2002 SL500 Silver Arrow Edition 70k: Wichita, KS. $18,450 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 12-13-2010, 09:32 PM

Peachparts Approved Listing # 254705

Price Reduced to $16,900

I've officially come to an agreement with the webmaster to advertise my cars here on a per listing basis with the forum. I really enjoyed listing cars here in the past and, selling them to members and hearing updates. Some foks I've become very good friends with. I encourage any good spirited discussion in any of my sale threads. Even though I'm a full out slimy used car dealer now I'm still the same guy that's sold plenty other cars on this forum. Anywho, on to the car.

2002 Mercedes-Benz SL500 convertible Silver Arrow Edition. One of 1450 made on the final year of production of the R129 chassis. Designed to commemorate Mercedes' famous race cars of the 1930s-50s. The Silver Arrows stand out with tons of cosmetics touches, including a special Silver Metallic paint job, 2 piece wheels with painted spokes and polished lip, AMG style sport appearance package, 2 tone interior, aluminum door sills and pedals, dark burl wood with an engine turned finish metal in around the gear selector and instrument cluster, and much more. All options such keyless entry, heated seats, premium sound with 6 disc changer, power roll bar, ABS and traction control.

This example is a 2 owner vehicle, purchased Certified Pre-owned in 2005 with 39,000 miles. Until this year, the vehicle spent its entire life in South Georgia/North Florida and never saw a harsh winter. Current mileage is around 70,500. Clean accident history report and title with no liens.

Less than a month ago I had the car completely inspected and serviced. Service included an oil change, transmission service, power steering flush, and coolant flush. I also replaced the crankshaft position sensor. The car had 2 leaks, one being the seal between the power steering pump and reservoir, the other was a minute leak from a small access on the passenger valve cover that only needed to be tightened. Tires are continentals with decent tread on the front and alot of tread on the rear. Power soft top operates flawlessly even in this cold weather (a good test of the hydraulics), along with everything else.

The cosmetics are very nice. Certainly well above average for the year, with only a few road chips and light scratches. Compliments of the shippers carelessness, 2 of the bumper clips were broken when the car came off the truck. I had the professionally repaired and remounted, as well as repainted due to some scratches down low from curb impacts. All the other paint looks to be original. The only downside, which I'll probably just remove, is the hood pad which is doing what they like to do. The interior is gorgeous. Light wear on the driver's bolster, no tears, cracks in the dash or center console wood, or any offensive odors. The rear plastic glass of the soft top is a bit cloudy, but the top is still in nice shape with no holes, tears or excessive wear.

I was very surprised to find this car at such an affordable price on the Manheim wholesale site that I had recently plugged into. This is something I've always wanted to have, but due to the high price and collectability I didn't think I'd be owning one any time soon. My guess is the seller did not do his research and went off of what standard 2002 SL500s were going for at auction and priced it a bit below that for good measure. Its good for everyone, because I can pass the low price on to the next owner.

My plan was to enjoy this car until Spring and then sell when everybody wants a convertible. I've been driving it daily and put about 750 miles on it. Since the deal with Jimmy as sprung up with me buying a '95 E300 diesel, which I've been searching for since June, I thought I should list it now or risk breaking my rule of only having 1 "keeper" Mercedes at a time outside of my untouchable '85 500SL. I'm hoping the E300 is a more permanent fixture like Ol' Turbo was. This way I can quit playing musical chairs with my "keepers" and "sellers".

Kelly Blue Book with all the options (Silver Arrow, Sport package, 6 disc, and premium wheels) is $27,285. I'm putting mine at $18450 to forum members; its advertised higher on craigslist. I don't think there's a cheaper one on Autotrader unless its near or over 100k on the miles. I've gone to the trouble of sorting it all out too and putting some good wheel time with it, which you are not going to find with other dealers who tout a 1 billion point inspection which comprises of a breeze over and an oil change.

Feel free to contact me via PM. I'm also happy to throw someone a bone if a forum member finds a buyer for me. I've really enjoyed the mix in both new and old with the design, aesthetics, and age with the vehicle. One odd note is they chose to replace the oil pressure gauge with an oil temperature gauge at some point. When I did the first cold start on this car I about had a heart attack until I realized the change.

