I can't stop thinking about the R230 SL 500 - and now I want one!

[00slk]

Interesting.. I'm waiting on the reg plate. Imagine if it was yours..

Haha, no I know where our old one is and it was offered back to me for 3700 from the chap who I sold it to, it was passed on to another owner who also offered it back to me for 4, but we had already bought the other 500 and the SLK 350. (We are in the same circles as they say) There was one issue with the old blue car and that was the air conditioning never worked. It was re-gassed when we had it but the pipes to the rad from the pump were perished so wasn't holding the pressurised coolant stuff. It was booked in to have the pipes changed when a lady drove into the side and wrote it off. The car was repaired and back in use again shortly after.
Our '05 car has no issues like all the SL 500's for sale, I am guessing that is why its not sold yet

 

[Conor]

Picking it up today.. I have a feeling that I should inspect this car is if I was going to view based on an advert. Here's what I was thinking of doing:

One note is that the MOT says "center stop lamp inop".. would I nit pick on that?

I'm wondering how hard you guys reckon I should be... I mean, i'm happy to buy the car but if I start discovering things wrong that weren't mentioned in the eBay advert then there is an element of mis-selling and should perhaps haggle? Either that or maybe i'm just being a miserable so and so.. opinions please?

Here is a list of checks I am planning on doing if you guys are bored...

Pre Purchase Inspection

Administrative

• Validate claims on the eBay listing
  • Service history
  • Mileage
• Validate VIN against RAC report

From Inside

• Windows work
• Check roof opens / closes
• Seats work
  • Motors
  • Heated
  • Cooled
• A/C Works - Cold air
• ABC
  • Car goes up/down uniformly and quick (all around)
  • Cycle ABC button a few times - check no lights appear in dash
  • Check fluid - Dominant colour to be green, not black.

Driving

• Check roof opens / closes
• Instrument cluster working at on position
  • All lights - see below
• No major knocks / clunks in general
• No major knocks / clunks when on full steering lock
• If engine light comes on - use OBDII scanner (lookup codes)

Outside

• Check engine oil via dipstick for cream colour (if dipstick available)
• Check engine for oil leaks.
• Check body work in line with eBay
  • Paint chip
  • Leather scratch
• Wheels not completely mangled! - Some scuffing is fine.

Things I am willing to pretty much ignore

• Brakes (as long as they work)
• Tire condition (as long as not completely bare and illegal)

Instrument cluster lights

• Check engine
• Fuel
• SRS
• Crash / Roll bar
• ABS
• Seatbelt
• "Brake"
• Yellow - caution
• 2 red cars - to the right of yellow caution

 

[vtaylor78]

Check roof for leaks, it’s absolutely chucking it down here in Northamptonshire !

 

[LostKiwi]

Check for water in boot under false floor.
Check colour of ABC fluid (a drop in a piece of white tissue will do - should not be black but may be green).

 

[Monday]

Picking it up today.. I have a feeling that I should inspect this car is if I was going to view based on an advert. Here's what I was thinking of doing:

One note is that the MOT says "center stop lamp inop".. would I nit pick on that?

I'm wondering how hard you guys reckon I should be... I mean, i'm happy to buy the car but if I start discovering things wrong that weren't mentioned in the eBay advert then there is an element of mis-selling and should perhaps haggle? Either that or maybe i'm just being a miserable so and so.. opinions please?

Here is a list of checks I am planning on doing if you guys are bored...

Pre Purchase Inspection

Administrative

• Validate claims on the eBay listing
  • Service history
  • Mileage
• Validate VIN against RAC report

From Inside

• Windows work
• Check roof opens / closes
• Seats work
  • Motors
  • Heated
  • Cooled
• A/C Works - Cold air
• ABC
  • Car goes up/down uniformly and quick (all around)
  • Cycle ABC button a few times - check no lights appear in dash
  • Check fluid - Dominant colour to be green, not black.

Driving

• Check roof opens / closes
• Instrument cluster working at on position
  • All lights - see below
• No major knocks / clunks in general
• No major knocks / clunks when on full steering lock
• If engine light comes on - use OBDII scanner (lookup codes)

Outside

• Check engine oil via dipstick for cream colour (if dipstick available)
• Check engine for oil leaks.
• Check body work in line with eBay
  • Paint chip
  • Leather scratch
• Wheels not completely mangled! - Some scuffing is fine.

Things I am willing to pretty much ignore

• Brakes (as long as they work)
• Tire condition (as long as not completely bare and illegal)

Instrument cluster lights

• Check engine
• Fuel
• SRS
• Crash / Roll bar
• ABS
• Seatbelt
• "Brake"
• Yellow - caution
• 2 red cars - to the right of yellow caution

I had the centre stop lamp changed on my 2007 SL350 3-4 years ago for about £80 at a main dealer. The sealing gasket fails and knocks out some or all of the LEDs. Important to use a new one so you get a new gasket.

 

[vtaylor78]

Be wary if seller has warmed up the engine prior to your visit, is another that sprang to mind .

 

[Conor]

I had the centre stop lamp changed on my 2007 SL350 3-4 years ago for about £80 at a main dealer. The sealing gasket fails and knocks out some or all of the LEDs. Important to use a new one so you get a new gasket.

Fair enough. I have priced it already.... Just wondering if I should be miserable bastard if unmentioned items like this start springing up around the car..?

 

[Conor]

He has already said it needs a service and will need new brakes relatively soon ish.

 

[Conor]

He is also giving me a cover for the car... So swings and roundabouts.

I can't see myself being tough on the price unless something serious is wrong.

 

[Andy.M]

He is also giving me a cover for the car... So swings and roundabouts.

I can't see myself being tough on the price unless something serious is wrong.

