Tell me to resist

[jjrodger]

Tell me why I shouldn't buy this car:

1986 500SL
Smoke silver over mushroom cloth
53k miles
I think no air con
On sale at MB dealer with one year's signature (star mark) warranty

It is on sale at 12,000 UK pounds, or about $17,000. I've indicated I'd be very interested at 10,000 UK pounds ($15k).

Tell me not to buy it!! I'm sorely tempted.

[G-Benz]

You are in the wrong forum to ask that question if you are looking for an unbiased opinion...

I want an early SL too...

The only thing I could think of as a "minus" would be what are petrol prices in the UK these days? That car has a thirsty motor...

...I guess no A/C is really not a problem in the UK...now in Texas, it's as necessary as food clothing and shelter!:p

[Malc]

That sounds like a fair price (your offer, that is) for a 500SL of that age and mileage provided it's in good nick. It would certainly be easy to find one more expensive! I've not seen many 500s advertised with cloth (usually leather, occasionally MBTex), and I think aircon is reasonably common, too.

I don't know whether the Signature warranty covers bodywork and exhaust. If not, I'd have a good look at the exhaust - they are fairly pricey. It may even have original exhaust components in it at that age - my 88 300SL has. If short trips account for the very low mileage, something may be on the point of going, but it's not necessarily easy to tell because it's galvanised.

I'm not sure there are many specifics to look out for on bodywork, but no doubt others will advise on this. One place to check is inside the hood well in case the seals are faulty. Also water can get in the boot (trunk) around the rear light cluster if the seals there are faulty, so check under the carpet and in the spare wheel well.

I can't speak for the actual car you're looking at - but I love my 107 to bits, just very occasionally wishing I'd hung on for a good V8 model rather than the straight 6.

[jjrodger]

Thanks for the replies. As to fuel in the UK, it's pretty pricey: about $4.50 a gallon at the moment. However, I would only use the car for about 5,000 summer miles every year, so consumtion isn't really a problem. Btw, what would I get? 12-16mpg is about what I'd expect.

I think Signature covers the exhaust.

Interestingly, I am slightly more interested in obtaining a 300SL on the basis that it will be cheaper to run and maintain. To my mind, performance is not what these cars are about: they're cruisers. But then a lovely big V8 has an undeniable charm...