Shipping an '87 560SL
 

Greetings all,
I posted here a few years back before I sold my 1980 450SL (still kicking myself over that one...), but that was a mistake I don't intend to live with. I've dusted off my old mercedesshop account and am hoping this one's a keeper: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2493982118&category=6338

I'm now faced with the dilema of having it shipped. I've read countless horror stories about the auto shipping industry online and am nervous as hell. Has anyone had any good/bad luck with one company vs. another? I'm convinced it needs to be sent door to door in an enclosed truck, but beyond that, I don't have much to go on. For the moment, I'm leaning toward FedEx (If you'd told me this morning you could FedEx your car, I'd have told you you were nuts, but apparently you can) but really for no better reason than that I've atleast heard of them before. Any insight would be much appreciated.

Giddy with excitement, tempered by the fact that I've yet to recieve a car in one piece,

I shipped my diesel using A-1 auto shipping. No problems at all. CA to MD ran me about $700.00.

mine is going over atlantic, so iam using www.schumachercargo.com
they offer a door to door shipping
or as i use door to port

los angels- oslo norway = $1500

I drove mine from Arizona to NY. Turned out to be a good trip. Learned a lot about the car.

Car shipping options
 

I have shipped several cara all with good results. Hou to SF and back, Hou to/from NYC. TNT has provided good service to me. Look in the yellow pages for a shipper near you (reasonably convenient). Your choices are: Enclosed trailer or open carrier. Door to door; door to yard; yard to yard; yard to door. Cost differs for level of service. Get several quotes, including insurance. 'Dealers' are really consolidators, getting several cars in an area and then posting for a trucker to bid on the movement to an intermediate terminal etc. It is very unusual to get point to point direct, but not impossible--but will likely cost more. Let your fingers walk a little--the internet is great for this kind of thing.

Of coures, you CAN get custom haul YOUR car in a show car trailer--but that may be overkill. You want to make sure your car is loaded on the top, so nothing drips on it.

I bought my 1984 off of Ebay too
 

And I had it shipped from San Diego to Seattle by DAS -- Dependable Auto Shippers. Check them out on the web. I was told all SLs they ship are in some type of an enclosed trailer and they also ship new ones for dealers. Can not verify that only was told that. Anyway it was an experience that was without any complaints or incidents- it went exactly as she described when I talked to them on the phone. Also - you get a tracking number and can watch it on the web where your car is at any time of the day. I'd use them again if I buy on Ebay again. Also-- I opt'd for the extra option of a top load so I did not have any old car above mine leaking fluids on to my paint. Also I took out insurance on my car from my regular insurance company so I did not have to pay for the shipping insurance, so if anything happened along the way it was insured. Good luck - email me if you need more info. Good luck

Shipping
 

I had mine shipped from Illinois almost a year ago and used an outfit called Intercity Lines. These people are first class and only use enclosed trailers. The vehicles are loaded by means of the vehicle be raised totally level and driving in the trailer level, not up ramps. the vehicles are tied down by all four wheels instead of being torqued down by the underbody. Also each vehicle is covered with a car cover when transported. If I had to do it again I wouldn't even consider another carrier. check them out at www.intercitylines.com

If it were me, playing top dollar for this car, I would go to IL and drive it back myself...make a trip of it. Great looking SL....I have the same one and while maint. is dear, it's a great car.

I agree with the last guy!
 

You should get on an airplane and go pick it up. I have spent money and had things shipped. Never, never, never again!

If you got the kinda cash you paid for this car (belive me it looks nice and better be for that price) A few days outta your life is a cheap price to pay for peace of mind.

After all, find a nice young lady, stop a few times, have some nice meals and stay at some nice places and learn about your car and the young lady!! Or old lady depending on your taste!

If you can possibly manage it, I'd agree with the last post. Not that it's impossible to ship a car satisfactorily, but it allows several things:
1-You get to eyeball and drive the vehicle before you actually plunk down the bucks.
2-You get to spend several days with the car at the outset, after which you should know just about everything that you want or need to do to it.
3-No matter how the trip goes, it's better than work!

And, let's face it: You know you want to--:D

I'll second that. I have used them several times and they are top notch.

Lou K

I'd like to thank everyone for all the good suggestions. While I'd love to go pick it up myself, my schedule just wont allow it I'm afraid. I'm also hesitant to put 1500 wintertime miles on it. Based on a number of recommendations here and good reviews elsewhere, I decided to go with Intercity Lines. Most expensive of the bunch, but sounds like it'll be worth every penny. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again,

Contradulations on your 560sl...it's a fantastic car.

shipping an sl or any other car
 

I shipped a 300sl that I bought on ebay from Florida to California. The first thing I found was that most auto shippers are brokers only. Some one else hauls the car. I finally found DAS (dependable auto shippers). They run their own trucks and have their own office in most major cities. You can save money by going from their office to their office. They actually did know some problems with shipping sl's. The tiedown can cause frame problems. They reccommended an enclosed truck for $400 more. You get a web site to track the truck and your vehicle. It arrived perfect. Well worth the extra $400.

Tom Swafford

She arrived safe and sound on Monday! Intercity Lines claimed they didn't service my area so I ended up going with Passport Transport (FedEx) afterall. I'd recommend them to anyone. The driver was even willing to drop it off a day early to accommodate my schedule. Huge sigh of relief. Thanks again for all the suggestions. Now the spending really begins...