What will I achieve with a 1997 skirt on my '93 SL500?
 

Hi all,

Tomorrow - for about US$1100 - I could upgrade the lower panels on my '93 to the '97 later-model look. This effectively changes it to 2 vents instead of the current 3. Brand new panels too, just been offered to me at about a third the retail cost.

The car is in the paint shop right now ready to paint the old lower body panels and bumpers in the upper body color of blue-black.

The shop will be doing it in the next two days, so I need to make a quick decision - paint the current skirt in the old style, or put on the $1100 upgrade for the same paint cost?

By doing it now it will obviously save me money if I want to change the look. But my question is, does the newer 2-vent look add to a '93 year car's value? Does anyone notice? Will the new look make it sell quicker, or put people off?

I believe the bumpers also changed in the 97 year, and so if I want to be true to the facelift I'll need to change those too, but that's big money I can't justify right now.

Any thoughts?

Ken Silver
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~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, now in the shop for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's - (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

Forgot to mention I already have xenon lights and clear corners up front. I suppose I'm already headed towards a new look regardless.

Ideally I should take the rims up to 17" too. My SL still has original 16" 8-hole wheels that have been repainted to factory and look brand-new, with new tires, so this is all getting quite expensive to change just for change's sake.

And I still haven't found a nice aftermarket wood steering wheel - which was my first planned change!

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, now in the shop for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's - (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

There was a member here, M-Benz, from the Netherlands who upgraded his 300SL to the '97 look...but he took his upgrades full circle...not just the skirts!

I can't recall what thread he posted, (so you'll have to search), but his results were outstanding!

I believe cosmetic upgrades that stray from what was originally offered for the model year will hurt resale value. That said, those that do, do so for their own personal preference.

I plan to upgrade the headlights on my SL and ML to the later HID versions...I like the improved lighting and looks, and am not bothered by the impact on resale!

G-Benz,

Thanks - I had found the other M-Benz post earlier on.

However, I'm inclined to think that a change to a 2 vent without the complete bumper and wheel changeout will make the SL a bit of a mongrel.

I'm not that worried about authenticity or resale - more the fact I'll be spending the money for little or no real advantage.

You've confirmed my thinking on the matter anyway, I'll pass on this offer.

On the matter of upgrades, it's interesting to see how many pre-1996 SLs around have the two-tone painted out as I'm doing... seems one color is the popular and preferred look.

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, now in the shop for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's - (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

I'm not that worried about authenticity or resale - more the fact I'll be spending the money for little or no real advantage.

If you're not concerned with how it will effect resale and you're not concerend with 'authenticity" - then the ONLY thing you should be concerned with is your own personal preference!

Me, even though I have a '98, I like the three slot venting look better than than the later two slots - to me it's more reminicent of the origianl '50's 300 SL.

- michael

IMO unless you have an extremely clean low mileage ride like Lowmile than I really don't think changes will have much impact on resale unless its something "extreme", ie a monster rear spoiler.

The previous owner of my '91 changed the front turn signals and rear lights to conform with late '90's standards and I'm glad he did as I think they look better. I plan on painting the car 1 color next year as I think it is a better look.

Personally, I prefer the 3 vent over the 2 but that said it's your ride. As a wise person on these boards said before, "who cares what others think, its not their car".

I've got a wood grain steering wheel.................

Thanks all - the decision has been made, and I've decided the upgrade is not worth it.

I've already bought a new boot (trunk) lid with hi light as part of our country's legal requirements, and by the time I have it painted, paint the body one color, upgrade wheels, tires, wood steering wheel and some other minor stuff, most of the cost could have been put into a younger SL with all these bits on as standard.

So I'll stay sensibly prudent and enjoy the car as it is.

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, now in the shop for facelift painting lower body.
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
~1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's - (and my polishing)
~1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

Don't forget to update your len covers for the tail lights as well.
I believe the covers were changed in MY96.

Thanks Elau - mine were already changed when I bought the car. I recall a thread where someone pointed out the change which was when I realized mine had been done.

I'm just happy to drive an SL. :)

One more thing - the grill. I think MY96 has fewer slot on the front grill as well.