He who dares Rodney

 

[Conor]

Be wary if seller has warmed up the engine prior to your visit, is another that sprang to mind .

I thought of that but non runner really.. he will be picking me up at station. I'm not too worried about that anyway. That engine is supposedly decent enough.. i'll have to take a chance on that.

Anything very bad should probably throw a light anyway... :grimace

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Is the seller offering a warranty, if so what duration and with who and does this incur an extra charge?

 

[Conor]

Is the seller offering a warranty, if so what duration and with who and does this incur an extra charge?

No warranty has been mentioned. So far I believe this is a private seller.

 

[bembo449]

id be as harsh as poss conor , you and he will be aware of how the bills can stack up on an SL , if he has nothing to hide he will be right as rain with anything you pick up on pal

 

[00slk]

We bought our 2003 SL500 5 or 6 years ago unseen from a dealer up north, he gave it the once over for me when I asked the important questions (ABC, PSE and water in the boot) which all came back 'ABC working no leaks, PSE working and no water in the boot'
The dealer met us at the station and we drove off in our lovely Jasper Blue car with light grey trim and dark ash wood finish. What he didn't tell us was the engine mounts were shot, and the MAF Sensor had passed its use by date. Horrible vibration at idle (engine mounts) and bunny hoping and erratic gear changes were the other symptoms, but the car drove beautifully apart from those two issues. It had 102,000 miles and we paid £6000. In fact it was the best driving R230 I have ever driven, its body stayed dead still and level over our horrible Fenland Rds, our other R230's seem to follow the humps and bumps for some reason. The only major issues we had with the car after I replaced the engine mounts and MAF Sensor for the next 30,000 miles was a leaking ABC Radiator (a bolt had come loose and wore a hole in the alloy, and the ignition died. (Thanks to SBC Johnny on here) that was fixed, and the micro switch in the boot failed when the Missus was at the dump and the roof wouldn't fold back into the boot

There will be a few small (??) issues with your new purchase Conor.
I found out this when looking for a R230 a few years ago Even my 55 had issues but was a good bargaining ploy with the dealer
Not so easy to bargain with privateers
Good luck

 

[Conor]

id be as harsh as poss conor , you and he will be aware of how the bills can stack up on an SL , if he has nothing to hide he will be right as rain with anything you pick up on pal

Fair enough but I will weight stuff against the cost of the cover, which is being thrown in. I'm trying to not breach the line between being a tough trader and being outright unreasonable douchebag.

 

[Blobcat]

What are the terms from your winning bid on Ebay?
If it's not as described then I think you can negotiate or walk, it does depend on how the advert is written and the T&C's

When I've sold vehicles they are always "Bought as seen and tested" with a copy of the below for both the purchaser and seller.

Car buyer’s/seller’s contract

Car details

Make...............................................................................

Model..............................................................................

Registration number.......................................................

Mileage...........................................................................

Vehicle identification number matches the V5C document? Yes/no

Registration Document completed by buyer/seller Yes/no

Registration Document (V5C) exchanged Yes/no

Buyer has received V5C/2 (green slip) Yes/no

Notes/comments .......................................................................................………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The undersigned purchaser acknowledges receipt of the above vehicle in exchange for the cash sum of £..........., this being the price agreed by the purchaser with the vendor for the above-named vehicle, receipt of which the vendor hereby acknowledges. It is understood by the purchaser that the vehicle is sold as seen, tried and approved without guarantee.

Purchaser........................................................................ Vendor............................................................................. Date.................................................................................

 

[00slk]

............................. unreasonable douchebag.

 

[Conor]

We bought our 2003 SL500 5 or 6 years ago unseen from a dealer up north, he gave it the once over for me when I asked the important questions (ABC, PSE and water in the boot) which all came back 'ABC working no leaks, PSE working and no water in the boot'
The dealer met us at the station and we drove off in our lovely Jasper Blue car with light grey trim and dark ash wood finish. What he didn't tell us was the engine mounts were shot, and the MAF Sensor had passed its use by date. Horrible vibration at idle (engine mounts) and bunny hoping and erratic gear changes were the other symptoms, but the car drove beautifully apart from those two issues. It had 102,000 miles and we paid £6000. In fact it was the best driving R230 I have ever driven, its body stayed dead still and level over our horrible Fenland Rds, our other R230's seem to follow the humps and bumps for some reason. The only major issues we had with the car after I replaced the engine mounts and MAF Sensor for the next 30,000 miles was a leaking ABC Radiator (a bolt had come loose and wore a hole in the alloy, and the ignition died. (Thanks to SBC Johnny on here) that was fixed, and the micro switch in the boot failed when the Missus was at the dump and the roof wouldn't fold back into the boot

There will be a few small (??) issues with your new purchase Conor.
I found out this when looking for a R230 a few years ago Even my 55 had issues but was a good bargaining ploy with the dealer
Not so easy to bargain with privateers
Good luck

You paid £6000 five or six years ago...how does one view that? Am I getting robbed or is my price reasonable considering inflation and potential depreciation curve economics?

Either way, i'm not getting hung up on that

Thanks for the insight.. Like I say, i'm not too pushed about minor "ish" things, I consider engine mounts and MAF to fall into that category if I am honest. Call me stupid perhaps.

Time will tell.

Actually, I need to get somebody and test my engine mounts in S212 (and potentially this R230) -- I had the car inspected after purchase and Indy said needed new mounts.. he also said I needed two new NOx sensors in exhaust, or i'd fail MOT. It has passed 2 MOTs since.. I didn't go back to him, and that was the moment I decided to become an Indy myself

 

[bembo449]

how did he decide the NOX sensors were goosed if it passed its mot and there are no faults on the emissions system ?