Consider This Before Buying Sl's

And again just to repeat its more about the reliability issue, not the cost per se. I'll pay $100,000 if I know that the car will start everytime and will not leave me on the road. Even with the Sl now totally repaired, I will still not feel confident in it. Thats all Im saying

[E320Coup]

You both have a point, Suginami from a practical dollars and cents perspective, and Lynn from a security standpoint- and she's willing to pay whatever for that feeling- fine.

I personally would not make my SL a daily driver, and will always own a second car unless I move somewhere dry and warm all year. It would break my heart to see my car (or any SL for that matter) dissolving before my eyes. Plus it is great to make driving it a special occassion. It may feel like an old car to Lynn, but I and think many of us, get a thrill from the type of handling and excelleration, sound and looks that these cars give- they are gorgeous and in my opinion nearly timeless in their form.

Another thing is that older SL's probably by virtue of their age and mileage, may not have that tight, quiet, superintegrated
feeling that Nissans, Toyotas, Mazdas and other Japanese cars have. However, I find these cars boring, cookie cutter, cheaply constructed and as a result uninteresting. Give me a car with some personality and is still fun to drive when its 15 years old!

Thats my $.02

[Steve Gutman]

Mine is the 5.0 Euro model and it really scoots. AMG package, lowered and small AMG wheel makes it fun and sporty. But if you want everything right, it will cost a small fortune to keep it up. I still have to replace a lifter, shim the rest, replace some ACC servos, adjust (then likely rebuild) the steering box, F&R sub frame bushings, motor and trans mounts, differential mount, a door lock, Air conditioning, reseal a loose rear windshield (refused by 5 glass shops including the dealer recommended one), front brakes with repack of wheel bearings not to mention a new soft top, seat buns and covers and paint would be nice.

This doesn't include the yearly brake fluid replacement and 8.5 quart oil changes.

One mechanic says the car is fine, but I know the difference. Only 1 out of 10 even think it needs a lifter but the good mechanics pick it right out. One of my favorite mechanics says it's not so bad and a lot of work to change (and shim) it.

It's true; you have to be rich, a nut, a mechanic or any combination of the above.

Most people won’t do the maintenance in the book because of cost. Who ever changed the power steering fluid and filter, except me? Most people don't even know there is something wrong until something doesn't work. That doesn't mean it doesn't need replacement. IMHO.

Very very eloquently said. Bravo

[suginami]

Originally posted by lynn tassin
Didnt mean to irritate you. Its just my opinion. If I were to keep the car Im sure that I would have a steady stream of bills ( Hopefully small) not because its an MB but because it is OLD. Just like healthcare for an older person will always be more than a younger one. PLease leave my poor infiniti alone. Green is not a good color on you.

No no no, I'm not irritated at all. I'm a former high school and Jr. College teacher, and just trying to educate. ;-)

I make the same point to everyone. I'm not just picking on you.

I actually like the FX45. I think it's a great car, and should be very, very reliable. I'm not trying to persuade you to keep the 380SL (although it would make a great second car).

I agree with you wholeheartedly 100% that the FX45 will be more reliable than your 380SL, or any 20+ year old car, for that matter.

I'm just trying to rid you (and everybody else I talk to) of the view that since used cars require higher expenxes for maintenance and repairs, that they are money pits.

I just wanted to illustrate how the depreciation of used cars is such an enormous expense, and how this expense is always larger than the expense for maintenance and repairs.

So please, feel free to use the reliability reason for buying the FX45 (or any other new or newer car). It's a good reason, but not a financially wise one. New cars depreciate extremely fast, and never really make good financial sense.

Just don't call the old car a "money pit", when the new one will always cost you significantly more in depreciation.

UUGGHHH please listen to me, yes its depreciating but Im not paying by the breakdown episode to keep it running. Its always starting, always going fast and if it leaves me on the road I call the dealership. We're just talking reliability here. I understand depreciation, and believe it or not depreciation also happens on a mercedes benz. Can you imagine?

