advice for you would be if you are interested in viewing the car bring an expert with you, a few euro spent at the initial viewing can save thousands later.

Thanks JP. Was hoping for specific areas to check. From your own experience would you recommend other problem areas to check other than already outlined ? Grimreaper didn't leave too many areas out of his list !

Have worked on cars (incl extensive bodywork) for more years than I care to remember, so in theory I should be able to find my way around a car at this stage (maybe not !!!), but I am not familiar with specific R107 issues.

The one on the classiccarworkshop.ie link didn't look that scary !!!! but would have to be budgeted for !

JP 1800

Areas to check are sills paying attention to jacking points, front wings especially behind the front lights which rot from the inside, the firewall and front floor section. Check the bulkhead where the blower motor is housed as the drain holes get blocked. The rear of the car including wheel arches, boot lid, boot floor and behind the rear lights as the seals fail and let water in. Also check the bonnet at the gills as I have seen a few of these rot out and a new bonnet is from memory 1800 euro.

irshmerc

Hi Sean,
I have a 350 and everything said here about them is true, nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes, they rust from the inside out, sills, bottom of the doors, heater blower box, you name it. However, scour ebay uk and ebay de and a lot of those panels are to be had at reasonable prices, a fair few new old stock parts about.
The one you linked would be a k-jet fuel injection system, quite complicated with lots of vaccum issues and parts are expensive. But if it's clean you ain't gonna get a better looking car for the money,
There was a 450 on dd a few weeks ago for 15k, that should be a bit of a clue as to the condition of the red one!!!
Good luck.
Peter

MercMad

The replies above pretty much cover it. One thing though the bulkhead is double skinned and it's the inner side that rots. Repair or replacement means dash out. Try to remove the covers above the footwell and shine a torch up. Any water ingress means further investigation. The sill are the strength in these cars and a new sill would require two men to carry it.