There's a '98 500SL for sale locally, 110,000 miles, salvage title, cracked windshield, ticking lifter, hardtop cannot be removed at present, trunk lid not original, needs paint job on one side, $8500. Story is the car is that it was getting some light bodywork repairs done and was left outside with the top off during a rainstorm. Owner claimed for water damage, insurance company wrote off the car.

In spite of all that needs doing, I sat in that car tonight and...damn it felt good. It was my first time.

Anyway, spoke to a local Merecedes repair shop (not a dealership) and mechanic told me the lifters are hydraulic and can bleed down if car sits for a while...lifter ticking noise may go away after driving for 20 minutes. Hardtop issue may be the hydraulics...mechanic said i need deep pockets if thats the case. He recommended a late 80's 560SL over the 90's cars.

Someone talk some sense into me please...I am so tempted to buy that 500SL. Going to look at a '73 450 SL in the morning, 145k miles, far from perfect but is a daily driver...$2900 including hardtop. Perhaps this car will be more sensible...

By the way...has anyone been watching what people are bidding for SL's on eBay lately? Aside from the horendous prices for the pre-70's models, the 70's and 80's models are going up in value and the 90's cars just don't seem to be getting anywhere near their reserve prices.

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'87 BMW 325 convertible (162k + miles)
'87 300E, 144k + miles (sold)
'93 Chevy Blazer (full size), 207K + miles
'89 Sea Ray 390EC, 2 x 454's, 1550 hours...
'85 AMF Sunfish

Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA