Why can you buy a 2002-2004 (newer shape) Merc SL for £13k?

[DSLiverpool]

I think £30k for a mint and interesting SL55 is decent value.
My Jag was £56k new and worth £41k less than a year later so in 7 years my SL has lost
£80k that's not bad for a thirsty monster.
Mine has the small screen I thought I would hate but I don't notice it.
Things like easy exit make such a difference to a short fat guy exiting the vehicle so it suits me nicely.
To answer the OP I think SL500 are cheap because for little more you can get an AMG which when launched was a legendary car with massive waiting lists, possibly the SL500 is in no mans land !

 

[bostonmj]

The only difference is the black smoked stripe in the middle instead of the light being completely red. I bought these new and got them changed soon after buying the car. I still have the old ones. I never did like the full red lights, even when the R230 was new. I understand there is a change on the 2006 facelift but the AMG ones are still red with a black stripe where the standard ones gained a white stripe.

Mirras,

Yes, I can see that now.

Thanks.

 

[rossyl]

Probably bad manners to repost the same thing but it applies here...

They are unfortunately lovable money pits…. In the two years I’ve had mine it’s had…

8 new tyres… ( 32k miles total )
New front brake disks & pads - my cost
New SBC pump – MB UK picked up the bill,
New ABC valve – my cost,
New ABC pump – 3rd party warranty
Two new door handles - 3rd party warranty
AMG rear lights – my cost
AMG SL63 smoked 3rd brake light – my cost
Mud flaps all round – my cost
Full paint correction and detailing – my cost
Various interior trim items replaced – my cost
New mats – my cost
New Front O/S strut - 3rd party warranty
New Front bumper – Insurance cost after someone reversed a pickup with towbar into me.
New Rear bumper, exhaust and taillight – Insurance cost after someone drove a Corsa into my rear ( and wrote off the corsa, minor damage to SL ).
New headlamp washer units – my cost
New driver’s door speaker – my cost
iPod integration – my cost
New front ball joints – my cost
Regular treatment with MB seal fluid – my cost
New rear battery – my cost
Every broken or damaged clip replaced – my cost…..


be warned, buying one will not be cheap if you want to keep it tip-top, but that big smile is worth every tear cried and pound spent

Thanks, and appreciated.

I've grayed out those things you've mentioned that are cosmetic/could have happened to anyone in any car at any time, type issues. To make it a bit more reflective of the ownership costs.

 

[mirras]

Add a replacement nearside front strut 2 weeks ago under warranty.

 

[mirras]

So it's...

8 new tyres… ( 32k miles total )
New front brake disks & pads - my cost
New SBC pump – MB UK picked up the bill,
New ABC valve – my cost,
New ABC pump – 3rd party warranty
Two new door handles - 3rd party warranty
AMG rear lights – my cost
AMG SL63 smoked 3rd brake light – my cost
Mud flaps all round – my cost
Full paint correction and detailing – my cost
Various interior trim items replaced – my cost
New mats – my cost
New Front O/S strut ( leaking ) - 3rd party warranty
New Front N/S strut ( loose bearing ) - 3rd party warranty
New Front bumper – Insurance cost after someone reversed a pickup with towbar into me.
New Rear bumper, exhaust and taillight – Insurance cost after someone drove a Corsa into my rear ( and wrote off the corsa, minor damage to SL ).
New headlamp washer units – my cost
New driver’s door speaker – my cost
iPod integration – my cost
New front ball joints – my cost
Regular treatment with MB seal fluid – my cost
New rear battery – my cost
New rear brake pads - my cost
New interior wood passenger door trim - my cost
New under car cover panels - my cost
Every broken or damaged clip replaced – my cost…..


Very close to swapping it for something more sensible... late w211 or early w221 spring to mind. However, roof down, open road, nice day and the heart takes over again...

 

[MicB]

In my experience my SL500 R230 has been relatively cheap to run given the type of car it is and compared with anything that might be regarded as a comparable alternative......there aren't any like for like alternatives in actual fact but put that aside for the moment.

I have had my car from new and if we ignore the eye watering cost of depreciation, which I do not intend crystallizing, because you are considering purchasing a car that someone else has suffered the vast majority of the depreciation I have:

Annual cost of repair, maintenance and expected consumables......£850

Unexpected consumables have been
Mid box cats. broke up....removed....£185.00
SRS light issue....seat belt contact...£115.44
ABC pump failure....replaced...........£1502.30

Over 7yrs. 8mths this gives an annual cost of.......................£200

Total.....£1050/yr. without adjustment for inflation

Average mpg is not bad at about 22-23 and because we are considering a pre 2006 car the RFL is currently £245. My insurance is reasonable at £363 for the current year but naturally that is personal to me.

The car has done 65000 miles and I get an average of just under 20000 miles from a tyre, the cost of which is included in expected consumables.

Like any other car something expensive could go wrong tomorrow but I would contend that this is low cost motoring......relatively speaking. I do not do DIY although I have done my own preventative boot leak treatment.

I love my R230 and it makes me smile.....what price that?

Mic

 

[timk]

Never seen this colour before, looks great. To me this generation of SL is for some reason one of the few mercedes that looks best in silver (if possible with red leather. Might be alone on that front, just think it suits the lines of the car more.

Would still say the car in the link is overpriced at £45,000 despite the low miles considering what other options you have AMG wise at that price and definitely below that price...

Looks great but it's also a Cat D which means it's definately overpriced.

 

[John]

A BMW is A Money pit; quite agree.

Not strictly true.

I've owned 6 BMWs over the years and some have never had any faults in the time I've had them, others have. Worse problem one had was a warped clutch in a 325i as they used the same clutch in all E36s but that was changed under warranty. Despite not paying for it - this was the most expensive bill I would have had and was the biggest problem I ever had.

You can be unlucky with any car as illustrated in this thread.

 

[MicB]

Not strictly true.

I've owned 6 BMWs over the years and some have never had any faults in the time I've had them, others have. Worse problem one had was a warped clutch in a 325i as they used the same clutch in all E36s but that was changed under warranty. Despite not paying for it - this was the most expensive bill I would have had and was the biggest problem I ever had.

You can be unlucky with any car as illustrated in this thread.

My 735 has been very cost effective to run over the 20yrs. in my ownership. Solid reliable transportation. Excellent car.

I paid £14500 for it when 3yrs. old in 1991 and the average cost of servicing, repair, maintenance and consumables has been just under £1800/yr. without adjustment for inflation.

The car has done 267000 miles and it had done 44000 miles when I bought it.

Mic