How bad of an idea is it to buy an SL65 (R230) in 2023?

[alabbasi]

Here's my 0.02c. If you're buying a car as an investment, you're already making a mistake so it's time to forget about it. Cars are not investments because by the time you get through repairs, maintenance, storage, taxes etc; There are better vehicles to invest your money. If you're lucky and you have a passion for it... You might be able to have some fun and get out of it with the shirt on your back.

Anyone suggesting that car needs to follow an annual service schedule even though it's not been driven doesn't know what they're talking about. I drove my CL65 6 miles one year. If someone can explain to me why I need to replace my spark plugs, air filter and oil filter after 6 miles, I'd be prepared to listen (not really, I'd tune out but I'd pretend to listen). Certainly it car needed an inspection so I popped off my air cleaners to make sure that mice didn't nest in there, but all I found is a brand new air filter.

Inspection is critical, but annual servicing on a car that has barely done any miles is nonsense.

Going back to the SL65, I don't know how many RHD examples were sold in the UK, but in the US, less than 1500 were imported. I expect that for the UK market, there are probably a few dozen floating around. With numbers so small, there is no market value for these cars and prices are determined by the seller and the buyer, usually based on condition, and how badly either party wants to buy or sell. I don't believe for a second that he has buyers lining up, but I expect that there is no shortage of idiots with no money calling him on this car which may skew his perception.

If you feel that he's asking too much, wait him out or move on to the next one.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Hey chaps, gosh this is such a faff. I really do want the car, but I refuse to overpay for it (well, so I say for the moment).

I spoke to the seller again and he insists he wont budge. I said I'll have a final think about it this weekend and let him know by Tuesday. If we can't agree a price by then, there's a nice 997 Turbo or F430 that I've got my eyes on, ironically both of which are considerably more than the SL65, but correctly priced. I literally just want something fancy and 'special' to look pretty on the driveway and occasionally take my daughter out in during the summer. For actually driving fast, I have three in the stable that I could not be happier with. This upcoming purchase is merely a 40th birthday gift to myself and to probably be the last cool car that I buy, before accepting my fate in a Vauxhall Zafira or something.

I'll keep you guys posted, but unless by some miracle the seller swallows his pride and accepts an even £50k from myself, he'll likely have to wait for that queue of other folks to stump up the cash.

Again....very annoying, because it ticks the 'special' box very well and is around £30k cheaper than one of the other options. I wonder who will swallow their pride first....him, or me.

Buy the 997 Turbo or F430. The public know what exceptional things they are: “Wow, you’ve got a Ferrari !” Market values for them are more well established and they’ll be far easier to sell two years on as there are more of them around. The woman in the street won’t know that this motor is any different to an £8k R230.

 

[alabbasi]

The woman in the street won’t know that this motor is any different to an £8k R230

Never truer words. 54 cars and the only thing they attract is middle aged men with beards

 

[Red C220]

The last car I bought (currently own) probably had somewhere in the region of a £20K dealer margin on it. It was low volume (around 200 in the UK) There were certain colours and options I wanted, some were non negotiables others were preferences.

When it came down to it I was probably waiting for one of 20 or so cars to come to market. So when one did, I bought it. I paid asking price but had it thoroughly inspected and whatever needed doing (full major service, 4 new tyres etc etc) was done at a main dealer and included in the price

If for some reason I needed to get out if it, it'll cost a fortune.

That R230 SL65 is going to have a 50% trade margin if you needed to dump it quickly. As it stands now it's probably etiher the dealers personal car or it's there on consignment. No dealer in their right mind would buy that into stock unless the margin was massive. It could take years to sell and it's dead money whilst it's sat there.

If you want to buy it, that's the price. If you don't, then buy something else. Forget beating the guy down, he has no reason or incentive to do so as It's unlikely he has a penny of his own money in it.

The 997 and F430 are both better cars in almost every respect. Dynamically, driving experience, badge status, the lot. But if something major goes wrong on either of those they'll make the SL65 look cheap.

The Porsche is a better prospect than the Ferrari. The F430 is basically a race car for the road, the suspension is a consumable item on that car in the way brakes are on a regular vehicle, the manifolds crack on almost every one, but they are glorious things to drive. If you're going to drive it any distance at all each year you realistically need to budget 5K a year to keep it in tip top shape assuming nothing major goes wrong.

If you want drive and forget, buy a Porsche. I never got on with them and found them soulless, but many are devoted to the brand. Myabe I'm a masochist!

Also...consider this. £50K is about one years depreciation on a new £100K plus AMG of pretty much any type.

So what's that SL65 really worth? Probably £20K-£25K if you needed to get out of it in any sort of timescale, maybe £30K if you're lucky. £55K if you want to buy it.

 

[c63chris]

I'm on a separate R230 forum. The engines are expensive to maintain particularly the coil packs. The R230 has expensive parts whatever model you get but the AMG ones are at the top. They seem to be in big demand and getting a premium. These cars don't respond well to not being driven or maintained so I'd be wary of this one. That said if you have the budget and prepared to spend at the start it could be a great project

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Never truer words. 54 cars and the only thing they attract is middle aged men with beards

Oi! I resemble that remark.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Oi! I resemble that remark.

