First Benz Story
I told a friend that I wanted a 69 Firebird to hop up or something fun and he told me he had an 85 MB 500 SL Euro model he could no longer afford to maintain. It hadn’t run in 2 years, needed exhaust, tune up and the driver’s window was stuck down. Interior and exterior were in bad shape. I wound up buying it and having a friend’s father (retired shop owner who loves Mercedes) help me fix it up. It’s been 2 years and although it’s not cheap or easy, I have become a huge fan of Mercedes Benz. Now I want a collection back to the 60’s!

I never thought I would be able to afford a Mercedes but I have found that if you buy an older one, they can be relatively inexpensive. Buying a good one is important because repairs can be very high. But they run forever and the quality and solidity is unlike any other. The one I have is lowered and has AMG 16” wheels, 50 series tires, complete AMG aero package, blacked out trim and it just looks awesome. Handling is great and the motor sings, easily running at triple digit speeds. Even though it’s 15 years old, I have had no problem locating and curing the few squeaks and rattles. It is solid and quiet which is quite unusual for a convertible. I rubbed out the whole car by hand and the paint looks a mile deep. I enjoy every minute I spend fixing it up and there is still a lot of opportunity to do so. My fiancé thinks I am obsessed. Perhaps I am, but the feeling I get from looking at and driving it can barely be matched. Now I want to trade my Bonniville in on a late 80’s 300 SE or something similar. She thinks I’m crazy but to me it’s just a matter of time.

Steve