Hello, I’ve also caught the SL500 bug...

SL63 Mark

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The owner seemed decent, but the car was running when I arrived and he told me about a gearbox service and some new tyres and a regular service which he ‘paid cash for and didn’t get receipts’... had me a bit suspicious there I have to say.

I agree if the car was running, that is suspicious. Also the lack of receipts is suspicious. The tyres need to be a good make (Continentals/Michellins/Pirellis) preferably with the Mercedes specific code on them. I have forgotten what the code is.

If they are cheapo tyres it shows the owner's ambitions are greater than his budget, and corners will have been cut elsewhere.
 
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neeklaus

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It’s funny you mention that because it did seem like a good sign that the rears were new Pirellis, although I don’t know if they matched the code.

Just as well - when he took me for a test drive he floored it in the wet down a residential street up to what must’ve been 70/80. Good thing the traction control was on, but no one should be driving on streets like that at those speeds. Made me think how often he had to change tyres... o_O

Starting to think about taking one of the first ones I saw to be checked out by a specialist. There was a black 55 with red interior which I am quite curious about :geek:
 

SL63 Mark

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Yes good idea. It would be good to get it checked out thoroughly on a lift. Mine was. I had Terry from W Gates in Harrow check mine out. We had a hard job to find anything wrong, and that was 7 years ago. There was no doubt it was a good 'un. I paid for a couple of hours of Terry's time, which was the best money I have ever spent, as he also helped me spot a dodgy one. There is no doubt there are a lot of dodgy ones out there, I saw several before I bought mine. Anything from boot water to rear end damage to ABC fluid pouring out onto the floor. Also if they drive it like Lewis Hamilton, just think how they've cared for it.
 

flowrider

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I don't worry about having tyres with an MO on them. I don't believe they make any difference to the car.
 

SL63 Mark

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I think when you are trying to put 500bhp down on the road in the damp it helps to fit the tyre MB specified. I agree, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, just a "nice to see", attention to detail and all that.
 

00slk

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Doesn't matter if it is the most expensive tyre or a ditch finder brand 500bhp will spin anything up. It's whether the traction control works properly that counts ;)
 

LostKiwi

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I think when you are trying to put 500bhp down on the road in the damp it helps to fit the tyre MB specified. I agree, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, just a "nice to see", attention to detail and all that.
I think you'd struggle to find many at that age with MO tyres on.
I certainly wouldn't use MO tyres as technology has moved on significantly since the original MO tyres were specified and anything later will have been specified on a car that's much newer and with different characteristics.
 
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neeklaus

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Happy New Year MBers!
And to carry the momentum over from 2019 I've just been to see another SL55.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001045791252?make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=mileage&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=se114ud&aggregatedTrim=SL55&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&model=SL CLASS&page=3

I have to say I'm very tempted by this one. Mileage is not bad and only three owners.
Speaking to the current owner, it's really only had two owners – long story short his dad bought it off the previous owner at 22,000 miles and was shortly transferred to his son.

Anyway, I was a bit iffy about the colour in the pictures but seeing it in person I think it looks great.
Body work a bit scruffy in a couple of places but otherwise it really looks great in that blue.

It's been garaged most of its life but used as a daily by the current owner, who's had it for 5 years.

ABC seems well taken care of. Recently had a new pump, fluid and filter change.
Mercedes recently noted the SBC had reached its threshold, but did a reset on the computer.
(But would the SBC pump would still need to be replaced/rebuilt in the near future?)

A couple of sticking points:
1. The boot...
QP2ysOf.jpg


It's bit damp. And the foam covering the pump had a tear in it.
This is the one major thing that worried me. Although the fact it has been garaged surely helps.
Boot seals would be the first thing I'd look to get sorted, as I do not have a garage.

2. Seats
The massage function and lumbar controls do not work on both seats. Is this related to the vacuum pump in the boot?
I know it is some kind of pneumatic system. Apparently moving the seats forward and back too many times can cut the line.
If it's the vacuum pump I may well feel reluctant to go any further, but if it's isolated to the seats then it seems worth a fix. Owner was quoted in the region of £3-400 to get this fixed (I think by his local MB specialist) – can anyone say whether that's accurate?

3. Rust.
FYgLiQw.jpg


Is that bad? Or normal for a car of this age. IIRC 00slk had a DIY fix for this.
It's not a deal-breaker for me, if it's something I can fix easily with a DIY job or perhaps taking it get get treated.

