SL320 Should i buy one, Please help im new here?

[Hoppy]

Hi guys Just wanted a little advise, i am thinking about buying SL320, 96 TO 98, Does anyone have any advise for me, im so in love with this car, people that are selling them keep saying things like just had £2000, service and that puts me off, but on the other hand people say it done 60k and never had a spot of bother with it, Are they ok on service, are they reliable, no more questions yet... But i do hope you guys can help....?

 

[Speedmaster]

They are exceptional value for money, drive very well and are excetionally well built.
My 1999 Sl320 has 55k on it and had small hood fault when i got it but main dealer fixed it for less than £100 by resetting it all. Since then no probs at all, main dealer servicing not bad and I find it v economical for the sort of car.
Try to get one with the panoramic glass roof as makes it look more modern and is nice extra to have. They usually have heated seats, cd, climate etc.

Television is a fountain of knowledge on these so hopefully he will jump in with some words of wisdom

 

[Hoppy]

Sl320

Thanks speedmaster, yes i would like one with the pan roof, hope Television will jump in, My first replay how great, Is there any thing i should look out for when buying one?

 

[television]

Television has jumped in and welcome, at all cost get one 08-98 on its a different car with the V6 and many things that were extra before this date are thrown in, you will see them in the adds and recognise them by the wheels as they are a much more open design.

They are great cars I loved the one that I had, the prices will get very good over the next few months, and there are plenty around to choose from.

Just ask anything at any time, where in the UK are you

 

[tel999]

Hi
I am over the moon with mine, have had it for about 2 months. Love the colour and spec. I had a problem with the hood mechanism, and cats, they are fully sorted by a local specialist who also carried out a service including the dreaded spark plug change.
My problem is I purchased the SL for my wifes 50th birthday as she has always lusted after one and sadly being only 5 feet tall she can't drive it, even with 2 cushions under her bum, so alas i will either sell it know or wair untill the start of next summer.
It is a 1999 SL320 with the panoramic hard top, finished in metalic green with cream leather.full service history, new mot,superb condition 120,000 mls so just £9,000
Regards
Tel
PS would PX for something interesting or new model wife......

 

[television]

Tel
PS would PX for something interesting or new model wife......

What are you going to do with the old one ( wife)

 

[Hoppy]

Should i buy

Thanks for the reply's, ok here goes, Television Im in London, Everyone my name is Chris! Television i dont want a 99 and its beacause i dont want to spend that much, ex girl friend taken me for half my house!!!!! I only want to spend 10 to 12k. I have seen a few on a P/R plate one on an N. All have about 54 to 62k on the clock, Good spec, hardtops cruise control, heated seats etc Do you have details of any good dealers i should check out that are trusted. Tel your car sounds great but with 120.000k need to be lower as i will put a few on it myself.....A few people have said the 320 will do a about 28mpg is this true!!! I have an X5 at the moment on a 55plate anyone want one?? Im a little nervous of buying such an old car, but cant help myself they are so perfect to look at. Sorry so many questions!!!!! Whats the average cost on a service, and are spares expensive being an older car!! and what should i look out for when buying!!

Thanks everyone sorry to be such a pain, but as i said im alittle nervous of buying a car i know very little about, and i want to buy the right one.

 

[100%Bitch]

Just a quick note to add to the great advice. I have never driven such a wonderful car and has been a pleasure to own one. Bills are not too high for what it is but always ask the main dealers for a discount on everything - it works. The only reason I'm possibly selling mine is that I want a 230 500 or even a nice 55 that I've seen.

Buy a good one and you'll love it.

 

[Speedmaster]

I am just off to get mine MOT'd just now. Forgot it had run out and need to road tax it on monday but no mot
Hopefully it passes though.

At £12k I dont think you would be a million miles away from a 1998.
They do get more spec. Mine is a 1999 T and has xenon lights, htd seats, elec mem seats, climate, glass roof, rear seats and 17" alloys.