[el presidente]

Originally posted by lynn tassin
UUGGHHH please listen to me, yes its depreciating but Im not paying by the breakdown episode to keep it running. Its always starting, always going fast and if it leaves me on the road I call the dealership. We're just talking reliability here. I understand depreciation, and believe it or not depreciation also happens on a mercedes benz. Can you imagine?

......Bobby Cox walks out to the mound. Suginami knows what's coming. The manager calmly speaks with the usually steadfast pro, but, in the end walks slowly off the mound peering down at the ground and shaking his head. A valiant effort, indeed. The crowd comes to their feet cheering Suginami's effort as he is retired.

Bobby motions to Leo Mazzoni to make the call to the bullpen. Whom will the manager call out next? Lynn has retired three pitchers and has fouled 26 balls off the first-base line

Oh, the agony! How will the game be resolved? Stay tuned, fans!

lol thats great. Im really not trying to be a pain, just understood lol

[suginami]

Originally posted by lynn tassin
UUGGHHH please listen to me, yes its depreciating but Im not paying by the breakdown episode to keep it running. Its always starting, always going fast and if it leaves me on the road I call the dealership. We're just talking reliability here. I understand depreciation, and believe it or not depreciation also happens on a mercedes benz. Can you imagine?

Yes yes, I'm listening to you.

I understand now that we understand each other. As I said earlier, reliability is a great reason to buy a new (or newer) car. I agree with your decision (although I would've bought a 2-3 year old used car), but I digress....

But you're comparing apples to apples, now. A brand new Mercedes has a slightly more gradual depreciaton curve, but it would be little different than your new FX45. A new Mercedes will depreciate slightly less, will (hopefully ) be equally reliable, and will come with a similar "free towing service" to the dealer.

In fact, most owners don't realize it, but all Mercedes cars come with a lifetime "free tow service" to the dealer, regardless if you're the first or second or third owner.

Ok Im leaving now or will have to call a paramedic. lol good night all

[el presidente]

(crackling in the radio)

%$^& "Stadium Security to the dugout"

"What's the problem?", asks the nightstick-clad security officer.

%$^& "We have a professional pitcher who refuses to leave the game" chants Leo, who's having trouble with the radio as it is not often used.

"On it!", barks the eager guard.

******************
(near the on-deck circle)

"Paul, it's no use. We're just gonna have to let this one go", exclaims Bobby.

"But", cries Suginami

"No, it's over", Bobby says sternly. "We'll get 'em next time."

[maheath]

A few comments...

1) My 560SL is a daily driver and I don't put it away for the winter. But I also live in Austin, TX, where I think it's snowed twice in the 16 years I've lived here.

2) The '81-'93 Service Manual doesn't have a procedure to replace the power steering fluid and filter. Only to check the fluid level and add more if needed. The fastidious owner will change the fluid and filter periodically.

3) I'm right with Paul about the depreciation. My wife always makes a big deal about the cost of parts, but her new Suburban has cost us quite a bit more over the last 2+ years than my 560SL has.

Holy crap, what am I still doing awake?

Ok guys, Im leaving on Saturday to get my 380 sl in Birmingham Alabama. They are now forcasting snow for this area for Sunday. Is there anything I need to know about the car as far as the handling in snow. I have no choice but to drive it this weekend to get it home. Thanks

[E320Coup]

Have never driven an SL in the snow, but MOST Mercedes (4matic excluded) are terrble in snow.

Just do all the typical things; be careful, go slow, make sure your hartop is on and make sure your heater problem is resolved- Also, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DECENT TIRES.

Even though they come from a country where snow is a typical weather phenom., Mercedes are not very good in the snow! Trust me, I live in Maine- we know about driving these cars in snow.

Thanks for the advise. For once, everything on the car is operational. Tires are like new also so drive should be uneventful, hopefully. Ill keep you all posted