Grateful as always for you input, advice and suggestions!
 

alexanderfoti

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Happy New Year MBers!
And to carry the momentum over from 2019 I've just been to see another SL55.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001045791252?make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=mileage&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=se114ud&aggregatedTrim=SL55&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&model=SL CLASS&page=3

I have to say I'm very tempted by this one. Mileage is not bad and only three owners.
Speaking to the current owner, it's really only had two owners – long story short his dad bought it off the previous owner at 22,000 miles and was shortly transferred to his son.

Anyway, I was a bit iffy about the colour in the pictures but seeing it in person I think it looks great.
Body work a bit scruffy in a couple of places but otherwise it really looks great in that blue.

It's been garaged most of its life but used as a daily by the current owner, who's had it for 5 years.

ABC seems well taken care of. Recently had a new pump, fluid and filter change.
Mercedes recently noted the SBC had reached its threshold, but did a reset on the computer.
(But would the SBC pump would still need to be replaced/rebuilt in the near future?)

A couple of sticking points:
1. The boot...
QP2ysOf.jpg


It's bit damp. And the foam covering the pump had a tear in it.
This is the one major thing that worried me. Although the fact it has been garaged surely helps.
Boot seals would be the first thing I'd look to get sorted, as I do not have a garage.

2. Seats
The massage function and lumbar controls do not work on both seats. Is this related to the vacuum pump in the boot?
I know it is some kind of pneumatic system. Apparently moving the seats forward and back too many times can cut the line.
If it's the vacuum pump I may well feel reluctant to go any further, but if it's isolated to the seats then it seems worth a fix. Owner was quoted in the region of £3-400 to get this fixed (I think by his local MB specialist) – can anyone say whether that's accurate?

3. Rust.
FYgLiQw.jpg


Is that bad? Or normal for a car of this age. IIRC 00slk had a DIY fix for this.
It's not a deal-breaker for me, if it's something I can fix easily with a DIY job or perhaps taking it get get treated.

Grateful as always for you input, advice and suggestions!

IMO

I feel that that's a fair bit of arch rust for a car that's has been garaged all its life with 65k. Its started to go around the side, so a DIY fix may not be possible as visible bodywork will need doing (rather than just some stuff hidden in the arches). The rust will be there further under the paint than the bubbles would indicate.

The pse pump may be damaged, but the if they have been quoted 300-400 then it will be a leak in the seats (assuming they are being straight!)

Roof seal is roughly 300-400 to fix and reseal.

Pse pump more as you know.

Just my opinion!
 
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McDonald

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I don't know where you are geographically but there's a terrific SL500 for sale in Haslemere, Surrey. 31,000 and one owner from new. Full service history £16,000. Top price, but an extraordinary example.
 

flowrider

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Happy New Year MBers!
And to carry the momentum over from 2019 I've just been to see another SL55.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001045791252?make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=mileage&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=se114ud&aggregatedTrim=SL55&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&model=SL CLASS&page=3

I have to say I'm very tempted by this one. Mileage is not bad and only three owners.
Speaking to the current owner, it's really only had two owners – long story short his dad bought it off the previous owner at 22,000 miles and was shortly transferred to his son.

Anyway, I was a bit iffy about the colour in the pictures but seeing it in person I think it looks great.
Body work a bit scruffy in a couple of places but otherwise it really looks great in that blue.

It's been garaged most of its life but used as a daily by the current owner, who's had it for 5 years.

ABC seems well taken care of. Recently had a new pump, fluid and filter change.
Mercedes recently noted the SBC had reached its threshold, but did a reset on the computer.
(But would the SBC pump would still need to be replaced/rebuilt in the near future?)

A couple of sticking points:
1. The boot...
QP2ysOf.jpg


It's bit damp. And the foam covering the pump had a tear in it.
This is the one major thing that worried me. Although the fact it has been garaged surely helps.
Boot seals would be the first thing I'd look to get sorted, as I do not have a garage.

2. Seats
The massage function and lumbar controls do not work on both seats. Is this related to the vacuum pump in the boot?
I know it is some kind of pneumatic system. Apparently moving the seats forward and back too many times can cut the line.
If it's the vacuum pump I may well feel reluctant to go any further, but if it's isolated to the seats then it seems worth a fix. Owner was quoted in the region of £3-400 to get this fixed (I think by his local MB specialist) – can anyone say whether that's accurate?

