Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Mercedes-Benz SL Discussion Forum

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-24-2002, 10:11 AM
steve87
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Wink 1987 560 Sl

I am new to forum and need some advice. First let me say I am not a Mercedes owner but may be one by the end of the week. My former boss owns a 1987 Red 560 SL with a black interior. This is just one of his many "toys" and he asked me if I would want to buy it from him. It has only 35,000 miles and has been maintained throughout the years. The only flaw is the drivers seat is somewhat worn and may need to be redone. I think I can get the car for $11,000 if I move on it by the end of the week. I have been into corvettes for the last 15 years. I'll have to sell my '81 for this. What should I expect maintenance wise? How are engines in theses cars? Are there any common problems in the 87 I should look out for? I know I'm going to pull the trigger on this car regardless even if just to keep it in the driveway and stare at it. (I looks that nice). Thanks in advance to all and I hope to join the flock real soon!

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-24-2002, 04:24 PM
Travis129
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Go for it! Sounds like a great car. I'm an ex-Corvette nut too; I say "ex" because after driving an SL for a while, I just don't want to go back (although a midyear roadster would make a nice toy as long as I could also keep my SL...)

Its not just the looks; go ahead and buy it and then tell us after a month if you have any regrets; I'm betting that you won't.

Best,

Travis
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-24-2002, 04:42 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Posts: 154
Thumbs up

That price is way below average, so looks like a great deal. A pre purchase inspection is always a good idea. I find an amount of $ equal to 20% of the average sale price for a given used car is usually needed for after purchase tweeking.


560 engines are solid. I have no problems at 110K mi. with any system on my SL.

One problem area is the bump on the door side of the seats, a hole wears in it. Search " 560SL seats " on this site for info.

See this site for some info in general on SLs:
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/dquinn5735/index.html

Preventative Maintenance is a must, repairs can be very expensive.

Good luck!
__________________
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin, A.D. 1759

Roger
1975 240D
1986 560SL
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-25-2002, 04:05 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 51
My 87sl experience

I'm no mechanic but will share with you my experience with a recent 1987 560SL purchase. Mine had 91,000 miles on it and I have to say I paid a LOT more than $11K for it. Oh well, I'll try and contain my envy.

As you will see from checking this site, there are a number of mechanical issues that come up on these cars regardless of mileage; they are age related more than mileage related. I suggest you do a search on 560SL to find them and be sure to check the general technical forum not just this one.

Get the service records and compare them with the list of replacement items listed elsewhere here.

I'll mention only two things I wish I had known about before negotiating my high purchase price.

Look for worn valve stem seals--they get brittle with age and leak oil, producing smoke. It is very easy to miss this on an inspection--I did. Drive down as steep a hill as possible and take your foot off the gas and look for smoke. This was an $800 repair in the SF Bay Area.

Timing chain replacement. The chain guides can become brittle with age. If they break while you are driving you may need a multi-thousand dollar valvle job. If the replacement hasn't been done you may want to do it. This has been quoted to me as a $1,200 job.

Incidentally, I had the interior completely redone, new leather for the seats etc. and new carpets as well as a new soft top. This ran about $4500 with labor.

Since buying the car I've also seen a slight head gasket oil leak and steering pump seep, neither of which I've fixed. Also, replaced bushings on the shift lever (another inspection miss), new starter (bendix gear had teeth broken and it failed to catch to start, sometimes) and failed fuel pump relay.

All repairs are very expensive unless you can do them yourself with parts from a place like the FastLane (on this site). Parts here are half what you would pay at retail or to a dealer.

It is a great car, good luck.

John Campbell
1987 560SL
__________________
John C
1987 560SL 109,000 miles
2001 E320 103,000 miles
2007 E350 32,000 miles
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-10-2002, 09:39 AM
Kelly Pepper
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Purchase

Hey Steve87,

Did you buy that 560SL?

Last edited by Kelly Pepper; 04-10-2002 at 10:02 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-15-2002, 10:09 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Mountain Island Lake, Charlotte NC
Posts: 376
Yes, Did you?

Just baby it and it will go a long way with you. My 86' odometer broke at 191k(a few months ago) and is still going strong. I thought about fixing it but why would I? My baby is staying young.
__________________
Rob Armstrong, Charlotte, NC
Mountain Island Lake
RobAinCLTNC@hotmail.com

2004 VW Passat GLS TDI-50k
2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L 7k
FOR SALE 1991 300TE 228k

2003 Subaru Outback 57k Silver/Black-SOLD
2005 C230K 18k Pewter/Grey-SOLD
1997 E420 108k Black/Grey-SOLD
1986 560sl 200k Black/Palimino-SOLD
1985 300sd 340k-SOLD
1979 240d 170k-SOLD
2000 Volvo V70XC-POS couldn't sell fast enough
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-16-2002, 08:40 AM
Kelly Pepper
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
If I were you, I'd fix it, simply because it's not right!!! Don't we all want our babies to be as perfect as we can make them?

Do you have a picture of it?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-16-2002, 09:10 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Mountain Island Lake, Charlotte NC
Posts: 376
Its being fixed as we speak.

Will send a picture in a few days. I ordered a digi camera and will practice and send a few.

Thanks!
__________________
Rob Armstrong, Charlotte, NC
Mountain Island Lake
RobAinCLTNC@hotmail.com

2004 VW Passat GLS TDI-50k
2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L 7k
FOR SALE 1991 300TE 228k

2003 Subaru Outback 57k Silver/Black-SOLD
2005 C230K 18k Pewter/Grey-SOLD
1997 E420 108k Black/Grey-SOLD
1986 560sl 200k Black/Palimino-SOLD
1985 300sd 340k-SOLD
1979 240d 170k-SOLD
2000 Volvo V70XC-POS couldn't sell fast enough
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-16-2002, 10:33 AM
Kelly Pepper
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I just figured out how to post pictures, I could drive you guys crazy posting pictures. The 70/80's SL are such beautiful cars...especially when the tops are off or the hardtops are on.

Ummm!!!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-21-2002, 05:08 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 31
Not to be suspicious, but......

I own a 1988 560SL that was purchased new in 88 and now has 40K miles on it. The seats are in near perfect condition. You said one seat was so worn it may have to be redone.

Since that price is way below current market value for a car with 35K miles I would take many precautions to verify the mileage. Most MB owners are pretty savvy and know what the cars are worth. That price doesn't seem right unless he is just doing you a big favor.

philmartin
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-23-2002, 08:00 AM
Kelly Pepper
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
STEVE87...Post those pictures of your new(er) 560SL...make us all envious!!!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 09-26-2002, 05:14 PM
steve87
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
pics of my 87 560 sl

Just got new digital camera. Will post pics as soon as I can figure out how. Thanks for your interest!

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Stunning Collectors 1987 MB 560 SEC Luxury Coupe hoover Mercedes-Benz Cars For Sale 13 01-17-2005 12:05 PM
Trany problem 1987 560 SEC tosbt Vintage Mercedes Forum 5 01-10-2004 11:51 PM
1983 300SD or 1987 560 SEL BenzFreak Diesel Discussion 2 05-19-2003 01:05 AM
1983 300SD or 1987 560 SEL BenzFreak Mercedes-Benz Wheels & Tires 0 05-18-2003 09:07 PM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page