Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on November 17, 2016, 06:41:02
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One of our Members here replied in one of the posts .... "I would be interested in the trend of the average age of purchasers"
When I read it I was reminded of my ///M3 BMW days not so long ago. I back then started a very similar post, to see what the average age is of a ///M3 BMW. I attended get togethers and found that I was always the oldest fellow. Since our forum stretched all over North America I was just very curious about this question.
So I started the thread and kept it up to date, sorting it by age until shortly after I traded my ///M3 for a E350 Benz. Our fellow Members did participate and the results were indeed interesting. You can peek into the tread (see link below) here and see there were indeed some older ///M3 Drivers. It also made for some interesting reading on a rainy day, for Members mentioned how it makes them feel to drive a ///M3.
Link here ----> http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=807748
I will simply set up a Poll and invite you to pick the age range you are in. It should be interesting to see what age group appreciates driving this fine automobile. If you wish you can leave a note how it makes you feel, I know posting here from time to time (when I find a moment) and driving my pagoda keeps me young :)
I know since I found mine it puts a smile on my face when I drive her and I feel like 55 (I have no problem telling you I'll be 80 next year).
Please be a sport and cast your vote :) it will be interesting.
Thanks! And Safe & Happy Motoring Always to One and All
Dieter
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Good poll Dieter. And I think you're on to something, bcause I am 55 and feel like 30 😃
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Regrettably, Cees, neither of us look like 30 anymore when we drive our Pagoda's... :(
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im i the youngest whit my 38 jears old ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
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My average age is 65 - some days I feel about 70, others, especially after a good night sleep - 50ish so on the whole, averaging things out I come in at 65 ::)
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Regrettably, Cees, neither of us look like 30 anymore when we drive our Pagoda's... :(
True, true. But you know Peter as they say: men as they get older get more attractive. Whereas women, as they get older, they just get older.
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Another poll could be: how old were you when you bought your first Pagoda? Make us all feel younger, I was 39 and Peter, you were probably about the same age?
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30 when I bought mine, and still have it 35 hears later.
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I know since I found mine it puts a smile on my face when I drive her and I feel like 55 (I have no problem telling you I'll be 80 next year).
Dieter as of now it looks like you and I represent 40% of the "Seasoned Citizens" in the survey, and yes, it still puts a smile on my face each time I take the wheel, even after doing it for over 47 years. I return to Alabama on Nov 27th after 6 months in Italy and I can't wait to take her for a milk and bread run that afternoon.
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Another poll could be: how old were you when you bought your first Pagoda? Make us all feel younger, I was 39 and Peter, you were probably about the same age?
I was 31 and I like to think that the car and I continue to age gracefully together!!
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I was 25 when I bought my first 190SL in 1977 and 33 when I bought my first Pagoda, a 280SL in 1985.
They say a man is as old as the woman he is feeling😉
Have a great SL weekend,
Regards
Chris
Cape Town
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I was 27 when I bought my car and I still admire it every time I enter the garage, 45 years later.
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I was 29. In 1968 I crashed my '64 E Roadster (sob!) and bought a black '65 230SL with auto & both tops. Two years later I bought a project, a 69 280SL 4spd in beige with a blown engine (PO didn't believe in oil changes). Sourced an engine from a wrecked '70 and drove it daily for two years, then moved to an early 107 (boo!). Returned to the 113 fold in 2013. This one's a keeper! Jon
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how old were you when you bought your first Pagoda?
I was 41
/hans s
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Another poll could be: how old were you when you bought your first Pagoda? Make us all feel younger, I was 39 and Peter, you were probably about the same age?
Around 41... and yep, I've owned it for 15 years...
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The pattern I'm seeing is that US based members generally bought their Pagoda at a much younger age than 'rest of world'. I attribute that to lower cost (of the cars) and higher income (of the owner) in US vs rest of world.
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I bought my current 280SL when I was 34 in 1994. I have owned the car almost as long as the prior, original owner. I bought my first W113, which turned out to be much more of a project than I bargained for, when I was 32.
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Bought my first 280SL 1968 when I was 19 and kept it for 5 years before selling for $$ to college.
