I'm Not A Hairdresser, But......

[gordonwd]

I feel this is probably a FAQ-type question.

There seems to be a bit of a glut of about-10-year-old SL320's on the market for a reasonably affordable £10-£12k. Is there a commonly held set of beliefs about do's and don't for buying one these ?

Do they tend to be turkeys ? Ridiculously expensive to run ? Good weekend car only ?

Answers on a postcard................


DG

 

[flagstaff]

the good news is that they may often have been owned by hairdressers, and thus may well have led a relatively easy life; with fussy attention to servicing (which is vital), trim (no pun intended) etc ...

the bad news is that these cars were designed with hairdressers in mind; i've driven one, and the last thing you could call them is 'sporty'. sloppy handling, sloppy gearchanges ... cosmetically wonderful, but dynamically flawed.

 

[television]

the good news is that they may often have been owned by hairdressers, and thus may well have led a relatively easy life; with fussy attention to servicing (which is vital), trim (no pun intended) etc ...

the bad news is that these cars were designed with hairdressers in mind; i've driven one, and the last thing you could call them is 'sporty'. sloppy handling, sloppy gearchanges ... cosmetically wonderful, but dynamically flawed.

Thanks, I shall never speak to you again. They have the same suspension as the 500 its the same gearbox that's used on every other car of the same year including the 500 and 600. OK at neally 2 tons they can never be a true sports car, but the drive is very good and are loaded with every goodie you can think of. The price is down now, mainly due to the price of the R230 falling to £33k for a 2002 car, with the new revised SL coming in May, the prices will drop a little more.

malcolm

 

[davidsl500]

Tut Tut Flagstaff !

SL owners are bound to stick up for their vehicles and I am no exception.

The SL is a Roadster not a sports car. The gearbox is silky smooth and it is sometimes difficult to tell when it has changed up. The 18" wheels and low profile tyres help the handling a bit but at the end of the day it is supposed to be a high speed cruiser not a hairpin chaser. Having said that I thought the SL was a bit fidgety around one of my regular fast bends that i encounter on my way home in my other car - until I looked at the speedo and realised I had taken it at +30mph over normal!

I can only imagine that you had driven a very bad example Flagstaff!

Yes, like any complex car they can be expensive to repair and that is why it is essential to ensure it has a full service history and check all the electrics work especially the Hood ! And most important look at at least 5 vehicles so that you get a feel for them - this will help pick out the nail !.

The 320 is probably the best compromise in terms of power and economy and I cant see why it couldnt be a daily vehicle - so long as you dont usually have more than one passenger !

My V8 however is a joy to behold - oodles of torque and that V8 engine noise an orchestral delight ! (and it drinks like a fish). My mate described it (after a quick kickdown to overtake 10 vehicles) as like a fairground ride for the sheer exhileration.

And theres all the joys of open top motoring as spring has finally sprung! Prices usually firm up as the good weather approaches - so buy now !

 

[flagstaff]

sorry guys, absolutely no offence intended. the one i drove was a V12 ... which i think predisposed it to unnerving understeer when trying to push on, followed by snap oversteer ... in the middle of which, the gearbox deciding to change up a gear - all in all, not a car to get intimate with. as has been said, though, this was hardly the design brief: as a quiet and refined cruiser, it would probably do the job with aplomb.

on the other hand, the latest SL (in AMG battledress) is a wonder, and a car destined to be regarded as an all time great. it's like a go kart powered by a small fission reactor.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

on the other hand, the latest SL (in AMG battledress) is a wonder, and a car destined to be regarded as an all time great.

its still a GT car though! big and heavy comfortable tourer.

now the SLK55AMG is "like a go kart powered by a small fission reactor" rumour has it!

 

[EdF]

I went to look at a 2001 'Y' reg. SLK320 yesterday, private owner said it had done 70k, but when I got there it had 80k. Owner: "Oh, I forgot we went to Birmingham in it..." Me: "I didn't realise it was so far.."
Seemed okay but 'tired', needed wheels refurbished and new tyres, owner wanted £15,995 for it "as it's spring and prices are loaded." Me: "We won't trouble you for a test drive....." I'd need to be loaded to pay that.. Wisebuyer website says £12,250 for a private sale in average condition. However, a dealer in darkest Aberdeenshire wants £12k for a 1997 'R' reg. 230K manual.. Prices seem to vary a LOT, apart from these two which are silly money..

 

[gary350]

on the other hand, the latest SL (in AMG battledress) is a wonder, and a car destined to be regarded as an all time great. it's like a go kart powered by a small fission reactor.

Talking about all time greats the R170 is that, it is becoming a cult car still great to look at after all this time, about the hairdresser image, just because its a beatiful looking looking car and girls admire and buy it does not mean its naff, Stirling Moss was one of the first owners. I am about to sell one of my slks (first grandchild is coming soon) to upgrade to four seats and its the R171that will go love the R170 too much.

gary

 

[SLinKyjoe]

The R170 was had sales of over 55% to middle aged men. which meant that the girls etc, had to share the other 45% of sale amongst them.

And Sir Stirling Moss didn't pay for his.

But i think it will be a classic as well.

It outsold the TT, Z3 and boxster sales combined from 1996-2004.

 

[jibcl500]

A mate of mine has a SL, hes gay and a hairdresser..........

Ps Im married..

jib

 

[television]

A mate of mine has a SL, hes gay and a hairdresser..........

Ps Im married..

jib

People talk

Malcolm

 

[jibcl500]

OK hes not a friend, hes a client. DOH!!


jib

 

[television]

OK hes not a friend, hes a client. DOH!!


jib

If you say so :roll:

malcolm

 

[gordonwd]

Folks - thank you for all your esteemed input. I shall seriously consider both a purchase and my sexuality over the coming months.

David (straight, married, likes birds).

I feel this is probably a FAQ-type question.

There seems to be a bit of a glut of about-10-year-old SL320's on the market for a reasonably affordable £10-£12k. Is there a commonly held set of beliefs about do's and don't for buying one these ?

Do they tend to be turkeys ? Ridiculously expensive to run ? Good weekend car only ?

Answers on a postcard................


DG