Merc 300 SL ( 1990 ) buying advice

[mwadhams]

Hi all, this is my 1st post on this forum.

I would like as much info as possible regarding a 1990 300SL Merc that is for sale at a local car trader. The car is an H registration and has covered 119k miles with full service history - all MB bar the last 2 services which were done by a local specialist. The car is priced at £ 9995 inc hardtop.

I know nothing about these cars ie bad points, things that commonly go wrong, service costs etc so as much info as you guys can give me will be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[mwadhams]

any advice pleease

 

[landover]

First advice is the car is too expensive .Serviceing costs are really what you want to pay .If you want mb dealer you will pay top price.
Independant a bit less
Local garage even less

 

[Arnie]

Hello,

I presume that the car is an early R129 model.

It's almost impossible to give advice without seeing the car and what you should check for is the condition of the body-work, re-sprays, rust etc... An MB service history should mean that the mechanical parts will be OK, but you will need to check the rest. The mielage is not too high, but if it's been all town work, then that's when things start to go wrong and they are expensive fixes (Auto gearbox, engine seals, exhausts et..).

Bear in mind that there are a huge number around on sale now and so don't settle for the first you see. Take time to look at least three or four and then compare. If this one goes, there will be another one...

The later ones, with the 3.2 engine may even be better... and you should try a 500 just to compare because they don't cost more to buy.

However, the 3.0 engine was very reliable, if not spectaular in performance.


Then, when you've found one, go over its history with a fine-tooth comb and have it inspected.

There are some other posts (do a search) which go over what to look for in terms of specs and standard kit.

As a reference, there is a mint, metallic blue 500SL on sale near me in London with N-plates and about 50k miles for £18k. It has all the extras.

Generally, you should check that every single electrical item works well, especially the hood mechanism. Try it up and down a few times. (Limit is about 5-times, before hydraulic motor wants a rest.)

Check the Air-con. Does it require the older type of Gas no-longer available/legal. Has it been converted to R143a and if so has it been done properly?

The plastic windows on the hood should have a small MB in the corners, if the hood is original. Cheaper, non-original, hoods tend to be inferior.

Check that the wheels are original and see if they are kerbed (sign of care from previous owner.)

My advice is to find the newest one that you can afford.

The paintork should be all original and unblemished. Full service history is essential and the fewer the number of previous owners the better.

Ask to see all the usual past MOT receipts, road-tax discs and service invoices. If not available check the history with any dealer from the car's VIN number.

I could go on, but you get the idea...

There are hundreds of these cars around as everyone is upgrading to the newer model. So take you time and choose carefully. They are fantastic cars when they have been properly looked after and everything is in order. Otherwise, they can be an expensive mistake.

 

[mwadhams]

Thanks Arnie, that is most useful.

Have enquired about another 300SL today, still a 91 H reg, but it has done 69k and for sale at £10995 so I will have a look at that 1 Saturday.

Could anyone please give an indication of servicing costs at a specialist ( if I can actually find 1 " A rough idea is all I am after - I know that these won't be cheap to look after but nether is my current BMW 328

 

[peterchurch]

Hi,
It depends on what needs doing on the service but MB quoted me a minimum of £470 for a B service and around £300 for an A service I found an independent that did me a full B service and a set of pads for around the same price MB wanted to start at...

MB will change you about £90 per hour labour costs / Independant will charge £30 - 50

As for history, given the kicking that MB main dealers get on this and other boards, I leave it up to you as to the validity of an FMBSH. It is a good idea but at the end of the day If you find a car that has a full service history with receipts that you can check, you can make your own mind up as to the state of the car, but do check every aspect of the servicing, and I would always go for an inspection before you buy.

Best regards,

Peter

 

[jberks]

You may have already seen it, but Ken selling a 500sl. Sounds/looks like a minter. His Note is on the tech section but this is the url
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....p;item=4500795239&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
May be worth a look as I doubt the 500 costs much more to run than the 300, and it's a lot more fun. In any case, he's seems to have covered the research ground you're looking at already and is offering the benefit. Have a look at his add.

 

[mwadhams]

I spoke to a Merc specialist today and he said I was looking at around £125 ish for the small service, £240 ish for the next 1 ( a service ? ) and around £350 ish for the next service that needs doing every 36000 miles ( b service ? ), so I am pleasantly surprised that the prices are so reasonable. This specialist also has a good reputation and fortunatly is only 10 or so miles away too

Would the 36k service mean a change of belts then ? is that why it is so much more expensive ?

Thanks jberks for the Ebay link, but it is the next series of SL that I am looking for.

 

[peterchurch]

Hi,
just checked my service book and there are only two services A and B.
There is nothing smaller than an A and a B is the full monty although I don't see any discussions about changing belts or other stuff like that.
I can only assume that the cars don't need it ....
But to be fair I would not use anything less than mercedes parts for the service so £240 sounds far too cheap to me

Here is a list of bits for my last B service

8 liters of oil 49.28 ( I got screwed there by about £20)
1 oil filter 10.33
2 air filters 31.04
1 pollen filter 26.02
12 x spark plugs 82.68
front pads (mitec) 78.90
£15 sundry stuff like sump seals grease and sensors

charged £90 for labour
plus vat

all in@ £531.27

all the best

Peter

 

[mwadhams]

Thanks Peter

 

[Arnie]

All MB engines are chain-driven, so there are no belts to worry about.

The 'a' service amounts to an oil-change abd the 'b'-service is more comprehensive (see above). There is also a timed-service, which is effectively every two years and consists of a brake-fluid and coolant (anti-freeze) change.

What's in these services is listed in the car's service booklet and if you have a spare weekend afternoon, it doesn't take much to do it yourself, especially the 'a' one.

As Peter mentioned the use of quality oils and original parts is what adds to the cost. You can, for example, buy a set of front brake discs for £14+vat or you could pay £90 or more, for original ones. On this car, I know which I'd want.

 

[mwadhams]

Thanks Arnie
Do these SL's suffer particulary bad from stone chips on the front bonnet? I went to look at 1 yesterday and the front grille and bonnet was peppered with chips which makes me question the supposed mileage of 70 k

 

[peterchurch]

Hi
the number of stone chips would depend on which paint finish you are looking at. I have to say that the older cars did not seem to suffer as much. I looked at many older cars an hardly saw a blemish. This was not the case with the 98 onward models (Mercedes had to swap to waterbased paints at that stage). Mine was shot to bits when I got it, but I new a man that could sort it out and he did an awsome job

Just because the car is chipped up front, it does not mean that it is clocked. But if the car is of the solvent based paint age then It will have been driven like a comet!!! or may have had a sub standard paint job done at some point ...

I broke a brand new MR2 within a few months just by driving it like an ar$e! The front of the car was wrecked :evil: much fun had though Then I sent it to a guy I know for a respray parted with about £300 and got a new car back :idea: (I did the same fo my SL when I got it and now it is almost in show room condition. I have done at least 3K motorway miles since the job and not a smudge on the bonnet )

If you are really fussy about original finish, then parting with the cash for a paint micometer might pay off...

Best regards,

Peter

 

[Arnie]

Yes, if it's a later model with MB's reduced-quality water-based paint, then you can expect to find stone chips even after limited excursions on the motorway. (Mine had a a fair few at 4,000 miles).

Older, solvent-based paint was applied in more layers and as Peter mentioned is more durable. Incidentally, a new respray will undoubtedly be with solvent-based paint and should be OK thereafter.

Anyway, if it's not quite what you expect, keep looking, there are many out there....

 

[mwadhams]

Thanks guys, I think I will keep looking for another