Then bought my current 220SL 1967 in 1998 as a graduation gift to myself and still have it.
Walter
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My wife and I bought our 230SL in 1966. I was 25 and she was 22. After all these years, both my wife and the 230SL are still beautiful!
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Wow, Paul .... great story !
Bought my first (project) SL when I was 23. Car was the same age as I. So, we both were together 46.
Now, we're both together above 100.... :o ???
Bought my second 230 at the age of 32.
Still own it. 8)
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I was 22 when I drove home my '67 250SL and just turned 24 when I became the owner of 280SL that sits in my garage today. I will keep driving it as long as my left knee holds out and the state of California keeps renewing my driving licence ;)
John
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In the mid 60s the Pagoda new was near $9K in Canada (I know I test drove one and loved it must have been a 230sl back then around 1964 or so), I would have had to put a salary (as junior mechanical draughtsman) equivelant of 3 years on the table to get one way back then. I guess it is the same for young fellows today when comparing the price of a new sports car). Then again it might be only 2 years sallary or even just one year for someone in there 20s depending on there profession.
Anyway life and business kept me busy up to a age slightly over 75 (after many american cars endless rent a cars for business) that I finally ended my working life and found my 280sl that will stay with me like John said until I no longer get a drivers licence :-)
No one knows what the future holds in store for us, however, I have a dream (if nothing else it keeps me young at heart) to take my Pagoda to Germany in a few years and perhaps explore some of the roads that I've not seen.
Dieter
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The avaerage age or the (about 1700) German SL Club members is currently 57 years.
??? 8)
Achim
(slightly below)
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I bought mine as a 50 year aniversary present - to myself :)
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Wow ..., ???
In the mid 60s the Pagoda new was near $9K in Canada
:o (Eeek)
9000 CAD (Can-$$) .... that equals today 6290 €€,
https://bankenverband.de/service/waehrungsrechner/
or about 12500 German Marks... :o ("Eeeek" again)
Half the price those cars were in good old germany ...
For 6290 €€ you get today a bit more than this:
http://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/1965-mercedes-benz-230sl-c-5059.htm
Times have changed, as has the value of money... :-[
A.
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Dieter
That would be quite the trip.
I am routing for it to come true.
Frank
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Hi Achim,
Everything seams to be more expensive in Canada. This, however, may change now that the new president will be screwing up the Free Trade agreement with Canada. Some agreement it is anyway, I purchased three oil filters and a vacuum line valve from Bud's Benz. The entire order was not even $30- US, they had to add shipping for another $23- US and when the order arrived at my door UPS presented me with another $28- Canadian this time in duty/broker charges. I will be purchasing from Germany in the future unless I pick them up in the US when I am down that way.
Dieter
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I bought mine at age 43... I am 51 now. I bought a 1961 220Sb at age 22 and that was the beginning of my obsession. I have had one MB or more since then.
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The way I look at it, in the end it really doesn't matter much how young or old you are when you drive a Pagoda - the car's timelessness envelopes its occupants and it keeps them young! The original owner of my Pagoda was 62 when he acquired it and didn't pass it along to a new custodian until he was 85. I tried to buy it from him when I was 36 but a friend with a faster draw beat me to it and finally passed it on to me just as I was going to celebrate the big five-oh. That was 14 years ago and each time I slide behind the wheel the car lets me know there's still plenty more time to drive it 'till the road wears out!
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In response to Dieter's comment about shipping: I never use UPS for shipping outside the US. They charge customs brokerage which is guaranteed to annoy the recipient. Use/demand USPS! You may still pay customs, though. Jon
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41 when I bought mine. Now I'm 43. I have gone up in age 2 years, and my bank account has declined after the restoration. ;)
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I noticed despite which year we all bought our Pagodas, we all seem to derive from the same vintage.
I did notice however that my choice of music in my 280 is dating back to the time of production and not my age!
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Presently 77 soon to be 78 in 7 weeks.
Purchased my 280SL in 2004 and as of yet it is not on the road.
IN 2005 I purchased a 250SL as a parts car and maybe I will restore it.
