Too good to be true?

[LostKiwi]

W

cars and much else, basically worth what someone will pay for it. and thats always less if yr over motivated to sell it as with anything else clean ,well looked after, well spec,d , original versions will always come good and at a premium. its a matter of timing when i come to sell mine i wont be worrying if it does not sell. its costing me very little and i have the space to keep it clean and dry.
in reply to Alexander, mine wont be going anywhere except my garage for less than 18.5k !

When you come to sell I know someone might be interested (not me sadly).

 

[alexanderfoti]

cars and much else, basically worth what someone will pay for it. and thats always less if yr over motivated to sell it as with anything else clean ,well looked after, well spec,d , original versions will always come good and at a premium. its a matter of timing when i come to sell mine i wont be worrying if it does not sell. its costing me very little and i have the space to keep it clean and dry.
in reply to Alexander, mine wont be going anywhere except my garage for less than 18.5k !

If yours is sub 80k and in immaculate condition then that makes sense, otherwise, I fear it will be for sale for a long time.

If I see a 02/03/04 600 for sale, asking more than 15K then it should be around 40-50k or have something else going for it IMO.

 

[ajlsl600]

W

When you come to sell I know someone might be interested (not me sadly).

lk .ok will let you know , i am sure anyone looking a god 600 would like to see it .

 

[ajlsl600]

If yours is sub 80k and in immaculate condition then that makes sense, otherwise, I fear it will be for sale for a long time.

If I see a 02/03/04 600 for sale, asking more than 15K then it should be around 40-50k or have something else going for it IMO.

understood 38k miles only outstanding i know of ,brake fluid change, not complex methinks

 

[alexanderfoti]

understood 38k miles only outstanding i know of ,brake fluid change, not complex methinks

Aha!! In case, give me a call when you come to sell

 

[ajlsl600]

Aha!! In case, give me a call when you come to sell

will do

 

[gramey]

The first (Designo) one looks really nice , if I had the cash I might take a punt

I'm waiting for some better photo's of the interior from the seller, ABC pump was apparently replaced in November 2018.
I need to get the chassis number as looks even lower spec than my 350 as doesn't appear to have pano roof or parking sensors, although mine are after market but still quite handy to have.

 

[flowrider]

Here you go........

VIN WDB2304752F019517
Parameter Value
037U DESIGNO MYSTIC RED PAINT
200A LEATHER
201A LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE
205B OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
221B SIGN COOLANT/REFUELING - ENGLISH
236B WITHOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE - STATION INDEX
352 COMAND
390 EQ SERVICE MAINTENANCE
423 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
487 ABC SUSPENSION (ACTIVE BODY CONTROL)
500 ELECTRIC FOLDING OUTSIDE MIRROR
5XXL EUROPE
618 BI-XENON HEADLAMPS FOR LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
668 PRODUCT PROT. F FREIGHT PACKAG. W TIE-DOWN HOOKS
669 SPARE WHEEL / FOLDING WHEEL
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
736 TRIM PIECES - WOOD ASH BLACK
772 AMG STYLING PACKAGE-FRONT SPOILER, SIDE SKIRT
790 18" AMG SPOKED WHEELS WITH MIXED TIRES
802 AEJ 01/1/X
810 PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
819 CD CHANGER
852 SENSOR SYSTEM F. ANTITHEFT ALARM SYSTEM (ATA)
860 TV-TUNER ANALOG
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
882 SENSOR SYSTEM AND ANTITHEFT ALARM SYSTEM
984 COC DOC., DELETION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOC.
989 IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
M113 V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M113
M50 DISPLACEMENT 5.0 LITER
N98 CONTROL CODE BREMEN PLANT
X00 LEATHER, DESIGNO, UNI-COLOR
X11 LEATHER, DESIGNO-BLACK, UNI-COLOR
Y83 DESIGNO ALCANTARA ANTHRACITE ROOF INTERIOR TRIM

 

[John Laidlaw]

I'm waiting for some better photo's of the interior from the seller, ABC pump was apparently replaced in November 2018.
I need to get the chassis number as looks even lower spec than my 350 as doesn't appear to have pano roof or parking sensors, although mine are after market but still quite handy to have.

Indeed being early it might be these weren’t available at the time - will be good to see

 

[LostKiwi]

Indeed being early it might be these weren’t available at the time - will be good to see

Parking sensors were - Malcolm's has them and it was a very early example.

That's pretty poor spec all round aside from the Designo and AMG body kit.

No parking sensors, no distronic, no phone prep...

Gramey, given you don't like ticking time bombs (one of the reasons you got rid of the Audi) why are you looking at an ABC equipped car?

 

[gramey]

Parking sensors were - Malcolm's has them and it was a very early example.

That's pretty poor spec all round aside from the Designo and AMG body kit.

No parking sensors, no distronic, no phone prep...

Gramey, given you don't like ticking time bombs (one of the reasons you got rid of the Audi) why are you looking at an ABC equipped car?

Simply because I love the colour and with the ABC having been replaced so recently that hopefully short of all our shocks failing simultaneously there shouldn't be any bigger bills than I may get with my 350, or am I deluding myself?

Ps. not worried about the phone prep as presumably without an ageing Nokia to put in there, same as my 350, you're stuck with the likes of a Parrot such as I have or an Android unit which will replace the Parrot if needs be.

 

[LostKiwi]

Simply because with the ABC having been replaced so recently that hopefully short of all our shocks failing simultaneously there shouldn't be any bigger bills than I may get with my 350, or am I deluding myself?

Wishful thinking....
Much will depend on the quality of work done and the reason for failure.
If a pump has failed they can release a lot of metal particles into the system. Once in there unless the entire system is flushed or dismantled and cleaned out those particles can cause future issues.
I wouldn't feel happy trusting a car where the pump had been replaced shortly before sale or where other components were replaced after a pump replacement.

