1985 500sl

[danberry]

Hi

Think that I am just about to take the plunge and buy a 1985 500 SL. Its only got 62,000 miles on the clock, and seems to have been very well looked after.

Does anyone know what kind of performance i.e. fuel economy, performance, servicing costs that I could expect ?

Thanks

Dan

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Congratulations. I am sure the performance will be more than adequate as is superior to the 350 and 420 SL V8s so it should waft you along nicely. Fuel economy is not why you buy them, but I would suggest low 20s mpg.
Main point of my note is that in my experience of buying a low mileage SL, and yours has only averaged around 2,700 miles per year, there are some signs of underuse which can be deceptive when driving it for the first time. It could well be a bit stiff mechanically and until it has had a good run, the suspension might take a while to loosen up and the tyres might also be a bit lumpy if they have been sitting in the same place for a long time.
I opted for a 1994 R129 (probably less expensive than the R107!), but similar issues applied and I did not realise until I had taken the car to France for a couple of weeks of "topless motoring". I took a nice car there and brought a fabulous one back!
Enjoy it and get some miles in - it will grow on you.
Servicing costs I find very reasonable. I use a specialist rather than a franchised outlet. He is much better on diagnosis and on anticipating what might need attention. He does a short service about every 18 months (just had one, £120) and a longer one, changing coolant and brake fluid every 2-2.5 years (around £200). I have been blessedly fault free otherwise.

 

[Myros]

if it has been well-looked after

all you'll need to do is oil, filters, plugs and and brakes. and the timing chain tensioner at anything from 75-100k , and the transmission seals at about 100k.
The main thing you'll do is smile your head off. You can get 27 if you don't floor it away from the line and you can keep a steady pace up, near the legal limit ( I won't say which side). It is most economical with a top on. we did a 170 mile round trip the other week with the roof off, but the wind deflector up. About 23mpg at 50-70-ish on the motorway.
Beautiful starlit night with a sliver of moon just appearing in the sky. You can't buy drives like those

 

[danberry]

Thanks guys

My second ever car was a much loved 1976 450 SLC. That basically got me hooked on the classic Mercedes. It was actually a bit of a wreck - eventually failing its MOT for "significant structural defects" but I remember simply smiling whenever I drove it. Even when it broke down ! Ever journey seemed like a real experience and subsequently every new car I have had since that time has paled in comparison.

So - even with 2 small kids and a small garage that means I won't really be able to fit this in - I can't help myself but think about getting one. I also wanted the SL anyway but couldn't afford it when I was younger.

I had initially been looking for a 420 SL - on the basis that it had the V8 that I want but was maybe slightly more agile and economical than the 500 SL. I can't seem to find any decent 420 SL's around though (I know that they were much rarer).

Are there any options that I should really look out for on the 500 SL. The one that I am looking is atlantic blue with cream leather interior, only 62,000 miles, rear seats, and seems in good condition. It hasn't got heated seats - which I wanted - but you can't have it all. The guy wants £11,750 for it - which seems a bit at the top end but then again I don't think they depreciate very much if you look after them properly ?

 

[NewMB]

Fantastic choice!

Congratulations.

Can't give you a spot-on figure for performance, but perhaps an estimate.

A friend of mine in Sweden, bought a S420 SE (1986 model with catalyser) back in 1989. That instruction book was showing the car had a 4.2 litre V8 224 Bhp doing 0-100 Km/h (62 mph) in 8.2 sec. Topspeed at 220 Km/h (137 mph).

Fuel consumption was approx 12 Litres/100 Km (approx 25 mpg I think).