450 SL a bargain or a money pit?

[PeterE320Cdi]

I have been thinking about selling my fun cars (Triumph Spitfire & GT6) and buying an SL. The Triumphs aren't worth much so it would need to be a cheap SL. Do you think this would fit the bill or end up costing a fortune?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1980-MERCEDES-450-SL-AUTO-WHITE_W0QQitemZ4634370497QQcategoryZ31360QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[fatherpierre]

They're always a gamble.

That one seems to have had some cash spent on it so may be worth a bid. There's no mention of timing chain work which is always an issue on the old V8 lumps.

I had a 1977 450SE (same engine) and it drank with a thirst that would have put George Best and Oliver Reed to shame (10mpg if lucky around town - 18 on runs).

It looks a beauty and appears to have been looked after, but it's always going to cost you money to keep it going.

SLs always go for a mega premium as they're so gorgeous and sought after. I'll bet that one goes for about £7k. Even sheds with no MOT and needing major work make £4k+.

 

[grober]

ALWAYS ALWAYS be wary of a car you cant drive on the road. Inspection can only tell you so much.It hasnt got an MOT bad bad bad. By legal definition its not a car at the moment just a collection of car parts. Bulkhead/heater plenum chamber problems are a known very expensive rust problem on these cars £800+ to repair. Cracked windscreen and loose wiper motor all point to potential probs in this area. Missing hardtop is not good either.
Wouldnt touch it for the money. SORRY.
Lovely cars but most are a money pit as you surmised

 

[dougal74]

I would guess that he put it through an MOT to sell it and found out it needed a lot of expensive work.
He can't take the Northern Irish ("private") plates off it as it has no MOT so he is selling as is. If you are tempted budget for a big bill, but as you say it has been cared for until quite recently when it would appear the catalogue of problems became just too much.

 

[Howard]

Peter, if you want , you can just send me £1000 every few months and save yourself the bother of having to scrap the car in the end ....

Sorry ...... i'll get my coat ....

 

[imadoofus]

Buy it as a rolling resto, for less than £4k, and you can't really go wrong.

If the bidding goes above that, then you need to really know your stuff, and have all the necessary skills (or access to them), as you're getting into a whole different can of worms....

Not being able to drive it is a drawback, but if you know what you're looking for, and you've got your eyes and ears open, then it should be a problem.

PJ

 

[stats007]

I had a '72 350SL - cost me about £1500 a year to maintain. Lovely cars but there are so many of them for sale then there would be no point in buying one to restore with so many hidden dangers (rust, rust and more rust). Post '86 models are the most sought after unless you want a Historic Vehicle (pre '73) £10k should get you a nice 420SL with around 70k miles. Don't expect to go out in the rain though - they all leak at some point!

 

[Vips]

I quite like this car. Has had alot of work on it, but sadly still needs more. IMHO, if you have the time and money to get this car on the road than by all means do it. I unfortunately have neither, But hell I love this classic.