Sl350

[John o'malley]

Hi,I am thinking of buying an sl used money up to £10000 what one should i buy and why or an slk what do you think.I know nothing about cars.Thanks

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Hi, I ll have a go at answering then.

Are plenty of both available on the market for £10k or less.

It obviously depends on you and what you fancy, where you intend driving it, parking it, how much money you have to maintain it should it go wrong and even how tall you are.

Me, I would go for an SL, aiming for a 5.5 engined one, 2006 towards but top of your budget.
Failing that a 500 if I had some money for any fixes then a nice 350.
The more history the better, make sure everything works or take it to an independent Mercedes specialist for a good once over, money well spent.

Why, well the SL’s are nice cars, the 129 is the older style up to around 2001, the 230 is the next model produced and plenty of these in your price range.

I would suggest driving a few before choosing one, try an SLK too.


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[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

Decide what you want to use it for and how much space you want and how much maintenance you want to do. From that take a few for a test drive. £10K would get a very nice SLK or an SL...

 

[LostKiwi]

As above.
Water leaks are the death of any convertible. Check under carpets in the boot.
SLs from 2002 in particular suffer from this.
V8 and V12 SLs from 2002 have ABC, a complex active body control system based on the old Citroen oleo-pneumatic suspension but with electronic control. This gives superb ride and incredible cornering compared to coils. Suspension can give trouble and can be expensive. £500+ per strut, £1000+ for a pump.
The V8 engines are bombproof. The V6 a little less so but still very good. Ditto gearboxes in with 5 speed or 7 speed formats with the 5 speed arguably more reliable than the 7 speed which can suffer from harsh shifts particularly when cold.
Pre 2006 cars can suffer corrosion on rear wheel arches.
All 2002 onwards SLs use SBC braking - a fly by wire braking system using a high pressure electric pump under the bonnet. The pump can give trouble but is relatively cheap to fix (£500 or so).
SLs are awesome cruisers for covering large distances effortlessly but will still hustle through twisties if asked. If you want a more sporty drive then an SLK may better as it's more nimble and similar acceleration.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome
Can’t argue with what’s already been said really
Personally I’d look at an SLK55 with that budget , something like this, what a weapon!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006110024700

 

[Wighty]

I would check to see where/ how close your decent MB independents are first

 

[Blobcat]

I would check to see where/ how close your decent MB independents are first

Within 250 miles is fine

 

[peterws1957]

Personally I wouldn't recommend an SL or SLK if you know nothing about cars, unless you are a quick learner and are very patient. Wighty's suggestion is the best.
The SL must be the most common MB impulse buy and you can quickly become very unstuck if you choose wrongly. Not being negative - we love ours, but better to be forewarned!

 

[Wighty]

Within 250 miles is fine

That’s a long way to push it !

 

[Blobcat]

That’s a long way to push it !

You should get one you can drive, "they're great" (with apologies to Tony the Tiger)

 

[McDonald]

Welcome
Can’t argue with what’s already been said really
Personally I’d look at an SLK55 with that budget , something like this, what a weapon!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006110024700

8 owners & part history? Are you sure John?

 

[John Laidlaw]

8 owners & part history? Are you sure John?

fair points, didn't get quite that far! something 'like that' then but with a proper history

 

[John o'malley]

Personally I wouldn't recommend an SL or SLK if you know nothing about cars, unless you are a quick learner and are very patient. Wighty's suggestion is the best.
The SL must be the most common MB impulse buy and you can quickly become very unstuck if you choose wrongly. Not being negative - we love ours, but better to be forewarned!

Hi,Thanks that is what I thought,beautiful cars to look at terrifying to own,I think I would need deeper pockets.Thanks

 

[Blobcat]

Hi,Thanks that is what I thought,beautiful cars to look at terrifying to own,I think I would need deeper pockets.Thanks

Try an SLK, doubt you'll be disappointed (I've not been in >30K miles)

 

[00slk]

Hi,Thanks that is what I thought,beautiful cars to look at terrifying to own,I think I would need deeper pockets.Thanks

You can always buy our 500, it's not a normal one, ours is better behaved Plus if you buy ours (for £6400) I can keep my SL55

 

[McDonald]

Personally I wouldn't recommend an SL or SLK if you know nothing about cars, unless you are a quick learner and are very patient. Wighty's suggestion is the best.
The SL must be the most common MB impulse buy and you can quickly become very unstuck if you choose wrongly. Not being negative - we love ours, but better to be forewarned!

My 500 has been a delight. None of the dreaded terrors. A sound history and expert maintenance (MBS) and these cars are pure joy. Forums seem only to talk about difficulties. I bet 00slk's is a good example too.

You can always buy our 500, it's not a normal one, ours is better behaved Plus if you buy ours (for £6400) I can keep my SL55

Post a picture if you're wanting to sell. The look of these cars is their best selling point.

 

[00slk]

My 500 has been a delight. None of the dreaded terrors. A sound history and expert maintenance (MBS) and these cars are pure joy. Forums seem only to talk about difficulties. I bet 00slk's is a good example too.



Post a picture if you're wanting to sell. The look of these cars is their best selling point.

Here is a teaser

 

[Wighty]

Here is a teaser

View attachment 59183

Lovely looking car buddy !

 

[00slk]

Lovely looking car buddy !

Thanks Wighty, it is one of the better ones, also an unusual colour, green/blue/black

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi,Thanks that is what I thought,beautiful cars to look at terrifying to own,I think I would need deeper pockets.Thanks

The 350 is a reasonably cheap car to own as it's simpler than the 500 (no ABC unless specified as an option).
Very little in it cost to own wise between that and an SLK. It really depends what you want to do with it.