Bye Bye Silver Arrow

[stats007]

I am thinking about selling the Silver Arrow towards the end of the year for one of these:

1998 SL60 AMG
R129 SL55 AMG
R129 SL73 AMG
C215 CL55 AMG (NA)

As you can probably tell it's for a bit more power though the CL I think would be a nice change. Like all my cars they'd have to be spotless with FMBSH etc - I don't really want to see much depreciation so the R129s are probably a better bet - if I can find any of them as they're all rare cars.

Would appreciate it if those in the know kept their eyes peeled over the next few months as the search may take a while!

Thanks,

Edit:

This is the sort of thing but mileage a bit high.

 

[nickg]

there's an SL73 advertised in this month's ME for £39,995!! First one I can remember seeing advertised in the UK, though I did see one on the road in Hampstead a couple of years ago. You will do well to find one.

Out of interest, why do you specify a '98 SL60? Presumably you want one of the last built, but are there differences between a '97 spec (which mine is) and a '98 car?

You're welcome to come and look at mine sometime for reference if you like. I like to think it is pretty spotless but your standards may be different!! It drives beautifully anyway, and I'm not too far from you in NW London.

Nick

 

[stats007]

Hi Nick,

I appreciate an SL73 is rare but they're not worth £40k - not to me anyway! As for the SL60, there weren't any major changes from '97 to '98 though I'm hoping there's one with a Mobilo Warranty being one of the last built - it should also have the later air con unit and xenons. I'm happy to get a LHD german car as the SL55 was only LHD anyway.

Probably clutching at straws but I'm in no rush to sell my SL anyway.

Preferred colours are black or designo almandine. Would be nice to see your SL60 sometime - maybe we should organise an SL GTG?

 

[nickg]

good idea.
There are cars out there - there was a black SL60 '98 car on sale last summer from an indy dealer in the south. But they wanted £35K for it and refused to budge. I really really wanted it but the price was so far over the top that it didn't make sense.
From memory I think it was being sold by Harbour Cars in Chichester (this is from memory so I may be wrong, but worth making a call).

Why not give them a ring and ask? They will probably know who has it now.

www.harbourcars.com.

PS the MY97 cars have the later aircon but xenons were a cost option (which mine doesn't have).

 

[stats007]

I've dealt with Harbour Cars before and to be honest won't go there again - thanks for the link though. The yellow SL60 is back on Autotrader for £27k but this one is a mystery as it was green from the factory - I also don't fancy a yellow car! I've seen a gold SL55 but I might have to wait until I get my pension before I can drive that

Out of interest have you had any issues getting the car serviced properly?

 

[nickg]

I've always used George Fraser and no, no issues.
As I understand it, the SL60 is fairly easy to maintain because it is based very much on a standard SL500 with uprated brakes etc.
There are some (few) AMG parts that, if needed, would have to be ordered from Germany but I've only ever had standard services with no other reliability problems.

 

[machasm]

Theres a nice CLK55 going for a song in the classifieds
Mac.

 

[scumbag]

Theres a nice CLK55 going for a song in the classifieds
Mac.

you wanna buy that, you do.

 

[stats007]

As nice as it is they're not really my thing. Have you tried Pistonheads and or the dreaded eBay? Even if just to drum up some interest?

 

[machasm]

Both. Thanks.
I really don't understand it. I can't seem to give the thing away! Its a real shame too because it really is a good car.
Don't think I will be getting another Merc after this. Its seems just too hard to shift.
At least I managed to sell the GSXR today.
Mac.

 

[nickg]

To sell it privately could take a long time. The market is just so small these days for this type of car.
What's it worth to part-ex?

 

[machasm]

To sell it privately could take a long time. The market is just so small these days for this type of car.
What's it worth to part-ex?

I feel that I am hi-jacking this thread but for what its worth a dealer will give me around 14 to 15K to part-ex with an overpriced motor he wants to shift (about 5K over private sale for the same car).
Mac.

 

[kensalriser]

Bear in mind it is August, not the best time to sell a car.

 

[stats007]

Well I've not seen this SL60 before. The wheels would have to go (sorry Aka$h ). Here's the yellow one - looks a tad overpriced in comparison!

 

[Will]

The silver one looks worth a look, but I wonder what's happened to the original wheels?

Will

 

[glojo]

This is the sort of thing but mileage a bit high.

That CL looks very nice, will you use it as your main car? The mileage as you say is slightly on the high side. The only thing higher is the specification! If it is not your daily car then the mileage might get back onto an acceptable level? I accept you are in no rush, but it is still a very nice car.

Good luck with the search,
John

 

[Dodger]

I really don't understand it. I can't seem to give the thing away!

Unbelievable! Am so tempted by your car but the timing's just not as good for me as it should be for me to switch...

 

[janner]

Well I've not seen this SL60 before.

Actually, yes you have

It's Nickg's old one

 

[stats007]

Aha - so when did the mirrors and wheels get changed?

 

[stats007]

I feel that I am hi-jacking this thread but for what its worth a dealer will give me around 14 to 15K to part-ex with an overpriced motor he wants to shift (about 5K over private sale for the same car).
Mac.

I take it this is yours? You have a few bidders but even the Buy It Now price seems fair. Maybe the 54L engine is putting them off .