Alabbasi !

You've pulled !

.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

You had Bobby Dazzler at "54"

 

[Dickster]

I'm on a separate R230 forum. The engines are expensive to maintain particularly the coil packs. The R230 has expensive parts whatever model you get but the AMG ones are at the top. They seem to be in big demand and getting a premium. These cars don't respond well to not being driven or maintained so I'd be wary of this one. That said if you have the budget and prepared to spend at the start it could be a great project

What forum are you on Chris?

 

[Will]

I think a huge part of this simply comes down to psychology.

People like to think they’ve got a bargain.

If the car was £60k someone would offer £55k

If it was £49,995 someone would still want something off.

I never worry about how much money I’m getting money off as such, but consider the overall deal value for money.

Eg, I negotiated a tiny discount off when I purchased my GL63 from a main dealer but it was great value regardless.

Some cars I’ve negotiated huge discounts but they were overpriced to begin with.

Not every buyer and seller will find middle ground for a deal, it’s a bit of a bluff game. If you wanted an F430 or 997 you’d have bought one of those instead already.

Very niche market, so few buyers, but also very few examples for sale. If you want the car, pay the money. I wouldn’t think you’d regret paying £4995 extra for it if it’s the car you want. If it sells and you can’t find another you’ll be kicking yourself.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Reminds me of a friend who picked up a preregistered SL63 in 2018 when the range was being discontinued, after MB realised that the AMG and S500 coupe were all competing in the same corner.

From memory, for a new car he paid about £80k for something that was priced at around £140k

It was that big a discount on a new car. For sure he was a hard negotiator who knew what he was doing.

The real price is what people pay. Asking prices are always ....just asking prices.

 

[c63chris]

What forum are you on Chris?

On facebook there is 'Mercedes Benz R230 Forum'

 

[Dickster]

On facebook there is 'Mercedes Benz R230 Forum'

Thanks Chris, shame I’m not on FB.

 

[Celicasaur]

What makes you think you're over paying for it?

Recent sales that we know of in the UK have been either a lot less for the same sort of miles (let's be honest, mileage tends to be the bottom line with high value cars) and the ones that have sold for around £55k, have either been in the 20-30k mile range, or a full 2009 facelift.

That and the fact that yes it's a very specialist car with a limited market, so I don't want to pay over the odds for something that I as a private seller, I'll struggle to sell for anywhere near what I bought it for, even after maintaining and pampering the car.









Had the seller played nice and been reasonable with the price (even by his own admission, it's priced high, but he's confident of a sale at the asking price), he'd have a sale by now. Instead, I'm now looking at a 991 turbo or F430 instead.

FYI Hexagon Classics have just listed a silver one for £54k, but 1) it's silver/black, so not my cup of tea (and many others, I presume) and 2) they're known for very inflated prices at the best of times.

Anyway, I'm out. £50k and I'm happy. But it's not to be, so goodluck to the seller and I'll find something else, I'm sure.

 

[alabbasi]

it takes two to tango so if it's not the right price for you, it's best not to waste each others time and move along. If the car is still there in 6 months and you've not found anything interesting, you could always reengage.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Recent sales that we know of in the UK have been either a lot less for the same sort of miles (let's be honest, mileage tends to be the bottom line with high value cars) and the ones that have sold for around £55k, have either been in the 20-30k mile range, or a full 2009 facelift.

That and the fact that yes it's a very specialist car with a limited market, so I don't want to pay over the odds for something that I as a private seller, I'll struggle to sell for anywhere near what I bought it for, even after maintaining and pampering the car.

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Had the seller played nice and been reasonable with the price (even by his own admission, it's priced high, but he's confident of a sale at the asking price), he'd have a sale by now. Instead, I'm now looking at a 991 turbo or F430 instead.

FYI Hexagon Classics have just listed a silver one for £54k, but 1) it's silver/black, so not my cup of tea (and many others, I presume) and 2) they're known for very inflated prices at the best of times.

Anyway, I'm out. £50k and I'm happy. But it's not to be, so goodluck to the seller and I'll find something else, I'm sure.

Out of interest what was it about the ones you’ve posted which were previously sold on Collecting Cars that stopped you from buying them, and what is it about the one currently listed on eBay that you would be prepared to pay £50k for (if that’s still strong money)?

 

[SL03WLY]

Would you consider the other 65 AMG's?

Just see this in AutoTrader S65

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

No bullying implied or intended, but

what’s the problem with buying two SL63’s instead?

One for weekdays and something for the weekend, Sir….

 

[alabbasi]

what’s the problem with buying two SL63’s instead?

That would assume that a NA 6.2 motor is an upgrade from a 55k. I don't think it is. An SL600 with a tune however would smoke a 55K and is as cheap as chips.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

That would assume that a NA 6.2 motor is an upgrade from a 55k. I don't think it is. An SL600 with a tune however would smoke a 55K and is as cheap as chips.

OK, then two SL600's instead of one Sl65 ?