You know...I think that kind of damage comes with age alone...the same thing started happening to the seats in my 300CD...seems like that unraveling of the gathers happens when the car sits for a long period of time unused, then when you start using the seats again, they do that really easily because the thread gets brittle and rips super easy just from age.

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

Having looked at a few SL's number 1 is probably correct. They are usualy second, third, etc toy cars.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Pedal wear is what I would look at first.......................

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Matt (SD,CA)

1984 300SD.. White/Chrome Bunts..Green

1997 2500 Dodge Ram 5.9 Cummins 12 Valve 36 PSI of Boost = 400+hp & 800+tQ .. ..Greenspeed

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab Cummins 5.9 H.O "596hp/1225tq" 6 spd. Man. Leather Heated seats/Loaded..Flame Red....GREENSPEED

Global warming...Doing my part, Smokin da hippies..

Fight the good fight!......

Perhaps, but pedal rubber can be replaced for a few dollars and 10 minutes of time.

I'd put the car on a lift and inspect the under chassis. Should be extremely clean and original as should the engine compartment. Orignal exhaust system and spare tire. Interior should be very clean with minimal wear. Unless it sat outside in the sun for more than a few years the seats should have held up very well. Seat bolster on driver side should be real nice, irregardless of the seat cushion condition which should be good too.

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Question Authority before it Questions you.

I called about that car and left a message but never was called back

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Looks like a bit of overspray in the passenger door rubber and checkstrap. Are checkstraps ever body color?

Shouldn't it have downturned tailpipes?

Wouldn't an honest 21K SL fetch more than $4900?

Sixto
87 300D

I agree. If you looked at my seats with 200k, you would think that SL's butt cushions are brand spankin new. Oh how I long for good leather.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

It's got a dash cap, too. Probably sat in the sun and the dash is cracked, which would explain the "pinking" of the console too.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Steering wheel leather wear and indentations.

Looking closely at the colors of the needles of the speedo and the other guages, there appears to be slight color differences. Speedo is looks to me more yellow than the needle on the left.

My odo went a few years ago, and I had it changed by a reputable independent dealer. Same mileage was transferred to the replacement, but after a whlie I noticed the needles of the speedo and the fuel and temp guage no longer matched the tach. The replacement speedo was more yellowish than the original, which was more reddish pink. I think the guy changed two and left me with only the original tach.. Why he would have done that I can't guess, but they were all three uniform in color when the car went in and now there is a noticable difference in the two left guages.

So, I think there was a changeout IF there is a color difference in guage needles. Doesn't indicate the true mileage is wrong however, unless there is a huge chrono gap in service records.

Hey, call the guy up and go inspect it. The underside should look like new if the mielage is correct. Original mufflers, etc, etc, etc. Easy to check.

edit. Just blew up the pic of the interior and the emergency brake pedal has way too much wear, imo, for a 21,000 mile car. If the car had that little milelage, and was garaged most of it's life, why would the emergency brake pedal have so much wear?? Me? I rarely use the emergency/parking brake.

White with blue is more better. I'm guessing 210,000 on the clock. Or 21,000 on a new engine.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Let's face it. These kinds of claims are usually a lie, particularly when the price is low. The really low mileage cars are usually being sold by people who think they have a treasure.

Also, there's no offer to substantiate mileage. Just an assertion that it's genuine. Seems suspect.

With that said though, I would add that just looking at the seats doesn't say much. I've seen lots of old cars with dry, cracked leather seats caused by neglect and u/v damage.

Light Ivory with dark brown is way more better!

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Question Authority before it Questions you.

Black/Black....

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

People who own Ferraris get more sex in their cars than people who own R107s. That'll wear out the seat leather.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

Here's our answer. Another one bites the dust.

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Question Authority before it Questions you.