Quick Query Before I waste a Journey R129

[DSLiverpool]

This 98 (S) SL500 has the three "gills" behind the front wheels - the owner cannot explain why but Im puzzled as its a facelift car and even has the centre brake light - Owner says its an AMG body kit but I cant see a body kit
Any input appreciated as its a 200 mile round trip

Dave

[r129sl]

Very odd.

It looks like a final facelift car (helios leather, SLK mirrors, sift rear lights, 6 bar grille--does it have a visible exhaust, too?). The three slot vents on the wings are NOT original. I can't say why they are there: perhaps a previous owner preferred them; perhaps some damage was cheaply repaired with used parts? The odd thing is that you would also have to change the lower panels on the doors and just ahead of the rear wheel arch as the contour is different.

[r129sl]

OK, I've fouind the car on autotrader. Looks nice apart from the oddity you point out and the corrosion on the alloys. If you look at the picures carefully, you'll see that the offside has the correct vent (i.e. two oval vents). That makes it quite odd to my mind: why would someone change the nearside but not the offside???

[DSLiverpool]

Thanks R129 - your knowledge is appreciated - the drivers side has 2 slots so its an accident damage so its off the roster Im not going to see it which is a pity as it ticks all the boxes.

Amazingly / sadly I have (after hours on the net) found a sl320 at Mercedes Direct (I know) its Y 41k amg / panoramic / silver / £15,995 with SIX owners FFS what appeals is the full merc warranty (tier 1)

Am I mad to not snatch their hand off ? I didnt want silver but it meets all other req`s perfectly and its last of the line

The other number one contender Im seeing today is this
98 / 87k / pan / amg / fsh

Which would you get ?

Dave