Sl500 wanted

[beem]

Hi all, i have decided to throw caution to the wind and go for a 500 (thanks for all the advice guys, i know who to blame if it goes pear shaped) I have seen a few for sale around my budget (£5000 ish) but all are with dealers and i would rather buy from an enthusiast or at least a dealer that has an interest in mercs, If anyone is thinking of selling one or knows of one for sale i would be interested in having a look, Regards, Gary

 

[CE230]

No 500's but a few very good Sl's at WDM WDM Cars - Mercedes Specialists

 

[beem]

thanks mate, they do look good but i have set my heart on a 500. thanks for the info though.

 

[Roger Jones]

There are plenty around -- I've found the one I want -- although they are far outnumbered by those with smaller engines.

Check into AutoTrader and PistonHeads.

Also:

Mercedes R129 1996 SL500 For Sale (1996) on Car And Classic UK

Classic Mercedes Cars For Sale, Mercedess Car Wanted. Used/Private/Trade, Vintage/Veteran/Old Cars on Car and Classic Co UK

You are wise to seek out a private seller to get more for your money, but of course you run more risk and have zero come-back. Just make sure that you budget £200-ish for a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) by someone who knows what he's doing. If you get to that point, I know someone who is excellent and within easy reach of you, and is doing a PPI for me this week; PM me for details when the time is right.

The consensus seems to be that the pre-1998 cars are more solid (if only very slightly) than the later ones (which will be outside your budget anyway). It was the M119 engine until 1998 and there are many more who swear by it than at it. The very early ones need checking for corrosion at the base of the doors. The 1993-96 ones need checking for degradation of the engine wiring harness/loom. In general, and judging by the eight I've driven over the past month, corrosion is a very rare problem, but non-functional A/C is common. Check for uneven tyre wear, which implies an alignment problem (I've rejected an otherwise attractive car because of that); in any event, Wheels in Motion (Chesham) can sort that out if you find one that is otherwise irresistible.

Have fun looking and don't rush. Prices are likely to soften up to the turn of the year and beyond. Hope this helps, but I'm no expert and would defer to others who are very well clued-up and may well pop up on this thread.

Here are some useful sites:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/sl/r129history.htm

http://www.pacemotors.com.au/ArticleView.asp?ArticleID=8

http://www.brianclifton.com/Mercedes-Benz/CarDetail.aspx?ID=2

 

[stevieb15]

For what its worth I spent well over 12 months and travelled all over the countrty looking for mine and quite genuinely bought the only decent one I saw and even then I had to accept an unusual colour(although now I love it).
If you find one for £5000 or even close thats been properly looked after you will do very well.

 

[d w124]

1992 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS SL500 auto AMG V8 on eBay (end time 22-Aug-09 16:09:24 BST)

 

[jonnyboy]

1992 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS SL500 auto AMG V8 on eBay (end time 22-Aug-09 16:09:24 BST)

Jap import, so no s/history effectively......

£6k will buy you one that needs work - just choose carefully and price up what differing types of work costs. You then get the satisfaction of bringing something up to top-notch standard your way !

 

[beem]

Thanks for your help guys, I dont mind having to do abit of work, thats half of the fun, but i dont want to be buying a money pit either, I have seen a few im interested in but wont let my heart run away with me. Roger have you bought your car yet? it would be nice to see some pics when you do, good luck with it. Thanks again for all your help and the interesting links, Regards, Gary

 

[Roger Jones]

"Roger have you bought your car yet?"

I drove it again yesterday at the garage where a couple of problems had been fixed. My mechanic is doing the PPI today. I'm really hoping for the thumbs up from him.

On a car that's at least ten years old, some work will be inevitable. Go for one if you intend keeping it; that way, costs can be notionally spread over many years and are therefore easier to come to terms with. Finally, a tip from my Porsche-dealer neighbour: the quality of the tyre brand is a good indicator of the overall care and expense that has been applied to the car.

 

[NuisanceValue]

Here's a couple at £5k..