Many photos below. Thanks for reading.

joegolden · #2 12-13-2010, 10:43 PM

I read earlier about your interest in old 3.8 Buicks...A family I grew up with in church bought a new Reatta in the late 80's. I am not sure which year. They were only made 88-92 or so right? Anyway it is a red coupe and they happen to live next door to my inlaws. It was a daily driver for many years but has been a 3rd Sunday car since about 1999. It literally just sits in the garage. I noticed he had a cover over it this summer... I am really good friends with them and can ask about it if you are ever interested

Nice silver arrow. My mom and stepdad have a 2003 sl55 roadster now. It has about 75k on it and is a beast. Good Luck with the sale. Cool car!

TylerH860 · #3 12-13-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegolden

I read earlier about your interest in old 3.8 Buicks...A family I grew up with in church bought a new Reatta in the late 80's. I am not sure which year. They were only made 88-92 or so right? Anyway it is a red coupe and they happen to live next door to my inlaws. It was a daily driver for many years but has been a 3rd Sunday car since about 1999. It literally just sits in the garage. I noticed he had a cover over it this summer... I am really good friends with them and can ask about it if you are ever interested

Nice silver arrow. My mom and stepdad have a 2003 sl55 roadster now. It has about 75k on it and is a beast. Good Luck with the sale. Cool car!

Please do. I've never owned a Reatta but have always wanted to try one out. When I first got this car and thought the power steering was leaking, turned out to be a $3.00 seal. When I was looking for a pump, I put 2003 as the year rather than 2002. The price was over $1000 for the 2003 vs $300 for the 2002. I don't think I'd go any newer on SLs.

joegolden · #4 12-13-2010, 11:01 PM

wow thats insane..I have never heard them talk much about cost of maintenance on the sl55 over the years. I know it was "starmarked" when they bought it 6 yrs ago or so. Not sure if they have any coverage on it now. I do know they had it thoroughly serviced before a round trip to Oregon, Cali, Arizona and back to Atlanta this summer.

I guess you sold the roadmaster wagon? that was a great looking car. I have always wanted one of those as well.

husk · #5 12-14-2010, 10:30 PM

only if it had the pano roof..

TylerH860 · #6 12-14-2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husk

only if it had the pano roof..

That is a "bolt on" part.

I don't think I could find a SL600 Silver Arrow to steal from any time soon though. Didn't they only make 100 of those?

Skid Row Joe · #7 12-14-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husk

only if it had the pano roof..

At the low price of the car, that wouldn't stop me - were I in the market for an SL.

Aquaticedge · #8 12-14-2010, 11:37 PM

what does the engine bay look like on that beast

TylerH860 · #9 12-15-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquaticedge

what does the engine bay look like on that beast

A bit dusty for the time being. When I get a chance I'll clean it up and post.

JimmyL · #10 12-15-2010, 01:29 AM

I think that is the best console wood I've ever seen!!! And what a stunning car.
There is nobody on this forum I would trust any more to buy a car from than Tyler. Heck, I'm getting one from him this weekend......

Hatterasguy · #11 12-15-2010, 10:46 AM

Another one I want badly.

daw_two · #12 12-15-2010, 02:54 PM

*daw drools*

but only on the keyboard.

TylerH860 · #13 12-15-2010, 04:39 PM

I cleaned the engine bay and added some photos. Just took 5 minutes with some Windex Multi Surface, as it was a very clean engine bay to start with, just a bit dusty, and with the cold weather I was motivated to finish quickly.

Aquaticedge · #14 12-15-2010, 05:05 PM

Daaaaaamn Someone is going to get a REALLY sweet car

LUVMBDiesels · #15 12-15-2010, 06:30 PM

yeah I would love that car! I just cannot do it right now.

Speaking of Reattas, I pass a place on Rt 340 in Virginia with a bunch of them! He must have at least 10. He is a deal that specialized in the Buick 2 seater!

Let me know and I will stop in there and see what he is asking for them