560SL - A couple of questions from a new owner!!

[Lord Hemming]

I picked up my 560SL and drove it 1650 miles home, it didn't miss a beat, fantastic!

My questions:-
The AUTOM button on the climate control system seems clear, is it supposed to light up when in use?

When traveling at 75 using the cruse control system the car runs very smooth, if I touch the brake (to pause the cruse system) I notice a slight clunk by my feet as the cruse disengages the throttle. Any ideas of what to check or is this normal?

The vehicle is very clean, low mileage (32k) and doesn't have any squeaks or rattles. The clunk noise doesn't happen when I use the throttle to get the vehicle to 75, hold the speed and then let off the gas.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

[Alkraut]

Sounds like you are enjoying you 560SL!
The Automatic climate control button doe not light when on. There is an illumination light behind that switch which comes on with the headlights. It lights up mostly the fan images.

Since your foot accelerator is smooth, you may have actuator linkage that needs attention.The cruise control actuator is on top of the engine, passenger side. You need to remove the air cleaner to get to the linkage. The air cleaner comes off with two side nuts and center nut. Take off large intake hose first. There is also a small hose pushed on underneath, pass side. The cruise is an aluminum box with a linkage rod coming out toward middle of engine. linkage rods pulls off at ends. They have ball/socket ends.Lubricate the arm on the actuator at bottom and lube the ball end. Check the linkage on the motor for smooth action. Lubricate all pivot points and axels with penetrating lubricant. White lithium on the balls/sockets. Check the condition of wires and vauum hoses. Good luck.

[Jim B.]

Glad you finally got one. 32k is almost like a brand new one, what color is it?

Do you have pictures of it or know the history? Very few were the owners' only car. Many were lkttle more than toys or fashion accessories.

The 560SL is without doubt the best of the bunch. Last iteration of a long production of real classic cars - quintessential Mercedes, so easily identifiable as one....

Found a cupholder yet for it?

hehehehe

[Lord Hemming]

It's Astral silver with unused blue soft top and blue interior. The car came with a thick history file containing all the service receipts.

I did buy a cup holder, I don't like it very much. I found one at Performance products, but I'm coming to terms with the $70 price tag!

I have attached a link to a site I made quickly yesterday with photos

http://web.mac.com/lordh/iWeb/TZ%20Watches/560SL_files/slideshow.html

You will see some duck tape over one of the turn signal units I managed to break when I got the car home, I'll order a new one tomorrow. The only fault with the car besides a couple of stone chips is the drivers seat has worn a little and requires re-dying. I'm not sure whether to get the seat fixed or leave it as it is to keep the car original.

[Alkraut]

If you check around the internet, there are companies that have leather dye products. Check leatherrenew.com and leatherique.com
You can touch up that common area. Your color code is 272A. Good luck.

[CamelotShadow]

Nice car, Enjoy!

[Jim B.]

Absolutely beautiful pictures. it's very close to mint condition! They are especially nice, in Astral Silver, and with stock rims for the year, and of course the 1988-89 3rd brake light - which looks more integrated than that of the '86-'87 ones.

What state was it from? Try and keep watch on the dashboard, as you know the blue ones are famous for cracking. Keep it supple, an consider a nice cover over it to protect it.

Unfortunately, the leather side bolsters on the drivers seat are the first to go, and perhaps you might want to consider a set of really nice sheepskin seat covers like these

They are especially good because they are separate two piece sets for each seats, cool and heat in summer and winter, and are supposed to last for 6 years but I have over 10 on mine from this place and love them.

Also you can pick your color, white, dark blue, black, tan, etc. I went to the factory in Sonoma County, Calif. and got mine, along with a set of them for a Volvo I had also, and the owner was from Austria, a real nice guy, who did the install (difficult) and said, they could be rotated to lengthen their overall life, (if no center armrest issues caused one side to be different, if it was attached to the seat.) I even got a couple of pairs of his slippers, nice.

Highly recommend the place: www.ramsheadusa.com

The owner has an '80 300SD with about 400,000 miles on it, and it is a showcase for how nice the sheepskins can look on a car.

[Roncallo]

Excellent car. Nice way to buy them with low milage like that. Just remember one thing that milage is not the only thing that deteriaoates cars it is also age. All your rubber and plastic is vulnerable to age as well as metal depending on how its kept.

Good luck with it and welcome aboard
John Roncallo

[Lord Hemming]

Jim,

The car was originally from El Paso, but I purchased the car in Utah where the second owner was from. The dash is perfect, I think the car was kept in an airconditioned garage as all the rubber on the car is like new. What should I do to keep the dash supple?

Thanks for the info on the sheep skins, I was going to get some in a month or so once I have finished buying the roof hoist etc.

[Jim B.]

The sheepskins from the company I mentioned, fit so snugly and perfectly that it is difficult to install them; you'd need help. The owner of the company installed mine, and and I saw him do it, and it was a difficult job.

I recommended the place because it is the best, and they have lasted me almost twice as long as he said he would. I think the owner's name is Andre.

As to the dash, there is something unique in their composition that, for some reason, when they are blue, tend to crack, unlike the other Mercedes dash covers.

The worst thing you could put on it is Armorall, which actually hastens cracking by deteriorating the fibers inside them.

The best thing I have ever seen is the 303 protectant, which is slightly more expensive, than cheap auto parts store sprays.

http://autopia.org/reviews/censura.php?cmd=details&itemid=137

It is usually found by mail order or on the internet and not easily available in auto parts stores.

It's an idea, to to possibly get one of those fitted $10-$20 semi fitted dash covers for the car to further protect your dash. However, I'd probably just lay it on top, and not glue it down, to see if I liked it, and would get rid of it if it produced glare from the windshield while driving in daylight.

I was going to mention about a hardtop hoist or stand, but it looks like you are already ahead of the game, there...

You will really love cruising in that one. It's so instantly identifiable as a modern classic Benz, and they are very rugged and reliable, and the 227 hp gives it very decent performance. 0-60 should come up in under 7.4 seconds in one that is well tuned.

Were I ready for an SL, Benz, I'd surely select a low mileage R107 like this, over any other SL model that was ever made, one of the last of these, first choice being an '88-'89, 2nd choice an '86-'87 one, that was an American spec one that was kept stock and garaged, one fussy owner, and in a color that apppealed, red, black, or silver being my favorites.

I think they are the sturdiest, most practical, ane most good looking of them all.

[DanielG]

Beautiful car -- congratulations!!!!