Best Overall Model

[bgreene30]

Hi everyone, I am torn from conflicting views on the subject and want to get some feedback from the group.

What is the best overall motoring car in terms of usability, drive ability and enjoyment from the line?

A 230SL or 250SL?

A manual or automatic?

The consensus will decide my fate!

Thanks in advance!
Bob in sunny so cal!

Ps. I have been cautioned by a reputable mercedes mechanic to avoid the 280 due to more issues caused by boring them so far out. If you would all like to chime in on that subject sepera ???tely feel free.

[Benz Dr.]

One of the best cars MB ever made would have to be the 126 turbo diesel. If not the best car then one of the best engines.

 As for the 113?  All three models have good and bad points. At least you can still get the proper pistons for the 250SL - both the the 230SL and 280SL have stepped pistons, depending on which version you need, and they're D.S.

[Jim Donati]

The 280sl is thought to be, by many experienced collectors, the most desirable of the 113's.  Others would say the 250SL or the 230SL are better for several arguable reasons.  I think it comes down to personal choice, all three models are quite a pleasure to drive and own in my opinion.

Jim

[thelews]

Early 250 SL with manual.  No contest.

[bgreene30]

Thanks everyone so far everyone. Look forward to more opinions.

[pj]

Maybe the selection in So.Cal is wider, but I think if you are interested in buying a Pagoda, you choose from what's available. Other factors, like colour or condition, may end up being more important than whether it's a 230/250/280. When Dan C found me a 230 a year ago, I gave him a fairly long wish list of features, and we did the best we could. I would have been equally happy with a 250 or 280 if it had other items that were on my list. And having a manual transmission was right at the top.

As things happen for you, I hope you'll add your story to all of ours here.

[Garry]

Come on John L,

 250SL Manual, no contest??? 280 SL 5 speed is the winning competition

 
Garry

[thelews]

Come on John L,

 250SL Manual, no contest??? 280 SL 5 speed is the winning competition

 
Garry

Early 250, manual, 5 speed  I might go for that, but, I've never driven a five speed.  Later mechanicals, early cosmetics, manual...does it get any better?

In all seriousness, rather than what we will all say is the best, the highest quality 113 you can find, afford and enjoy will be your best bet.  Finding a 250 like I mentioned will be tough, only about 2500 made of the early 250 and who knows how many were manual.  And then, only about 1/2 of them came to the US.  If I have my numbers right, there were about 50K 113s made, most of them 280s.  Euro 280s are nice, they have upgraded cosmetics and less safety stuff.

[Sableco]

hello Bob
hope you will find a nice 113 to drive soon, and hopefully for a very good price 
I would prefer one with manual transmission, 5 speed would be great, but if the traffic is hassle then I would want an automatic one so I can concentrate on driving rather than shifting.
but as other members may have mentioned, it all comes down to what is available.
one of the features I would like to have in a Pagoda is the two tops.

I am no expert but I read in some early ad Mercedes materials that the 250 engine was not bored out but the engine was taken from a 250S, and I think the 280 was a similar issue.
If I had all the choices then a 1971 280SL with 5 speed would be my ultimate choice.
Best of luck Bob and kindest regards

Basem

[bgreene30]

Thank you very much for the input. I see you have an early 250SL. That's great!

[stickandrudderman]

I've driven quite a few (!) and IF everything is in good order then personally I prefer the 230SL with manual shift and no PAS.
The big problem is finding a car that drives as well as it should in the first place. 90% of them have not benefited from meticulous and knowledgeable maintenance combined with a willing owner and so performance will not be optimised.
The only way a prospective owner is going to be able to witness it for themselves is to find a reputable supplier that has good examples of all variants in stock and allows you to test drive them all. This is a very tall order, especially if you read Tosh's "I need a hug" thread. His experience should make interesting reading as his car "looked" fantastic before work was started and would (did?) quite easily have commanded a high price on a dealer's forecourt. His car is, believe it or not, one of the better ones, even before the work was started!

