need your advise on buying a sl
 

hi everybody

I have always wanted to own a mercedes sl for the last twenty years but never had the fund's to buy one from new or used,now i am older with little more to spend on a car i believe i have found the right sl,just wondering if you guys can take a look and give me some advise on this sl.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9855&item=4561573339&rd=1


cheers dave

It looks like you're considering paying $50,000 U.S. for an
eBay car? This seems really risky.

While I haven't followed that particular year and model -and while the car only has 3000 miles - it has been sitting around and depreciating in value.
If you can have an inspection before bidding then maybe this is fine. But
you have to have a real MB mechanic take a look before spending $50,000.

Last thing. Low miles are good, but sitting around isn't. The fact that MB has only serviced the car twice in six years could be good - or could mean there are some surprises in store.
These cars do like to be driven a bit - and opened up on the road. If the mechanic says yes and you love the look of that car, consider it.

It is nice that you found a low mileage car. Unless you plan on storing it in a museum for another 50 years and hope it will appreciate in value, I think spending that much in a low mileage car is not a very advisable move. the miles will pile on as soon as you take ownership, why pay premium when you can find plenty of decent daily driver without breaking the piggy bank.

The asking price is close to a '02 Silver Arrow.

I would stay away. Extremely low miles cars is a market segment unto itself. It attracts a certain personality type, often not aware that car parts wear out with time as well as usage, that is often quite willing to pay silly high prices. This is great when it comes time to sell, but only if you don't drive the car. If you drive it you ruin everything and you take a beating on depreciation. And it's not true that cars should be serviced based only on mileage. This car has been underserviced and could see as many problems as some higher mileage examples.

Problem's
 

I think there is a real problem here. All of the previous post speak of the cost, etc. This is a European auto and it may require substantial modifications to meet the US emissions tests. If it requires a catalytic converter you may be looking at thousands of dollars. I would stay away for my own good. Just my thoughts. VLP

Low mileage is not necessarily good:
(1) cars suffer for not being used;
(2) you have to a pay a premium for low miles, and as soon as you start using the car, it will cease to be a low miler and you'll lose your premium.

There are a lot of 129s out there at very reasonable prices. You could buy a low mile car from a MB dealer for significantly less than this, and have the benefit of a cast iron warranty and the 30 year Mobilio guarantee. Do a search on the UK MB website for a used 1998 or younger SL for less than 30k: you'll find dozens, many with less than 40k miles on them. I spent some time looking for my car. I searched out a high miler (49k) SL500, because I knew I'd be putting 20k miles a year under the wheels and couldn't see the point of paying a premium for low miles.

Post June 1998 cars are the best. They are face-lifted, have the new 3 valve engines, and come with all the bells and whistles. The 500 is often cheaper than the 320 because folk assume it uses more fuel and costs more to insure. They are wrong. The 320 and 500 use much the same amount of fuel (they are both 2 ton cars) and they are both group 20 for insurance. The difference is the 500 comes with an almost total spec and goes like stink. The panoramic top is worth having, the car looks more modern and is lovely to ride in with the hardtop in place.

For your budget you ought to be able to find the very best from a MB dealer. 30k will buy a 20k mile SL320 or SL500 from 2001, maybe even a coveted SL500 Silver Arrow or one of the SL320 final editions. These cars are really nice. Remember from the dealer there is a lot more peace of mind than from e-Bay and a proper MB dealer warranty is a good thing. Much more important than mileage is condition and history. See if you can find one that is free of accident damage or modification and has been cherished by the PO. Shouldn't be difficult...

MB Bristol is offering a 2001/Y SL320 Designo Alanite with 21k miles for just under 29k
MB hertford is offering a 2001/51 SL320 Designo with 21k miles for 32k
MB Gatwick have a 2000 SL320 in Obsidian over Alpaca with 32k miles for less than 25k

If you're willing to tolerate higher miles, you pay even less...

If you live near London its worth taking a look. But tell the guy to piss off on the $1000.00 deposite for a test drive. Dont buy it without a test drive. Also try to get an idea on the number off occurances the car was driven. 3000 miles in the first year and not drive for 5 years would not be good. 3000 miles distributed evenly over 6 years with some trips over 25 miles would be just fine. Expect when you get it to change ALL fluids, filters and belts and hoses and to give it a good wax job. Replace the fuel filter immidiately and put in a bottel of Cheveron Techron injector cleaner.

Also is this 3000 miles or 3000 kilometers.

Good Luck
John Roncallo

Check www.collectorcartraderonline.com.