Changing my daily car from a 6 year old diesel to an 18 year old V8

[flowrider]

Yeah it’s a pretty deep dish! Im going to get them refurbished soon. I’m thinking of going for a light silver around the outer lip and then a light gunmetal grey on the rest of the wheel. They collect quite a lot of brake dust and grime so they may as well be dark!!

I thought they were AMG IV wheels, I'm looking for the genuine AMG wheels. Nice wheels though.

 

[LostKiwi]

You mean like these?

 

[Conor]

You've talked about meets... there's been quite a lot in the Portsmouth area and we've had 3 x SL500's turn up so far

I know.. I sure have. I'm beginning to feel like a bit of a fraud now

Can't wait to meet people.

 

[flowrider]

You mean like these?
View attachment 60008

Just like those

 

[LostKiwi]

Just like those

They're seriously not cheap...
£5500 a set new.....(plus tyres)

 

[flowrider]

These are mine, 19 " AMG III.

 

[flowrider]

They're seriously not cheap...
£5500 a set new.....(plus tyres)

And near impossible to find secondhand.

 

[Conor]

Both amazing wheels.. but i'll need to stick with my 18" Aviors for another while.

 

[McDonald]

You've talked about meets... there's been quite a lot in the Portsmouth area and we've had 3 x SL500's turn up so far

I think mine was one of the three.

These are mine, 19 " AMG III.
View attachment 60010

These are my favourite style for this car, though the ride on my 17s is great. I'd be nervous about 19s spoiling the ride.

 

[Blobcat]

I think mine was one of the three.

It was

 

[RyanSL500]

I thought they were AMG IV wheels, I'm looking for the genuine AMG wheels. Nice wheels though.

Ah! Yeah I was looking at getting some genuine AMG IV’s. But I’ve grown fond the the deep dish look to be honest. They look a lot nicer in person and when they’ve been cleaned!

 

[davemercedes]

The main thing, having read the thread is: Ryan, go and enjoy your SL and within reason whether it's man-maths or real accountancy, forget about doing the numbers - at some time in our lives we have to ask ourselves "Do I live to work, or work to live?" - You can think about that as you enjoy your drive to work (when you go by car).

 

[flowrider]

I think mine was one of the three.



These are my favourite style for this car, though the ride on my 17s is great. I'd be nervous about 19s spoiling the ride.

I was thinking about changing to 18" versions but you cant get them. I suspect your ride quality is better than mine but with ABC even on 19" wheels, and rubbish Bridgestone tyres, the ride quality is still very good.

 

[Timeandleisure]

Hello Ryan, I just joined up to reply to your heartfelt question.
Go for it!!!!! It will be both joyous and expensive but you already know that... deep down...

 

[Conor]

Hello Ryan, I just joined up to reply to your heartfelt question.
Go for it!!!!! It will be both joyous and expensive but you already know that... deep down...

What this gent has said...

I've been in Ireland the last month and been dailying my R230.. it has been amazing and expensive. I can kind of feel the car smirking at me every time I pass a fuel station but it's worth it

 

[LostKiwi]

What this gent has said...

I've been in Ireland the last month and been dailying my R230.. it has been amazing and expensive. I can kind of feel the car smirking at me every time I pass a fuel station but it's worth it

You can get your R230 to go past a fuel station????

 

[V6Matty]

You can get your R230 to go past a fuel station????

Not driving it properly

 

[Timeandleisure]

Mine’s been an every day car for the last 13 years... expensive in terms of maintaining through the dealership... the labour is the extortionate part ... otherwise been my trusted steed and always starts on a cold morning... fuel wise, in my experience better than some more modern mercs... he just doesn’t like sitting around, so needs to be taken out often... 147000+ miles ain’t too bad..
ABC issues are a given, my advice, scope out a garage that understands the ABC on the SL and never leave him...

 

[AMGeed]

^ I'm not sure I understand why a 17 year old car is still being serviced within the main dealer network?
This isn't a criticism, just an observation.

The only advantage I can see is Mobilo is maintained, but that is more than negated by the labour rates in comparison to a Mercedes indy. FMDSH won't make much difference on a car of that age on resale, so what are the plus points I have missed?

In my experience so far, an indy will go the extra mile checking the car at service time and doesn't get involved in the "oh, your brake pads are nearing replacement" nonsense when there is plenty of life left in them.

In saying the above, I may be a little hypocritical in that I have just booked a 3 year 3 service plan on my E63 for a one off payment saving 20%. The FMDSH will make a little difference when I come to sell up and I keep mobilo.
Had the car been a bit older (10yrs+) it would have been indy maintained all the way.
As it is, any problems or small jobs I can't do will be carried out at an indy too.

 

[Timeandleisure]

You hit the nail right on the head there, mobilo...!!! Is the only reason... excellent assistance and hassle free courtesy cars..but servicing is the least of an SL’s issues... I agree with you everything you write and trust me you are not the first to make this observation.. you have to get in the queue behind my family ... as nuanced... there’s just something about an SL500 that you cannot explain.... it’s not a practical matter