All R107 Mercedes-Benz SLs are the same. Discuss.
Compare and contrast. Ahhh, I’m back in an Edinburgh exam hall from the 1980s. Lazy lecturers attempting to elicit a depth of argument on English prose would fall back on this question style. The other default question was a statement followed by… discuss. For the automotive assignment you are now reading the set question would be “All R107 Mercedes-Benz SLs are the same. Discuss”. Treating this as an exam question, I’m going to try to give you insightful discussion, and an answer.
Comparing two 500 SLs
Right, the compare bit first. All R107s, for someone three inches over 6-foot-tall work well. There’s the space down the transmission tunnel for size 12 feet, and with a bit of movement of the manual seat adjustment you can find your own optimum seating position. The driver’s seat is always a pleasant sanctuary to hang out in, even if the car is going nowhere. Yes, the windscreen is close (unlike modern SLs), this along with the well designed but narrow cabin makes it snug for two people. There’s an air of quality in here, not flashy, but solid, and durable. A zone that can bring two people together when in a in traffic jam on the M25. You can’t have an argument in an SL. It’s a fact.
All versions are great cars to ride in and use. And that’s because they work like a modern car. This struck me on my first R107 experience; the 1988 SL500 in the pictures. On a number of occasions, I was able to jump in this stylish icon and drive it all day, sometimes over long distances. No problem. Cosseted in my own world, with all the driver aids you want (power steering, cruise control, electric windows, and electric mirror) but nothing too modern like traction control nor parking sensors.
The 1988 car has a big wow factor with it’s appearance. The paint and alloys shine, and the interior whispers understated luxury. To me this car became a reliable friend which I found relaxing to sit in and effortless to use. The powerful V8 ushered me between appointments in a smooth and calming manner. Interestingly, I never felt like driving fast in this carriage.
Unlike the 1985 car, which I used for the SL SHOP fun run from Stratford-on-Avon to Brooklands. I found the exhaust note on this earlier car Corvette esque, and the engine response to pushing the right pedal made spirited progress intoxicating. This really is a V8 sports car. With an overzealous prod of the accelorator, you can light up the rear wheels. The pretty later car in my hands told me in a soft tone that all is well in the world, so relax. The earlier car shouted, “come on, let’s burn dome rubber”. So I did. On the trip to Brooklands we became the lead car, and I was so confident with the car’s performance that we stopped to enjoy a light lunch. Which was followed by Alice having a sleep in the navigator’s seat and then a rude awakening as we hit a few unanticipated parking halts on hot asphalt on the M25. Thanks to the sure footed performance of the car on motorway and side roads, and a road map in capable hands, we were still able to arrive in SL style… fashionably late.
No doubt the later car is visually the prettier piece of art, and it’s more plush. The 1985 car is a little more brutish, the Mexican hat alloys and stance somehow looks more business-like. On the road it is both. The early car wants to be driven and rewards the driver with a sports car feel and soundtrack. But it’s no e-type nor Corvette. It’s refined, well made and comfortable. You and your chosen passenger can cover the miles in here and not be worn out. In fact, yes, you can even nod off for a few minutes.
The simple answer to the question set is that not all R107s are the same. Even the two 500 SLs critically analysed (another lecturer favourite) here are very different, that’s before we consider the numbers 280 to 560.
Of course, I was told in my tertiary education days that while in subjects like accounts and economics there are right and wrong answers, in English, it’s all about the discussion and argument. Similarly, in choosing an SL there are no wrong answers. Any choice will work for both you and your significant other. And, of course, all R107s give you access to the cool club.
So, here’s my top tip. Drop into the SL SHOP and tell Bruce that you have to try at least two before you decide which Sport-Leicht is right for you. Me? Easy, the sporting attitude of the 1985 car wins every time. It might even still be for sale as Bruce was using himself while improving it.
Share With Your Fellow Enthusiasts
All R107 Mercedes-Benz SLs are the same. Discuss.
Compare and contrast. Ahhh, I’m back in an Edinburgh exam hall from the 1980s. Lazy lecturers attempting to elicit a depth of argument on English prose would fall back on this question style. The other default question was a statement followed by… discuss. For the automotive assignment you are now reading the set question would be “All R107 Mercedes-Benz SLs are the same. Discuss”. Treating this as an exam question, I’m going to try to give you insightful discussion, and an answer.
Comparing two 500 SLs
Right, the compare bit first. All R107s, for someone three inches over 6-foot-tall work well. There’s the space down the transmission tunnel for size 12 feet, and with a bit of movement of the manual seat adjustment you can find your own optimum seating position. The driver’s seat is always a pleasant sanctuary to hang out in, even if the car is going nowhere. Yes, the windscreen is close (unlike modern SLs), this along with the well designed but narrow cabin makes it snug for two people. There’s an air of quality in here, not flashy, but solid, and durable. A zone that can bring two people together when in a in traffic jam on the M25. You can’t have an argument in an SL. It’s a fact.
All versions are great cars to ride in and use. And that’s because they work like a modern car. This struck me on my first R107 experience; the 1988 SL500 in the pictures. On a number of occasions, I was able to jump in this stylish icon and drive it all day, sometimes over long distances. No problem. Cosseted in my own world, with all the driver aids you want (power steering, cruise control, electric windows, and electric mirror) but nothing too modern like traction control nor parking sensors.
The 1988 car has a big wow factor with it’s appearance. The paint and alloys shine, and the interior whispers understated luxury. To me this car became a reliable friend which I found relaxing to sit in and effortless to use. The powerful V8 ushered me between appointments in a smooth and calming manner. Interestingly, I never felt like driving fast in this carriage.
Unlike the 1985 car, which I used for the SL SHOP fun run from Stratford-on-Avon to Brooklands. I found the exhaust note on this earlier car Corvette esque, and the engine response to pushing the right pedal made spirited progress intoxicating. This really is a V8 sports car. With an overzealous prod of the accelorator, you can light up the rear wheels. The pretty later car in my hands told me in a soft tone that all is well in the world, so relax. The earlier car shouted, “come on, let’s burn dome rubber”. So I did. On the trip to Brooklands we became the lead car, and I was so confident with the car’s performance that we stopped to enjoy a light lunch. Which was followed by Alice having a sleep in the navigator’s seat and then a rude awakening as we hit a few unanticipated parking halts on hot asphalt on the M25. Thanks to the sure footed performance of the car on motorway and side roads, and a road map in capable hands, we were still able to arrive in SL style… fashionably late.
No doubt the later car is visually the prettier piece of art, and it’s more plush. The 1985 car is a little more brutish, the Mexican hat alloys and stance somehow looks more business-like. On the road it is both. The early car wants to be driven and rewards the driver with a sports car feel and soundtrack. But it’s no e-type nor Corvette. It’s refined, well made and comfortable. You and your chosen passenger can cover the miles in here and not be worn out. In fact, yes, you can even nod off for a few minutes.
The simple answer to the question set is that not all R107s are the same. Even the two 500 SLs critically analysed (another lecturer favourite) here are very different, that’s before we consider the numbers 280 to 560.
Of course, I was told in my tertiary education days that while in subjects like accounts and economics there are right and wrong answers, in English, it’s all about the discussion and argument. Similarly, in choosing an SL there are no wrong answers. Any choice will work for both you and your significant other. And, of course, all R107s give you access to the cool club.
So, here’s my top tip. Drop into the SL SHOP and tell Bruce that you have to try at least two before you decide which Sport-Leicht is right for you. Me? Easy, the sporting attitude of the 1985 car wins every time. It might even still be for sale as Bruce was using himself while improving it.
Share With Your Fellow Enthusiasts
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