MERCEDES-BENZ SL SERIES SL500 Auto 2 Door Convertible For Sale (1995) on Car And Classic UK - looks fairly standard and no word on mileage

MERCEDES BENZ SL500, AUTO For Sale (1995) on Car And Classic UK - looks nice but heavy miles, but paperwork and keys etc all seem ok

Mercedes 500sl Nov 1989 For Sale (1989) on Car And Classic UK - unusual/rare colour and looks well looked after but wants £6.5k

 

[Druk]

Finally, a tip from my Porsche-dealer neighbour: the quality of the tyre brand is a good indicator of the overall care and expense that has been applied to the car.

Good tip that Roger.

 

[beem]

Thanks nv, the first one has done about 150k iirc, its been on auto trader for ages, the last one looks the biz though. Roger, i hope all turns out well for you, i it a private sale or dealer? the reason i ask is that if yours turns out ok i wondered, if it is a dealer, has he any more? good luck and i will be checking at tyres from now on. Regards, Gary

 

[Roger Jones]

Gary

Mine's with a home-based trader with limited and varied stock, and no other SLs currently.

I've now got the PPI report, which was well worth it, as I can present it to the trader and ask him either to fix the problems found or reduce his asking price, or both. Nothing very serious. I asked my mechanic if he would buy the car himself, just as he said after his PPI of my twin turbo three years ago. Happily, he said he would.

I may as well share my analysis of current Autotrader and Pistonheads listings in the price range I was considering -- year, mileage, price, source:

2000 71 £12,995 Dealer
2000 84 £12,990 Dealer
1998 78 £12,650 Trader
1998 48 £10,750 Private
1998 90 £9,000 Private
1998 100 £8,300 Private
1997 62 £12,000 Dealer
1997 92 £10,750 Private
1997 70 £10,000 Dealer
1997 51 £10,000 Dealer
1997 50 £10,000 Dealer
1997 102 £9,500 Dealer
1997 82 £8,000 Dealer
1996 85 £9,000 Private
1996 90 £8,000 Private
1996 66 £6,500 Private
1995 64 £12,000 Dealer
1995 115 £9,000 Private
1995 78 £9,000 Dealer
1995 108 £8,500 Dealer
1995 71 £8,300 Private
1995 87 £8,000 Private
1995 68 £8,000 Dealer
1995 91 £7,200 Private
1995 91 £7,000 Private
1995 90 £7,000 Trader
1995 84 £7,000 Trader
1995 105 £6,300 Private
1994 35 £10,000 Dealer
1994 61 £9,000 Dealer
1994 86 £8,500 Private
1994 47 £8,000 Trader
1994 108 £7,300 Trader
1994 77 £6,300 Private
1994 124 £6,000 Dealer
1994 120 £5,500 Private
1994 163 £5,000 Dealer
1993 57 £10,000 Trader
1993 60 £8,000 Private
1993 102 £7,000 Dealer
1993 102 £7,000 Dealer
1993 100 £7,000 Private
1993 80 £7,000 Dealer
1993 83 £6,500 Trader
1993 122 £5,700 Dealer
1993 86 £5,500 Trader
1992 115 £9,000 Dealer
1992 83 £8,500 Trader
1992 61 £7,000 Trader
1992 150 £6,000 Dealer
1992 110 £5,500 Dealer
1992 106 £5,500 Dealer
1992 103 £4,500 Dealer
1991 69 £10,000 Dealer
1991 50 £10,000 Dealer
1991 67 £9,000 Dealer
1991 83 £8,500 Dealer
1991 72 £8,500 Dealer
1991 86 £7,000 Private
1991 74 £7,000 Dealer
1991 150 £6,000 Private
1991 81 £5,500 Trader
1991 75 £5,500 Private
1991 119 £5,000 Dealer
1990 106 £6,000 Trader
1990 115 £5,000 Dealer
1990 89 £4,000 Trader
1989 86 £7,000 Dealer
1989 94 £6,500 Private
1989 84 £6,000 Private
1989 194 £3,000 Private

 

[beem]

Its amazing how the prices differ between simular cars, its so difficult to tell what they are worth, i think its a case of pick the car you want at the prce you ar happy to pay. Sounds like you have got yourself a car Roger, enjoy.