1983 500SL: Leap or Run?

[ksbeta]

Good morning,

I have the opportunity to purchase an '83 500SL from an estate. I'm trying to educate myself in a hurry, and determine whether this is indeed an oppotunity, or whether I should walk away. I do want an SL, I do believe that these are fantastic machines, and I do think this might be a great way to get into one. I'm trying to sort through some of the Gray-Market VIN# / parts questions -

Digging through your forums, I've come across a good deal of people looking at the same issue, with varying degrees of successful resolution.

An example:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/sl-forum/79394-what-1984-500sl.html

The car I'm looking at is slated as an '83 500SL.
VIN# WDB10704612002759. I'm having trouble finding a definitive source for figuring it out.

Will be looking at it again tomorrow, but a few basics thus far:
- Starts/ idles without issue
- It has back seats
- Battery up front
- Euro bumpers
- 135k miles on the clock

From that and the photos below, does this scream anything (good or bad) to anyone? Does that VIN# check out?

Thanks in advance!
Will

[rowdie]

All looks right to me. The 107046 is a 500SL. As posted in that old thread. Battery is in the correct location. It has the stock MB spoiler on the rear with the handle delete. Front spoiler and at least three wheels look like AMG parts. Climate control panel is one of the correct ones for a Euro of that year.

I own a 1984 500SL and know the model fairly well. Price is determined by mileage and service records.

Parts are not difficult to source so no need to worry about that. Most except engine are the same as US models.

[ericdee]

It's hard to say with such little info and pics. Here are the things that stand out to me...

That brake fluid is looking pretty ugly, most likely you'll have to go through the brakes on it.

There doesn't seem to be coolant in the expansion tank. This could be a big deal. The heads could be blown or the block could have a crack in it. Or it could just be a leak.

The kick panel on the left has carpet on it, which isn’t correct for that year.

With that said the car doesn’t look bad. BTW… those rims are hard to find and very sought after.

[rowdie]

Reservoir looks half full of the correct coolant which is orange. I used blue brake fluid last time I bled the brakes so that could explain that. Good eye on that carpeted panel.

[ericdee]

Ah, yes I see it now.

[Txpaddler]

You haven't given the price so I assume that the car is cheap. I would figure $10K for a 500SL in good shape. If you can come in under that number including deferred maintenance you're golden. I assume that the car has an auto tranny but the shift knob causes me to ask if someone slipped in a manual?

[rowdie]

If you decide not to buy consider posting the info. such as price, location and contact info.
Someone here may be interested.

[ksbeta]

All,

Thanks for the input, my apologies for the belated reply.

I ended up buying it. I've had my mechanic do a full tune-up, and we've gone through it fairly robustly at this point.

Runs and drives well. It is an auto. Soft top needs replacing. Driver's window wasn't working, turned out to be the switch; easy fix. Flushed all the fluids, no issues with braking or overheating. Motor pulls strong. New tires and an alignment were needed. Hard top is in good shape.

Thanks all for the help.

[PhantomCadillac]

So can you tell us what the final price of purchase was?

[mercwerks]

Mercedes Benz SL Class European Import | eBay

Seller Submission: 1983 Mercedes Benz 500SL