Buyer advice SL500 2000

[rirhill]

Hi all
Please could I have soem advise on SL 5OO. Anyone got one and could give me an idea of MPG and problems during ownership, I would be grateful.

I have heard about full MBSH is a must?


Cheers
Ian

 

[Flash]

Do you mean R129 (previous generation) or R230 (current shape) ?

On R129s the soft top mechanism can be problematic so ensure that upon buying yours all works fine. Also, check the clear plastic rear screen is free of scratching and not cloudy as expensive to replace.

Face lift models post 97 are the ones to go for.

I'm not sure of the exact MPG.

Also, do the obvious basic checks that you would on any other car i.e. all electrics etc.

On the R230s only main issue that I am aware of is that the hard top roof mechanism rattles whilst driving on pre face lift cars but there is a fix for this.

 

[BTB 500]

I assume you mean R129 (not the 'current shape') SL?

Run a few searches on "SL500" as similar questions get asked fairly often. Stats007 has a car of that age and I'm sure will offer specific advise. I'd expect a late model car like that with full service history to be a fairly safe bet though, provided you check that EVERYTHING works before you buy. All the electrics and particularly the hood should operate perfectly.

MPG will depend on how driven, they are heavy cars but once rolling they are quite low drag. So stop/start will be in the teens probably, motorway cruising in the mid 20s. My '97 has a different version of the 5 litre V8 but I've managed a little over 29 mpg from a tank on a long trip with lots of motorway. It's actually more economical on fuel than my VW Sharan, which is the same weight with a 2.8 V6 petrol but less aerodynamic.

 

[television]

When I bought my SL500 and drove the 200 mile journey home it returned 29.8 mpg diring at 80mph. My V70R would have only returned 24, on the same journey and speed.

malcolm

 

[rirhill]

thanks for your help.
Its a SL 500 2000 W Reg I think. Also if anyone has an idea of service costs too?

Kind Regards
Ian

 

[television]

thanks for your help.
Its a SL 500 2000 W Reg I think. Also if anyone has an idea of service costs too?

Kind Regards
Ian

Around £350 for A service, and £500 for the B is a rough guide with MB, indies are much cheaper. Do ask more questions before you dive in.

Malcolm

 

[stats007]

As Bill says do a search for 'R129' or 'SL500' as this has been covered many times before. Try this thread for starters.

I personally wouldn't buy one without a full main dealer history - additional work by specialists is fine.

Do you have any more details on the car? Spec's vary quite a bit - as do prices.

Don't rush in would be my best advice.

 

[jaymanek]

Also, check the clear plastic rear screen is free of scratching and not cloudy as expensive to replace.

.

The later cars will have glass rear screens, so nothing to worry about...

 

[stats007]

R129s don't have glass screens.

 

[BTB 500]

The later cars will have glass rear screens, so nothing to worry about...

Are you sure? I don't see how a solid rear screen would fit, without a larger hood storage compartment (and consequently a smaller boot).

 

[stats007]

I think Jaymanek is referrring to later model SLs - i.e the R230 that Malcolm has.

 

[jaymanek]

I think Jaymanek is referrring to later model SLs - i.e the R230 that Malcolm has.

Oh sorry, must be confused, but i could have sworn the facelift models had a change to the rear screens... think i must be getting confused with the W124 Cab...

ps if u do have a less than clear rear screen I can recommend using this stuff called hindsight, its fantastic!

 

[rirhill]

Yes its w reg 30000 miles 1 owner and full MBSH. Not sure of the spec hopefully will see it today.It has rear seats and hard top. Stats what sort of money do you think its worth please? Does it qualify for classic car insurance?

Thanks
Ian

 

[BTB 500]

Yes its w reg 30000 miles 1 owner and full MBSH. Not sure of the spec hopefully will see it today.It has rear seats and hard top.
Thanks
Ian

Hard top is standard, as is a wind deflector (lives inside the boot) for use with the hood down. The 'panoramic' hard top (with glass roof) was an expensive option, and is quite desirable.

Rear seats were standard on the SL500 when mine was made, but I think became an option later (you could have storage cubby holes instead). The back seats were OK for carrying kids until the law changed recently. They only have lap belts, so not possible to use a booster cushion.

 

[stats007]

All R129s came with a hardtop - the panoramic roof adds about £1k to the value of the car. All came with rear seats as standard ('99 onwards) unless deleted in favour of storage bins or BOSE audio. Options of note are:

AMG suspension / wheels / bodykit.
Adaptive damping (rare) - good / bad depending on your point of view.
Exclusive Nappa leather.
Orthopaedic seats (rare)
Wood pack.
Sat Nav (rare as original equipment).

Xenons should be standard on that model as should be electric folding mirrors, auto-dimming RVM and heated memory seats (as of September 2000). Wood is either chestnut (light) or walnut (dark) unless a special edition model. Leather is Nappa unless Designo / Exclusive Nappa has been ordered.

Is it a private or dealer sale? Get the VIN (displayed on the nearside lower portion of the windscreen) and you can check the (99% accurate) russian website to display the original spec - found here.

 

[nickg]

Yes its w reg 30000 miles 1 owner and full MBSH. Not sure of the spec hopefully will see it today.It has rear seats and hard top. Stats what sort of money do you think its worth please? Does it qualify for classic car insurance?

Thanks
Ian

classic car insurance?
A 2000 reg car is only 6 yrs old (it is currently the year 2006). Why would it qualify as a "classic"?

Other contributors to this thread have been extremely patient, but come on......do you need us to tell you what colours you like as well?
There is tons of info on the SL500 all over this forum and it would take you just moments to go and find some yourself.
Go and look at autotrader.co.uk to find prices.

 

[stats007]

It will qualify for 'modern classic' status through Allianz Cornhill. Certain MBs 5 years and over do. Mine is on a classic policy with an agreed value and limited mileage as it's a weekend car.

I can't 'value' it without knowing more about it - colour - number of owners - spec etc.

 

[stats007]

Is it this one? Seems way too cheap.

This is a more realistic price.

 

[nickg]

the £15K one certainly is suspiciously cheap - looks nice in the photo though.

 

[rirhill]

That was the one. Very strange called again for the third time and its been sold. Some sellers are strange he never returned my calls. Oh well back to looking at the 911's older of course.

Thanks for all ur help anyway

Ian