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-   -   Consider This Before Buying Sl's (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-sl-discussion-forum/78903-consider-before-buying-sls.html)

lynn tassin 12-15-2003 02:20 PM

I did run it through a full car wash but I fully intend to drive it this winter. What makes it so different from other cars? They dont rust out after a season of road salt. Im gonna treat it just like any other car. I see no reason to store it. I bought it to drive

OB Joe 12-15-2003 03:08 PM

Lynn, Sorry for the gender gaff. I did work with another guy in a factory years ago named Lynn. He used to get all kinds of crazy mail.

E320Coup 12-15-2003 03:28 PM

Nope, thats fine, run it in the winter if you want, apparently it will go fine. And no, it wont rust completely out because of a season, but it wont do it any favors either.

Remember, it is 23 yrs old, the undercoating and metalurgy etc. is old technology so it doesn't resist salt (an ionization catalyst) as well as todays cars.

I guarantee you the car didn't make it this long by being driven in the sand and salt. Its just a shame to take a car, especially a Mercedes, that has been cared for sooo many years, recently had a ton of new work done to it to make it a gem, and start driving it in weather that will cause it cancer.

Everything has an intended application. Your FX45 was designed for winter stuff, the MB was designed for dry, warm days with the top down...

But your car, your money- oh and by the way, you reduce your resale value if the buyer gets wind of it being a winter-driver...

I think your bating a conversation. I don't believe you would consider driving it in the winter anyway.

lynn tassin 12-15-2003 03:37 PM

I m not saying I will drive it when theres a foot of snow on the ground. We get lots of warmer dry days during the winter in DC. Its not exactly a tundra. WHat about all of the cars in Florida and California? Do they not drive them during the summer because of the salt in the air?When I picked the car up the mechanic told me in his opinion the car had all of these problems because it was not driven enough. He said drive the hell out of it. Push all of the buttons, change from air to heat and just generally use everything that hasnt been used in 23 years. He said most of these cars are in the shape they're in from under use. People baby them too much. If you dont use something, its doesnt work. Theres not a spot of rust and its been in the northeast all of these years according to the motor vehicle records. I think as long as I wash the underneath after any road salting it should be just fine

E320Coup 12-15-2003 04:10 PM

The mechanic is right, you should "drive the hell out of it, but there's no point when it's salt-ridden slush and snow, your just begging for that kind of soup to find its way into crevices and nooks where a car wash cannot get at it.

And no, of course Ca's and Fla's drive their cars in the salty air, and it is a problem- just something you have to put with in those states. Up here, we have a choice not to drive them in conditions that will deteriorate the body.

You can always get a new engine, tramission etc for a good body, but not the otherway around. Driving it when it is dry is no problem, it just sounded like you were going to drive it day in and day out.

Washington DC may also have a ban on using salt and sand for ecological reasons too. If they are not using it, you may not have too much to worry about, unless the substitute is worse than salt?

- Another thing is that when people do store their cars, whether it is in a climate controlled area, their own garage, or even under a tarp outside, most don't take the time to start it every once in a while during the season and run all the systems so they stay lubricated etc.

Its your car, do what you want. Just nice to hear you are warming up to it and actually like driving it!

lynn tassin 12-15-2003 04:15 PM

Thanks for the advise. How do I find out locally what they might be using on the roads. Do I just contact a local government agency?

E320Coup 12-15-2003 04:52 PM

Yes, I would think so. Usually if they are not using salt, they will post it on the roadside- up here anyway.

As a matter of fact, I would drive mine in the winter- completely dry days only- IF, I hadn't taken the liability insurance off while it was stored. Mabe I will reinstate insurance and drive it on those days?

I wonder if salt powder left on the roads is a concern? Maybe somebody out there knows...?

elau 12-15-2003 05:05 PM

Lynn,
Glad to hear that your car is running better. Since you are in the DC area, you may want to check out Roy Field in Timonium, MD. He specializes in MB and nothing else. He does a great job and a fair price.

lynn tassin 12-15-2003 05:11 PM

Thanks Elau

How do his prices compare to the dealership? I hope he is more knowledgable than are. They werent of much help to me with my car. I will certainly call him if I have more problems. Is he one of these Bosch mechanics that someone recommended earlier? Thaks again

elau 12-15-2003 06:42 PM

He charges $65/hr last time I went to see him, as oppose to $85 the dealer charges.

He was recommended by this forum about two years ago. He only works on MB, and the only draw back is you have to call way in advance to schedule. He has a medium size shop but is always booked full because of his reputation around here and people from PA.

DslBnz 12-15-2003 07:40 PM

Hmmm.., Mercedes reputation was built on the bulletproof sedans they used to build.

It is not uncommon at all to see old MB diesels going 400K miles without having to do anymore than normal maintenence. Maybe a transmission if city driving was common in your lifestyle.

On the highway, the old diesels would last practically forever. During the gas crisis of the '70's and '80's most of MB's fleet for the US was diesel up until '85. The reliability standard really stemmed from Mercedes diesels of that vintage.

The R107 SL is ok, but it requires a watchful DIY'er, and was not really meant to be a daily driver. Anyone who can put up with the ride of an SL can put up with the ride of an M3. I only plan to use my 560SL in short jaunts to the local beach, or for Sunday drives.

The SL is a timeless piece that one day, like the old Pagoda SL's of the '60's, will be worth quite a bit of money. They are roadsters after all.

"Knowledge is Power" most definitely, of course. This is what I live by and hope to achieve as much as I possibly can. Its a craving.

In the future, when you are confident in your own mechanical abilities, buy another one. Learn these cars inside out, and the experience will be rewarding. When you're idle mysteriously raises in "P", you will be excited to know what it could possibly be; "Ah, probably the slider valve" or "Oh, maybe the idle control box under the floor mat," etc.

Good luck with your future endeavors,

E320Coup 12-15-2003 09:40 PM

Dslbnz,

the diesles are truly amazing. I have a 300dt which was my Dad's pride and joy. He was constantly waxing, changing oil, maintain-ing whatever while he was alive. Now that I have inhierted it, I drive it daily.

Right now it has 280,000 miles and it runs super. The trans is showing signs of slippage and I have a fuel line leak to be repaired but it starts flawlessly everytime. With the prospect of getting another 120k miles or so out of it, I'll invest the money for a rebuilt trans and another $500 for the fuel line, no problem.

This is probably a thread for the dielsle forum but I had to respond.

SteveStromberg 12-16-2003 01:17 AM

1 Attachment(s)
We use our Sl daily. Steve

RickM 12-16-2003 01:15 PM

Regarding the steering:

The play can be caused by a few things. The first two items are the steering damper (small shock absorber) and the steering coupling. I'd replace these cheaper items first because they are more than likely shot by now and they may solve your problem to an acceptable level.
You can also go with a rebuilt steering box to cut the cost much lower.

lynn tassin 12-16-2003 01:43 PM

Thanks so much Rick. Are these things that I could change, or do they need to be done by a professional mechanic?


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