Looking to buy SL 320
Discussion
Hi, yet another soon to be newbie with an SL 320 I (sort of) hope!
Let me explain. I am currently driving as a second car my 93 TVR Chimaera 4.0L and as a school run / shopper my 98 Saab 95 (both for sale on PH). I LOVE my TVR but my wife and I have adopted 2 kids and you just cant get 2 kids and 2 adults in the TVR. Plus servicing, MOT, Tax, wear and tear, fuel x 2 is just getting silly, so, I want soft top motoring with decent power, seats for 4 and of course safety features, which are extremely important now we have the kids, but also something that is good looking which I think the SL's are.
I am looking at an older model hopefully a facelift type on an S plate but slightly older is ok if a good looker / low mileage, and panoramic roof, cream interior (not asking for much am I)
But just a few questions I want to ask is do all SL's come with built in child seats, are they fairly economical (dont expect too much being automatic and 3.2) what are the niggles to look out for, is the bodywork on these cars galvanised or something like as none of the cars I have read about either on PH or Autotrader have any rust, what are the service costs like, and is there an independant dealer in Northants who does servicing etc.
I have a guy coming to view my Chimaera, he has an SL 500 which has done 26000 miles and he reckons is mint BUT it is on a 91 plate and he wants £15000. I am asking £11500, but I dont want to go back in car age and certainly give cash his way.
Any advise on all above would be greatly appreciated.
Let me explain. I am currently driving as a second car my 93 TVR Chimaera 4.0L and as a school run / shopper my 98 Saab 95 (both for sale on PH). I LOVE my TVR but my wife and I have adopted 2 kids and you just cant get 2 kids and 2 adults in the TVR. Plus servicing, MOT, Tax, wear and tear, fuel x 2 is just getting silly, so, I want soft top motoring with decent power, seats for 4 and of course safety features, which are extremely important now we have the kids, but also something that is good looking which I think the SL's are.
I am looking at an older model hopefully a facelift type on an S plate but slightly older is ok if a good looker / low mileage, and panoramic roof, cream interior (not asking for much am I)
But just a few questions I want to ask is do all SL's come with built in child seats, are they fairly economical (dont expect too much being automatic and 3.2) what are the niggles to look out for, is the bodywork on these cars galvanised or something like as none of the cars I have read about either on PH or Autotrader have any rust, what are the service costs like, and is there an independant dealer in Northants who does servicing etc.
I have a guy coming to view my Chimaera, he has an SL 500 which has done 26000 miles and he reckons is mint BUT it is on a 91 plate and he wants £15000. I am asking £11500, but I dont want to go back in car age and certainly give cash his way.
Any advise on all above would be greatly appreciated.
Apparently the previous shape SL's were the last of the bullet-proof mercs, so I'd not worry about niggles or rust on a car that's done such low miles (26k is low for a Merc of that era).
They all came with the removeable hardtop also, so make sure it's got that.
One thing to be aware of is that its a big, heavy car, so it won't set the world alight compared to the Chimera, not even with V8 power. So I'd be warey of getting the bigger engined models over the 320, because even the V6 will only manage around 24mpg. Plus parts for the 320 will be almost free, because it's been in every model of Merc for the last 15 years!
They all came with the removeable hardtop also, so make sure it's got that.
One thing to be aware of is that its a big, heavy car, so it won't set the world alight compared to the Chimera, not even with V8 power. So I'd be warey of getting the bigger engined models over the 320, because even the V6 will only manage around 24mpg. Plus parts for the 320 will be almost free, because it's been in every model of Merc for the last 15 years!
Well I just might be joining the Mercedes fold very soon, as I'm going to view an SL 320 on a "T" plate. It has all he options including a panoramic roof, but I would like to know are there any trouble spots I should look out or listen for? The car has done 77k and has FMBSH. The salesman couldn't tell me over the phone if the car was a V6 or not.
One question I have is, as with the TVR Chimaera, the roof was regularly treated with Fabsil or Thompsons, is this the case with the Mercedes soft top, does it have a tendency to leak?
Any help would be greatly apreciated, thanx.
One question I have is, as with the TVR Chimaera, the roof was regularly treated with Fabsil or Thompsons, is this the case with the Mercedes soft top, does it have a tendency to leak?
Any help would be greatly apreciated, thanx.
gazzad said:
Well I just might be joining the Mercedes fold very soon, as I'm going to view an SL 320 on a "T" plate. It has all he options including a panoramic roof, but I would like to know are there any trouble spots I should look out or listen for? The car has done 77k and has FMBSH. The salesman couldn't tell me over the phone if the car was a V6 or not.
One question I have is, as with the TVR Chimaera, the roof was regularly treated with Fabsil or Thompsons, is this the case with the Mercedes soft top, does it have a tendency to leak?
Any help would be greatly apreciated, thanx.
Good man! I've got a 1990 500SL and its a minter. In terms of trouble spots they're pretty much bulletproof, though the 500 is a lot more powerful than the 320. The roof has a weak spot on where it folds, but you will see any damage easily. One question I have is, as with the TVR Chimaera, the roof was regularly treated with Fabsil or Thompsons, is this the case with the Mercedes soft top, does it have a tendency to leak?
Any help would be greatly apreciated, thanx.
There are a LOT of electronics on this car, so make sure the hood goes up and down easily. If the seller doesn't mind, ask if you can put the hardtop on and remove it.
The roof system is the only Achilles heel, so if this is working, you're onto a good 'un. If it doesn't, make your apologies and leave.