Good thing is if you buy one in next month or so, you could sell it in the summer and make money or get your money back. I think I could not far off get what I paid for mine 18months ago, although I did buy mine in May which was a silly time to buy one but I was impulsive

 

[television]

For the best part the 320 is reasonable to run, even the staight 6 is preferred by some. 1996 saw the change to the door panels and fascia that remained unchanged up to the end of the run. They are nice to drive and easy on brakes and tyres, oil consumption has never been an issue

 

[Hoppy]

Car that i found, sl320 p reg/97 Blue 66k auto/ headlampwash,hi fi-pack,panoramic roof,climate control,cruise, electric mirrors/windows, extra seats, heated seats, price £12.500, full mbsh just had service 500miles ago. DOES THIS SOUND A GOOD PRICE?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Car that i found, sl320 p reg/97 Blue 66k auto/ headlampwash,hi fi-pack,panoramic roof,climate control,cruise, electric mirrors/windows, extra seats, heated seats, price £12.500, full mbsh just had service 500miles ago. DOES THIS SOUND A GOOD PRICE?

Bargain - go for it.! If it's from a Dealer, you should be able to get a nice discount - especially if you are paying cash. The credit 'squeeze' is just around the corner!!

Good Luck

 

[Speedmaster]

Not compared with this one:

http://www.jamesmorgancars.co.uk/

1999 SL320 with 59k and glass roof for £11995

 

[Hoppy]

I would think that green was'nt so popular, should i take into conideration colour?

 

[television]

I would think that green was'nt so popular, should i take into conideration colour?

Thats a much better car,so different from the earlier one, OK that is green but the do sell, its a nice green at that

 

[Speedmaster]

Thats green one is a cheap car. Did not take long to find and others around. There tends to be a huge variation in prices with these cars, so best to do some research and get as new as possible really

 

[arthurk]

Agree with Speedmaster about research and take your time.

I went through this exercise early this year and have enjoyed the whole summer in my SL320, which I bought in March. Mine is silver 97 with blue leather and the old straight 6 engine. I find it very juicy. Currently getting 25-29MPG depending on how driven, however I was use to diesel economy before this.

I had one problem which was solved by replacing the Air Mass sensor (£300 at specialist in Carluke) Car is running beautifully now. my advice to you is to take your time and try a few. Its amazing what you learn when doing this. I could have had a newer 98 SL320 V6 with a much better spec - Pan roof and Xenons. At the end of the day I bought the older car. There is hardly a mark on mine (the down side of this is that I am almost scarred to leave it anywhere).My car had an impeccable history which all checked out. It was obvious to me that the car had been pampered. it was all the small details that made the difference. Good luck buying and let us know how you go.

Kenny

 

[PUP]

i had sl320 miss it now

 

[CarNut]

Little Ladies

Hi, this is MRS CarNut---- and I'd like to comment on the fact that Mrs Tel999 can't drive her (his) SL---As someone else who is 5ft tall I can really sympathise with her--- car manufacturers seem to think that vertically challenged women should only want to drive silly little cars!! The amazed looks I usd to get from car sales men who automatically headed for the minis, and similar, when they were told that we were after a car for me, and I said that thank you very much but I was looking for a REAL car , that I could get both kids in, and a weeks worth of shopping!!! If only the people who design seats with height adjustment would make it so that the squabs adjust separately, and you don't have to raise the whole seat! When I drive CarNuts CLK my head just about touches the headrest-- most of it is above my head!!
I remember the time, many years ago, when he brought a Lamborghini Espada home, we went for a drive, stopped and changed seats for me to have a go. I adjusted the seat, and yes I could reach the pedals fine, only to be told "STOP, get out you can't drive it---- the seat is so far forward that it's over the handbrake!!" Aaaaargh. I do have to say though that the c class sportcoupe that I drive at the moment has the most comfortable driving position I've found for ages (if only the seatbelt didn't strangle me------)