'91 500SL upkeep question

[John Schroader]

A few months back I bought an old 300D. Love it. Though I am somewhat limited in mechanical abilities and resources I have found this an easy car to service and repair. This past weekend my wife spotted a great looking '91 500 SL for what seems a good price. It's a beautiful car but I fear that the upkeep on this car is in another realm than the old 300D. As far as I know the nearest shop that could do diagnostics is 50 miles away and quite pricey. Does it take a fat wallet to own one of these?

[tecqboy]

I own a 91 300SL 104K miles. In my experience, this car has not been particularly troublesome or expensive to maintain. However, I do the routine service things myself ( fluids,filters, lubes, battery, brakes ). When I have required shop service, it has not been anymore costly than dealer service on my Jeep GC in terms of labor rates or part prices. I go to a very good independent for the MB service. I bought the SL with 85K miles 5 years ago. In those 5 years and 20K miles I have only needed shop work for timing chain guide tensioner and drive shaft flex discs and bearing. I did a brake job myself. The soft top controller gets confused from time to time, but that is a DIY fix. I also had to relube both window mechs due to dried out hardened grease. If the car you are looking at has been maintained well, it should not be a money pit. Ask for service records. On the other hand if it needs a new rag top or body work, that can be expensive. Body parts for SL's are very expensive. Look for rust under the door skins behind the rubber gaskets. No 16 year old car will be trouble free, and something expensive could be right around the next corner, but so far, my SL has been a great driving / ownership experience.

[John Schroader]

Thanks for the info. It's a beautiful car. 104K miles. One owner. Deep south. But I'm kinda scared.

[John Schroader]

One more thing. The dealer says the transmission is rebuilt.