An isolated strut replacement wouldn't concern me too much.

Malcolm's car has had 4 struts in 100k miles....

 

[gramey]

Here you go........

VIN WDB2304752F019517
Parameter Value
037U DESIGNO MYSTIC RED PAINT
200A LEATHER
201A LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE
205B OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
221B SIGN COOLANT/REFUELING - ENGLISH
236B WITHOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE - STATION INDEX
352 COMAND
390 EQ SERVICE MAINTENANCE
423 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
487 ABC SUSPENSION (ACTIVE BODY CONTROL)
500 ELECTRIC FOLDING OUTSIDE MIRROR
5XXL EUROPE
618 BI-XENON HEADLAMPS FOR LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
668 PRODUCT PROT. F FREIGHT PACKAG. W TIE-DOWN HOOKS
669 SPARE WHEEL / FOLDING WHEEL
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
736 TRIM PIECES - WOOD ASH BLACK
772 AMG STYLING PACKAGE-FRONT SPOILER, SIDE SKIRT
790 18" AMG SPOKED WHEELS WITH MIXED TIRES
802 AEJ 01/1/X
810 PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
819 CD CHANGER
852 SENSOR SYSTEM F. ANTITHEFT ALARM SYSTEM (ATA)
860 TV-TUNER ANALOG
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
882 SENSOR SYSTEM AND ANTITHEFT ALARM SYSTEM
984 COC DOC., DELETION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOC.
989 IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
M113 V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M113
M50 DISPLACEMENT 5.0 LITER
N98 CONTROL CODE BREMEN PLANT
X00 LEATHER, DESIGNO, UNI-COLOR
X11 LEATHER, DESIGNO-BLACK, UNI-COLOR
Y83 DESIGNO ALCANTARA ANTHRACITE ROOF INTERIOR TRIM

Thanks for that, not the best spec, that said my 350 is fairly low spec as well, I guess the original owners priority was for the aesthetics with the body kit and wheels rather than some of the convenience functions.

 

[gramey]

Wishful thinking....
Much will depend on the quality of work done and the reason for failure.
If a pump has failed they can release a lot of metal particles into the system. Once in there unless the entire system is flushed or dismantled and cleaned out those particles can cause future issues.
I wouldn't feel happy trusting a car where the pump had been replaced shortly before sale or where other components were replaced after a pump replacement.

An isolated strut replacement wouldn't concern me too much.

Malcolm's car has had 4 struts in 100k miles....

The pump was replaced by Trident Auto Engineers in Uxbridge, I've never heard of them so I have no idea whether they're a reputable independent or a bunch of cowboys? The mileage seems pretty good and the MOT history doesn't indicate it having been neglected with only minor things on there.
I think above all it's the tart in me, I just really like the colour!

 

[LostKiwi]

The pump was replaced by Trident Auto Engineers in Uxbridge, I've never heard of them so I have no idea whether they're a reputable independent or a bunch of cowboys? The mileage seems pretty good and the MOT history doesn't indicate it having been neglected with only minor things on there.
I think above all it's the tart in me, I just really like the colour!

Well if you go for it at least you're going in with your eyes open.

How long ago was the pump replaced? Was the replacement new and genuine?

 

[SH0X]

I think I may have got lucky with my SL. It wasnt as bad for me as some of the stories Ive read.

But I did put alot of work in myself and agree as someone said above if youre not handy that price could creep up easily. Even if you are handy some of these jobs are not very 'owner friendly'.

Its alot of car for the money. The presence itself is worth a few £.
They have a lot of potential looks wise / upgrade wise

But the bare bone issues of the car do make you wonder if its really worth it.

Alternatives I recently thought of were the XKR Jag?
BMW 6er has its own issues but is an alternative

Id love to buy another SL again but I would definitely class the car as a 'potential headache ' car. Only buy if handy & have a forum membership Maybe put aside a few ££ for worst case scenario & a good through test drive / inspection where possible is required (with any car I guess)

 

[gramey]

Well if you go for it at least you're going in with your eyes open.

How long ago was the pump replaced? Was the replacement new and genuine?

Sorry I thought I'd mentioned it, November 2018 it was replaced, I would have to speak to the garage and see if the car has been looked after by them and obviously do an HPI etc. Reading the above - X00 LEATHER, DESIGNO, UNI-COLOR
X11 LEATHER, DESIGNO-BLACK, UNI-COLOR - I don't understand what that means, is that single or two tone?

 

[LostKiwi]

I'd read that as single colour.
As in all black interior as opposed to black/grey etc.

 

[SH0X]

Uni colour / unibrow - single is what I make of that too ---

If you like the car & have done some digging & checks out OK I say go for it
No car will be perfect. History/receipts can be dodgy


TO put it into perspective these are some issues Ive found on some other cars that you may think would be trouble free (look into them im just touching base / I havent delved into it too much)

Audi DSG / Auto box issues
Audi 2.0 oil consumption issues
BMW N47 timing chain issue
BMW e90 - E93 electrical issues
Audi S5 gearbox issue & window reg issue
E60 M5 Vanos issue
E46 m3 Vanos? Issue
Bmw 6 series gearbox issues

Some of these issues are very expensive to put right. These are mostly newer cars than the SL.

I know ABc / SBC ion the SL ssues are bad but ultimately the gearbox & engine are good right?

Spending money on repairs (if needed) should hopefully help you sale time. Yes people always want cheap cars but sensible people looking at an SL will look for one with repairs done.

 

[gramey]

I'd read that as single colour.
As in all black interior as opposed to black/grey etc.

That's what I presumed, I'm not a huge fan of two tone interiors hence why I asked the seller for some better photo's of the interior.