Need Purchasing Advice From Board Sages

[DSLiverpool]

This has caught my eye and its local. at £23.250

2003 '03 REG MERCEDES SL55 AMG
KOMPRESSOR * CONVERTIBLE * AUTOMATIC

BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC WITH COMPLIMENTING ANTHRACITE NAPPA LEATHER INTERIOR.

66,000 MILES WITH FMBSH
TAXED FOR 6 MONTHS AND MOT'D UNTIL APRIL 2009 and supplied with bills receipts & old MOT's.
LAST SERVICED 14/02/2008 AT 60,800 MILES BY MAIN DEALERS: MERCEDES BENZ STOKE.
superb condition throughout, treated with 'Supaguard' paint protector/selant and leather protector guarenteed until feb 2010.
FULL spec inc vent massage seats and sat nav and Bose

IF I decided to get this would it be acceptable to tell the seller to MOT it (at my cost) ? If it failed they would get the work done ? its well priced but the short MOT puts me right off - why not get a new one before offering for sale ?

Whats the best protocol ? depending on condition I would offer £21 as a start

 

[CE230]

When I bought mine I agreed a deal subject to a valid MOT. Make an offer under the same terms and if he refuses walk away as there may be a problem with it.

 

[Big_Jon]

When I bought mine I agreed a deal subject to a valid MOT. Make an offer under the same terms and if he refuses walk away as there may be a problem with it.

Agreed, I wouldnt spend this sort of cash unless it came with 12 months brief.

At the end of the day at 20-odd grand there must be something wrong if the seller wont spent £40 on an MOT if asked.

 

[stats007]

I'd put it in for a minor service and get MB to look it over as well as an MoT. It's been a year after all and ASSYST just measures the oil quality.

 

[grober]

I would also look at the number of owners its had. If there has been a change recently - within the last 18 months say or many owners then a close scrutiny of all the documentation would be advisable.

 

[Smiley]

Give MB Stoke a call and see what they can tell you about the car.

If you are on good terms with your local MB dealer ask them for any info they can give you on the car.

As someone has said find out how many owners; could be a clue.

I would not let the short MOT put you off; similarly you should not be impressed or comforted by a long MOT - the MOT tester can see very little of consequence these days - not alowed to touch / remove anything for access.

Best suggestion is ask your local MB dealer to inspect it - should cost you £150 ish? better than 50 quid on an MOT. Ask them to check the paint thickness on all the panels and identify any repair work.

Last thing you want is a "cheap" SL55; a well priced one yes, but not a cheap knocked about one.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I wouldn't worry to much about the number of owners. Expensive specialist and sports cars like this - especially when new-ish - change hands more often than say a family car, city car.

The 911 is a classic example of a car that changes hands very quickly when new-ish, and slows down as it ages.

 

[DSLiverpool]

Full spec from ad vert is

66,000 MILES WITH FMBSH
TAXED FOR 6 MONTHS AND MOT'D UNTIL APRIL 2009 and supplied with bills receipts & old MOT's.
LAST SERVICED 14/02/2008 AT 60,800 MILES BY MAIN DEALERS: MERCEDES BENZ STOKE.
superb condition throughout, treated with 'Supaguard' paint protector/selant and leather protector guarenteed until feb 2010.
SPEC AS FOLLOWS:
COMMAND
SAT NAV
BOSE SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM
CD CHANGER -6 STACK
MP3 COMPATABLE FOR CDS
INTERGRATED PRE-FITTED PHONE SYSTEM (NOKIA, NO PHONE SUPPLIED)
MASSAGE VENTILATED COMFORT SEATS
MULTI CONTOUR SEATS
6SPD AUTO TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSON
ELECTRIC FOLDING MIRRORS
ELECTRIC WINDOWS
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
ESP
CRUISE CONTROL
AIR-CON
AUXILARY HEATING (LUXURY)
INDEPENDANT CLIMATE CONTROL
DESIGNO INTERIOR TRIM
PARKTRONIC
DISTRONIC
AMG BODY STYLING
SPORTS SUSPENSION
MULTI FUCTION STEERING WHEEL W/ INTERGRATED TIPTRONIC CONTROLS
S/STEEL SPORTS EXHAUST
TINTED REAR WINDOWS
TECHNICAL MODIFICATIONS
HIGH CAPACITY BATTERY
18" 5 SPOKE ALLOYS
BI-XENONS HEADLAMPS WITH WASH
AUTO LIGHT ACTIVATION
RAIN SENSORS
INTERIOR MOTION SENSOR
COMMAND CONTOL AND DISPLAY
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Now the pic alloys are turbine type common for the era - seems an odd mistake to make - will check it out sat