Buying info SL500

[rocketfixer]

Hi all. Pretty new to this great Site/Forum, but have already gained excellent info.
I have been looking for some time for a very good 96-98 SL500. but it seems that price and condition do not seem to follow any rules. I have seen some 90K cars in poor condition for £8K etc etc.
I would like a Panroof, so a little limited on choice. AMG alloys would be nice, but I figure I could add these later..if I find the right car. Some cars seem nicely presented , but is this just polish? Ebay is a nightmare with regard to various pricing etc.
Looking at one at the moment, that seems a little low priced (dealer). you wonder what he paid for it? but it looks good and has history. I never had this problem with other cars. Advice most welcome.
Cheers

 

[swithin]

Hi rocketfixer, Just bought my first R129 SL500 in February having had a number of SL320's. I paid £12k for mine but it had only done 31k miles from new and is in immaculate condition. The previous owner also put an LPG tank in the boot with a hidden filler (behind the rear number plate) and that also helped my decision.

Check the softop for wear especially around the plastic corner windows, mine have just been replaced on the 320 £350. A new roof is £1500, the mechanics of the hood much more expensive.

The engine is bullet proof, though check the gearbox through all the gears, i've tested a couple that didn't like kick-down and I ran from them.

Check wheel arches for rust, very good indicator as to how well it has been looked after.

Panoramic roof is definately worth it if you find a car with it.

Hope this helps

Gary

 

[tpwuk]

Hi rocketfixer, Just bought my first R129 SL500 in February having had a number of SL320's. I paid £12k for mine but it had only done 31k miles from new and is in immaculate condition. The previous owner also put an LPG tank in the boot with a hidden filler (behind the rear number plate) and that also helped my decision.

Check the softop for wear especially around the plastic corner windows, mine have just been replaced on the 320 £350. A new roof is £1500, the mechanics of the hood much more expensive.

The engine is bullet proof, though check the gearbox through all the gears, i've tested a couple that didn't like kick-down and I ran from them.

Check wheel arches for rust, very good indicator as to how well it has been looked after.

Panoramic roof is definately worth it if you find a car with it.

Hope this helps

Gary

Wouldn't mind seeing some pictures of your LPG install. It sounds very neat!

 

[Sp!ke]

I know of a 1995 SL500 that will be up for sale shortly (in bucks) - low miles however @ under 60k if memory serves me correctly.

Regarding the Pano roof, I have one on mine and yes, it is lovely but will you be driving the car through winter?

If you are like me the car won't get driven through winter, nor when its raining, so the whole concept of a hardtop is pretty much irrelevent as it just sits in my garage not being used - ever.

Basically if its not roof down driving weather, I wont take the car out.

Also, any reason why you are steering away from the facelifted 113 engine models? Mine is a '99 113 engined version and the facelifted interior in my mine, for me, far outways any desire for a 119 engine.

 

[BTB 500]

Hi & welcome Rocketfixer, have a search as there are quite a few R129 buying threads here.

Be aware that AMG wheels on older SLs that come up for sale are often replicas, particularly if they appear to be split-rims.

Avoid anything where the roof doesn't operate smoothly. As above, the plastic windows crack eventually but they're not outrageously expensive to have replaced.

I'm unusual in that I'm not a fan of the panoramic roof ... it's significantly heavier, and I think the slightly more angular standard hardtop suits the car better. But panoramic tops do come up for sale sometimes, so if you saw a car that was otherwise perfect you could possibly add one later.

If you want to post a link to the car you're considering we would be happy to give some feedback.