Whats This 560 Worth Folks ??

[walshy66]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/683443.htm

I am seriously interested in buying a 560 (previously posted on here for help and thanks for all replies.)
I have checked this 560 SEL out, its close by me, but would appreciate an honest opinion of what I really should be paying for it? I know they are not worth a massive amount of money, but even so I don't want to land myself an over-priced pup.

It is clean (4 very small bubbles, 1 on each arch)
Drives well, pulls well and stops OK

Bad Bits I can see:-
Vendor tells me A/C appears to need re-gassing (so obviously leaking&needing bigger repair)
One elec window is inoperative
LCD display (don't know what it is, centre of dash below speedo?) is cracked and inoperative.
Will need 4 tyres very soon
Private plate is not included

Your honest opinion would be really helpful to me.
Thanks in advance ----Neil

 

[jibcl500]

My AC man did some work on one of these, it needed some AC pipes and one of them was over £1000, if the evaporator needs replacing then its a dash out job.

Otherwise looks like a nice car. Tyres arent expensive, paint work can be sorted, wings for the front could be about £300 each.
jib

 

[simon_wall69]

The 30mpg bit suggests that he may have applied hyperbole to other parts of the description.

I would check absolutely everything electrical works, check the pull knob raises and lowers the suspension as it should and use anything that doesn't work as a negotiating tool. As I would over the lack of leather (even though velour was a cost option!)

As long as the oil pressure is fine and the oils ok then the engine should be fine, there are no piston rings on them and heads tend not to go. Tyres aren't expensive. LCD screen should display temperature.

As Jib says, A/C will probably cost a fortune to fix.

I would have thought you should get it for under £2k

 

[grayb]

Why couldn't the seller open the doors to take the interior pics???

 

[Blobcat]

Why couldn't the seller open the doors to take the interior pics???

I thought that as well, not his car.....

 

[walshy66]

His Car

It is his car, I can verify that, I've been to see it and speak with him. To be honest he's a bit of a k**b and thinks because it was nearly £60k , 20 years ago its still worth big money.
I can have it for £1600, he's since put it on ebay and it sold but never went due to some guy not having funds to buy it etc. What ever thats not relevant to me buying it.
Think I can live without A/C , not worth spending £1000's to be cool on the 3 days of summer we get!
I'd still feel happier paying £1200-£1300 for it. He's pretty adament its not going for less than £1600 but credit crunch/silly fuel prices /15MPG and a big lump of German metal don't sit all together that well do they these days.
Where's this valve I need to check Simon??
Any More Advice Please??

 

[hardtop]

nice big car but they dont hold a good price esp a 560 cant see punters fighting for it 1200 is a very fair offer

 

[walshy66]

560

Cheers Hardtop, I honestly think thats all its worthg, glad you agree

 

[DMT60]

it's been advertised for 31 days and it has'nt sold,offer 1100 and see where he goes.state that the faults are expensive to fix,and thats all it's worth in todays credit climate.if he wont budge then walk away and say you'll think about it,if he want to sell he'll call you.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi Neil.

The exterior looks fine, but the list of reservations is formidable - and these are the ones you know about.

There are some cracking cars out there, in good working order with FMBSH, possible one owner and perhaps with similar mileage. They may cost a bit more, but once you start factoring the costs and anguish of sorting this one, they may prove a lot cheaper overall.

Unless you fancy a challenge, and a project, unless you would be able to rectify the known problems yourself, I would honestly walk away and keep looking.

A wise man in business once introduced me to the idea - this is not the only car of its type in the world - and that is a good philosophy to have, either to avoid paying too much for a really nice car, or to avoid buying the wrong car just because you can.

Sorry to sound a bit negative, but I would hate you to get into something like this, even at the lowest possible price, and then spend forever regretting it.

We will all be keen to hear your eventual choice. The good guys are on your side!

 

[jibcl500]

Make a date with him to see the car, get it Daysure.co.uk for the drive home, take the cash with you, do your research and know what to look for and pull it apart big time, spend some time on your back under the car and move around, get your hands dirty!!!
When you arrive make sure he sees you have the cash on you!! very important he knows your there to buy, pull it apart and go in low £800 touch, tell him whats wrong with it, if he starts with the bull on price speak to your mate thats with you!!! about the other car youve just looked at and suggest its thats a goer instead as it doesnt need the work this one does blah blah!!!
Its easy peazy, they know you have the cash the deals there to be done, he know he wants £XXXXX for it but he wants your cash today so £XXXX becomes £XXX because your the only person there with dosh.
Very important, make the offer, lets say £700, say it £700 look at him and dont say ANOTHER word!!! let him speak even when he comes back with his price, ignore him and tell him about other faults not mentioned then say £700 again.

jib

 

[simon_wall69]

Where's this valve I need to check Simon??
Any More Advice Please??

Above rear axle, looks like a brake compensator. It might not have a ride height adjustment valve on, as a lot have been changed to springs

Also negotiate on options. Does it have individual rear seats? These were very desirable. Look above the climate control wheels, if all options were ticked then there should be one button missing in the row. It may be missing the button to harden suspension, electric rear blind, rear heated seats. Has it got a proper LSD?

Check all the lights come on with the ignition and go out as they should, as some sneaky tykes remove ABS bulbs or ASR bulbs to hide faults.

Start negotiating well below £1000 and let him know that you will buy if the price is right i.e. you have insurance with you and don't go alone unless you are on the bus!

 

[walshy66]

Thanks lads , some good advice there. Really appreciate you offering your valid opinions
Stonking minters privately seem to pull £3500, and I'm not prepared to spend that on my 1st 560 though, may not like it and I want one that I can sell easily and quickly, hence need a decent one at decent money.
This one has a full MBSH and was aquired by the private trader selling it after it was traded in at a local garage.
I honestly think its worth £1250 and the opinion off here seems to back that up so unless he sells it to me at that, we'll be looking elsewhere .
Thanks again folks I'll let you know when I land one