Good luck!
Greg
PS - goes without saying, any questions, just ask....
Hi Gazzad dont know if this is any help but 3 or 4 weeks ago (dont know if its still there) i was on one regular trip to North Wales and spotted a superb 98 sl320 in silver with black hide, not unusual except its done 28.5K from new and was priced at 16.5K approx dont know if thats neg as am nothing to do with garage which is Hilcrest Garage of Hollowell (just offA55) approx 12 mls west of Chester. I posted it on MBOC forum and one of there senior and very knowledgible members reckons thats fair pricing. I had a good look and its beautiful only minor paint lift on alloys (original) with hardtop. Cant hurt to ring cos these older Mercs are tough and reliable, good luck
Cheers for the shout on the Merc it sounds nice, the only problem I have with it is....and I know it's being picky but I hate all black interiors!
Anyway, I think I've done a deal on a "T" reg SL 320, so obviously facelift model with panoramic roof, etc etc in blue/black with mushroom interior.
I'm trading in both cars against it and the dealer has offered me more or less the figure I was hoping to get if I sold them privately!
Going to do the deal on Saturday, and then straight to the New Forest in it for a spot of camping.
I'm going to change the alloys sometime, and wondered if anyone on here has purchased any of these AMG copies, and if so where, how much(ish) and are they OK? I will probably advertise the original 17 inch that are on the car at the moment on ebay/pistonheads, they are recently reconditioned and look as new.
By the way anyone know of an independant MB dealer/specialist in or near Northants, who can perform the necessary Servicing at a good price?
Thanks for your help once again...it's appreciated.
Anyway, I think I've done a deal on a "T" reg SL 320, so obviously facelift model with panoramic roof, etc etc in blue/black with mushroom interior.
I'm trading in both cars against it and the dealer has offered me more or less the figure I was hoping to get if I sold them privately!
Going to do the deal on Saturday, and then straight to the New Forest in it for a spot of camping.
I'm going to change the alloys sometime, and wondered if anyone on here has purchased any of these AMG copies, and if so where, how much(ish) and are they OK? I will probably advertise the original 17 inch that are on the car at the moment on ebay/pistonheads, they are recently reconditioned and look as new.
By the way anyone know of an independant MB dealer/specialist in or near Northants, who can perform the necessary Servicing at a good price?
Thanks for your help once again...it's appreciated.
I've just gone from a impreza/chimeara 4.0 combo to a SL500,cant get the V8 thing out of me.Plenty of power and not that much slower either but unlike the tivver they do tend to suffer from scuttle shake like most,this is a 17 year old design.They are great value but they are not sports cars but cruisers.I went for a 98 car at 14 grand with 61 on the clock and a years warranty and mpg,well on cruise approx legal motorway speeds 26/27mpg.
cheers
Paul
cheers
Paul
[quote=gazzad]Hi, yet another soon to be newbie with an SL 320 I (sort of) hope!
Well yes I went out and did it on Sunday, a bitter sweet moment really when pulling away in the Mercedes and looking back at my Chimaera for the last time - but once I was away - well hello let's see what you can do! and I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with the car. She may only be a 320 but she shifts and sounds lovely. I am presently cleaning and tidying up the interior as it requires some TLC, but over all I'm like a kid with a new toy.
Well yes I went out and did it on Sunday, a bitter sweet moment really when pulling away in the Mercedes and looking back at my Chimaera for the last time - but once I was away - well hello let's see what you can do! and I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with the car. She may only be a 320 but she shifts and sounds lovely. I am presently cleaning and tidying up the interior as it requires some TLC, but over all I'm like a kid with a new toy.
JVR,
Well compared to the Chim what can I say they are two different beasts. I miss the burble of the TVR, but the V6 has a nice tone, I dont miss the uncomfortable ride from the TVR, the Mercedes obviously is a comfortable car, after all it's a cruiser and a lot lot safer!
The only way I can explain the TVR is that it was like a pram with a big engine, yes I loved that car and I still look at the pictures of it and weep. It's up for sale on Pistonheads now and the description from the sellers fills me with pride, as I put a lot of work into it - which I am now doing with the Merc.
I now love my Mercedes!
Well compared to the Chim what can I say they are two different beasts. I miss the burble of the TVR, but the V6 has a nice tone, I dont miss the uncomfortable ride from the TVR, the Mercedes obviously is a comfortable car, after all it's a cruiser and a lot lot safer!
The only way I can explain the TVR is that it was like a pram with a big engine, yes I loved that car and I still look at the pictures of it and weep. It's up for sale on Pistonheads now and the description from the sellers fills me with pride, as I put a lot of work into it - which I am now doing with the Merc.
I now love my Mercedes!
gazzad said:
I now love my Mercedes!
It happens. I had ten happy years with TVRs, but the poor fit and finish, no attention to detail and lack of even basic features such as ABS get to you in the end. When they stopped making a proper V8 I wasn't interested anymore anyway. I'm very happy with both of my Mercs right now
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h30
Hopefully you can see my new P&J. Photo taken 1 hour ago after I had spent ALL day polishing her with Maguires 3 step polishing system (it does recomend you don't do it in hot weather - but I couldn't wait) If you can't see the photo then click on my profile - photo also taken today.
Hopefully you can see my new P&J. Photo taken 1 hour ago after I had spent ALL day polishing her with Maguires 3 step polishing system (it does recomend you don't do it in hot weather - but I couldn't wait) If you can't see the photo then click on my profile - photo also taken today.
,Now
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