[Ulf]

I think that most people who buy a Pagoda tend to be biased towards their own choice, personally I prefer the earlier cars with manual and no servo assisted steering as I want more of a sports car (although they all are soft and comfy compared to contemporary Triumphs and MGs) rather than a grand tourer. But I have driven both a 250 and 280 as well - the latter was plusher, but with a sweet and powerful engine that was great with a manual. It also depends on the condition of the car - a good 230 will feel much better than a tired 280 etc.
So I would go for the best you can get, one with your specs and a colour combo that you like and worry less about whether it is called 230, 250 or 280 :-)

[MichaelB.]

I adore the early versions too, with the manual and free revving 2.3. But I do enjoy driving any of the three. I just prefer the simplicity of the 230. You however cannot go wrong with any 113.

[mdsalemi]

Bob Greene,

You cannot listen to any one person here.  So, let me summarize the key take away points.

1)  From Stick: The big problem is finding a car that drives as well as it should in the first place. 90% of them have not benefited from meticulous and knowledgeable maintenance combined with a willing owner and so performance will not be optimised.  Boy, is that ever true.  I'd suggest even greater than 90% in the ones you'll see for sale.  A well-sorted car is always better than one needing work, so look long and hard.

2)  From Thelews: the highest quality 113 you can find, afford and enjoy will be your best bet. Again, sage advice.  If you don't know these cars, you'll need to look at a lot of them to make that determination.

3)  Standard or automatic?  Well, that is purely up to how YOU want to drive it.  I put about 2,000 miles a year on my car and it's automatic.  Perfect?  No.  But when I get stuck in some kind of stop and go, or traffic, I'd sooner get out and walk if I had a standard.  But others live by the vroom shift vroom feel and sound, others spend all kinds of time and dollars on standard transmission conversions, etc. so really, it is all about your personal feel.  You will find a lot to like and something NOT to like about any car in any configuration.

Your purchase will be something to bring you joy, so figure that out after looking.  Maybe it will come down to color; maybe to a working a/c unit; maybe to the slightly more lavish chrome trim on a 230; maybe to the "cleaner" look of a Euro model.  You will NOT find your answers here, just some guidelines so when you do go looking, you'll know a little bit about what you are looking at and for!

Good Luck!

[zoegrlh]

My two cents.  280 Euro Spec, 4 speed manual trans with 3.69 rear end., all leather, alloy wheels.  Best of the line of W113 in my opinion.  What would be better is the 1971 280 SL Euro spec.  The last of the line W113s had all the refinements of the model run and even some refinements put into the W107s.
Bob

[Darren]

I've driven quite a few (!) and IF everything is in good order then personally I prefer the 230SL with manual shift and no PAS.
The big problem is finding a car that drives as well as it should in the first place. 90% of them have not benefited from meticulous and knowledgeable maintenance combined with a willing owner and so performance will not be optimised.
The only way a prospective owner is going to be able to witness it for themselves is to find a reputable supplier that has good examples of all variants in stock and allows you to test drive them all. This is a very tall order, especially if you read Tosh's "I need a hug" thread. His experience should make interesting reading as his car "looked" fantastic before work was started and would (did?) quite easily have commanded a high price on a dealer's forecourt. His car is, believe it or not, one of the better ones, even before the work was started!

Listen to Colin. He knows his stuff. And for the record my car, which his firm have done excellent work on, is a 230 SL no PAS, No AC and Manual. If you believe in the SL terminology in its purest sense its the way to go. No PAS is a pain very occasionally, only rarely, no AC who cares in London frankly but will be a much bigger deal in CA or FL, Manual I was adamant about. Having owned an automatic 250SL prior....my 230SL with manual is better by an order of magnitude.

But all that aside...condition and maintenance history should be top of your shopping list.

Good luck in your search.

Darren

[Andres G]

Early 250 SL with manual.  No contest.

I agree, and would only add that the Euro headlights are more appealing to look at.

Good luck with your hunt, and take your time.

Andres