My major problem is no heat in the garage in the winter, if not for that it would be on the road years ago.
All I have to do is patch one small hole in the floor (280SL) and put back the dashboard and clean it up.
Why the dashboard was taken apart was for 2 reasons.
1- redo the heater core.
2- took apart the fuses and the wires and made a scketch for each fuse.
Each fuse is on its own page which shows the colors and where it goes in the chasis .
That was a chore.
Now I have to put it all back.
Peter has seen my property from a satellite ( while I was at his house in 2013) and OZ has visited my house and they both stated good place for a PUB.
I am 1 hour west of Boston and have almost 5 acres of lawn.
It surrounds my house on 2 sides.
Since Tom S is utilizing his farm in VA for PUB 17, maybe PUB 19 could be near Boston.
BUT JOE has Priority, he mentioned to me the other day that he might have another PUB in the future.
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In response to Dieter's comment about shipping: I never use UPS for shipping outside the US. They charge customs brokerage which is guaranteed to annoy the recipient. Use/demand USPS! You may still pay customs, though. Jon
Both Canada and the US have an agreement not to charge duty on anything shipped by mail. Because there is no duty, there may not be any brokerage.
UPS has their own brokers so of course you pay for that, and if your shipper uses freight collect, you'll really pay. Ideally, you should pay for everything up front which is always cheaper.
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Thanks Jon and Dan, I will take note of that.
Dieter
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i am looking almoast 10 jear after a pagoda that i could pay and that is not to rusty , now im 38 and finaly found one in the usa , i hope to keep it for a long time
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Guyke,
We hope you voted and welcome to the Group!
Dieter
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I am 49 but have owned my car for about 17 years.
I have been into classics most of my life and just fell in love with the cool styling and the engineering attention to detail. I still feel the same way today. These cars are amongst the most beautiful cars ever made!
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I bought my first Pagoda (68 280 SL) at age 34. At the time I also owned a 66 250 SE Coupe that I purchased when I was 28. My current Pagoda (67 250 SL) was purchased when I was 70 and I am now 73 (egad). Every once in a while I think I should sell it as I usually only drive it once a week or so and garage space is at a premium but once I get in the car and take off I realize how really great the car is and how much more of an interactive driving experience it is than my E 550. Guess I'll just hang on to it and let my son decide what to do with it.
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I bought my car on Dec. 13th, 1993 as a birthday present to myself. Too cold to take it out today and now the license has run out. Finally was able to get it out of the barn a couple of weeks ago and take it for a long drive to see the grand kids.
Too many cars in the shop all summer so no place to store it while I was working on other things.
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I turned 46 last week but bought my car when I was 36....
-Chris
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What if your over 80? Not that I am ;)
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I bought my car in1978 when I was 32 for £2,400, that means I have owned it for 38 years, that means i'm !!! Ouch ( Fantastic )
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I also bought my Pagoda as an anniversary birthday gift to myself. Who knows which of us will last over the other one?! I had a desire of a roadster of the same age as myself, just being that keen. The choice of the Pagoda was quite easy for me; British ones as the E-type and the MGB fell out by durability reasons, not to mention the Lucas electrical system (Lucas, the guy who invented the darkness IMO). Corvette C2 is “too much” for me. However, the Mustang Convertible was an option design-wise (definitely my children’s’ choice) but too conventional in mechanics. Fiat and Alfa-Romeo’s – too limited market, and the durability drawbacks. Ferraris and Maseratis – too much money. Porsche 356 roadster – not safe enough, and too pricy. Left was the best of the best of 1964, a 230SL! However, it was hard to find a decent car that had “came out of the factory” at the same time as me, in July! But I may say that the “order” of both were placed at the same time! ;D
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I was born and grew up in Duesseldorf, Germany.
My first car was a run down 190 D Fin tail when I was going to college. That was all I could afford then, I think I got it for DM 300.00. That was 1974! It was a beater, but it got me where I needed to go.
Then I turned into a Hippie and Racer and of course I needed to have a VW Bus, which I shared with friends who contributed with the expenses.
My first real project was a 190 SL, pretty bad shape for DM 400.00 and I restored it, took about 3 years, however, I sold it for DM 18,000.00 because I needed the money to feed my racing obsession. That was quite dumb, considering what that car is worth today.
In 1985 I moved to the US to run the Engineering Dept. of a German company in CT. That was a 4 year assignment, look what happed, I’m still here. Of course I needed a new toy and I found a W108 280 SE 4.5 which I also restored. That was 1989.
Then after my wife passed, I needed something to do to keep my mind occupied with different thoughts and I purchased my Pagoda. It was drivable and I decided to work on it only during the winter season. That worked quite well this way and made me enjoying the car, instead of restoring it in one shot.
2 years ago I gifted the 280 SE to my daughter and it went back to Germany. What a big smile I got, she loves it a lot.
Regards, Urban
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I bought my 71 when I was 50 in 2001. As I already had twelve cars on the road ( never seemed
able to sell one) I decided it would be a gift for my wife. Since then I never did get around to telling
her it was hers. Oh well she told me last year that she bought a horse eight years ago and never
told me either. So much for honestly in marriage I guess. We both continue to enjoy our secret
pleasures although I think mine has more of a long term future.
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Where did she hide the horse? I'm interested just in case my wife buys another horse without telling me either...
I can imagine you hiding your car amongst the other ones.
Peter
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Help! I can not reply because I am over 80! This year I shall be 85 - God willing and the creek don't flood. I bought the present 1969 280SL for my 72nd birthday and have been working on it ever since. Now it runs like it should. It is difficult to really wind it out because the highest speed limit in this State is 70 MPH. There is a 3 lane highway up to Snoqualmie pass and on the steeper stretches I can do 80 with power to spare. Really need a dynomometer to tell. Back in the 60th I had a blue 230SL and later a 220SE. Never trusted a shop - always did my own work. Attached is a pic when I removed the engine to do some work. Must have done things right, for a week now there are no leaks at all! Knock-on-wood.
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Help! I can not reply because I am over 80! This year I shall be 85 - God willing and the creek don't flood.
TheEngineer,
I added two options so please add your vote.
I must tip my hat to you you did some fine work on your engine, those are great photos! The photos show how carefully you planned the steps to remove the engine. Nice to see that your efforts were successful in stopping that nasty leak. I bet you have been in the Mechanical Engineering field and in your early years have most likely received good hands on training. I've been actively employed in the Mechanical Engineering field since 1961 and 22 years of that in my own business.
This gives me an idea, we should have a thread here of Members that are now retired and what we have done during our working life. I understand we have quite a number of retired Engineers and other interesting professions in our Group.
Meanwhile, I wish you good health and advance Good Wishes for your 85th Birthday, I've always enjoyed reading your posts and hope to read them for many years to come. I shall celebrate my 80st Birthday, God willing this year in September.
Best,
Dieter
PS. Unfortunately I could not add the two date ranges on top of the listing ... then nothing wrong in having them on the bottom :)
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This gives me an idea, we should have a thread here of Members that are now retired and what we have done during our working life. I understand we have quite a number of retired Engineers and other interesting professions in our Group.
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3825.0
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Thanks so much Cees, goes to show you I totally forgot about this fine thread of yours. I must be getting old :)
Best Dieter
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This is a bit of a late entry, but my 250SL was passed down from my father about 16 years ago when he stopped driving. He purchased it in 1968. It has spent much of the last decade in storage, driven occasionally by my mechanic to keep it running smooth (it's hard on him, I know), but the car will finally be joining me in Brooklyn this year, so I can drive it regularly again.
I'm 42, and the car makes me feel 42, but in an earlier decade.
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One of the great things that we hear about more every day is how more these vintage cars are being put back into service again. You won't regret anything you do for the car to keep it running and how well it will repay you for your efforts. As a 22 year owner, I think I speak for everyone when I say that they're worth the effort and investment.
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Dan,
Here is a nice article you might enjoy during a coffee break.
----> http://petrolicious.com/i-put-800-miles-on-a-mercedes-230sl-w113-and-fell-in-love
You may have seen it before, looks like the Red Rocket :)
Dieter