Help with 560SL purchase

[sokoloff]

Got a neighbor who is selling his '87 560SL. He's was asking $25,000, now it's $20,000 and I think that's still about $5000 too high. I'd like some input on the price from those of you who have recently been looking at real world prices.

He's the second owner and has had it for about twelve years I think. Car has about 45,000 mles on it and AFAIK, it's been a nice weather car, although it did come from NJ. From what I've seen of the car, it is in pretty pristine condiiton. I suspect that he will let me have the car in my garage for a day or two so I can crawl around under it and give it a good looking over. I might do a compression test on it too. I'll have to ask, but I suspect that routine maintenance like fluid changes, rubber replacement, suspension and brake work, etc. are not up to date and will need to be done.

So what specifically should I be looking for when I give this car a PPI? Is there a problem with the plastic oiler tubes on this engine? Could there be a problem already with the mileage this low? How about the price?

Thanks - if I get it home for a look, I'll post some photos.

Len