MERCEDES SLTIMELINE

W121 (1955)

LAUNCHED as a more affordable alternative to the 300 SL gullwing, the 190 SL was an immediate hit, with more than 25,000 produced Despite those numbers, there was a high degree of hand-crafting, making the 60-year-old drop-top tricky to restore well. There are many areas to check, but rust is the killer because the few drainage holes it had would easily become blocked

W113 ‘Pagoda’ (1963)

WIDELY regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cars, the Pagoda set Merc’s design direction for the next halfcentury. Values have skyrocketed in recent years; prices approaching £300,000 are not unusual, although good, usable models are around for half that. Tread carefully, though, because a poorly restored car can lead to crippling bills.

R107 (1971)

SLSHOP regards the R107 as the sweet spot in the range, because as long as they’re well maintained, they’ll take big mileages in their stride And with almost 250,000 built over 18 years, they’re still in plentiful supply. Rusty bulkheads are common, and could easily cost £7,000 to fix, but rot aside, most other common faults are relatively simple to put right.

R129 (1989)

THE R129 is still a relatively common sight, but values have fallen to the point where maintenance can be neglected, so do your homework. Rust and rough interiors should be easy to spot, less so head gasket and wiring loom issues with earlier cars The engine range was bewildering, and all have their strengths and weaknesses, so buy with your head, not your heart

R230 (2001)

UNQUESTIONABLY a modern classic, the R230 was produced until a decade ago With prices starting from less than £5,000, it’s the cheapest. But should you buy one for that? Possibly, but you’ll need to check for rust, that the hydropneumatic suspension and brake-by-wire systems function correctly and the gearbox is solid. All of these can be hugely expensive to fix.

Electric range is 19 miles, but hybrid system focuses on performance