3. Rust.
FYgLiQw.jpg


Is that bad? Or normal for a car of this age. IIRC 00slk had a DIY fix for this.
It's not a deal-breaker for me, if it's something I can fix easily with a DIY job or perhaps taking it get get treated.

Grateful as always for you input, advice and suggestions!
Wind deflector appears to be missing so that's another expense to take care of.

I'm also surprised about the rust. Why is the boot carpet so mouldy if it has been garaged?
 

Wighty

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Happy New Year MBers!
And to carry the momentum over from 2019 I've just been to see another SL55.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001045791252?make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=mileage&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=se114ud&aggregatedTrim=SL55&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&model=SL CLASS&page=3

I have to say I'm very tempted by this one. Mileage is not bad and only three owners.
Speaking to the current owner, it's really only had two owners – long story short his dad bought it off the previous owner at 22,000 miles and was shortly transferred to his son.

Anyway, I was a bit iffy about the colour in the pictures but seeing it in person I think it looks great.
Body work a bit scruffy in a couple of places but otherwise it really looks great in that blue.

It's been garaged most of its life but used as a daily by the current owner, who's had it for 5 years.

ABC seems well taken care of. Recently had a new pump, fluid and filter change.
Mercedes recently noted the SBC had reached its threshold, but did a reset on the computer.
(But would the SBC pump would still need to be replaced/rebuilt in the near future?)

A couple of sticking points:
1. The boot...
QP2ysOf.jpg


It's bit damp. And the foam covering the pump had a tear in it.
This is the one major thing that worried me. Although the fact it has been garaged surely helps.
Boot seals would be the first thing I'd look to get sorted, as I do not have a garage.

2. Seats
The massage function and lumbar controls do not work on both seats. Is this related to the vacuum pump in the boot?
I know it is some kind of pneumatic system. Apparently moving the seats forward and back too many times can cut the line.
If it's the vacuum pump I may well feel reluctant to go any further, but if it's isolated to the seats then it seems worth a fix. Owner was quoted in the region of £3-400 to get this fixed (I think by his local MB specialist) – can anyone say whether that's accurate?

3. Rust.
FYgLiQw.jpg


Is that bad? Or normal for a car of this age. IIRC 00slk had a DIY fix for this.
It's not a deal-breaker for me, if it's something I can fix easily with a DIY job or perhaps taking it get get treated.

Grateful as always for you input, advice and suggestions!

All that aside , that is one lovely looking car in that colour
 
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neeklaus

neeklaus

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Wind deflector appears to be missing so that's another expense to take care of.

I'm also surprised about the rust. Why is the boot carpet so mouldy if it has been garaged?

oh yes good point, I noticed that too but forgot to bring it up when I was with the seller
 
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neeklaus

neeklaus

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I don't know where you are geographically but there's a terrific SL500 for sale in Haslemere, Surrey. 31,000 and one owner from new. Full service history £16,000. Top price, but an extraordinary example.
thanks for the tip! But I’m very sold on the 55... it’ll be hard to pry me away now that I’ve tasted the fruit...
 

flowrider

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You're looking too cheap to get a decent SL55.
 
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neeklaus

neeklaus

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You're looking too cheap to get a decent SL55.
I started at 10k in November, now I’m at just under 15... but it does look that way. I know I am scraping the barrel a bit.

However I’m not sure I can push my budget much higher. What is the consensus on higher mileage cars? If, say, I were to find one closer to 100k but without the aforementioned issues, or if a lower price freed up a bit of cash to do the necessary work?
 

alexanderfoti

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You're looking too cheap to get a decent SL55.
I started at 10k in November, now I’m at just under 15... but it does look that way. I know I am scraping the barrel a bit.

However I’m not sure I can push my budget much higher. What is the consensus on higher mileage cars? If, say, I were to find one closer to 100k but without the aforementioned issues, or if a lower price freed up a bit of cash to do the necessary work... still worth it?

I disagree, to a certain extent. Don't be too afraid of mileage. A Car that has sat around doing nothing will have its own set of faults as well.... Something in the middle is best to aim at IMO.

As long as you have lots of docs to say its been looked after.
 


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