New (old) car

[decampos]

Bought another classic to use as an 'everyday' car (have been using the coupé a little too often). I had an SL before the E9 and have always entertained an idea of getting another one. There's plenty of them.

Getting back behind the wheel of one of these has reminded me just how well designed the E9s are. The E9 never feels like a big car to drive. The SL is like driving a barge. Apart from that, it's great. Anyone else have one? Any experiences to share?

 

[deQuincey]

hi ben,
beautiful
and with that hard top it is so sexy
i would love to drive one to have the oportunity to compare both styles as you said

 

[decampos]

Thanks Jesus. It's a different beast. It's also a straight 6 but it's smooth as silk and surprisingly nimble with a superb turning circle. But it feels like a large car. I think the finest feature of the E9 is visibility and in particular the ability to see each corner of the car. The SL fails in that regard except of course when the roof is off. It beats the Beemer hands down there.

hi ben,
beautiful
and with that hard top it is so sexy
i would love to drive one to have the oportunity to compare both styles as you said

 

[30csl]

Ha, i have a 280 as well. Mine is manual, it reminds me of how badly the e9 is made but yes is way nimbler. The 107sl can rust well too but like the e9 is mechanically tough. Mine has 175k miles and has never had a new clutch. Love yours!

 

[craterface]

In the US, these cars are marred by huge diving board rubber bumpers.
With the euro bumpers, they are 1000x prettier.

Scott

 

[rsporsche]

Scott -

all but one year - the first year - 1973 had euro style bumpers. my mother had a '74 - 450sl. it was a barge compared to an e9, but was quite the looker with the top down.

 

[decampos]

Ha, i have a 280 as well. Mine is manual, it reminds me of how badly the e9 is made but yes is way nimbler. The 107sl can rust well too but like the e9 is mechanically tough. Mine has 175k miles and has never had a new clutch. Love yours!

Thanks 30csl. The manual 280 must be the closest these cars come to being economical.

In the US, these cars are marred by huge diving board rubber bumpers. With the euro bumpers, they are 1000x prettier.

I thoroughly agree. That's a real bone of contention on the R107 forum. It's mostly US spec cars there and once (in a clear case of denial), a mod described my previous SL as having 'wimpy bumpers' and 'myopic headlights'.