Viewing a 300SL-24 '91 tomorrow

[kbhogalW126]

Folks,

I'm going to go and see a 1 owner 1991 300SL-24 tomorrow.

I love driving the 300E-24 and that's why i'm looking at the same engine in a soft top.

The car was bought as a demonstrator from the main dealer in 1991 then traded in last year for a new SL350.

There are a few wee things that need to be sorted, nothing major and IBW has guided me on those items.

One other thing that has cropped up is one of the quarter lights in the soft top has cracked so will need repairing.

I would like to know what its going to cost me (roughly) to get the quarter light repaired.

If I buy her i'm going to do the following:

New Wiper blades,
new headlamp washers,
fix bonnet deadening clips,
new discs and pads all round,
Fix o/s diff seal leak,
new ARB bushes,
Full service,
And possibly new prop shaft donuts.

Is there anything else I should be looking out for?

tia,

KJ.


BTW, here is the spec:

VIN WDB1290612F045523
Model 300 SL-24
Chassis 1290612F045523
Engine 104981 22 013861
Transmission 722352 03 604132
Order 0 1 537 33806
Approx. year 1991
Lights BOSCH
Wiper BOSCH
Dealer Great Britain (537)
Interior leather pebble (275)
Paint
481 bornite (blackberry) metallic (с 01.01.1990 по 31.12.1996)
481 bornite (blackberry) metallic (с 01.01.1990 по 31.12.1996)
Options
241 left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
242 right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to series w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
246 mirror with memory circuit (с 01.02.1988 по 01.09.1996)283 draft deflector (с 01.07.1989)
341 additional lamp (с 01.09.1982)
362
445 steering column, electrically adjustable, and airbag (с 01.02.1980 по 31.10.1993)461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
524 paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
538 automatic antenna and front loudspeaker - without radio set (model 500SEC with loudspeaker only) (с 01.10.1989)
551 anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998)
565 rear seats used on sl models (с 01.01.1963)
580 air conditioner/Tempmatic (с 01.11.1982)
592 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600 headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
615 lamp unit, asymmetrical l.h. traffic, and front and rear door courtesy lamps
like 610, and with type 107 bifocal bulbs
611 + 613 (с 01.11.1978)
652 8-hole light alloy rims (с 01.01.1990)
746 folding top fabric8023 dark brown (с 01.08.1972)
873 seat heater for left and right front seats (с 01.02.1984)
880 closing system with infrared remote control (с 01.02.1988)
881 central locking inside for roadster pigeonholes (с 01.02.1988 по 30.11.1991)

 

[stats007]

Usual head-gasket and wiring harness inspection. The quarter light will be about £200 to repair as the soft-top has to come off to do it properly.

Double-check the roof operation and all electrics (heated seats, heated screen in hardtop, aircon etc).

 

[BTB 500]

I'm going to go and see a 1 owner 1991 300SL-24 tomorrow.

The car was bought as a demonstrator from the main dealer in 1991 then traded in last year for a new SL350

Eh? It must have at least two owners then ... the dealership (or M-B), plus the person who bought it off them.

Is this being sold by the dealer who took it in part-ex against the SL350? If so why are you having to get a service etc. done yourself?

What's the mileage?

Good luck!

 

[neilrr]

traded in last year for a new SL350.

What's it been doing for the last few months?

 

[IanA2]

What constitutes a full service....I'd have all the fluids changed and I'd only change the discs if neccessary....no good 500's about? Also, what's he asking for it....you might get one that doesn't need so much doing for less.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Is this being sold by the dealer who took it in part-ex against the SL350? If so why are you having to get a service etc. done yourself?

Maybe too old for an MB main dealer so sold on to a specialist/independent?

So specific advice, but my two-penneth:

Bornite looks fantastic, especially on an SL!!

 

[kbhogalW126]

The dealer has been trying to sell it for their client.

They wanted 12k and i told them to take a long walk off a short plank so the idea is that the guy gives me cash and his SL for my CLK then he will offload the CLK himself.

I believe that the dealer has put him in touch with a trader.

Once i see the car i will confirm a final price.

Its probably going to be around the 7.5 to 8k range.

The owner has paid for a main dealer inspection and they found the things that i have listed above.

Basically, if i were to spend 12k (which its not worth right now) i would have received the full "signature" service including everything brought right up to scratch plus a years Mercedes Warranty, i think its called "Tier 1."

As I told the dealer that it isnt worth that much he set up the deal between myself and the owner.

Btw, she has only done 77000 miles with a full service history but has been used until some point late last year.

KJ

 

[BTB 500]

M-B Tier 1 warranty is not available on cars that have done over 60k miles, so it would be Tier 2 ... which has more exclusions.

 

[kbhogalW126]

Thanks Bill.

Regards,

KJ

 

[Ade B]

Change the Transmission fluid and filters if it hasn't been done recently.

If its the same engine as that in my CE, the earlier M104 doesn't suffer from loom issues that plague the 320 as far as I am aware.

I'd budget for a new head gasket in the next 12 months and also a serpentine belt damper.

Cracking engine, revs like crazy

 

[janner]

No wiring loom problems on this model and if the headgasket isn't leaking oil then it's probably okay as it's unlikely to still be the original one and the newer gaskets are a better design. Just look carefully for oil leaks or signs of steam cleaning.
Bornite is an unusual colour on an SL.

 

[Ian B Walker]

KJ, you know where I stand on your issues. Bring it on I sense a plan forming, 300-24?? yeah.

Comments made after talking to KJ.

 

[kbhogalW126]

Just had a thought.

I know we have gtg's all the time but have we ever tried to get all the 300 - 24 engined cars together in one place?

300E-24
300CE-24
300SL-24
300TE-24

Whatcha think folks?

Regards,

KJ

 

[Ian B Walker]

Just had a thought.

I know we have gtg's all the time but have we ever tried to get all the 300 - 24 engined cars together in one place?

300E-24
300CE-24
300SL-24
300TE-24

Whatcha think folks?

Regards,

KJ

Do you intend to exclude the 320 -24's?

Sounds like an idea. Why don't you post it in events and gauge response?

 

[Vlad]

Having exactly the same 300-24 SL in Bornite I can confirm its a great car to own!.....I also specifically looked out for a 300-24 as its a very charasmatic engine and has none of the wiring loom problems that the later 320 models have.

Head Gasket is the major issue. When I purchased mine it was starting to drip oil down the offside rear of the block onto the exhaust manifold....stank!. Got it changed before it completely went and cost me £665 all in.

Other than that its just the usual checks, ie does the electric hood work correctly and whats the overall condition of the hood like.

Also check things like electric seat switches if yours has them as they are a bit fragile.

I have thoroughly enjoyed owning mine........sadly just does not get used enough!

 

[Setanta]

Hi

I recall making inquiries about that car a while back (actually, quite a long time back!) and the seller was off with Peter Pan on the asking price.

Anyways, looked like a fine example but I would echo the above and check for:

head gasket
the roof operation (make it work a few times, roof up/down hardtop off on, roof back up)
also, keep an eye out for the warning lights all lighting up like a christmas tree when you use the indicators or switch on the hazards

Great cars and I love them to bits (had a 300SL 12 valve myself) and good luck with the purchase

James

 

[IanA2]

Hi

keep an eye out for the warning lights all lighting up like a christmas tree when you use the indicators or switch on the hazards

James

What does this signify if it happens?

 

[Setanta]

The instrument panel is kaput from memory - I think there is some piece of electronic trickery that can possibly be replaced (television may be able to assist here) but from what I was told, you are looking at a replacement panel.

Someone else may be able to shed more light on this perhaps?

 

[kbhogalW126]

The seller is a total dreamer!

Its not as perfect as made out to be.

I don't think i'deven pay 6k for it but the guy is after 13k!

Anyways, as one door closes . . . . . . . .

 

[Tan]

Have you seen the SL320 that Basmar is selling in the classifieds section... or does it have to be an Sl300-24?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=47256

Tan